Topics: Christian Life; Giving; Ministry; Offerings; Preaching
References: Leviticus 27:32; Deuteronomy 25:4; 1 Timothy 5:18
Recently I tried something different in our worship service. Instead of preaching at the end, I did that first, followed by music, the offering, and Scripture reading.
As I began preaching, I could see people were preparing for the offering until they realized I was starting my message. Caitlyn, a first grader, was perplexed by this change of routine and whispered frantically to her mom, “Doesn’t he know we haven’t paid him to talk yet?”
—Gordon Wood, “Kids of the Kingdom,” Christian Reader (July–August 2000)