I was recently conversing with a very nice lady about coming to church here at Southside when she spoke of part of the reason she was looking for another church (Opportunity?  Yes?  Definitely).  One thing she cited was the fact that sometimes when the collection was taken up where she had been attending, one time around would not be good enough for the preacher.  It is hard to say exactly why it was passed multiple times, and it would foolish of me to speculate, but the fact remains that this practice, along with other things, offended her.
     I would be the last person to defend some preacher for having the collection plate passed multiple time in an assembly.  However, I would like to use this to pose a question.  How would we react if it was Jehovah himself passing the collection plate multiple times?  Would we get upset?  Would we be offended?  Would we stomp our feet and walk out?  It seems some already have.  God has us pass the physical collection plate every first day of the week and expects us to "lay by in store" as He has prospered us (1 Cor. 16:1-2).  This is to be a sacrifice unto God.  But He does not stop passing the collection plate.  No, I am not talking about the physical collection plate.  I am talking about the spiritual collection plate.  Our sacrificing and giving to God does not stop with what we lay into that plate on the first day of the week.  It is supposed to continue every day with sacrifices we make of our time, talents and possessions.  At this point some people seem to be offended with God for passing the collection plate again and again.  But how do we know when He is passing the plate?  Everytime we have an opportunity to allow our light to shine in the darkness of this world God is passing the collection plate.  Some examples are: 1. When we have the opportunity to invite someone to services;  2. When we are afforded the chance to sit down with someone and speak to them of Jesus and His church;  3. When we show someone an example of the true spirit of Christianity;  etc. etc. etc.
      It is not my place to judge whether or not what someone places in the physical collection plate on Sunday is acceptable to God.  It is not my place to judge whether or not the amount of time, talent and possessions a person uses in service to the Lord is acceptable to God.  And there is no humanly way we could every repay God for all he has done for us. Therefore, when we are offended by God passing the collection plate multiple times, we have judged ourselves guilty.

Father, please pass the plate ............................. again.