Worship and Giving Go Together

The four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!” And the four living creatures said, “Amen!” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

- Revelation 5:8-14

Ultimately, our giving reflects our worship of Jesus. Revelation pictures a fully bought-in heavenly host prostrate before the Lamb, worshipping Jesus. Can you picture yourself in this scene?

Sacrificial and generous giving can be difficult. Perhaps these words from the late Timothy Keller, considering the rich young ruler, will help:

Does it move you to think of what Jesus did for you?... Letting Jesus’ sacrifice melt you will drain money of its importance for you. Human status becomes just human status. Approval becomes just approval. You can give money away or you can keep it, depending on what’s the best thing at the time. The only way I know to counteract the power of money in your life is to see the ultimate Rich Young Ruler, who gave away everything to come after you, to rescue you, to love you. Jesus says, “my power is always moving away from people who have power and money. My power is always moving toward people who are giving it away, as I did. Where do you want to live?” (Timothy Keller, Kings Cross, p. 137)

Do you believe that Jesus really is the true rich young ruler who gave up everything for you? Take some time to reflect on what this means to you.

Prayer

Lord of the Church, enable your people to be the Church—a redeemed people, a holy people, a united people, a missionary people, and in all things a people gladly submissive to the truth you have shown us in yourself. Enable us to be a generous Church—a people redeemed from the deceitfulness of wealth, a people who use money for holy purposes, a people united in sacrificial giving, a people committed financially to supporting the Great Commission, a people who love God and neighbor in word and deed and giving all for the sake of him who gave us more than we can ever give in return, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.