"The Offering"

Genesis 4:2-7 
2 ... When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. 3 When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought a gift—the best of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, 5 but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected.

6 "Why are you so angry?" the Lord asked Cain. "Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master."

I am a firm believer in paying tithe. Giving God my 10% is the minimum of what I can give to him and anything beyond that is really an offering.

However, there are times as a Pastor, that after I already paid my tithe and even my offering, I do not have anything to give at the next weekly opportunity. So when I get up to the pulpit to pick up an offering I somewhat felt uncomfortable asking people to give when I could not at that moment. During my discomfort I would find myself trying to rush through the worship of offering. 

Offering is an act of worship and the Lord showed me through this scripture, that our offering carries a blessing. My seed of blessing has already been planted through my tithe and I must not hinder people from experiencing their blessing by rushing through this act of worship! When we give God what is rightfully His, it will be accepted and so will we!