SOUL AS AN OFFERING (4)
Main Text: Exodus 23:15 ”…And none shall appear before me empty.”
Brethren, welcome to the fourth edition of our series, “Soul as an Offering.” In our previous edition, we learned that Heaven has a standard for what it calls reasonable service. Today, we shall examine a familiar Scripture that is often misunderstood. But, first, what does it mean to appear empty? For many believers, the command, “None shall appear before me empty,” has been interpreted almost exclusively as a call to bring money into God’s house. Although financial giving is an important expression of worship, this interpretation captures only a small part of God’s intention. To be specific, when the Lord instituted Israel’s annual feasts, He instructed His people not to celebrate His goodness in isolation. They were to include the stranger, the widow, the fatherless, the Levite, and all who had no inheritance among them. In other words, God’s desire was that those outside the circle of covenant blessings would also experience His goodness and rejoice in His presence.
Child of God, the above construct means that God’s blessings are never meant to end with you; they are meant to bring others to Him. Simply put, there is an offering greater than silver or gold. It is the offering of a life brought into God’s Kingdom. As a matter of fact, to appear before God with a transformed soul is to present an offering that carries eternal value. In fact, while God delights in cheerful giving, Heaven rejoices even more when a sinner repents, a backslider returns, the discouraged are restored, and the lost discover Christ. In essence, every person you bring into God’s presence becomes a testimony that your worship has extended beyond yourself. Therefore, before leaving for church, ask yourself, who am I bringing with me today? Is there a neighbour searching for hope? A colleague burdened by life’s struggles? A friend who needs salvation? A family member drifting away from God?
Friends, every worship service is an opportunity to lead someone one step closer to Christ. Do not come to God’s house only with an offering in your hand. Come with a burden in your heart for those who need Him. Sadly, some believers have faithfully placed money in the offering basket for years, yet have never intentionally brought a single soul into God’s presence. Though financial offerings sustain the work of the Kingdom. Soul-winning fulfills the mission of the Kingdom. Put differently, one supports the ministry. The other multiplies it. Interestingly, God desires both, but He places eternal value on redeemed lives. To this end, I encourage you to let every gathering of God’s people become an opportunity to gather people for God. Always remember to invite the lost, encourage the weak, restore the wandering and strengthen the discouraged. In doing so, you become a co-labourer with Christ, presenting souls as an offering that delights the Father’s heart.
May we never appear before the Lord empty, not merely because our hands lack a gift, but because our hearts lack a burden for souls.
Prayer Points
- My Father and my God, fill my heart with Your passion for the lost.
- Deliver me from a self-centered worship that forgets those who need Christ.
- Make me a faithful witness who intentionally brings others into Your presence.
- Give me the grace to see every church service as an opportunity to lead someone closer to You.
- Let my life continually present souls as an offering that brings joy to Heaven and glory to Your name.
Daily Reflection
If you were to appear before God today, would you come only with an offering in your hand—or with lives that have been drawn closer to Christ through your witness?