Fellowship offering (NIV),
peace offering (KJV), well-being offering (NRSV)… though the translation
differs, each carries the idea of thankfulness or gratefulness to God, possibly
offered when someone or the nation recognized the strong hand of the Lord on
their behalf.
While in worship in
Africa I have witnessed many times what I
thought was an odd part of worship. An individual or more, usually a family,
would come forward (this was clearly prearranged) and thank God for some
goodness, maybe a birth (child or grandchild) or some other significant
recognition. Along with the verbal thanks to God, given by the family, a
monetary gift would be given to the church. Actually the pastor would generally
announce what the gift amount was!
I personally don’t care for
the announcing of the gift amount, but be that as it may, what I realized today
is that this Nigerian church tradition seems like the modern equivalent of a
fellowship offering… the voluntary giving of a gift to God to mark the
fellowship or kinship one has with the Lord.
What struck me was that the
OT faith built right into its rituals a way for people to express appreciation
to God. I’m wondering if I have lost that aspect of worship. Oh, I (we) sing
God’s praises but what does that ‘cost’ me? However, the giving of a tangible
gift costs.
Flowers for a wife or
significant other costs… there is the expense (minor as that might be), there is
the thought and the time to purchase, possibly even time picking out what to
get. With a fellowship offering there is the sacrifice of an animal, part of
ones herd. There is the selection making sure it is unblemished. Then there is
the actual travel to the tabernacle and offering of the animal. All of which
says, Thank You Lord. Bless You Lord!
How do I say ‘Thank You
Lord, Bless You Lord?’ Hmmm…
Lord, I feel
like a mere prayer is not enough as I conclude this devotion… (but what I choose
to do I will not write on this blog). Amen.
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