TO WHAT EXTENT MUST THE MEMBERS GIVE AS OFFERING IN A LOCAL CONGREGATION

Giving has been identified as one of the items of a New Testament worship, and its relevance to the running of a local congregation can not be over-emphasised (1 Cor 16:1-2; Luke 6:38). Giving (or offering; if I am allowed to use those words interchangeably) has it roots in Biblical times:

• Cain and Abel made offerings to God (Gen 4:3-5);
• Abraham practised this item of worship (Heb 7:1-2);
• The Israelites give far more than necessary for the construction of the sanctuary (Ex 36:1-7);
• The early church did some offering to meet the needs of the members (Acts 4:34-35).

REALISTIC OFFERING SYSTEM

The basis of this lesson is Ex 36:1-7 as indicated above. Most congregations never declare how much is needed to meet the basic financial requirement of the congregation.

• Is that an expression of greed; wanting more and more?
• Is it that because members do not know how much is need, and are not prepared to give their all; they end up giving just a little?

There must be some truth in the affirmative answers to the two questions indicated above. But the point is that congregations must be realistic, and there are no decent alternatives to that. The reality is that every congregation has some basic financial requirement to maintain the congregation. This requirement is NOT LIMITLESS; it is LIMITED. A local congregation must develop and have their annual financial budget. The advantages that can be realised from this strategy can be quite a number:

• Realisation of the annual financial requirement of the congregation;
• Members are able to develop their own financial budget, incorporating effectively their intended contribution to the congregational financial needs;
• Realistic financial requirement of the congregation can be visualised and handed effectively taking into cognisance the number of members in the local congregation.

CONCLUSION

• Most congregations are not being realistic about the giving abilities of the members; and this must stop.
• There is no way that a congregation expects all the money in the world by making the financial needs of the congregation so open and limitless.
• The financial needs of a congregation are limited and this must be ascertained by effective and realistic budgetary system.
• A realistic budgetary system of a local congregation will really help to curtail financial crisis and unrest.

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Presenter: Admin Webmaster
Date: 2012-01-10 13:28:14
Viewed: 2425

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Posted Comments

keep on.more grease to your elbows

Posted by: Kojo Amoah (Ghana)
Status: Guest
Date: 2013-03-08 04:16:38

is tithe paying part of our obligation?

Posted by: Emmanuel braimah (United States)
Status: Member
Date: 2014-01-08 03:19:59

I like the sermons am reading here. I thought I knew it all but I have learnt a few new things here. May God bless this initiative.

Posted by: Maame Nkansah (Ghana)
Status: Member
Date: 2017-12-14 15:26:24