BGEA: Why do churches keep asking for money all the time?

Why do churches keep asking for money all the time? Frankly, it turns me off and I think it does the same to lots of others. If people want to give that's fine, but I don't think they ought to be talked into giving money. — S.A.

Would it surprise you to learn that I don't think people should be "talked into" giving money to God's work either? The Bible says we should give because we want to, and "not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

At the same time, churches and other ministries need money to operate; to be blunt, if they don't have any, they'll go out of existence. Even Jesus' little band of disciples had a treasurer, and the Bible mentions several women who "were helping to support them out of their own means" (Luke 8:3). In our own ministry, we have always tried to make people aware of the opportunities we have before us, and encourage them to support us if God leads them to do so.

I can't help but wonder, however, if your real problem isn't something deeper—perhaps something you haven't even realized. My question is this: What is the most important thing in your life? Is it Christ and His will—or is it something else, such as money?

Only you can answer that question, of course—but I challenge you to do so. Some day, your life will be over, and everything you have accumulated here will be gone. Are you ready for that day? You can be, by committing your life to Christ and beginning to follow Him every day.

16 Comments

Back Slider says 4.5.2013, 4:54 p.m.

Church tells congregation to give sacrificially and some sell off their homes and give the money to church. But when I see the leadership driving big fanciful cars, I get the impression that the leadership isn't giving enough themselves.

Back Slider says 4.5.2013, 4:46 p.m.

'Money keeps the world goes round', even in church. Without money church can't operate. That's just reality. So in that sense, giving to church (in the form of tithes) seems acceptable to me.

JF says 1.22.2013, 12:40 a.m.

if they don't have any, they'll go out of existence. Wow. It seems that the American church has it's priorities messed up. The church keeps spending so much money on buildings, huge staffing,pamphlets, book publishing..etc. Jesus never had a salary.

joe says 12.30.2012, 11:26 a.m.

If we are all christians, and God owns everything then you would thing that christians should be overwhelmed with wealth. Why do we seem to feel that God does not know we need money to survive and keep the ministry going.

timothy Loyal says 9.20.2012, 10:57 a.m.

I was told as a Pastor never to ask for money. We can not serve two masters. Do you know that Mammon is a god of money according to the scriptures? All you have belongs to Jesus.

LS says 7.17.2012, 11:14 a.m.

I believe God's word is free and not to be bought with a price. God requires for you to pay your tithes and give an offering. If the people are doing this why should the Pastor's ask for more. Don't they believe that God will provide.

Eddy says 6.26.2012, 11:59 p.m.

The question was "Why do churches keep asking for money all the time." Not should churches have money. Why would you assume the person who asked the question has a "problem" because they asked it? Seems like the problem lies with such churches.

Matt says 5.27.2012, 1:18 p.m.

It seems like more of a club than a gathering. Like you have to pay a fee every month to be a member, rather than a believer.

Sandra says 4.20.2012, 11:02 p.m.

Giving is an act of worship and a work of grace. You are giving to the work of Christ's kingdom - for the expansion. God certainly does not need our money. It's all about the condition of our and our obedience to the Lord.

Christopher says 3.30.2012, 9:33 p.m.

All churches NEED money in order to function and fulfill their duties, like helping communities and people in need. That doesn't exempt churches from having to pay bills and other expenses. They still have to do the same things, like paying bills.

Connie says 3.21.2012, 6:57 p.m.

The church is not a building nor is it a corporation. It is the worldwide assembly of believers infilled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does not need cash flow to maintain itself. This church will never 'go out of existence'.

E says 11.3.2011, 9:19 p.m.

Certainly churches have a lot of issues with money. I have a harder time giving when my perception is that money is being wasted, but I would encourage this poster to get involved in his/her church. If there's an administrative board, get on it, and see where the money is going. If you don't like it, find another church because I know from personal experience that there are a lot of churches that are good stewards of God's resources, and they are worth donating to. Many of them really need the money to operate and provide services (physical and spiritual) to people who need them.

TJ says 8.4.2011, 01:26 a.m.

My fiances' sister attended a church, where they were not to donate if they wanted, they had a flat rate to pay every Sunday, in order to stay a member of that church...talk about a turn off.

Del says 3.10.2011, 10:01 a.m.

If it was about the money, then Jesus would have gone around asking for it. His disciples and hie fished or ate whatever they could find. It was more about Salvation not money. How come all the people he met, not a single one did he say to them, give me money, he told them not to sin anymore. If churches stopped building lavish buildings, and driving expensive cars they would only need enough to have the lights on, and pay the water bill.

s says 2.8.2011, 11:18 a.m.

Your answer addresses the believer's point of view. What about the churches? Should they not be living by faith? Begging / exhorting people to donate / promise blessings for a seed - these are marks of con artists. And there are just too many out there.

CH says 10.6.2010, 00:41 a.m.

Good point I had a similar experience in which the church announced that you should pay a certain amount by a certain date without previous discussion I know the money is for operating the church yet people don't like being told to pay for things when they dutifully give offering each Sunday after committing their time and energy to church.