Offerings of Charity
Offerings of Charity.
¶ To be used with Responses from the Organ or Choir, when the Contributions of the People for the Poor or for any Charity are taken up.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. v. 16.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. St. Matt. vi. 19, 20.
Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them; for this is the Law and the Prophets. St. Matt. vii. 12.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. St. Matt. vii. 21.
He that soweth little shall reap little; and he that soweth plenteously, shall reap plenteously. Let every man do according as he is disposed in his heart, not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7.
While we have time, let us do good unto all men, and especially unto them that are of the household of faith. Gal. vi. 10.
Godliness is great riches, if a man be content with that he hath: for we brought nothing into the world, neither may we carry anything out. 1 Tim. vi. 6, 7.
Charge them who are rich in this world, that they be ready to give, and glad to distribute; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may attain eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17-19.
God is not unrighteous, that be will forget your works, and labor that proceedeth of love, which love ye have showed for his name’s sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister. Heb. vi. 10.
To do good, and to distribute, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16.
Whoso hath this world’s good and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 St. John iii. 17.
Give alms of thy goods, and never turn thy face from any poor man; and then the face of the Lord shall not be turned away from thee. Tob. iv. 17.
Be merciful after thy power. If thou hast much, give plenteously; if thou hast little, do thy diligence gladly to give of that little: for so gatherest thou thyself a good reward in the day of necessity. Tob. iv. 8. 9.
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and look, what he layeth out, it shall be paid him again. Prov. xix. 17.
Blessed be the man that provideth for the sick and needy; the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble. Psalm xli. 1.
I have shown you how that ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Acts xx. 35.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. St. Matt. v. 7.
Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. St. Matt. xxv. 46.
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 2 St. John iv. 16.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love to one another. St. John xiii. 35.
For the sake of order and dignity in the manner of the offering, it is suggested that the deacons or the ushers take the, plates from the hands of the Minister, and, after they have received the offerings, that they return the, same to the Minister, waiting before him for the closing words of the Offertory:
God is not unrighteous, that he will forget your works and labor that proceedeth of love, which love ye have showed for his name’s sake, who have ministered unto the saints, and yet do minister.