"If you have not given, you have not worshiped." I was surprised when my pastor friend articulated this thought. Was he correct?
The sure sign of Jacob's transformation was his promise to tithe all that he received to the Lord. To this point Jacob had lived up to his name "the grasper." He stole from his brother to his own benefit. Running for his life Jacob ran right into God. One night in God's house and everything changed. Jacob the grasper became Jacob the giver.
True, Jacob's promise to God was conditional. He still thought he could cut a deal with God. But his promise of generosity reveals a change. We see the same thing when Jesus invited himself to Zacchaeus's house. The tax-collector changed from a thief to a giver in one day (Luke 19:1-10).
Paul later wrote to the Ephesians believers, "Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need"(Ephesians 4:28).
Have we worshiped today? What have we given? We will know whether we have worshiped when we are transformed by the renewal of our minds. As the bumper sticker says, "If you love Jesus tithe. Anybody can honk." One moment in God's presence will change us, for good!
