Give unto the Ministry and Ministers

Most folks are very squeamish when it comes to giving their money to a ministry.  They do not think twice about giving money to buy novelties, snacks, the latest craze, or anything that grabs their fancy.  However, giving to the Lord’s work gets many upset and is a reason that has turned many away from attending church.

God’s Word commands (Malachi 3:8) us to give our tithes (10%+ of our gross earnings) and offerings to the local ministry. Most understand that any ministry requires finances to keep its doors open.  All know that electricity, A/C, padded pews, and rugs are not free and can be coaxed to help meet those expenses.

However, some givers are not happy that some goes to the church’s leaders and workers.  Although those same folks expect a paycheck when they work, they somehow think that their church leaders and other workers should work for free.  Many do, but it is not biblical!

God used the support given to a local assembly to support the building, workers, and other needs even from the beginning.  Here are some of what was given to the ministry and workers:

• Part of Israel’s offering went to fund the priesthood.
  “But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.” Num. 18:24  Also: Num. 18:26.
• People gave wood for the offerings.
  “And we cast the lots among the priests, the Levites, and the people, for the wood offering ….”  Neh. 10:34
• People gave of their crops so that the workers could eat.
  “And to bring the firstfruits of our ground, and the firstfruits of all fruit of all trees ….”  Neh. 10:35

• People gave their firstborn sons for the service of the ministry.
  “Also the firstborn of our sons, and of our cattle, as it is written in the law (Ex. 13:2) … unto the priests ….” Neh. 10:36
• People gave bread dough and other things.
  “And that we should bring the firstfruits of our dough, and our offerings, and the fruit of all manner of trees, of wine and of oil, unto the priests, to the chambers of the house of our God; and the tithes of our ground unto the Levites, that the same Levites might have the tithes in all the cities of our tillage.” Neh. 10:37

Although much of what was given was used for the worship of God, some was given for the workers of the ministry.  Some was also given to be saved and to be used at later times (Neh. 10:38).  It was stored in the “treasure house.”

The next time someone grumbles that his offering is used by the pastor, remind them it should be.  It is biblical. If someone misuses it, that is not always our business.  When what is given is used improperly that is between them and the Lord and the Lord will deal with it.   They will not get away with any dishonesty of the use of what is given for the Lord’s service.  Our responsibility is to give it to the Lord via the local church.

We are to give as God commands us and are to give happily.  God does not need our money, but He needs to see that He and His ministries are more important than our usually selfish desires.

To learn more about what the Bible teaches about giving to God, please read: http://www.openthoumineeyes.com/bible-answers/tithing.html

“I believe I figured out why many get upset when they learn they should give to the Lord.  Money has become their green god, and they don’t want to give their deity away.” — B. Brinkworth