Giving—“He’s a preacher, he had to say that!”

Giving—“He’s a preacher, he had to say that!”

I have a photo of our church’s last remaining contribution plate sitting at the bottom of a rubbish bin. The bin was brand new and the plate very shiny, so it usually takes a viewer a few seconds to work out what it is in the photo. We have used cloth contribution bags at our congregation for many years now, but the sooner they go the way of collection plates, the happier I will be. I realise that my views will be questioned by some, because they believe we should give during Sunday worship. I respect the view and suggest that those who have a conscience to give only on a Sunday do so—be it at worship in person, or by automatic bank payments enacted on the Lord’s Day. Internet banking is a gift of convenience for the giver and a gift of ‘less work’ for the church treasurer.I assure you, no one ever gave more than they felt they had to by having a plate put in front of them.Givers give!Giving into a common pool of money to fund the work of the local congregation is vital for all parties concerned. Preachers, Sunday School Supplies, evangelism, benevolence, church buildings, electricity, water, etc., costs money.One preacher joked to me years ago, “I have a guy who says he has seen preachers come and go from our congregation for 50 years. His unspoken war cry is, ‘Preachers come and go, but church buildings are forever!’” Which about explains why some congregations go nowhere in a hurry for a very long time.I have no idea how much individuals I preach for give to the church. It is none of my business! If you want to be involved in the work of the Lord by giving, you may want to read this—You’ll be blessed:“Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;” (2Cor.9:6-8).John StaigerIf you have been blessed by this message, please feel free to: Like, Comment or Share it with your friends.