Every Sunday in our worship services we pass around a plate or basket of some kind to take up a financial collection. We do so because of the apostle Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, “Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper.” As we prosper and make money we are to be setting aside and giving of our means to help the needs of the saints. It also helps with the work of the church.
As we get ready for this coming Sunday’s worship, let’s be thinking of three things Paul reminds us of:
- The Lord loves a cheerful giver: “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). It’s a matter of the heart. Of love. Of serving. How does our heart look when we give?
- Better to give than to receive: “remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive'” (Acts 20:35). Jesus said that there is blessing in giving, serving, loving. We aren’t suppose to be selfish or greedy.
- Jesus gave everything for us: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you by His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9). Jesus gave up everything to save us from our sins. Therefore it is a very small thing for us to give of our money.
Let’s be cheerful givers. Take joy and fulfillment in giving and serving. Always remember the price Jesus paid for our sins. Think on these things as you prepare your offering for Sunday. And on Sunday give with a smile on your face and a song in you heart and a prayer of thanks in your mind.
A Cord of Blue 