A little bit of humor with a point.

We have been hearing stories from all over the country and even in our own community about the use of curbside service.  Whether it is a restaurant, a grocery store, a pharmacy, a convenience store, Home Depot, a coffee shop, even a bookstore in SLC offering curbside service.  You have probably heard of other stores and or businesses using the same tool to help their business thrive during the COVID-19 restrictions.

We at Emmanuel are not to be outdone!  We have curbside tithe and offering collection service.  Yessiree!  You can pull up curbside to the east side entrance of our church building and an excited Pastor will meet you at your car to receive your financial gift to the Lord’s work at Emmanuel. It is recommended that you call first to ensure the Pastor is on premises to assist you.  Also, you may call and request the Pastor wear a mask for your safety and he will do so.  However, please do not record your giving from your car and report that a masked bandit coerced you to give a tithe!  This is just one small side ministry to encourage you in your stewardship faithfulness!

Kind of crazy isn’t it?  But hopefully it made you chuckle and smile. It reminds me of Paul encouraging the Corinthian believers in their giving, “Each person should do as he has decided in his heart – not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7  I think Paul truly hit the nail on the head, about giving to the Lord through the church or even through an effective ministry of the Gospel.  A person should give from their heart, in my estimation, from their genuine love for Jesus, not because they are demanded to, because there is no joy in that.  A follower of Jesus gives cheerfully, and God our Father loves and enjoys the one who gives and orchestrates the use and blessing of the gift given.  It can be noted that the Greek word for cheerful also means hilarious.  Hilarious is one of those words that I associate with fun and funny, joyous and joy filled, even somewhat giddy.  That is quite a description of the one who gives to God.

It is all a part of a wonderful relationship followers of Jesus should have with the Lord.  We are often blessed so that we can bless the Lord.  But do we offer curbside tithing? Absolutely!