Worship or Convenience?

Why do we give money during our worship on Sunday? Yes, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 16:1 that we are to “lay aside on the first day of the week.” And this was done as a matter of convenience so there would be no need to seek out contributions.

But our contribution on Sunday is much more than just a matter of convenience. Giving is worship.

It is imperative that we teach our children this concept of worship as much as we do concerning prayer, singing, the Lord’s supper, and preaching from God’s word. However, there is the frequent misconception that giving is just a matter of convenience.

In 2 Samuel 24 we find an account of David sinning against God by conducting an unauthorized census of the people. He was told to build an altar and offer a sacrifice to God “at the threshing floor of Araunah, the Jebusite.” When Araunah saw the king and learned of his purpose to buy his threshing floor, he willingly offered to give it to David, plus his oxen to sacrifice and the threshing implements for firewood. This was very noble and generous of Araunah.

David, however, knew that you don’t worship God with a cheap sacrifice. He said, “I will not offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which costs me nothing.” (v. 24) He knew there was no price you can put on God’s forgiveness, but he also knew what some seem to forget today; worship is personal. And what we give to God is our personal worship. It is not just paying God back for His blessings. No one has enough money to do that!

A gift must be an expression of love or affection from within to be truly meaningful. That is what worship is and giving is a part of the privilege we have in worshipping God, our Father.

Paul told the Corinthians, “But as you abound in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us - see that you abound in this grace also.” (2 Corinthians 8:7) He was talking about giving.

This “grace” is not a matter of convenience but of worship. Worship is not a matter of convenience but it is the manifestation of our love for God. Worship is sacrifice to our God who sacrificed His Son for us.

See you when the saints meet, Lord willing.

Love, Tony