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AUTHOR: Aniel Barbe
Regularity Calls for Regularity
Lamentation 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
We worship God through regular giving in response to the abundance and regularity of His care. While going through trials, griefs, and humiliations, the prophet Jeremiah used the plural form to speak about God’s compassion and mercies. He was the recipient of God’s covenant, love, grace, goodness, kindness, compassion, and much more. Besides being multifaceted, God’s manifestation amid Jeremiah’s crisis was daily and regular, not occasional. He did not have to choose between a huge blessing once in a while or daily miracles. God provided for both. Israel responded to God’s regularity by adopting a regular pattern of worship and giving.
Numbers 28 and 29 report about regularity in worship and giving to God. The Israelites were worshiping daily, weekly, monthly, and during all annual festivals. Concerning their offerings, they brought “two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular burnt offering each day” (Num. 28:3). Interestingly, what they brought during the weekly, monthly, and annual festivals were “besides” or “in addition to the regular burnt offering.” During the Festival of Tabernacles, they offered the largest number of special offerings, but there are eight mentions in the text, one for each day of the festival, that it was in addition to the regular daily offerings (Num. 29:12–38).
The above example tells us that the best practice is not to be a worshiper only during Easter week, the Christmas season, or special Sabbaths. A God who manifests Himself continually and regularly expects the same pattern of worship from His children. How does this principle translate into our giving practice? It is always a joy to participate in special offerings supporting some good projects or ministries. However, it is appropriate that these occasional gifts and donations are in addition to our regular offerings. The starting point for such practice is to decide in advance the proportion, a percentage, of our income to be dedicated to regular offerings.
Prayer: Lord, we are thankful for Your abundant and regular care. In response, we choose to worship You regularly and set aside a percentage of our income as regular offerings. Sustain our commitment.