The offering

The word offering carries with its implications sacrifice. It indicates that it has cost the donor something. The Lord’s Day offering may be said be a symbolic offering of ourselves to God. It is also an expression of our gratitude to him for what he is and for his many mercies. The offering is to him and for his kingdom world-wide. This concept of the offering holds true by whatever method the offering is set aside. This may be by viewing it as a constituent part of public worship where the giving and receiving are both seen as acts of worship in themselves, or alternatively where the offering is disassociated from the immediate acts of public worship. The motivation of faith and love and a desire to glorify God in the offering are required for it to be acceptable to God. Its giving should be with cheerfulness.

2 Cor. 8:5; 2 Cor. 9:7; Rom. 12:1.