“The What of Worship, Part 4” (Ready to Worship S11E8)

March 13, 2020

Ready to Worship Season 11, Episode 8 for Friday, March 13, 2020

This season on Ready to Worship we are investigating worship by using the investigative questions of a reporter – who, what, when, where, why, and how. In this installment of our study, we will again be asking the WHAT question. In our last study, we focused on the first of five acts of worship – the Lord’s Supper. This week, we are going to focus on the offering. Like the Lord’s Supper, the offering is limited to the first day of the week. To the saints at Corinth, Paul wrote, “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Cor. 16:1-2). There are several things relative to giving that stand out in this passage. First, giving is an apostolic command – Paul, an apostle, gave it. It is not a man-made tradition. Second, it is a universal command – churches in different areas were to observe it. It wasn’t just for the churches of Galatia. Third, it is a weekly command – upon the first day of the week. The word kata is before the word week in the Greek text. Kata means every. The command to lay by in store or to give is to be observed on the first day of every week. The saints at Corinth were not to wait till Paul came to gather up their offering. They were to be giving each week. Fourth, the command is a proportional command – as God hath prospered. God is a fair God. He understands that some have more than others. In some of the sacrificial offerings in the Old Testament, He made allowances for the poor (Lev. 5:7, 11; Lk. 2:24). Yet, it should be noted that everyone, even the poor, were expected to bring something. At the very least, every man can and should give himself (2 Cor. 8:5). Other passages note that in addition to giving as we have been prospered, we are to give as we have purposed or planned in our hearts (2 Cor. 9:6-7). This purpose should be both liberal and cheerful. We must not offer to God that which costs us nothing (2 Sam. 24:24). As we get ready to worship this week, let’s remember the WHAT of worship. Let’s focus specifically this week on the act of giving.