President’s Message, October 2004

Much of the money that finds its way into the church could be called a collection rather than an offering. Possibly this is because needs are emphasized rather than the privilege of expressing love and gratitude to God.

One does not read in the Bible, “Let us go up to the tabernacle to hear Samuel preach – I hear he is very good”, but rather, “Let us go up to the house of the Lord to offer sacrifice”. It appears that the major reason for attendance at both the tabernacle and the temple was to personally offer sacrifice, as an indication of the love and gratitude of the giver.

Why do we go to church? While singing, prayer, and study are vital to Christian growth, the offering is an individual’s personal expression of love, and exercise in benevolence which makes all other expressions efficient.

Anything as important as the church requires lots of resources, and we should thank God for the opportunity to help meet the needs. This is what an offering is: an opportunity to express the love in our hearts.

The only acceptable offering is one generated by the pure motive of love – anything else is unacceptable. One can give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving.

The pure offering is motivated by love and expects no other reward than the joy of giving. It is an outward response to an inward feeling.

How then, do we protect this love relationship with God and still provide the financial support needed for the many phases of God’s work?

First, we continually uphold God’s love, His sacrifice, His Gift! Then, we can present the needs of God’s work as opportunities to express our love and gratitude. By following this sequence we will first give to God, then distribute to things. Specific needs will only make it convenient to allocate the money which has already been dedicated to God. He will be the real recipient of every offering. The requirements of His great master plan will be seen as opportunities to exercise our partnership with Him in the salvation of souls.

As we approach the end of the year you will hear mush about the many financial needs of God’s work. Look at those needs as opportunities to distribute the gifts you have already given to God as a way of expressing your love and gratitude for His inexpressible gift of salvation to you.