Have you ever said or thought that the Church just wanted your money?
It seems like I encounter people all the time who really believe this, and actually nothing can be any further from a true reflection of the heart of God.

I have to admit that before I became a pastor, I often wondered at times if that’s all the church was interested in as well. Now that I am a pastor, I am often ashamed of some of the methods and tactics that other ministers employ in an attempt to get people to loosen their wallets and financially support “their ministries.”

Unfortunately, all ministers and ministries must bear the burden of this negative perception that seems to be such a prevalent opinion for many. And I’m not just talking about those who are considered “outside” the church. When I felt this way, I was attending church regularly. But I can still remember how each week there was always a substantial amount of time in the service given for the pastor to read from Malachi 3 and other tithing and giving scriptures. It seemed like his long boney finger would wave in our faces as he warned of “robbing God”.  I have to admit, I felt like the most import thing I could ever do was to make sure I was giving my money to God.

I have since gained an understanding of the ministry pressures of meeting budgets, raising money for buildings and keeping the lights on. However, I have to maintain that along with any scriptural encouragement that I ever offer in the area of stewardship and giving, I must communicate and stress that the most important gift we can ever give to the Lord… and what He is after most of all… is our hearts. I believe that when we as ministers live and lead others from a place of complete surrender and faith in the Lord, healthy churches with ample resources will be a byproduct.

God’s plan is for people to first give themselves to the Lord. That is the driving principle that creates a culture of trust in a church. And consequently, that’s one of the things that will help reverse the popular opinion that “the church just wants my money”. Actually, God wants our hearts first. If you are struggling in this area, my prayer is that you will get beyond the issue of money and first give yourself to the Lord and then to His service.

2 Corinthians 8:5 

And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.

Greg Richards is Senior Pastor of Life Church in Kaufman. www.yourlifechurch.com