Resources/Articles
Steak on a Paper Plate
Imagine going out to a fancy steakhouse for a nice dinner to celebrate a special occasion. You are politely seated and handed the menu. Quickly your eyes focus in on their premium 16 oz. ribeye steak. You notice the high cost of this delicious meal, but are determined to make this dinner a special occasion. You order the steak and await the upcoming feast. After what seems like many long minutes, the waiter approaches and places before you the premium steak resting upon a paper plate.
We’ve all eaten a meal upon a paper plate. That type of platter is suitable for hotdogs and chips, but hardly appropriate - or functional - for a steak. What a disappointment to receive a premium steak on a floppy paper plate! The two simply do not go together.
As authorized, we assemble to worship our great God (Acts 20:7). Worship means “to give honor, homage, reverence, adoration, praise, or glory to a superior being.” This is what we assemble to do, to reverently demonstrate our appraisal of God. It is the highest and holiest activity of which a human being is capable.
Unfortunately, many Christians have discounted the privilege of worship. They approach God casually and even irreverently. Have you noticed that often there are fewer saints assembled at Sunday evening worship services or Wednesday evening Bible study than for Sunday morning service? Have you observed how many Christians arrive barely on time for worship? Or how casual and immodest many are dressed to worship the Creator of the universe? These things do not go together any more than does a steak on a paper plate, and God is not pleased by such (Malachi 1:6-14).
God demands, seeks, and requests our worship because He deserves it, but we must ask, “Are we offering Him our very best?” When it comes to the atmosphere of worship services in this generation - and the next - something’s got to give. If we continue on this path of casual, irreverent worship to God then where will it end? Will we progress from paper plates to eating with our hands and then ultimately like hogs at a trough?
“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28-29). Let us serve God acceptably by putting away the paper plates and bringing down the finest china we have in all that we do for the Lord. Certainly God deserves our very best because He gave His - Jesus Christ. Amen?
