Why Do Some People Keep All Their Money To Themselves Instead Of Giving Some To God?
Answer: It is true that some people do not give any money to the church. Some of them haven’t learned to trust God yet-they are afraid to let go of their money.
They are growing in their faith and are just learning to trust him. Some don’t know that they have a responsibility to give. Some are just greedy.
If you know of someone like this, pray that they will learn to trust in God instead of their money.
But be careful not to spy on others and try to figure out who is a good giver and who isn’t.
You can never really know how much people give or whether it’s a little or a lot in God’s sight.
Jesus once told about a poor widow who gave only two small coins (Mark 12:41-44).
Jesus said she gave more than the rich people did because she gave all she had.
Set a good example yourself and let God teach everyone else how to give.
Key verse: If you are really eager to give, it isn’t important how much you are able to give.
God wants you to give what you have, not what you don’t have. (2 Corinthians 8:12)
Related verses: 1 Samuel 8:3; Luke 12:15-21; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; James 4:2-3
Related question: If you’re saving up for something, is it OK not to give some money to the church?
Note to parents: This question gives you a good opportunity to expand your child’s idea of giving to include other kinds of selflessness.
Whenever your child shares a toy, defers to someone else’s choice of video, or lets someone else get the bigger dessert, affirm your child forgiving.
Where Does The Money I Give To Church Go?
Answer: It goes to the church’s bank account, where it stays until the church treasurer writes checks to pay all the church’s expenses.
The church has to pay for the building, heat, light, phone, postage, Sunday school supplies, pastors’ salaries, staff salaries, missions, and other ministries and expenses.
A gift to God’s people is a gift to God. Give because you are thankful for all God has given you, and he will take care of you.
Key verses: Don’t you know that those who work in the Temple get their meals from the food brought to the Temple as offerings?
And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings.
In the same way, the Lord gave orders that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. (1 Corinthians 9:13-14)
Related verses: Psalm 40:6-8; 51:16-19; Jeremiah 7:21-23; Micah 6:6-8; Malachi 3:8-12
Related question: When you give money to the church, what do they use it for?
Note to parents: Most kids never see where their offerings go or what becomes of them.
It’s OK for them to wonder. Explain as much as you can how your church uses its money.
Name programs that your kids know, point to staff who receive salaries from the church, and mention missionaries they’ve heard of before.