Worship by giving

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also:  2 On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.  3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.  4 But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.” 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

The primary reason to give is not to support the Church or the ministry of our ministers. Giving is primarily an act of worship.  If God’s people are faithful to worship God through giving, we can be assured that He will support His Church, His ministries, and His ministers. That is not to say that giving has no bearing on how God supports ministries and ministers. It does, but we give as an act of worship, and God uses what we give to support ministries and ministers.

Here are five ways to worship through giving:

1.   We are to worship by giving obediently.  “I have given orders… so you must do.” (v.1)

2.   We are to worship by giving regularly. “On the first day of the week” (v.1) indicates regularity, whether one gives weekly or bi-weekly monthly.

3.   We are to worship by giving proportionately. “as he may prosper…” (v.2)  The percentage prescribed in the Bible is a tithe, or 10% (Malachi 3:7-12).

4.   We are to worship by giving thoughtfully (v.2) rather than based on emotional or guilt-inducing appeals.  Let us thoughtfully determine what God would have us give.

5.   We are to worship by giving responsibly (v.3).  We are to entrust the money we give into responsible hands.

In all of these, let us give as an act of worship!