A Word for Our Arbor Family
"...They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us." 2 Corinthians 8:5
Paul highlights the Macedonian believers who gave generously, despite facing hardship. What made them extraordinary wasn’t the size of their offering but the order of their devotion: "...they gave themselves first of all to the Lord..."
That order is the heartbeat of real worship. Before the music...before the offering... there's surrender. They didn’t start with what they had. They started with who they belonged to. When your heart belongs to God, then generosity, obedience, and joy begin to flow naturally.
Worship isn’t about performance or emotion. It’s about ownership. It’s the quiet moment where you say, "Lord, I’m Yours." That’s what gives meaning to every song, every act of service, and every sacrifice.
Paul adds, "...and then by the will of God also to us." Their service to others came after giving themselves fully to God. That’s the pattern of a healthy believer: devotion first, ministry second. When we skip that first altar of devotion, we burn out at the second (ministry/service). But when we give ourselves first to the Lord, then our service overflows from strength, not strain.
So before I lead, serve, or sing, I have to pause and remember Who I belong to. Worship isn’t what you do for God, it’s the life you give to Him.
Whatever you bring today ... your voice, your energy, your time ... remember what He wants is YOU! When you give yourself first to the Lord, then everything else finds its place. And in that surrender, you’ll discover the kind of joy that no circumstance can steal.
Paul highlights the Macedonian believers who gave generously, despite facing hardship. What made them extraordinary wasn’t the size of their offering but the order of their devotion: "...they gave themselves first of all to the Lord..."
That order is the heartbeat of real worship. Before the music...before the offering... there's surrender. They didn’t start with what they had. They started with who they belonged to. When your heart belongs to God, then generosity, obedience, and joy begin to flow naturally.
Worship isn’t about performance or emotion. It’s about ownership. It’s the quiet moment where you say, "Lord, I’m Yours." That’s what gives meaning to every song, every act of service, and every sacrifice.
Paul adds, "...and then by the will of God also to us." Their service to others came after giving themselves fully to God. That’s the pattern of a healthy believer: devotion first, ministry second. When we skip that first altar of devotion, we burn out at the second (ministry/service). But when we give ourselves first to the Lord, then our service overflows from strength, not strain.
So before I lead, serve, or sing, I have to pause and remember Who I belong to. Worship isn’t what you do for God, it’s the life you give to Him.
Whatever you bring today ... your voice, your energy, your time ... remember what He wants is YOU! When you give yourself first to the Lord, then everything else finds its place. And in that surrender, you’ll discover the kind of joy that no circumstance can steal.