Freely You Received, Freely Give - Matthew 10:8

Here Jesus is sending the 12 apostles to the lost sheep of Israel to preach that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

Most of us haven’t done these first few things, but we have freely received from the Lord. We’ve received all kinds of blessings freely, including the blessing of this church body. Let us freely give to the body to enable its continued operation.

Since this is the offering, I’m mainly talking about finances; however, there are so many ways that so many give to this body, whether it’s organizing events, bringing food to gatherings, or supporting members when they need it. When I joined, I heard about “country club Christianity”, meaning “I pay my fee, so now the church should do things for me.” That’s not what we are. Every part of the body has something to do. No part of the body simply hangs around and has things done for it.

And our ability to give and serve can change with the seasons. Sometimes you’re giving more, sometimes receiving more. And that’s fine, but don’t keep score. And don’t overdo it, which can prevent someone else from having the opportunity to give. In every season, be watching for where God is at work and join Him there, considering it a privilege that He invited you. In all things, including how much you put in the offering, be led by the Holy Spirit.

Offering Prayer
Lord God, we thank you for the many gifts you have bestowed upon us, both material and spiritual. As we have received freely from your grace, we pray that you would help us to be generous and to share your blessings with others. We ask for your wisdom in understanding how best to use our resources for the good of your people and the advancement of your kingdom. May we always remember the call of Matthew 10:8 to give freely, and may our actions reflect the generosity of your heart. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.