Avoiding Manipulation in Offerings

Tony Cooke

A paramount issue that all leaders must face pertains to whether they will empower or exploit others. Spiritual leaders who are free from covetousness will always seek the welfare and benefit of those to whom they minister. As appropriate as it is for ministers to be compensated well for their work, there are times and occasions when conscientious spiritual leaders will refuse certain types of monies, based on moral or ethical grounds.

For example:

• Abram (Abraham) said “no” to the King of Sodom. “I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich” (Genesis 14:23).
• An unnamed prophet refused money from King Jereboam, lest it appear that a healing was paid for (1 Kings 13:6-10).
• Elisha also refused silver, gold, and clothing from Naaman lest it appear that a healing was paid for. When, Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, went behind Elisha’s back to obtain these assets, he was exposed and leprosy came upon him (2 Kings 6:15-27).
• Peter refused to accept money from Simon the Sorcerer, as payment for a spiritual gift (Acts 8:18-23).
• Paul sometimes refused compensation that he technically had a right to receive. He told the Corinthians, “…when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone. For the brothers who came from Macedonia brought me all that I needed. I have never been a burden to you, and I never will be …no one in all of Greece will ever stop me from boasting about this …I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours” (2 Corinthians 11:9-10, 12, also see 1 Corinthians 9:11-18).

Why would these men of God, in these unique situations, refuse money? Why would spiritual leaders today, in certain situations, refuse money?

• Sometimes it’s a matter of principle.
• Sometimes it would give the wrong impression.
• Sometimes it’s not in the best interests of the giver.

Thoughts on Receiving Tithes and Offerings

• Teach boldly and confidently about stewardship, tithes, offerings, generosity, etc. Don’t be ashamed, apologetic, or backward in teaching about money and related topics; it is part of the whole counsel of God that we are responsible to teach.
• Be honest and straightforward about special projects and needs of the church and make sure that designated offerings go to the project(s) for which they were received.
• Don’t pressure people into giving through guilt, shame, condemnation, threats, etc.
• Don’t “hype” or manipulate people into impulsive-type giving that they will later regret and probably be resentful about. A person is supposed to give “as he purposes in his heart” (2 Corinthians 9:7), not in a state of frenzied emotionalism.
• Don’t make unfounded, unrealistic promises to people. Avoid anything that could be construed as spiritual manipulation.
• Avoid gimmicks.

The Apostle Paul was painfully aware of “so-called” ministers whose motives and methods were driven by greed. He made it a point to differentiate himself from those who were manipulative, and whose shady and unscrupulous practices brought reproach to the things of God. The same man who wrote about “the grace of giving” had to address the “dis-grace” of wolves in sheep’s clothing who preyed upon gullible, impressionable, and naïve saints.

For we are not, like so many, [like hucksters making a trade of] peddling God’s Word [shortchanging and adulterating the divine message]; but like [men] of sincerity and the purest motive, as [commissioned and sent] by God, we speak [His message] in Christ (the Messiah), in the [very] sight and presence of God (2 Corinthians 2:17 AMP).

Later, Paul said to them: “I do not seek yours, but you” (2 Corinthians 12:14). To the Thessalonians, Paul said, “God is our witness that we were not pretending to be your friends just to get your money” (2 Thessalonians 2:5, NLT). Paul went to great lengths to avoid any self-serving actions, even to the point of refusing appropriate remuneration so no one could accuse him of being in ministry just for the money (1 Corinthians 9:1-18).

The Apostle Peter spoke of false teachers who would cause the way of truth to be blasphemed (2 Peter 2:2), and in the next verse said, “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words.” In other translations, 2 Peter 2:3 is rendered:

• In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money (NLT).
• And in their covetousness (lust, greed), they will exploit you with false (cunning) arguments (AMP).
• They will say anything that sounds good to exploit you (MSG).

It is important to understand that even the shadiest and most disreputable financial appeals are going to contain some degree of truth. You may even hear token “disclaimers” that seem to add legitimacy to their message. For example, they might say, “Now I’m not trying to tell you that you can buy a miracle…” or, “It is really isn’t about your money; it’s about your faith.” But in the final analysis, the overall impression that the potential donor receives, is that there is some type of special miracle or blessing that is only going to be received by giving money in that particular offering.

Further, impulsive giving is going to be strongly promoted (“Act now, go to your phone right now, give now while the anointing is strong, don’t let this miracle moment pass you by, don’t let the devil talk you out of this blessing, etc.”). Recently, one minister proclaimed that there was a two-minute time window, during which contributors could give a $1,000 offering and receive special miraculous results. Of course, people had to act immediately to receive the special “blessing” that was connected exclusively with this offering.

As I watched one preacher on television, I thought to myself, I’ve heard of encouragement, edification, and exhortation, but this is nothing more than extraction — extracting money out of the peoples’ wallets! Further, I wondered why these presentations on television always ended with the persuasive phrase, “Go to your phone,” and never, “Go to your church.”

One minister said, “You can receive information from anyone, but you can only receive revelation from a minister that you sow into.” I thought to myself, If that’s the case, then none of us would be able to receive revelation from any of Paul’s writings, because none of us have ever given financially to him. There is a serious problem when the impression is conveyed that every blessing, every breakthrough, every miracle, and every answer to prayer is contingent upon a financial gift being given.

It is unfortunate when something so beautiful as God’s “sharing grace” is missed because people have been repeatedly exposed to cheap substitutes. When people are pressured by manipulative gimmicks, hype, or other techniques to coerce them into giving, the true plan of God is frustrated.

How much damage has actually been produced by such manipulative tactics in the pulpit? Countless unbelievers have become jaded toward Christianity, hardened to the Gospel, and assume that preachers are simply “in it for the money.” This alone is tragic. In addition, some sincere believers have become disappointed and disillusioned when promises of miracle prosperity did not materialize as expected. Many of these disheartened believers have become closed, reluctant, and hesitant to give anymore.

Understandably, many feel exploited, taken advantage of, and defrauded. They will not be quick to trust preachers again. Perhaps they mistakenly saw giving as a “get-rich-quick” opportunity. Some sink into a state of guilt and condemnation because they believe that their faith must have not been sufficient to bring in the expected harvest. Others become hardened and give up on giving entirely. All of these are lamentable and grievous outcomes that result when dis-graceful exploitation is substituted for the beautiful grace of giving that Paul taught (2 Corinthians 8:6-7).

Blessings without Money

We should be greatly blessed as we remember Isaiah 55:1-2: “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.”

As long as we hold to the understanding that God’s greatest blessings are free gifts, then we can give from the right heart and the right motive, and we can avoid being pressured, manipulated, or taken advantage of by religious con-men!

Reclaiming God’s Plan

We need to stay strongly committed to the word of God and remain positively focused. I am unashamedly in favor of tithing, giving, and biblical prosperity. If every believer in the Body of Christ would simply tithe to their local church (give 10% of their income) and give offerings as the Lord leads them, the work of God would be wonderfully supplied and progress in tremendous ways.

The Bible teaches us that there are blessings associated with giving, and that God “…has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant” (Psalm 35:27). Churches, missionaries, and ministries need finances to operate and to fulfil the Great Commission.

The Body of Christ needs to be deeply grateful for all of the credible pastors, missionaries, and other fine ministers (including many who are on television), who share the Gospel and the Word of God in a straightforward manner, with simplicity and sincerity. Thank God for those who are keeping the waters pure!

The Body of Christ must be strong, and see through the clutter and distractions of human imperfections as we walk out God’s original purpose for our lives! The fact that some have operated in questionable or inappropriate methods should never keep us from believing His Word and doing the right thing.

God is still, “…able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation]” (2 Corinthians 9:8, AMP). Let’s freely yield ourselves to the grace of giving. We should not only receive from His generosity, but we should also live a life of generous giving.

NOTE: This article is excerpted from Tony’s book, Qualified Serving God with Integrity and Finishing Your Course with Honor.