1.) Offerings: Why is offering so important to you
and as a community? Is it really about the dollar amount or is it about what
you really, really can give (and not just money)? Do you think giving can also
be interpreted as a want or a need?
2.)
Dressing up for church: Have
you ever seen people dressed up for church or maybe yourself who was, what do
you think? So why is this, is it because people may think that others are
trying to get ahead and look better for the Lord or is it a humbling
presentation for that person? Any thoughts on this topic?
Reference readings:
Mark 12:41-44
41 He
sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the
treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A
poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. 43 Then he called his disciples and said to them,
“Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are
contributing to the treasury. 44 For
all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty
has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
Luke 21:1-4
21 He
looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; 2 he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper
coins. 3 He said, “Truly I tell you,
this poor widow has put in more than all of them; 4 for all of them have contributed out of their
abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
Exodus 19:14
14 So
Moses went down from the mountain to the people. He consecrated the people, and
they washed their clothes.
1 Samuel 16:6-7
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord." 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord." 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
James 2:1-7
1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
As many of us want to be rich or have really nice things, but our needs are different. Do you think this comparison is the same as offerings as to that I may want to give only a $1.00 but maybe what I should do is give more, knowing that I may spend it on pointless things and knowing that it is going towards something really useful so then I feel even more rejoiced. Not saying people cannot enjoy their hard-earned money but the thought of assistance with gratuity towards others. And for some money may not be a problem and they will give $100's of dollars this is because their time is more precious, but the others may wish to donate time to charity work instead of money. By donating time will save money towards free labor.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever people dress up for church or maybe yourself who has, what did you think? Have you ever heard growing up to put on your Sunday best? So why is this, is it because people may think that others are trying to get ahead and look better for the Lord or is it a humbling presentation for that person? So would it be practically to say you dress up for an evening out, so why not dress up for the Eucharist? Though we all know God loves us for what’s in our hearts and not what we look like.