Hi
I have a pet peeve. I just deplore hearing anyone saying they’ve “thrown” their offering. How about you, does that phrase bother you, why/not?
Here’s today’s Holy Nougat
“Give these instructions to the people of Israel: The offerings you present as special gifts are a pleasing aroma to me; they are my food. See to it that they are brought at the appointed times and offered according to my instructions.
Numbers 28:2 NLT
The nougat above serves as part of my defence. If my offering is a gift unto God; I would not be throwing it on the altar. The nature of the gift (a child to be dedicated, equipment, harvest items, services or cash) and the timing of the gift would determine how the gift is offered.
For those who follow the Torah traditions very closely, we will recall that there are categories of offerings and specific times for these to be offered. Those are accompanied by very detailed instructions on how they ought to be prepared and presented.
But what about that very special, almost one-time offering? The gift of ourselves? We certainly would not “throw” that offering would we? Perhaps though, we might wish to consider how that gift is packaged to God. Through the sacrament of baptism, maybe. Or even more urgently, through a conscious decision articulated in a way that conforms to ourselves that we are ready to make public our sacrifice to God. Including taking up our cross.
Daily.
Without murmur or complaint
Now that’s the clincher. Because sometimes the cross/sacrifice feels heavy. And sometimes we feel that we are permitted to comment on the gravity of our circumstances, failing to see God at work in us and for us.
*Self check*
How generous is my gift of myself to God?
Would God find pleasure in how it’s been prepared and offered?
Does it meet with God’s requirements?
Would you see the gift of yourself at this time as a worthwhile offering? Is it time to ask Jesus for a clean up so that our offering is once again worthy?
Selah
In Christ’s love and grace
