(Psalm 96:7-9)
Every Wednesday the men of our church get together for a weekly men's breakfast and Bible study. It starts at about 7 a.m. with breakfast and we try to get our Bible study completed in a timely manner so the men can go to their various jobs in the community.
This morning when I woke up, it was about 20 degrees below freezing. Needless to say, it was tempting to be one of the "frozen chosen" and stay home. However, going to church is a choice and I had chosen to go.
At the men's breakfast there is always a coffee can sitting beside the table with a homemade sign on the front that says, "Food money." As I leave for the men's breakfast, I always make sure that I have a few dollars in my pocket so that I can "pay God for my meal." But today was different. As I reached to put a few dollars in my pocket, I heard the Spirit of God speak to my heart and heard these words: "My house is not a restaurant. I am not a waiter. And you don't give Me a tip."
My heart sank and leaped with joy all at the same time. The rebuke felt wonderful and I went to the men's breakfast with a whole new frame of mind. At the breakfast I told the men that we were no longer going to pass a coffee can and toss in some change to repay God for the biscuits and gravy. And today, something changed.
All through God's Word we are told to worship Him. We were created to worship. But we should worship Him in everything that we do, including our giving.
Have you ever thought about the word "giving"? Giving is not the same as payment. We don't worship Him with our payment. We worship Him with our giving. He freely gave to us and we must freely give to Him. The thought of paying God for breakfast does not bring joy, but the act of eating in His house and giving Him an offering brings great joy.
Leave a tip at the restaurant, but take an offering to the Lord.
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