Passing the Plate

This past Sunday, at church, I sat next to a little boy who will be a first grader this year.  Watching him during the service brought back so many memories of when our boys were that age.  I especially loved when it came time to take up the offering.  With anticipation he eagerly held his offering envelope in his hand, waiting for the plate to come down the row.  When the offering plate was passed to him, he put his money in and then with both hands handed the plate to me.  He was smiling from ear to ear.

 

Our boys, too, loved when it was time for the offering to be given in church.  You could count on the Bertrand row to take an extra minute or two because each son had to place his envelope with money in the plate and then hold the plate all by himself, with both hands, before it was happily passed to the next person.

 

Promotion Sunday is this week and the four year olds will be the “New Kids on the Pew” in church.  Some have had a trial run with family a few times, but others will be coming for the very first time to “Big Church”.  It’s an exciting time for the four year olds, their families, and their church family, too.  They will eagerly watch as we sing, pray, hold and read the Bible, listen to the music and sermon, and give our tithes and offerings.  Hopefully, the ways we worship will encourage and set the example for the four year olds as they learn to do the same. 

 

Oh, that our eyes, ears and hearts will also experience the joy, excitement, and expectancy of worshiping in “Big Church” like the four year olds.   And when the offering is taken, may it take extra time as we each get to touch, hold the plate with both hands, and give  cheerfully to the Lord. 

 

Psalm 122:1
I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.