The Sanctuary

“The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob” (Psalm 87:2).

God loves our homes (the dwellings of Jacob), but He loves our corporate worship (the gates of Zion) more. As we come to worship Him on Sunday, our demeanor should be one of reverence for God, love for His Word, and a holy desire to worship Him corporately with His people. This is the high point of the week, the most important thing we do. We are created to worship our Creator, and this is when we are most like what we are created to be.

Sometimes moms can create competition between the “dwellings of Jacob” and the “gates of Zion.” Perhaps your husband is serving on a committee that conflicts with family night, or you think your family worship at home is more important than Sunday morning. If that is the case, you are more likely to let things interfere with Sunday than with weekly family activities. Don’t be territorial about your family or jealous of time given to the church. Those are definitely unwanted guests. Yes, we are to gather as families around God’s Word during the week. These are what my husband likes to compare to football practices during the week. However, Sunday morning is game day. It would be foolish to skip the game because your practices were so good! God loves it when we gather together to worship Him.

When we come to the sanctuary, we don’t want to let our opinions outrank God’s. Does He like the music? Did He like the sermon? That is far more important than whether we liked it. Put distraction and petty criticism on the unwanted guest list, and worship the Lord with your whole heart.

The Offering Bucket

“Give to the Lord, O families of the peoples, give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth” (Psalm 96:7-9).

When it comes to the tithe, the unwanted guest would be miserliness. I’ve heard some people say they don’t make enough money to tithe, and I’ve heard others say they make too much to tithe. Remember that he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly. Your tithe part of your worship. Bring an offering! Galatians 6:6 says, “Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.” This is God’s financial program for the church. The tithe is for the church, and though it is good to support missionary friends and family, save some for the offering, even if it is a widow’s mite.

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