Offering – An Act of Worship
“Don’t let the offering plate pass you by without offering something.”
Thus declared the deacon before delivering the offertory prayer at church one Sunday. But he didn’t stop there. He went on to quote an esteemed faith leader he’d heard say, “An offering is an act of worship.”
The words took me back to an earlier time: my children clutching their little sealed offering envelopes, eagerly awaiting the plate to reach them so they could drop in their quarters while Mom and Dad contributed a check.
Those actions were part of the church service and qualified as an act of worship.
My, how times have changed. We now have several options to give money to our churches. Online payment by e-check or credit card. Texting an offering. Setting up autopay which requires no further action on our part.
Tithing this way is convenient and time efficient. However, the deacon’s words reached my heart. The worship aspect was missing.
The monthly donation had evolved into one of those rote things to do, something to cross off a list. The offering plate smoothly flowing down my pew barely registered with me now. I’d donated online, after all.
Yet, I knew God desired us to give joyously.
“God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Our offering should be an act of worship. It’s a way to express gratitude for God’s unconditional love and mercy. Giving money is actively placing our faith and trust in the Lord.
I didn’t go back to dropping money in the plate, but I did make a few changes. My offering became an act of worship once again.
Electronic Offerings As Acts of Worship
- Make it a special occasion. Before sending your electronic donations, set aside some time to reflect on your blessings. What are you most grateful for today?
- Invite other family members into this time. Ask them what they’re thankful for. Your children may not be aware that you give online. Show them you do and teach them why.
- Pray. Thank God for His mercy and grace. Thank Him for the resources He provides. Ask that the offering be used to bless someone in need and to advance His Kingdom.
- Pray some more. Request wisdom for church leaders responsible for spending tithes and offerings.
- Celebrate this act of worship. Share a hug with someone. If no one is around, visualize placing a gift at the feet of Jesus in humble adoration. I once rattled a dinner bell to mark the occasion. It added joy.
I’m preaching to myself here. When the offering plate is passed at church, don’t disconnect. Enter the moment. This is a sacred time. Don’t let the plate pass without offering prayer. Pray for the day’s offerings. Pray for Believers who are obedient and wise in their giving. Pray for the funds to be used in a manner pleasing to our Father.
How do you prefer to to contribute to church and other ministries?
When the offering plate is passed at church, don’t disconnect. Enter the moment. This is a sacred time. #tithes #offerings Share on XThanks so much for reading and sharing. Hope Valentine’s Day was filled with love!
I like thinking of a tithe as an act of worship and to pray and honor God in a special way when giving. I don’t give electronically, but I would like to remember to say a prayer when I give next time.
My church has completely discontinued the offering part of the service. I agree with you that we are missing an important part of worship. After studying Micah some years ago, I was convicted that giving to the Lord should prompt rejoicing. Thanks for excellent ideas to connect worship with offerings no matter how you give.
Hey Annie! That’s very interesting that your church discontinued taking an offering. Churches here did that during Covid, but they returned to the traditional way of giving once restrictions were lifted. Did your church do that during Covid and then decide not to bring it back? I’d be curious to know how much of an effect not passing the plate had on giving. Regardless, I’m glad we still set aside the time to make it part of the worship service.
What a beautiful reminder of worship—giving back to the God who has given His all for us. Even as circumstances change and we don’t do things the way we used to, we can still pray and offer ourselves to the Lord through our offerings, online or in person. Thanks for your wisdom in this beautiful blog post.
Hi Debbie! Thanks for taking the time to comment. I like your phrase “offer ourselves to the Lord through our offerings.” That’s what we’re doing, isn’t it! When we place our faith and trust in Him, we are saying ‘use me Lord.’
A great reminder that giving is worship! Thank you!
Hi Luanne! I’m thankful I heard the deacon’s words to remind me of what offering should be. And used to be before auto bank drafts got so popular. Isn’t it grand how God uses others to remind of His words?
Tithe and offering can easily become one of those things we check off the list. But it is so much more, isn’t it! Thank you, Candyce. My heart is truly happy to be reminded that this is an act of worship.
Hi Terri! In the hustle and bustle of life, our offerings can easily become something less than joy-filled moments of praise and thanksgiving. When I allow that to happen, I’m missing out on a such a rich blessing.
Blessings to you.
Great lesson here Ms. Candyce. It is in the giving with our hearts that we find the truest form of worship. Taking a moment to thank God for the pittance we are about to give Him, or give in His name when giving outside the church. I often remark that I didn’t give this this person or organization, I gave it to God. What great reminders ma’am that all we have is His. We’re just tested by Him in how well we steward His manifold blessings.
Thanks for your input. Recognizing and believing we are merely giving back to God a portion of what He has provided us puts a whole new spin on on it – gives us a new paradigm. How could we do anything less?
Faith and trust leads us to give with joy and thanksgiving. God will meet all our needs and then some!
You’ve given me a whole new perspective on sharing an offering. Your ideas and suggestions can help us change our viewpoint–instead of being a necesary chore, sharing our offering becomes an act of worship. Thank you, Candyce!
Thanks, Katherine.
“And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord’s contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for its service, and for the holy garments.”
Candyce, this is a very observant and informative article on offerings and worship. Our times have certainly changed – online giving. I appreciate your suggestions to use during our new at-home giving format.
Blessings,
Jackie
Hi Jackie. Technology, and then Covid-19, certainly has changed how we (as a nation) “do” church. I’m so thankful to get back to in-person worship again. It’s one of the things I missed most when we were shut down. And giving online is not a bad thing, but I’m seriously thinking about returning to in-person giving if my new approach doesn’t satisfy me.
Hi Jackie. Technology, and then Covid-19, certainly has changed how we (as a nation) “do” church. I’m so thankful to get back to in-person worship again. It’s one of the things I missed most when we were shut down. And giving online is not a bad thing, but I’m seriously thinking about returning to in-person giving if my new approach doesn’t satisfy me.
We drop our offering in the plate as an act of worship but I fail to pray. I plan to practice this in the future. Thank you Candace.
Lisa, I’m convinced your hands-on approach better connects the acts of offering and worship. I’m thinking of skipping the online thing and going back to doing it your way.
Thanks for your input.
Love you
Love you too, Johnny. Thanks for reading.