Signposts on the Eurasian Road #8 Hans Växby

Signposts on the Eurasian Road #8 Hans Växby

Money

“Too much and too little spoils everything.” This is true for many things – also for how we talk about money in the worship service.

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) Therefore we must not deprive people the joy and right to contribute financially to the ministry of the church. The congregation will never grow spiritually, if it doesn’t grow in taking responsibility for the finances.

But the matter is very sensitive. Visitors may be suspicious if we talk too much about money. Therefore the offering should always be presented as an opportunity, not a must. It is a privilege to participate in the mission of the Lord.

The key words are participation and transparency. The offering must take place in the public worship service, not half secretly afterwards. Poor people must never be told that they are too poor to participate. They have also a right to contribute, even it is only with “two small copper coins” (Mark 12:41-44)

And the congregation needs to know as much as possible about the finances: how much comes in through tithing, how much through offerings and other gifts, and how much is received from the partner church; also how much is needed to cover all the necessary expenses. This is an atmosphere where churches grow.