By Brenda Leisinger, Generous Life Director
OK, so you are probably thinking, what does giving have to do with worship. If you are like me you grew up thinking worship was all about the music, otherwise why would the music director be called the Worship Pastor?
Well, I found out later that worship was about much more than music. Webster defines worship as the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity (God). Did you catch the word “expression”? That word implies actively doing something to exhibit how you feel.
We see the expression of reverence and adoration at the birth of Jesus when the wise men came with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their giving was intentional, thoughtful, and generous and was a reflection of what their hearts treasured.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21).
So, shouldn’t we also worship God with the money and possessions he has entrusted to us?
Our giving should be viewed as an act of worship, not just an item to mark off on our spiritual checklist. Giving has always been a form of worship in the Bible and we are commanded to honor and glorify God in this way.
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;” (Proverbs 3:9).
When we obey this command, we acknowledge that God owns everything, and supplies us with everything, entrusting us to be faithful stewards of His possessions.
When we give generously and sacrificially, it is not because God needs anything from us, but because we want to show our love for him. In light of what Christ has done for us, why would we not want to give Him our best?
And when we worship through giving, we should do so joyfully.
Think about Christmas morning when the people we love are opening the gifts we have selected for them. Gifts that we have given joyfully because we love them. It makes our hearts burst with joy to see the excitement on the faces of those receiving our gifts. Now think about the gifts we give Christ through the church, do you feel the same joy?
You should, because God loves a cheerful giver!
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
The reality is you will either worship your money and possessions or use your money and possessions for the worship of God.
Your choice, but I would encourage you to think about what you have that has not been given to you by God and consider if He is worthy of your worship through giving.
Let’s worship the Lord our God and Savior with our joyful, generous, giving and praise him for all that he has done for us!
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14)