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Isaiah 55:1-5

55:1 Ho, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you that have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without price.  

One Sunday morning before worship I was wandering around the sanctuary saying hello to everyone who had arrived early.  One young man came up to me with a very serious look on his face. “Pastor,” he said, “how much must I give to the church to be a member?”   “There is no requirement,” I said.  “Give what you can, whenever you can.”  

Some traditions do have fairly stringent requirements on giving, and certainly we would be delighted if everyone tithed.  But church is not a country club.  There are no dues or fees required to attend.  There is no charge for admission.Yes, it costs money to pay staff and keep up the building and turn on the lights.  Quite a bit of money, actually.  But worship is offered freely to whomever would attend.  Any who thirst may come to the waters.  Any who have no money may come and be fed. 

You may have heard it said that you get what you pay for.  But I say to you that the act of worshipping God is both without price and priceless.  Hearts are changed. Souls are healed.  Those who need comfort receive it.  Those who lack purposes or direction may find it.  In each sincere act of worship we receive so much more than we can ever possibly pay back.  And through that worship we become aware of God’s grace poured out upon us at no charge - this living water is free to all who thirst.

Generous God, we give you thanks for the gifts you pour out upon us daily, but especially for the blessings we receive when we come to worship you.  May these gifts continue to bless us throughout the week, that we may be enabled to share these blessings with others.  Amen.