The pastor was excited about his message. It was Giving Sunday—the designated day of the year when he was challenged to deliver a message about supporting the ministry of the church. Rather than quoting the traditional scriptures regarding tithing, he decided to talk about how the church was making a difference in people’s lives. He came up with a great list of ways the church was already ministering to others and how people had been blessed by the actions of church members. He began by saying, “Let me list the ways this church worships God.” Then he talked about Bible studies, small groups, daycare, campus outreach, and staff counseling.
What he didn’t expect
He felt the message was going well, except he could not take his eye off one longtime member sitting in the back. The more he spoke, the more she seemed to be distracted, even to the point of becoming upset.
At the end of the service as the crowd dwindled, the woman approached him, still seeming troubled. He greeted her warmly but expressed his concern. “Are you all right, Edwina?”
Tears welled up in her eyes. “Pastor, you gave an excellent sermon,” she began. “You managed to list all of the ways our church family worships God through their actions. But I began to feel left out. I am not able to get out often. Except for being brought to church each Sunday, I live in isolation. I cannot teach, work in daycare, offer counseling, or visit the sick. My living situation makes it impossible to host a Bible study.”
Then she shared her real concern: “I want to worship God as much as all these people, but all I can do is write checks. I feel so useless.”
Giving is an act of worship
Giving of our time and our talents are both important ways that we act out our faith. But giving our resources is no less important. In his eagerness to highlight the acts of service and worship that financial giving can support, the pastor failed to acknowledge in his sermon that giving itself is an act of worship.
Giving is a necessary and vital part of every Christian’s worshipful lifestyle. The Lord does not need our money, but he wants our hearts. When we surrender a portion of what we have received to the Lord, we are offering Him our worship. When we give with praise and thanksgiving for all He has done for us, we acknowledge that all ministry happens at His command.
Perhaps you are in a season of limited opportunities or reduced capacity to serve the Lord with your time or your abilities. If so, keep leaning in to your generous giving as an act of humble worship. Regardless of your situation, you can minister to others and worship the Lord through giving.
