The Alms Basin

AM Psalm [70], 71 • PM Psalm 74
Ezra 7:(1-10)11-26 • Rev. 14:1-13 • Matt. 14:1-12

A few of the young adults at St Paul’s recently had an interesting conversation surrounding the alms basin. Most of us give to the church online. But when we have to pass the basin with nothing to physically put into it, something is left to be desired. The gifts of everyone’s dollars, checks, and sometimes children’s’ doodles are brought up to the altar, but my electronic funds transfer is brought straight to St Paul’s bank account. Am I missing something when my gifts are not physically present?

While these ponderings were still fresh in my head, I opened the (virtual) Bible to the assigned reading from Ezra. In it, King Artaxerxes gave Ezra money for an offering to God at the temple. But King Artaxerxes did not say for Ezra to present the gold and silver to the priest. In Ezra 7:17, he said “With this money, then, you shall with all diligence buy bulls, rams, and lambs, and their grain-offerings and their drink-offerings, and you shall offer them on the altar of the house of your God in Jerusalem.” After that, I referenced the Book of Common Prayer to see what our church’s stance is on offerings. On page 361, the italicized instructions say that during worship and at the end of the Offertory, “Representatives of the congregation bring the people’s offerings of bread and wine, and money or other gifts, to the deacon or celebrant. The people stand while the offerings are presented and placed on the Altar.”

The Book of Common Prayer still allows for any sort of gift to be placed at the altar. If I were to take the step away from electronic funds transfer and offer back to God the modern equivalent of bulls, rams, and lambs, what would that feel like? How does the effort I put into preparation of my offering affect my perception of God?

Written by Haley Hixson

The irony of the original alms basin/physical offerings question is that it was posted in a virtual space shared by the young adults of St Paul’s. If you are between 20-35 and interested in connecting with other young adults at St Paul’s, please email me and I will put you on our email list. Opportunities for in-person and virtual fellowship and formation are emailed to the group weekly.