Biblical Insights on Receiving Offerings
Marvin Yoder
To learn more about Marvin Yoder, please visit his website.
Have you dreaded standing up to receive an offering in your church? Are you secretly dissatisfied with the results you have had in receiving offerings? Perhaps you’ve thought to yourself, “There’s got to be more to receiving an offering than what I have been doing.”
If this is where you find yourself, you are not alone. Many ministers, deacons, staff people, and lay ministers find themselves challenged with receiving offerings in their church. The good news is the Bible gives us help in how to successfully receive an offering.
“. . . I thought I should send these brothers ahead of me to make sure the gift you promised is ready. But I want it to be a willing gift, not one given grudgingly. Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Corinthians 9:5-8, NLT)
Here the Apostle Paul tells the Corinthian church he is sending Titus to receive the offering they’d promised to give to help the church at Jerusalem. The whole context of these verses is 2 Cor. 8:1-9:15. The way Paul talked about money and giving to the Corinthian believers as he instructed them to give is very enlightening. I hope by looking at some of the things Paul did, and also some things that he didn’t do, will improve your efforts to receive offerings in your church or ministry.
- Paul had a valid cause for people to give to. The church at Jerusalem had experienced difficult times of famine and lack. Albert Barnes said, “The occasion of this distress which made the collection for the saints of Judea necessary, was probably the famine which was predicted by Agabus, and which occurred in the time of Claudius Caesar.”i Having a valid cause will inspire the people to give.
- Paul didn’t apologize for receiving an offering. Some people get up and apologize for receiving an offering, giving the lame excuse that they need a little money to keep the lights on. Leading with an apology doesn’t create motivation in people to give much in an offering.
- Paul didn’t manipulate people into giving an offering. He told the people they should give, but then told them to cheerfully give an amount they decided to give. He didn’t prophesy they should give, or use gimmickry of some kind to get them to give. He stirred up their desire rather than compelling them to give.
- Paul remained focused when receiving the offering. He only used scriptures related to giving an offering, and kept his remarks focused on what he was asking people to do. He didn’t neglect to teach people, but neither did he spend all his time instructing the people to give. Try to find the balance that works for you.
- Paul himself led by example in giving. At the church in Corinth, he gave up his right to receive an offering and instead worked to sustain himself (1 Cor. 9:9-15). He didn’t ask the people to do something he himself didn’t do. As a leader, you may not be the biggest giver, but you can lead the way in giving.
- Paul assured the people they’d handle the offering with integrity. He said, “We are traveling together to guard against any criticism for the way we are handling this generous gift” (2 Cor. 8:20). Having a plan to handle the offering with integrity will assure the people that the money will be used as promised or intended. It also helps them to be willing to give.
- Paul painted the picture of partnership to the people. He reminded the church at Corinth that they were connected with the church at Jerusalem, and should help each other. In the same way, we must remind the people that they are in partnership together in the church. They should corporately exercise their faith to give together, believe together, and receive together what God has promised.
- Paul reminded the people of God’s promise for a harvest. He wrote, “. . . God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” (2 Cor. 9:10). People need to know that God notices their giving. They can give with confidence when they know that God will give a return as He has promised.
1 Barnes, Albert, Barnes Notes on the Bible, e-Sword, 2 Cor. 8:4
