When I was reading Malachi Chapter 1 this morning, I couldn’t help but think how it seems to me that modern, especially Western, Christianity gives to God in the same way that Israel at the time did. God gets the leftovers on Sunday morning while we focus on the “important stuff” with most of our time. We apply industry/corporate structure to worship through contemporary music licensing and use mass produced “small group” lessons. Neither of which involve real work or sacrifice to honor God. Nope, pay a few dollars and you get a ready-made kit for your Christian walk.
Now obviously, this statement is not a blanket statement that applies to all people claiming Christ in the West. Nor is it a condemnation of every church and/or their leaders. It is a concern that is, in general, something that I’ve noticed over the years.
It’s uncomfortable to look at ancient Israel and note that they weren’t failing to be religious. They were going through the steps of religious worship. But they were failing to give God the proper honor he deserved. They did the steps, but they minimized the cost and thereby minimized the honor they were giving God.
We spend enormous amounts of time, money, energy, and creativity on our careers, entertainment, recreation, and personal interests. We study the things we enjoy. We develop expertise in our hobbies. We make time for what matters to us. I say “we” but could just as easily put “I” in each of these statements over the years. But when it comes to worship, discipleship, and studying God’s Word, how often do we look for the most convenient, least demanding way to fulfill our perceived obligations?
It is so easy to attend a service somebody else planned, sing songs somebody else selected, and participate in a Bible study somebody else prepared. Just as it’s easy afterward to return to our life, satisfied we fulfilled our religious responsibilities.
I am not claiming that singing a licensed song or going through a study purchased at a store is inherently wrong. I am not even saying we shouldn’t take advantage of processes that have been proven to work outside of the church. To take that position would be as absurd as saying churches shouldn’t use air conditioning or electricity because they came from outside the church.
I am saying that doing do seems like it could open us up to feeling like we have done our duty before God when maybe, just maybe, He is not satisfied at all. I wonder if God recognizes our neatly packaged worship as genuine.
God asks if they would give their offering to their earthly ruler. I can’t help but think of COVID when so many churches, for so long, honored the earthly rulers by shutting down. Is there an argument to be made for this from scripture? In my opinion maybe for a week or two. But so many churches shut down for months, because the government said to.
This isn’t aimed at any congregation specifically, just a general thing I’ve noticed.
Stay safe, stay healthy.
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