Tithing and other offerings were a matter of the Law in the old covenant days. With the New Covenant, tithing (as a matter of law) ceased. People, however, have needs. Ministries have needs. We continue to give financially based on patterns of love and sacrifice shown and taught in the NT. But is there a preferred method for how these gifts should be given? Most individual churches act as collectors and administrators of financial gifts. I suppose that is a good thing as long as it doesn't psychologically separate the giver from the recipient. Churches should make sure that the givers know where each dollar is going--not just to ensure accountability by the church organization but also so the givers can take a conscious and prayerful part in the ministering effect of the gifts.
Most churches pass the plate to receive an offering as part of a Sunday morning service. Is this time involved with the offering something that, indeed, should be part of the service? Asking a question with "should" in it can mean different things. I am not asking merely is this Scripturally right, but, assuming the Bible may be silent as to the question of when and how an offering MUST be gathered, I want to know for reasons of efficiency, effectiveness, piety, etc. whether plate-passing is something you think belongs in a service or should the gathering be done differently. Some churches have receptacles in the lobbies of their church buildings for private giving. Is this a good thing? What are your impressions?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I don't know that I have a strong opinion on HOW an offering should be collected. And I don't think scripture mandates a particular method. Giving, though, for the benefit of the group of believers (everything from keeping the building together to supporting missionaries to helping those less fortunate) is part of bearing each others' burdens. So I do believe that financial giving is part of corporate worship.
ReplyDeleteI have been told that putting something (anything) in the plate is necessary to be part of the corporate worship. And I do try to have something every time because I do care about taking part. It's like singing the hymns and songs and praying along with the rest of the group. (Oh, wait, that's the next post, right?)
If the box were in the lobby, I would be fine with putting my offering there. I'm fine with passing the plate.
Brenda,
ReplyDeleteSo, how does a box in the lobby satisfy your understanding of financial giving as a part of corporate worship (assuming corporate worship means worshipping with united focus)?
Well, I suppose going to the box would be taking part in the offering. You can walk past the box and do nothing, like you might let the plate pass without putting anything in. I don't know whether it matters that everyone is thinking "offering" at the same time or that people think "offering" individually as they pass the box(es) on their way in/out of the building.
ReplyDelete