Listen to this articleAs an altar worker, it is essential to understand the two types of services we attend. One is meant for us to be filled and recharged, while the other is meant for us to impart to others. In this lesson, we will focus on the importance of receiving before giving and how it applies to altar workers.
Acts 3:2-5 says, “And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.”
In this scripture we see an example of giving and receiving. The person with the issue was the seeker, and Peter and John were the givers. Peter was bold enough to tell the man that he didn’t have what he was asking for but had something he needed. This is a vital lesson for altar workers to remember. We must have something to give before we can minister to others.
Why was Peter so apt to give so much to this man who was empty? Peter was filled with faith and the Holy Ghost. As altar workers, we must also be filled with faith and the Holy Ghost before we can minister to others. It is crucial not to go lay our hands on fifteen people because we are going to convey to everyone the emptiness in us. We need to take inventory of ourselves and determine if we need something before we give.
In John 16:24, Jesus says, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
We must come to the altar with a seeking heart, asking God to fill us up so that we can minister to others effectively.
1 Corinthians 2:12 says, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
This verse also reminds us that we have received the Spirit of God, which helps us understand the things freely given to us by God.
Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
We must come to the altar with the intention of receiving so that we can give abundantly.
As an altar worker, we must understand the importance of receiving before giving. We need to be filled with faith and the Holy Ghost to minister to others effectively. Take inventory of yourself and determine if you need something before giving. Remember, it is not about how much we give but the quality of what we give. Let us come to the altar seeking to be filled up so that we can pour into others.
Footnotes: A lot of this is from notes taken in Altar Worker class at Pine Grove Pentecostal Church on Wednesday, March 8th, 2023, led by Bro Heith Ellingburg and Bro Chris McGrone.