It was in Mrs. Lanier’s Youth Sunday School where I was introduced to the Sunday School attendance checklist. Included on the list were these items: – Bible brought….. “check” – Bible read daily….. “check” – Visits made….. “check” – $$$$ Giving….. “check” – Etc….. “check”
What was intended to be a record of our accountability became a checklist for me. It wasn’t intended for this purpose but for years my faith was a performance for the Sunday morning books. – Bible brought to Sunday School…..”Not opened but brought…..check” – Bible read….. “Quickly scanned at halftime of NFL Monday night football…..check” – Visits made….. “Told friend to come to church…..the girls are pretty and the food is good…..check” – Giving…..”One dollar passed from parent to my palm to plate…..check” – Other shallow, thoughtless acts of devotion….. “check”
Our faith is not about check marks. It is a thriving relationship with a living God who revealed Himself to us in human form, Jesus, and who dwells with us on a daily basis as the God the Holy Spirit. My acts of devotion and faith are an out-flow, a product of my love for Him and my gratitude for what He has done for me.
For the next two Sunday I will be talking about generosity and giving. My approach will not be guilt-oriented with an emphasis on check marks. I feel that God is leading me to encourage those in attendance to develop a heartfelt, Christ-centered spirit of generosity that sees giving as an opportunity to worship and glorify our God who has been most gracious to us.
Pray for me as I prepare for Sunday. I will be praying for you.
Andy O. (704) 300-0062