It’s Offering Time! Giving Spiritually vs. Giving Naturally. Part II
Written by: Kathy Curry
Continued….
Money, the lack of money, or the abundance of money is how many people define who they are. It identifies an economic classification. It represents social standing. It separates the haves from the have nots. And why not? Even the bible says: money answereth all things! (Ecclesiastes 10: 19b) And common sense lets us know that money is necessary, money makes things easier, etc. But the bottom line is, money is a tool and provision God places in our lives and unless we are good stewards over our money, God will not be pleased.
God knows our heart. Just like God knew the widow gave all she had, God knows what we have. He knows when giving is just a routine action. He knows when giving is done begrudgingly, and he knows when giving is done from the heart. So often the concern arises of monies being used for the purpose intended, or being used for something else. From my experiences of being a “PK”, there were always the typical rumblings with the question of what the Pastor was using the church money for. Did our money buy that new car? Did our money buy this? Did our money buy that? etc…. But I don’t recall anywhere in the bible where it instructs us to give and then micro-manage our gifts to completion. Sure, if we give to a specific project, mission, or cause; that is definitely what we expect our money to be used for. But if we give in that spirit, without God being the focal point of our giving, the blessings associated with the gift could be hampered. If we give for the sole purpose of our gift going to the furtherance of the works of God, we will never go wrong.
Human nature is subject to mistakes and wrongdoings. God is not. Giving purely to and for God and His works will never leave you questioning your decision to give. Don’t get me wrong, giving does not come natural to us. Human nature is to hoard, keep, protect, save, etc. what we have. Who knows when an incident might come along and absorb or wipe out monies intended for a completely different purpose? There is something very comforting about having a tidy little nest egg set aside! We all want to know our future is protected. And we’ve been taught it is the right and responsible thing to do, having a hefty savings account. But just like we pay into our 401K at work and our company matches our contribution, so does God! But unlike our companies that match only a certain percentage and no more, God’s blessings are endless! He will do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (Ephesians 3:30) and that is the power to give!
When I got to the place where I was able to give to God with a heart aimed at God and leave it there, I felt the joy and the peace associated with the cheerful spirit of giving. I knew God was pleased. Still, it’s not always easy when other financially things are staring me down, but I know He is Jehovahjireh! I know he is my provider and I know blessings are sure to follow! Subtle blessings. Obvious blessings. Overwhelming blessings! Blessings, blessings, blessings! You can’t beat God giving, no matter how you try!
Let’s talk about this!
June 18th, 2008 at 7:30 am
I think it is only fair that we look at why some people are hesitant to give. Human nature is to question where your money goes and sometimes preachers do some questionable things. So what do you tell people when they feel as though their money will be misused? Is it really micro-managing your gift to God if you know it is going towards a new Lexus?
June 18th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Yeah, what you say is true as it relates to human reasoning for giving. But, someone’s reason for giving shouldn’t be to make the sure the preacher is doing what they say they are doing. I think Kathy addressed your questions when she stated, “Giving purely to and for God and His works will never leave you questioning your decision to give.” So, if a person keeps this mindset, that person will not be hesitant to give.
June 18th, 2008 at 11:03 am
I think she touched on it too, but is that really enough? I know it shouldn’t be an issue, but we are human and human beings are flawed.
June 18th, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Tom, as I commented in part I, I think, isn’t it funny how we never question where our tax dollars are going? Tax dollars are probably the most grossly misused monies there is! But truthfully, do you question those dollars like you do the dollars going to the preacher? Why shouldn’t a preacher have a Lexus? Why shouldn’t his job afford him the same luxuries the next guy has? The problem with human giving is, those with the problem do not have a connection with God. Sorry, but that is the bottom line. If they did, they would look at the man of God, the way the bible speaks of how he should be reverenced. Tom, your dad is a pastor. Obviously you have not grasped some of the things that have happened to him. I remember him saying that one day as he passed mail, (he was a mailman for all the readers who see this) he was in a zombie state and doesn’t even know how the mail got delivered that day. He didn’t even remember doing it. Why? Because of something that happened with the church folks.
I think the problem is we discount the importance of the job of pastoring. If you have a spiritual relationship with God, you will know, it is a far more crucial task to be commissioned to oversee souls for the kingdom than we humans can understand. We come to church and what we see is the man preaching. And basically, that is all. We leave. We do not see what he does that day, who he talks to, what sacrifices he makes, how his family suffers because of his work, etc. We don’t see the problems he helps solve. We don’t get on our face for hours and seek God’s will for our fellow parishioner as he does. I have seen men and women and they look good. I see them a few years later, after pastoring a church and they look like they have aged 10 – 15 years. It is a hard job and really, from some of the things my father has been through, he deserves a Lexus and more! But that is still not the point…
If you have a relationship with God and have chosen a church home and you call it God’s house; when you go, regardless of what, when you give, give to God. He knows if in your heart you are giving it to Him or giving it to the pastor. Because when we micro-manage our monies given at church, that is what we are doing, just giving to the pastor. Just give it to God. TRUST HIM to take care of it. Let if go! I promise, your blessings will overtake you!
June 18th, 2008 at 8:51 pm
Two things. First, yes I do question where my tax dollars go. I wince during the national anthem when it gets to the part about being the land of the free. Who is free? In my mind, we are modern day sharecroppers! We are forced to pay tax or go to jail. Where does the free come in? I guess I’m free to leave, but that shouldn’t be the only option.
I have something in the pipeline, but let me just say that a true man of God will not even be looked at with doubt. The problems come in when we get to the point where being a preacher becomes a career choice instead of a calling. Sorry, I’m just not that dumb to think that isn’t happening and yes, I would not go to a church where I felt that way. Being a PK does not mean I’m not an intelligent man and for someone to choose a career as a pastor and take up an offering will not go unnoticed by me. Speaking of being a PK, where was all this talk about money when you grew up in church?
June 19th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
One thing for sure money doesn’t make me happy. I always thought it would but I must concede that maybe I’m less happy in some ways. I think the joy is in spending it, because the suff you buy loses it’s appeal soon after. I’ve had 7 cars and 2 motorcycles in the last 4-5 years and all I’ve done is waste money trying to find happiness that was not to be had.
Why not give it to the church? Most people spend it on something anyway-THEMSELF!
I just think that some of the older pastors don’t have a vision of how to use resources to benefit the body. Most of them secure their family and that’s as far as they can envision. Big house, big car, furs for First lady Sis. Boo Boo. Oh and did I forget the mandatory closet full of hats?!
Then on the other hand pastors and family that a lot of heat and maybe they deserve something for it.
By the way I paid my $350.00 this week. I hope I own $500.00 next week.
June 19th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
owe
June 19th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Hey John! Good to see you back!
June 26th, 2008 at 11:13 am
What is a PK?
June 26th, 2008 at 11:26 am
God created us to be givers,you can never be trully fulfilled as a human being untill you
learn the simple secret of how to give.I have realised that when you reach out to other people
in need;God will always make sure that your needs are supplied.There is no harvest without
a seed.We should not concern ourselves with what the pastors do with our offerings and tithes
but let us focus on the joy of giving.Giving is a spiritual principle;whatever you give will be given
back to you.What you make happen to others God will make happen to you.Somebody say amen!
June 26th, 2008 at 11:28 am
That is a Preacher’s Kid.
June 26th, 2008 at 7:41 pm
OKay I didn’t think of that,thought of so many things that didn’t make sense.
April 15th, 2011 at 4:00 pm
okay well this could be better but as far as fetish goes this is as best as it gets usually aha
July 9th, 2011 at 2:39 am
thanks good stuff here. Will bookmark so I can find it easy at a later date
July 13th, 2011 at 4:51 pm
I really liked your information but perhaps this time you may have been too hasty when writing because your content it seems rushed.
September 29th, 2011 at 9:29 pm
apple ipad future…
Hey this is a great post . Can I use a portion of it on my site ? I would obviously link back to your page so people could view the complete post if they wanted to. Thanks either way….