What Do I Have to Offer?

What do I have to offer? This is a question we all face at some point in our lives. The way that we answer this question is important, but often times our response is problematic. You see, the average person, who has a humble heart, views what they have to offer in any situation from a deficit, especially concerning offerings to Father God.

First of all, I have to say that offerings can be much more than money, but I will use the example of money to approach the specific area of worship in just a moment. Whether you're talking about playing a guitar, singing, running a business, or giving some type of service, all of these can be offerings to God, not in replace of being faithful to give finances, but as an extension of our opportunities to give to the Father through what we do in our world. The value of our offerings is never determined by the amount, it is determined by the posture of our hearts regardless of whether the offerings are financial, artistic, or otherwise.

Imagine with me for a moment two faithful church members, one with an income of $20,000 annually and one with an income of $20,000,000 annually. Obviously these two individuals have a sizable difference in income, but the reality of the financial obligation to God and then their opportunity and responsibility to give above and beyond that initial obligation (the tithe) still remains. How would we view the person who had the twenty-thousand dollar income if he or she chose to say, 'my income pales in comparison to my brother the millionaire so I think I'll just keep mine and not give.' Of course we would realize that person's gross error according to the word of God. You need only to look at God's instructions in Malachi 3 (v.10-12) as well as many other areas regarding the tithe to find fault in this situation. In addition, you could look to the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) to see that God does not condone the withholding of what He has entrusted us with. He has called us to give and 'put to work' what He's given us. And lastly, in passages like 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, we realize that God desires for us to be cheerful givers.

Now with all of that in mind, why do we see it differently when people withhold the offering of themselves, particularly in corporate worship. How many times have you or someone you know regarded their lack of singing ability or rhythm, reserved personality, etc. as an excuse for not giving their all in worship to our Father? We can separate the two concepts if we want, but they're one in the same when it comes to our hearts. The offering Father God desires most is us coming to Him with humble hearts (Psalm 34:18; 51:17). Whether we're singing, dancing, working, serving, teaching, well you get the point, whatever we do, it's an offering to Him. So with regard to the area of lifting our hearts and voices in worship, let's never be guilty of being the individual I mentioned earlier with the lesser income, but let's offer everything we have, realizing that whatever He has given us, is valuable, because it's of Him, by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16-17; 3:23).

So the next time you ask yourself the question 'What do I have to offer?' remember that it's often much more than you think, so give it wholeheartedly to honor the Lord because He's worthy of it all.