A service without a collection is not really a religious service! Indeed, some people - not regular churchgoers, I should stress - are quite surprised and suspicious when they're told 'No collection today'…it's as if they've been short-changed (pardon the pun). Even more surprised are parents who bring children to be baptised to discover that there is no charge for ministering the sacrament; engaged couples skip home delightedly when they're told how little the church charges for weddings (comparatively speaking, of course). Alas, the church nowadays is unable to do much to counter this rather cynical view: it has always been noted for its apparent preoccupation with money, homemade jam and bazaars. Nevertheless, it does well bearing in mind its need to maintain crumbling, historic monuments, to purchase new liturgical books at all too regular intervals (hope the Bishop doesn't read this) and paying through the nose for the clergy to live in purdah (oh, yes?)!

For years, it was an unwritten rule in our church that we would not mention the filthy lucre in polite company save, of course, for the annual Gift Day service, when we were supposed to reflect on the level of our giving for the coming year. The upshot of this silence is that we have, over recent years, been eating into the reserves built up during the 'good times' (whenever they were) and now that our parish shares have risen to such dizzy heights, we are left struggling to meet current commitments, let alone any new initiatives. A few months ago, as part of the Vision Group presentation, I had the temerity to mention our need for more of 'the ready' and the response was tremendous, with some people promising to double their giving. Cash collections since have also increased substantially, but we need more, much more and, preferably, given under new Gift Aid legislation that will allow us to reclaim another 28 pence in every pound received without any cost to the donor.

Throughout scripture (especially in the book of Leviticus), giving is regarded as an integral part of God's network of grace. In Acts 4:32-35 we read: "Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common…There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need." And God honoured them by adding "to their number day by day those who were being saved" (2:47). Theirs was a response of love to the love shown to them by the Living God, who allowed His Son to die for them, for you and for me.

Indeed, the measure of our value, of our worth, is reflected by what we give back to God. If Jesus gave his life for yours, then what you give to Jesus in return is the value that you place on your life. In other words, the more we value our lives and the more we value the lives of those whom we love, the greater the love we show to God for what we have been given.

Does the amount of money you place in the collection really reflect the value you place on your life? Does it really reflect the depth of your gratitude to God for your life, or the life of a husband or wife, or a child? Does the amount of time that you give to God reflect your gratitude to God for sending his son to be part of your history? Does your willingness to forgive reflect the value of the forgiveness offered to you? These are questions that every person needs to reflect upon. Ultimately, what we give back to God is peanuts compared to what He's already given us and to the inheritance that awaits those who trust Him.

We need money, a lot of it, not just to keep our beautiful building in good condition, but also to use it for the benefit of the community, which we serve, so that they too can gauge the measure of God's love for them. The prelude to the offertory in the Book of Common Prayer reads: "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven," and that is a good reminder of the fact that whatever we do, whatever we say, whatever we give will all reflect what we believe about God.

My friends, I'm asking you to consider seriously doubling, trebling or even quadrupling your commitment to God, whether it is in terms of time, use of talents or monetary giving. How much you give depends on how you assess the value of your life. Give God his due in worship (the word 'Worship' means worth-ship), for God is indeed worthy of our worship.