I went to a church service last week and the guest preacher said that the Lord told him to give an offering of $100 to the church.  He then asked for those who were looking for supernatural blessings in the coming week to join with him and match his offering. He asked them to stand and bring their offering forward. A few people did go foward but I think this is inappropriate. What do you think?

RESPONSE:

What do you think was inappropriate?  Was it that the preacher publicly announced his $100 offering to the church?  Or that he said the Lord told him to do it?  Was it that he asked others to match him?  Or that he linked the offering to supernatural blessing?  (Which of our blessings are not supernatural?)  Was it that he asked folks to stand and bring their offering forward?  Would you have gone forward if the preacher had not requested a certain amount?  (What if God was telling another person to give $1,000?)

How and why should we give money to the church?  We pay our tithes because God said so;  and we give offerings because the Lord loves a cheerful giver. Respecting the restriction of the tree of knowledge, Adam and Eve demonstrated their faith in and loyalty to God.  After the fall, God could no longer test man through the tree of knowledge;  but humanity still needed a constant reminder that God is the source of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17) and that it is He who provides us with the power to get wealth (Deut. 8:18).  To remind us that He is the source of every blessing, God instituted a system of tithes and offerings.

The Scripture tells us that the tithe is “holy to the Lord,” symbolizing God’s ownership of everything (Lev. 27:30, 32).  It is to be returned to Him as His own.  When God calls for the tithe (Mal. 3:10), He makes no appeal to gratitude or generosity.  Far from abrogating this institution, the New Testament assumes its validity.  Jesus approved of tithing and condemned those who violate its spirit (Matt. 23:23).  Grateful Christians cannot limit their contributions to the church to tithe.  The Lord calls for liberal giving as He has prospered us.  God has promised to bless our faithfulness (Mal. 3:10-12).  Jesus said:  “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required;  and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more” (Luke 12:28).

God has placed us in the role of stewards for our benefit, not for His.  It is to encourage our own spiritual growth and character development.  Financial stewardship is a biblical discipline that assists us in gaining victory over covetousness and selfishness, and leads to the development of habits of economy and efficiency.  It also blesses others and the church.

What is in our heart when we give.?  Do we give because we are thankful for what God has given, or are we trying to “buy a blessing?”  Are we trying to “show off” before men when we march with our tithes and offerings, or is our march a visual testimony of obedience?  Are we claiming to be more spiritual than others when we proclaim that “the Lord told me to do it,” or are we encouraging others to listen to God.  Listen to God, and give what you can, cheerfully!

LET THE REDEEMED OF THE LORD SAY SO!
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Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the Faith Forum are not necessarily those of the editor and staff of Say So! Magazine.  Have a question? Please submit your questions to faithforum@saysomagazine.com. Questions will be answered and published on a first come, first served basis. Due to the large volume of questions received, we will not be able give prior notice of the answer being published. Please subscribe to the newsletter to stay informed.

Min. Robert & Dr. Astra Brantley are counselors that have been called to serve the body of Christ. For more information, visit http://www.brantleygroup.com.

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