The Weight of the Offering: Why Giving Should Never Be "Effortless"
In our modern age, we are besieged by the "gospel of convenience." From one-click shopping to automated bill payments, the world insists that friction is the enemy. This philosophy has quietly migrated into the sanctuary, with advertisements and apps promising to make church giving "effortless" or "seamless."
But as we search the Scriptures, we find a startling truth: God never intended for our worship to be forgettable. Biblical giving is not a transaction; it is a sacrifice. And a sacrifice, by its very definition, requires care, consideration, planning, and effort. When we remove the effort, we risk removing the heart.
I. The Preparation: The Passover Model
In the tenth day of the month of Abib, the Israelite father did not simply grab the first animal that crossed his path. The Law required a deliberate, four-day process of preparation:
Consider the "weight" of those four days. The lamb was brought from the field into the home. It was observed, fed, and examined. The family became intimately aware of its value and its purity. By the time the fourteenth day arrived, the family knew exactly what they were giving up. There was no "automation" in the Passover; there was only intentionality.
The Lesson: When we "set and forget" our giving through an automated app, we skip the four days of "keeping it up." We bypass the period of examination. Biblical giving requires the care of choosing the best and the planning of setting it apart. If the gift doesn't cost us a moment of consideration, does it truly qualify as a sacrifice "without blemish"?
II. The Decision: The Thirteen Trumpets
In the Second Temple, located within the Court of the Women, stood thirteen bronze chests known as "trumpets" because of their narrow necks and flared bases. These were not generic "drop boxes." Each was inscribed with a specific purpose: wood for the altar, incense for the holy place, or specific freewill offerings.
A worshipper entering the Temple could not give mindlessly. They had to walk the length of the colonnade, read the inscriptions, and decide. This required deep consideration. They had to match their resource to the mission of God’s house. When a machine decides the timing and the method, the worshipper is demoted to a mere spectator of their own stewardship.
III. The Approach: The Surrender of the Walk
Perhaps the most striking contrast between the biblical model and the modern one is the direction of movement. Today, we often "pass the plate." The opportunity to give is brought to the person in the pew. While practical, this can foster a passive—or even coercive—spirit.
But in the Temple, there was no "collection" in the sense of a heavenly IRS agent making the rounds. The worshipper was the one who moved.
To get up from your seat and walk toward the treasury box is a physical act of voluntary surrender. It is a "pilgrimage in miniature." There is a profound psychological difference between a plate being placed in your hand and your hand reaching out to the box. One is a reaction; the other is a proactive presentation. It says, "I am not giving because a plate was put in my hand; I am giving because I have purposed to approach my King."
IV. The Sound of Sacrifice: The Widow’s Mite
We often focus on the amount the poor widow gave, but Mark’s Gospel tells us that Jesus sat down and "beheld how the people cast money into the treasury" (Mark 12:41 KJV).
He wasn't just counting the coins; He was observing the manner of the giving. The rich cast in much, but it was "easy" for them; it cost them no planning and no change in lifestyle. The widow, however, gave "all her living." Her gift required the ultimate effort. It was the climax of a life of dependency on God. He is not looking for the most efficient transaction; He is looking for the most surrendered heart.
Conclusion: Reclaiming Mindful Stewardship
The goal of the church is not to raise a budget; it is to raise disciples. If we make giving so "easy" that it requires no thought, no movement, and no sacrifice, we are failing in our duty to cultivate stewards. Let us not be afraid of a little "friction" in our worship. Let us embrace the care of the Passover selection, the consideration of the Temple trumpets, and the surrender of the walk to the box.
As Paul wrote: "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV). You cannot "purpose" what you have merely automated.
James Burke is the Senior Pastor of Grace Community Church in Marinette, Wisconsin.