You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NLT2)
We discovered, actually, we have been introduced to a new role in church.
Even a casual reading of the New Testament makes it clear that every follower of Christ should be an active, growing, present, involved, and serving member of a local church. Everyone has a part, a function, a role in the body of Christ (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4:10, Hebrews 10:24-25). When you think of roles in church, what comes to your mind? Maybe a few of the following came to your mind: Pastor, Deacon/ness, Board member, Treasurer, Ministry member or leader (such as Children, Youth, FoodBasket, Prayer, Youth, Worship, Multi-Media, GriefShare, Missions, Maintenance, Cleaning Crew, Kitchen, …), Small group member or leader, Usher. Or maybe you thought in terms of being a helper, encourager, giver, …
The new role we have been introduced to is offering-leader. Who would you give that role to? I didn’t even know this role existed until a few weeks ago. I had no idea how much the church could be blessed by it or what a difference it could make. Others have noticed as well; some have suggested we need to have offering-leaders as a regular part of our services. So tell me, who would you pick for this?
Because we were ignorant of this role we didn’t pick anybody. But if we had, we probably would have picked someone responsible, someone dignified, someone with a track record when it comes to giving and offerings. However, due to us being in the dark as to offering-leaders I think they are themselves a gift straight from the hands of the Holy Spirit. Now the thing is this, there is already a great spirit of giving and generosity in our church, but it seems there is another level -an attitude of giving we are being introduced to by our new offering-leaders.
Maggie and Alice are four-year-old twins with smiles that can make your day. A few weeks ago, their Mom, trying to teach them, dispatched them down the aisle of “Big Church,” to drop their offering into the plate in front of the stage. There they came, smiling, dancing, waving their dollar bills, dropping their offering into the plate with sheer joy, pleasure, and a God-honoring attitude that fits bringing an offering to God. Now other children are joining in, they are forming an offering brigade dancing to the front of the sanctuary led by Maggie and Alice. A few adults are starting to catch on, following the example of our new offering-leaders. It is hard to resist that kind of unencumberdness, purity of heart, and joy.
These two are making a difference, not just with the other kids, but in the whole church. Never mind what all the adults do, what the preacher has cooked up, it is worth coming just to be part of an offering led by Alice and Maggie and the children’s offering brigade.
What’s the point? We all have roles, in life, in our families, our community, and in church. It doesn’t matter if you are four, fourteen, forty, or approaching triple digits, we can bless, inspire, encourage, contribute, be an example, and bring glory to God by embracing our roles with hearts of abandon like Maggie and Alice, our offering-leaders.
To God be all glory. Love you, Pastor Hans
P.S. If you don’t want to wait till next Sunday, can’t come to the next service, or you just want to practice, go to our church website ldpbaptistchurch.com, click on “giving,” and follow the instructions. But before you do your final click- do a dance, smile with joy, and punch the key in the way you picture Alice and Maggie would do it.
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