FROM MINISTERIAL SERVICES

Points to Stress in an Offertory Message

Holy day offerings are a vital part of God's plan and contribute significantly to the work of God's Church. The style, content and delivery of the offertory message should reflect the offering's importance and show reverence for God's commandment. Yet, all too often the offering is preceded by a lackluster "It's time for another offering, so let's all turn to Deuteronomy 16:16 again."

God's commandments should not be taken casually or be made to appear as ritualistic chores. Giving an offering should be viewed as the opportunity and privilege that it is. An offering benefits the giver far more than it benefits God.

Certainly offerings are commanded by God, but this does not always need to be the main point in the offertory. There are many other aspects which can and should be emphasized. Here are a few examples:

• How the offering relates to God's plan. We are to become God. Since God is love, He is a cheerful giver. And since we are to be developing the character of God, we should learn to enjoy the opportunity to give freely and cheerfully.

• The growth and needs of God's Church. Show what tithes and offerings have done and will do in helping to spread the Gospel around the world. Stress teamwork and involvement.

• Putting God first. God gave His only Son so we could be reconciled to God and receive eternal life. Therefore, we should be willing to put God and His work first in our lives, sacrificing as necessary.

• The urgency of completing God's work. God's soon-coming Kingdom is the only hope for mankind. Christ will return after the Gospel has been preached to all the world.

• God's blessings. God is the greatest giver. He has given us everything we have. He is pleased with our generosity and will more than make up for it by blessing us in many ways.

Remember, we are to give meat in due season. When giving an offertory message, emphasize certain aspects of the offering according to the purpose of the holy day. On the Feast of Trumpets, for example, stress the urgency of completing God’s end-time work, showing how our commitment and sacrifice is needed more than ever as we look forward to Christ's soon return. During Pentecost, it would be fitting to explain how giving an offering helps us develop godly character in preparation for becoming members of God's Family.

Undoubtedly, you can think of many other lessons and points which would be relevant and stimulating. God's plan is exciting — it is inspiring. This is conveyed when the offertory is delivered with personality, feeling, purpose, joy and contagious excitement!

The speaker's goal should be to inspire and educate God's people, motivating them to do that which is for their benefit and for the good of God's Church. When delivered in a positive, uplifting and encouraging manner, the offertory helps God's people become more thoroughly involved in doing the most important work on earth!

A final note regarding holy day offerings: Although there are reminders every year in The GOOD NEWS regarding the need to prepare for holy day offerings well in advance (see pages 3, 30-31 in this year's Feast issue), it would be good to verbally remind your congregations about their responsibility to God as a holy day season approaches. Our brethren can then reflect on the needs of God's Church, how God has blessed them during the past year, and on what they can realistically give to God when the time comes to write their checks.