As I was listening to a Christian radio broadcast yesterday, the announcer related discussions he had had with some young people in the church. He noted they questioned the practice of tithe-giving and offerings with the words, “what do we get back?”
It is in many ways unsurprising that the so-called Gen Z might ask this question. The education system, we parents, and society as a whole has instilled in them the attitude of questioning, if not challenge to the status-quo. This is amplified by consumerism, which this generation has grown up with unlike any other before it. If we expect that “value for money,” and “best buys” are par for the course in secular life, then why not in the spiritual?
Okay, if we apply the same outlook and value system we could pragmatically reply to the underlying question with, “You are contributing to the place you worship. Your offering is helping keep the lights on, and proving for the services you enjoy.” Often we could honestly appeal to them taking part altruism, “You are helping with our outreach, or food bank, or recovery programmes.”
But really, what we have to do is return to basics. Our offerings, even our sacrifices, are not commercial transactions – but acts of service. These are outpourings of our faith, and expressions of thanksgiving.
Put simply it isn’t about “what’s in it for me?”
Look at Mark 10: 17-22: “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ [Wow, what an example of ‘What’s in it for me?’] ‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” ‘Teacher,’ he declared, ‘all these I have kept since I was a boy.’ Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack, ‘he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”
The young man was after something. On the surface: eternal reward; and perhaps more deeply: validation. But apparently, even the surface consideration of reward didn’t seem “value for money” to the man, as he went away sad.
For the rest of us we need to remember a greater truth. We have already been “bought with a price.” Each of us is a sinner (Romans 3:32), and the “purchase price” of that sin is death (Romans 6:23). Yet, while we are sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
It is not transactional, as we are saved by grace (or the free gift of God), we should therefore avoid the question of “what am I paying for?” We are paying for nothing, it isn’t by works or riches. We are merely offering tokens of thanksgiving as I noted already.
Let’s move away from seeing life as commercial. That leads to us trying to view everything as a balance book – and if that is so we are still debtors, no matter how much we drop in the collection plate. Don’t be deceived by money or the appearance of wealth, but look to God in thankfulness. “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3: 1-2).
Padre
Padre's Ramblings 