Walking in Sacrifice
 

God doesn't need your money. Furthermore, there is no expectation here that you will "give to meet the church's budget." God will always see that the ministries and missions of his church are fully resourced, so long as faithful Christians are in attendance with both their prayers and their commitment to the Gospel.         

That being said, how much should your religion cost you? While you may not expect to get for nothing faith’s assurance and comfort and encouragement, in this age of consumer sophistication, every shrewd shopper strives for the “right” price. So how much should you be willing to pay for the spiritual re-sources which help you find meaning and fulfillment?

          King David’s religious advisor had explained that the only way to abate a plague was for the King to make a sacrificial offering to God. A farmer offered his threshing-floor, the oxen, and the wood for the fuel. King David was touched, but said to him, “I’ll buy these things from you... I will not offer burnt offerings to my God that have cost me nothing.”

Paul pointed out that the church has an essential economic dimension, and that money is a significant part of mission. Scripture is clear – every Christian has an obligation to provide financial support, according to his/her means, for the support of the church and its mission. The financial “cost” of our religion is as generous as our circumstances permit and as honorable as our conscience directs – is an essential part of our being Christian. “I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that have cost me nothing.”

What can you expect when the plates are passed? Worshippers of all ages and circumstances will contribute to the plate, not according to the church's need to have money, but according to each disciple's need to walk in sacrifice, serving others with the first-fruits of what God has already delivered. Many people give in cash, some give by check - which provides a record for those desiring to track their charitable giving. The mission offering is counted separately, but in the same plate. Givers of cash may use mission envelopes to segregate their gift. Those who write checks may indicate an amount on the memo line of their check.
Once the offering has been collected, the congregation stands to sing the Doxology and bless the gifts.