by Ali Mechelle

Created on: June 04, 2008

I woke up this morning, feeling heavy in my soul
Thought to myself, I need a Word from the Lord
I talked to the Lord, but felt I should do more than pray
I wanted to hear a sermon, hear what the preacher had to say

So I got dressed in record time, headed to my local church
I hadn't been in awhile, but going back never hurt
I sat on the back pew, 'cause I was just a little shy

My previous absence caused me shame, I cannot tel a lie

A sister sang a song, her vocals were surely on fire
I thought I would be moved, but it did not take me higher
A brother gave a prayer, full of drama and theatrics
It surely entertained, but it did not heal my sadness

But I told myself to hold on, to find what I'd came for
It was all about the sermon, to hear a word from the Lord
But before we got to that part, the preacher made an announcement
Said this was a special offering and we needed to raise a thousand

I opened my simple purse, for I knew it held some cash
I waited for the tray that would surely my way pass
But instead the preacher said, "Those with a hundred, please stand.
And wait on a Deacon to shake your giving hand."

I was just a little confused, for I had read a scripture before
That said not to be praised by men, but wait on the praise of the Lord
You shouldn't give your alms in hope of man's congratulations
But let it pass the earth as a secret, to receive God's adulation

So I stayed in my seat, though I had a hundred dollars
I decided to wait until we were allowed a secret offering
But that time never came, and we never raised a thousand
And the pastor then proclaimed that he had another announcement

He condemned those who had never stood, as cursed and disgraced
Said if we didn't want to give, we would never see God's face
Said he did too much as a pastor for us not to give him our best
And all this time I had thought giving to God would be the test

But I held onto one last hope, maybe the sermon would redeem
Maybe he would yield his heart to God, be inspired by the Bible he'd read
Then he made another announcement, said there would be no sermon today
"Don't expect a blessing from me if you don't have the decency to pay."

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