No one should appear before the Lord empty-handed 

I have some very strong memories of what Sunday church was like for me when I was a small boy. I loved the music and singing; my mother would pinch me real hard if I squirmed too much, and she would give me a dime to put in the collection plate.

I don’t know if I reflected too much in those boyhood years on why it was that God needed a dime from me. Surely I needed that dime more than he—that was two packs of baseball cards (with gum). But I am mighty glad my mother taught me early. Giving is worship, intense worship. Singing “Hallelujah!” costs you nothing. Giving a gift of money to the Lord is a sacrifice.

But what a small sacrifice compared to what the Lord Jesus did for us. The magnificence of God’s grace is a powerful motivator to want to give all of myself back to God. The giving of financial gifts has always been an important part of the worship life of believers. Moses instructed the Israelites: “Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose. . . . No one should appear before the LORD empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you” (Deuteronomy 16:16,17).

Because of inflation, parents, I now suggest giving your kids at least a buck for the offering basket.