Love Offering

Love Offering

            I believe in giving 10% of my income to God.  For some, this concept is quite familiar.  For those not familiar with this idea, giving 10% back to God is called a tithe.  (Malachi 3:8-12; Proverbs 3:9-10)  I like to think of tithing as my way of saying “thank you” to God for a job, a wonderful life, and blessings abounding (presently and in the future).  Tithing has been a part of my life since I was a child.  To be completely truthful, I really do love to tithe.  I get so excited around tax season, because I get to see how much I sowed into my church!  It is exciting to think of how the money is impacting others!  It is a blessing to be a blessing.  For this week’s love language, I gave an additional offering to God.

            Although this may seem like it was not effortful, allow me to explain.  My new job is actually an internship.  A 7-month, unpaid internship.  I love it; however, as you can imagine, it does cause some financial concern.  Giving an additional gift to the Lord was a stretch.  I wanted this offering to be special, not just something that I can check off of my list.  What I did not want this event to look like was to see the offering bucket get passed by, I slip in a check and think to myself, “There we go!  All done!  Thanks, God!”  I wanted this to be meaningful and loving.

            I took some time to pray before ever going to church.  I spent time really thinking about what the money could do.  I thought about the money helping with missions work, adding to our new church building fund, assisting in outreach events to bring people to the Lord.  It was so moving to ponder!  Then my logical side kicked into gear…I thought about all of the things my  love offering could do and then thought about the monetary amount.  No way could this amount do all of that!  Impossible!

            With the gentlest voice, the Lord reminded me of the story in Mark 6:30-44 where Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish and multiplied them to feed a large crowd.  “I can do this with your offering.”  Wow, how could I ever have doubted the majesty and greatness that God can do with so little.  He gives us love, we love Him back, and He uses us to love and help others. 

What an amazing and perfectly loving plan.

Month	January	January	February	February	February
Week Starting	21st	28th	4th	11th	18th
Love Language being used	Quality Time	Words of Affirmation	Gifts	Physical Touch	Acts of Service
How?	Spend half an hour this week alone in “praise and worship” time.	Write God a "love letter."	Give a monetary gift offering above my tithe.	Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!	*To be announced!