We handle God's business on earth by Offering.

The church, then, whether it be local, conference, or worldwide, uses our gifts to advance the cause of God. 

We love God because He first loved us.

Our offerings are an evidence of our willingness to self-sacrifice for God.

Our offerings rest on the conviction that we have found assurance of salvation in Christ.

They are not an appeasement or a search for God’s acceptance. Rather, our offerings flow from a heart that has accepted Christ by faith as the only and sufficient means of grace and redemption.

English idiom says, it is “putting our money where our mouth is.”

You can say you love God, but generous offerings help reveal (and even strengthen) that love.

• study/preaching,
• prayer,
• music, and
• tithes and offerings.

True worship, isn’t just expressing in words and songs and prayer our thankfulness and gratitude to God, but also expressing that thankfulness and gratitude to God by the bringing of our offerings to the house of the Lord.

They brought it to the temple; we bring it to the church on Sabbath (at least as one way to return our tithe and offerings), an act of worship.

As God’s children, who are tasked with the responsibility of managing His business on the earth, it is a privilege, an opportunity, and a responsibility to bring our offerings.

What has been your own experience with the role of returning tithe and offerings as part of worship?

How does the practice impact your relationship with God?

What do your offerings, and your attitude about giving them, say about your relationship to God?

Read Mark 12:41-44.

Jesus and His disciples were in the temple courtyard where the treasury chests were located, and He watched those who were bringing their gifts.

A widow had given two copper coins. She had put in all that she had. “But Jesus understood her motive. She did what she could.

Apparently, not only are our prayers heard in heaven, but the motive of our gifts is also noted.

The passage notes that Cornelius was a generous giver. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:21, NKJV). The heart of Cornelius followed his gifts. He was ready to learn more about Jesus.

Research has shown that only about 9 percent of people’s assets are liquid and could be contributed as an offering on a moment’s notice.

Most people give their offerings or contributions from the small jar — from their liquid assets. This is what they have in their checking account or pocketbook. But when someone really gets excited about something, they give from the big jar.

Mary’s gift was worth 300 denarii — a full year’s wages. It was, most likely, a “big jar” gift.

Judas betrayed Jesus for a little more than one third of that amount — a “little jar” gift, 30 pieces of silver (Matt. 26:15).

It takes real love and commitment to make big jar gifts — from our investments. But when we get greedy, like Judas, we can sell our souls for next to nothing.