PRICELESS PENNIES OF WORSHIP

By Michael K. Farrar, O.D.

© God’s Breath Publications

www.godsbreathpublications.com

 

Mark 12:41 44

“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything all she had to live on.’”

 

The convention center the church had rented was huge. They had spared no expense to make room for the thousands they hoped would come to the worship and praise service. It had taken sacrifices in many areas of the church budget, but they had managed not only to reserve the largest meeting facility in the city, but had also been able to acquire the best sound system made by human hands. Quality was of utmost importance, and therefore only the best of their musicians and singers would be allowed on the stage. All the television networks were notified and large sums of money spent to advertise and promote the worship extravaganza. Churches from miles around were anxious to experience the worship service to top all worship services. Hours and hours of planning and preparation were completed and the day was at hand.

 

Large crowds of people flowed into the convention center. The noise and commotion of such a large throng of people was deafening. People jostled for position and seats as the large building filled to capacity. The professional worship band and their large complement of singers readied themselves. People started chanting and stomping their feet. They wanted the EVENT to begin!

 

The band began with a loud and glorious shout of contemporary praise music. The singers belted out their loudest notes and the crowd went wild. The bleachers shook from the vibration of the music and singing that was contained in the building. Some individuals covered their ears and still others grabbed hold of their chairs to keep from falling. Thousands sang in unison as the band continued with song after song.

 

Far in the back, near a small wooden door in the maintenance area, a tall slender man appeared dressed in a white suit. He slowly walked around the back of the crowd. He had piercing eyes, but appeared gentle in countenance. He seemed to be oblivious to the noise and commotion. His attention seemed to be on the people themselves and how they were worshipping.

 

He gazed over the crowd with searching eyes. He stopped as someone caught his attention. He noticed at the edge of a row of seats, a teenage boy looking straight up into the air with eyes closed and arms outstretched. The boy seemed to be completely preoccupied with worship. He seemed detached from what was happening around him, while at the same time a part of it. The man in the white suit smiled.

 

The man continued walking, searching, looking. He stopped as he noticed a young woman. Her head was bowed and she seemed to be totally immersed in prayer. Quietly the man raised His arm in her direction. He paused for a moment, and then lowered his arm to His side. The woman then raised her head and without opening her eyes, began singing with all those around her. There was peace that shone from her face. A large smile was evident as she sang beautifully for her Heavenly Father. Again, the man in the white suit smiled.

 

The mass of people continued singing at the tops of their lungs. Some were not sure of the words, but made attempts to do the best they could. Others raised hands with their neighbors unsure of what it meant. It was apparent that everyone was having a fun time and were greatly enjoying themselves.

 

The man the white suit continued on and stopped again as another individual caught his eye. This time it was a very elderly woman in a wheelchair. The women’s face showed wrinkles upon wrinkles. Her head was bent over due to arthritis and her hands were twisted from the deforming disease. He saw her mouth was moving ever so slightly as she sang the words to the worship songs. Then he observed her deliberate attempt to raise an arm in honor of her Lord. It took her over 10 minutes to raise her arm a few inches. The man knew it was taking all her strength and concentration to offer this praise. A tear ran down His face as he smiled and then continued searching the crowd.

 

The man’s attention shifted to the stage. He glanced over the band members and singers. His gaze focused on a guitar player in the back. The young man’s fingers danced over the strings of his guitar as he sang with emotion the words to the songs. The young man was full of intensity as he worshipped. He seemed to be putting all he had into playing his guitar, not for the people present, but for his King and Savior. The man in the white suit smiled again.

 

The man dressed in the white suit made His way over to an exit. He paused briefly, looking over the crowd one last time as if to make sure He wasn’t missing someone. Convinced He was through, He left.

 

1 Peter 3:12

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.”

 

John 4:23 24

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

 

My intent in sharing this short story is to share something of the conflict we have often in understanding what worship is all about. Worship is a sacred honor and privilege. We were created for fellowship with God and to worship Him. Romans 12:1 speaks of this when it says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God   this is your spiritual act of worship.”

 

Worship is meant to involve our whole lives. It is not something we do only at church during the worship service. We worship God in our work, our play, our interests and our relationships. When we come to corporate worship on Sunday mornings it is the culmination of worship, which we have practiced all week long. It is the time when we, as fellow believers, can join in spirit and truth, to worship our Lord and Savior together.

 

Worship is not having the biggest building, the largest crowd, the highest quality sound system or the best musicians and singers. Sure, these things can enhance worship, but you can have all these things and fail to worship in spirit and in truth.

 

Truth in worship comes from the heart and soul of the believer and is directed at the ONE worthy of praise; Our Lord, Jesus Christ. Luke 4:8 addresses this when it quotes Jesus saying, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.” God looks on the heart and attitude of those who worship Him. He is not impressed by large numbers of people, fancy equipment or beautiful singing, if the hearts of those worshipping are cold and selfish. Worshipping in spirit and in truth IS NOT worshipping worship itself. It means not worshipping the songs we sing. It means not worshipping the attention we get singing or leading others in worship. It means not worshipping the experiences we have when we worship. We worship in spirit and in truth when we offer our voices, our talents, our hearts, our minds, our souls, and ourselves as a gift to our Heavenly Father.

 

Just as the widow offered all she had as an offering to her God, we too, should come offering all we are to our God when we come to corporate worship on Sundays. If we have given God all we are through the week, it should be no hard task to continue this on Sunday mornings.