Giving is beginning to become a dirty word in churches, which is a truly unfortunate thing. I’ve been a little disappointed to find that in many modern churches, the offering is no longer given a place within the worship service. As an alternative, churches now expect their members to pay their tithes online or to drop money into the plate as they make their way through the exits on their way to lunch (which has everyone glancing around for the nearest fire exit).
Different churches do things differently, to be sure, but this tends to give the impression that the offering plate is an afterthought, while I believe it is so much more.
Giving a church tithe isn’t like routinely paying a bill, or throwing out a chunk of meat to appease a pagan god – instead, it is a beautiful and important component of our worship. So why exactly have we traditionally given offerings as part of the worship service?
The idea is that the Lord has blessed us so powerfully, that our lives our simply overflowing with His joy and provision. Out of this abundance of heavenly blessing, we gather together to praise His name, to proclaim His truth, and to offer ourselves and all that we have to His service. You see, passing the collection plate isn’t a distraction from our worship – it is an act of worship.
It also provides a glimpse of Heaven. Revelation 4 tells us that those gathered in God’s heavenly throne room will cast their golden crowns at the feet of the Father, taking the blessings He has bestowed them with and offering them right back to Him, along with proclaiming, “You are worthy, O Lord!” If freely offering part of our abundance is good enough for Heaven’s throne room, I don’t see why it isn’t good enough for our worship services here on Earth.
Unfortunately, it seems that in order to keep people comfortable, some churches are robbing their people of a rich, full worship experience. Maybe we need to recall the words to Matt Redman’s 1999 release, The Heart of Worship:
I’m sorry, Lord, for the thing I’ve made it,
But it’s all about You – It’s all about You, Jesus!
The Artistic Christian 
Wonderful post John!
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Thanks! Different people will have radically different views on this, but this is my take on it.
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Different views is what makes the world go round.
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We don’t pass an offering plate around in our services. We have a box on a table for people to put money in. As a family, we give our money to our church via monthly standing order. It works for us because it stops our left hand from knowing what our right hand is doing. 🙂
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I can appreciate that, and can see how it could help avoid pride, etc. I personally would miss having the opportunity to do this as part of the worship service itself (it seems like it would be like taking prayer or singing and saying we’ll only do those things before or after the service) but I’m really glad you stopped by – thanks for your perspective!
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Hmm. I suppose I always thought of giving money when you go to worship as part and parcel of the worship .
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I don’t disagree…I know a lot of people who give in Sunday School or mail their check during the week and I don’t think that’s wrong…I just like the visual reminder during the service that we’re there to give back and not just to take from God on top of those things…
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Excellent post with much food for thought.
J.L. Campbell writes at The Character Depot and the Jamaican Kid Lit Blog.
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Thanks! I’m glad to meet you through the A to Z Challenge!
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This is a really wonderful post. Giving is certainly an act of worship.
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Thanks! I’m glad you stopped by, and best of luck with the rest of the A to Z Challenge (we’re almost halfway now!)
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I do agree with you. I think one thing that makes it feel like an interruption or distraction is when it’s coupled with announcements – it’s church “business” rather than an act of worship. I’ve wondered if having receptacles would make it more of a private act of worship…and if passing the basket along with singing/praying etc. would be a better option. So many churches do it differently. I guess we are all trying to find what fits. Maybe we should ask God what he would have us do to worship Him in this. Thanks for a great post, and for checking out my blog. I’m glad you liked it.
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Laura,
These are some great thoughts! At the church where I lead worship we always pray over the offering first, and then play instrumental music as the plate is passed around reverently. I like some of the ideas you’ve provided here, though. Something to think about!
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