How often do we give second-hand goods to God?
- Second-hand commitment – I’ll give you part of my life;
- Second-hand offering – I’ll give you a little bit of my money, but not the 10% you call me to give because I just can’t do that right now;
- Second-hand worship – I’ll raise my hands and praise you with all my voice on Sunday, but when the rest of the week comes around, I’ll live in sin.
- Or, in some cases, second-hand gifts – a used VCR instead of a brand new DVD player.
I came across a blog post from Media Ministry that said it so well and I think we really need to remember this:
The church is not a thrift or pawn shop or a dump. We have to think of our giving as an offering because that is what it is. Just like our service is an offering. Both deserve our best. We should be giving our very best. If you want to give to the church for some particular ministry then buy something brand, spanking new. If you don’t want to buy anything or don’t know what to buy then give monetarily or ask the leader of the ministry what they could use.
Wow. So true. And just this morning I was reminded that we really are called as Christians to give sacrificially. We have SO much – more than we’ll ever need, and yet we say we don’t have enough to give even the 10% tithe to God. I’m really getting convicted in this area, and hope God will change my attitude. I want to give Him my first fruits, and nothing second-hand.
Have you witnessed second-hand church before? What have you done to change it?
