I heard a sermon years ago on cassette tape (. . . tells you how many years ago . . . ). It was entitled “Legions of the Un-Jazzed.” The preacher talked about the difference between ho-hum Christianity (the un-jazzed) and that mindset which propels us to seek to “catch the big waves” of this pilgrimage (the jazzed). He talked of the difference between going through the earthly motions of “living for Christ” and the passion ignited when we do the same stuff with a heavenly perspective. And, as I hover over the latter part of Philippians 4 this morning, it occurs to me that giving money, that sharing of “my” material possessions, can also be an act of the un-jazzed or an act of the jazzed.

“Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:16-18 ESV)

The Philippians had determined to support Paul financially. They were faithful to write the check (aka cheque). But notice the perspective Paul had on the gift he received. It was “fruit that increases to your credit” . . . it was “a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” Their gift was so much more than just going through the weekly routine of dropping an envelope into an offering bag . . . it was more than just reaching into their pocket and mindlessly dropping a couple of bucks onto the plate . . . instead, it was part of “catching the wave.”

Their gift was an investment. For every dollar they purposefully put in the offering, a greater deposit was being accrued to a heavenly account. Jesus called it “laying up treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20). Paul would tell Timothy that “to be generous and ready to share” was to store up treasure “as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1Tim. 6:18). Doesn’t that sound like the language of the jazzed? How I give is part of laying hold of true life. Tithing was an Old Testament obligation . . . cheerfully giving an offering is an act reflective of the grace and gift we have received. And, let’s be clear, it’s not about the amount . . . it’s about the mindset. That which is accrued for us in heaven is not some factor or multiplier of every dollar we give away . . . the “interest” accrued for that day when we are with Him is determined by Him out of the abundance of His grace. Ours is to make the deposit . . . His is to give the increase.

Secondly, the gift is an act of worship. We use the phrase, “Take up the offering” . . . but how often do we really see it as an act of glorifying our God . . . of ascribing to Him immeasurable worth . . . of trying to express in some feeble way our love and awe of Him? I’ve often thought we lose something when we distance the offering from the worship during our Sunday morning meetings. If it were up to me, I’d be passing the plate in the middle of our singing . . . I’d be sending around the bag or the bucket or the whatever while the sacrifice of praise is pouring out from our lips.

When’s the last time I wrote the cheque (aka check) and thought of it as a fragrant offering . . . an acceptable sacrifice . . . an aroma pleasing to God? Instead, it’s most often just fulfilling my “commitment” . . . or it’s just part of being faithful will “my little” or faithful with “my much” . . . it’s just being obedient as a good steward of that which God has blessed me with. Not that there’s anything wrong with any of those perspectives . . . they’re biblical . . . but, honestly, not much jazz factor there. But to pause just a moment before placing the envelope in the bag . . . to actively engage in the “let’s pray for the offering” part of the service and reflect on the sacrifice I’m about to make . . . that kind of takes it up a notch. To consider that it pleases God . . . hmmmm . . . that’s kind of exhilarating!

An investment in an account in the treasuries of heaven . . . an aromatic sacrifice ascending to heaven itself, pleasing to God. That’s catching the wave . . . that’s “extreme giving” . . . that’s the way of the jazzed! Amen?