Winning Ways: What Does Jesus Do During the Offering Time?

What do you do during the offering time?

Every Sunday we have a time in our service where offering plates are passed. During that time, some of us pray. Some of us write out a last-minute check before the plate gets to us. Some of us listen carefully to the music being performed during the offering time. Some of us doodle artwork on the bulletin or send texts on our phones.

But what does Jesus do during the offering time. In Mark 12, we find a story that can help us understand that. There we find him carefully observing the giving habits of worshippers. In the end, only one impressed him, and he honored her.

God says he will honor us as we honor him (1 Samuel 2:30), and one way we honor him is through our offerings. This Sunday, we’ll see what the Scriptures have to say about that.

A client once wrote a company for information about their product. In the letter he specifically stated that he did not want a salesman to call on him. However, since the information he had requested was rather technical and could not be adequately communicated in a letter, the company sent a salesman.

When the representative showed up at the man's office, he received a very cold reception. He repeatedly reminded the salesman that his letter clearly stated, “No salesman!”

The sales rep was a trainee and had very little experience in sales. “Mister,” he said, “I'm about as close to a ‘no-salesman’ as they’ve got.”

When it comes to sermons on giving, I’m about as close to “no salesman” as you can get! If I had to make a living as a fund-raiser, I’d starve.

Thankfully stewardship is a discipleship issue, not a fund-raising issue. I’m not called to be a fund-raiser, but I am called to train disciples. Part of that training involves what we are to do with our money.

In Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV), the wise man said, “Honor the Lord with your wealth,” and then he added this promise: “Then your barns will be filled to overflowing.” Join us this Sunday at 10 a.m. and let’s discover again how God honors those who honor him!

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