Every Meal an Offering

EVERY BELIEVER A PRIEST.

EVERY HOME A TEMPLE.

EVERY TABLE AN ALTAR.

EVERY MEAL AN OFFERING.

EVERY GUEST A TREASURE.

We often think of Christian generosity in terms of tithing to the local church or giving money for a special offerings to benefit a project or relief fund. Christian people have been generous through the ages with their finances, supporting local church ministry and overseas missionaries as well as giving to aid victims of natural disaster, famine, or war. I think when a person has been captured by the generosity of the love and grace of God, they can't help but partner with the Father's generous, giving heart towards humanity.

Generosity isn't, however, just about money. Being generous with our finances doesn't absolve us from the necessity of being generous with our lives. I've heard a few sermons in my lifetime about tithing income and a few on tithing our time to the church. Seldom have I heard a message that encouraged the followers of Christ to be generous with their lives. The kind of generosity that I am writing about is the kind of activity that isn't attached to the two hours of church programming a week or contributions towards the church budget. It is, instead, possessing a generous spirit towards the needs of those in the community around us. How giving are we as the people of God to those around us and outside our Christian fellowship?

1 Timothy 6:18, 19 says this: "Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." I commend those who write the checks to enable the missionaries to serve where called, support those who help the hungry to be fed, and keep the ministry of the church active. However, wealth and financial generosity are not signs of spiritual health (Revelation 3:15-18) and may, in fact, give us the false impression that we are "doing our part".

I love the image of followers of Christ being the actual Body of Christ. It is with our hands that he continues to bless the world! Every member of his body is called to a generosity that transcends our own self interests. We follow the example of a giving, sacrificing Christ who beckons us to imitate himself! We have been the recipients of the generous nature of God as he lavishes his love and mercy upon us.

Surely, our cup will overflow.

"A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor."

(Proverbs 22:9)