How Should The Church Raise Money?
As we continue to explore the avenues of Christian worship, we come to the act of giving. Along with praying, the Lord’s Supper, reading and preaching the Word of God, and singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, giving is an act of worship. It is God’s will that Christians return a portion of that which He has given to each and every one of us as a free will offering. God has always asked His people to freely give of their means in the form of an offering:
Tell the sons of Israel to raise a contribution for Me; from every man whose heart moves him you shall raise My contribution. — Exodus 25:2 NAS
The responsibility of giving is still required of God’s people. Paul told the Christians at Corinth:
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week let each one of you put aside and save, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come. — 1 Cor 16:1-2 NAS
When the church assembles on the first day of the week it is for the purpose of worship, and God has made it a part of that worship that a collection be taken for the purpose of financing the various works of the church. It is important to note that Christians are asked to give into the church treasury only on the first day of the week, which is Sunday, or the Lord’s Day (Rev. 1:10). There is no authorization for churches to take a collection on any day other than the first day of the week.
As one studies giving in the New Testament to learn how the early church raised its funds it is easy to see that many practices of present day denominations are not even hinted at as the means of raising church funds in the New Testament. The following list shows some of the ways denominations raise funds today:
- Business enterprises: Operating businesses for profit as a means of raising church funds.
- Rummage sales: People are asked to donate used clothing and other items for sale to raise funds.
- Carnivals: Some have carnivals to set up on their lot as a means of raising money.
- Bingo games: Some churches resort to using Bingo games – a form of gambling (which is sinful in and of itself) as a means of raising funds.
- Begging: Some churches send their members around to businesses in order to beg for non-Christians to support their work.
- Tithing: A number of churches not only teach that the Christian should tithe in obedience to the Old Testament commandments, they actually go to members and assess their tithing in a similar fashion to the manner in which taxes are assessed.
These are all unscriptural methods of raising church funds and they are in direct violation to the revealed teaching of the New Testament. There is absolutely no authority for raising money through involvement in any of the above ways. Furthermore, no church has the right to assess or bind a certain percentage of income which each member must contribute. But, some seek to revert to the Mosaic law for binding the tithe upon men. The tithe was legislated as a proportion of what one earned and was to be given to God (Lev. 27:30-34). However, that law is no longer binding upon Christians because Christ took it out of the way nailing it to the cross (Col. 2:14-17; Eph. 2:14-16). If one returns to the Mosaic Law for authority for one religious practice then he/she is obligated to accept the entire Mosaic Law (Gal. 5:1-4). Such a person is severed from Christ and fallen from grace. Therefore, tithing is not binding upon the Christian today.
Christians should give as follows:
- Regularly, “Upon the first day of the week.” I Cor. 16:1-2
- Personally, “Let each one of you.” I Cor. 16:1-2
- Providently, “Lay by him in store.” I Cor. 16:1-2
- Proportionately, “As he may prosper.” I Cor. 16:1-2
- Preventively, “That there be no collection when I come.” I Cor. 16:1-2
- Liberally, “With liberality.” Rom. 12:8
- Cheerfully, “God loveth a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor. 9:7
- Purposefully, “As he hath purposed in his heart.” 2 Cor. 9:7
The weekly contribution is the only authorized method for financing the work of the church, and the methods of men do not have God’s approval. In this materialistic world, we can prove our love for God and the brethren, and our fellow man, by giving generously when the collection plate is passed. Jesus Christ said:
If therefore you have not been faithful in the {use of} unrighteous mammon, who will entrust the true {riches} to you? — Luke 16:11 NAS
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