Our religious movement holds dearly to the communal eating celebration known as the potluck. Basically every one gathers together, brings a covered dish to share, and eat. With that many people bringing food you’re never quite sure what to expect. I remember in High School someone bringing a jar of half-eaten Goober (peanut butter and jelly mixed in the same jar) complete with bread crumbs. The point was they brought what they had - something like the widow’s mite I presume.
For some odd reasons I am not a big fan of the potluck. I like everything about the potluck except the consuming of strange food. Strange fire - no problem, strange food – now that’s a different story. I am a big fan of everything else the potluck represents.
For example, wikepedia says this about the potluck:
The purpose and benefits of potlucks include fun, socializing, good food, and building healthy community. Some of the most honest and meaningful communication can occur over a dinner table.
That’s good stuff. Last night, in our mid-week tune-up we talked about the origin of the fellowship meal. Check this “strange” passage out:
Deuteronomy 14:22-26 (NCV) Be sure to save one-tenth of all your crops each year. Take it to the place the LORD your God will choose where he is to be worshiped. There, where you will be together with the LORD, eat the tenth of your grain, new wine, and oil, and eat the animals born first to your herds and flocks. Do this so that you will learn to respect the LORD your God always. But if the place the LORD will choose to be worshiped is too far away and he has blessed you so much you cannot carry a tenth, exchange your one-tenth for silver. Then take the silver with you to the place the LORD your God shall choose. Use the silver to buy anything you wish–cattle, sheep, wine, beer, or anything you wish. Then you and your family will eat and celebrate there before the LORD your God.
What do you think about that? Anything here that would change your observance of the potluck?
