Every Sunday, as the congregation gathers for worship, there comes a quiet but powerful moment – the offering. At first glance, it may seem ordinary compared to the singing of hymns, the preaching of God’s Word, or the sharing of testimonies. Yet in truth, it is one of the most sacred moments of worship. The congregation may be singing, the ushers may be moving through the aisles, or the finance in-charge may be preparing the collection box. Whatever the form, this moment carries profound meaning. It is not about raising money for the church’s needs; it is about expressing gratitude to God and entrusting back to Him what already belongs to Him.
But over the years, I have observed troubling patterns and attitudes creeping into the practice of giving. Some are subtle, some are more obvious, but all of them have the potential to rob offerings of their true meaning.
Why Do We Give?
The foundational question is this: Why do we give?
Some give out of heartfelt gratitude. They look back on God’s blessings – life, health, family, provision – and their offering becomes a way of saying, “Thank You, Lord.” Others give because it is what they were taught; a tradition passed down from parents and grandparents. Still others give because it has become routine, something done without much reflection. And yes, there are some who give in hopes of recognition, influence, or even material return from God.
Outwardly, all offerings may look the same – money placed into a basket, an envelope dropped into a box, or an online transfer made. But inwardly, the motivations differ greatly.
Jesus captured this truth in Matthew 6:21: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Giving is not a side matter; it is a mirror of the heart.
Giving as Worship
At its core, giving is worship. We often think of offerings as practical necessities – churches need funds to maintain buildings, support ministries, and pay staff. While true, this misses the deeper reality. Giving is not primarily about what the church needs, but about what God deserves.
In the Old Testament, offerings were central to worship life. Israelites brought their firstfruits, tithes, and sacrifices not because God lacked resources, but as an act of honoring Him (Deut. 26:10). Proverbs 3:9 instructs: “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.” In the New Testament, Paul echoes this truth in 2 Corinthians 9:7: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Notice the emphasis: giving is not to be forced, guilt-driven, or showy. It is meant to be joyful, voluntary, and personal. A cheerful giver does not need recognition, because their joy comes not from human applause but from knowing they are part of God’s work. When we give with humility and gratitude, we reflect the very heart of God, who Himself gives freely and abundantly.
The Problem of Recognition
Yet pastors and leaders must admit that recognition is a real temptation. In many churches, it has become common to announce donors’ names, publish them in reports, or engrave them into plaques. At first glance, this may look like honoring generosity. But beneath the surface, such practices carry hidden dangers.
Jesus warned in Matthew 6:1: “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”
In His time, some Pharisees made sure their giving was noticed. They wanted people to know how generous they were. But Jesus’ verdict was sharp: they already had their reward – the applause of people. They should expect nothing more from God.
When giving becomes tied to recognition, it ceases to be worship and becomes performance. The message shifts from, “Lord, this is for You” to “Everyone, look at me.” That shift is dangerous because it steals glory from God.
The Burden of Comparison
Equally harmful is the burden of comparison. One attender in our church once told me how uncomfortable she felt when names and donation amounts were declared on social media. She gave faithfully, though her circumstances did not allow much. Still, when her modest offering was read alongside large donations, she felt embarrassed and diminished.
Her story broke my heart. Giving should never bring shame – it should bring joy. It should unite us in worship, not divide us through comparison.
The story of the widow’s offering (Mark 12:41–44) illustrates this beautifully. Many rich people put in large sums, but Jesus noticed the poor widow who gave only two coins. To others, her gift looked insignificant, but to Jesus, it was greater than all the rest – because she gave out of her poverty, with complete trust in God.
When amounts are publicized, some are tempted to pride while others sink into shame. But when giving is kept private, both the wealthy and the poor stand equal before God, each offering what they can in faith.
The Trap of Tribal and Social Rivalry
Not long ago, I overheard a group of elders making a remark that struck me deeply. One of them said, “Every time the church releases the name list of tithes, I check to see how many members from my village have offered, and how much.”
At first, this may sound harmless or humorous. But it reveals a deeper problem: when offerings become statistics for villages, clans, or families, the spiritual meaning of giving gets buried under social pride. Instead of, “Lord, this is for You,” the message shifts to, “How does my village compare to others?”
This creates rivalry. It pressures individuals to give for the sake of representing their group, rather than worshiping God in sincerity. In time, this can divide the body of Christ along village or family lines – the very opposite of what offerings are meant to do.
Paul reminds us in Galatians 3:28 that in Christ there is “neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female.” We could add, “neither this village nor that village.” At the altar of offering, all are one. God does not look at which group gave more; He looks at the faith and love behind each gift.
The Fear of Exposure
Another overlooked but very real issue is the fear of exposure. In some churches, when lists of tithe-givers are displayed publicly, members worry that their income will be indirectly revealed. After all, a tithe is understood to be one-tenth of income; publishing someone’s tithe is almost like disclosing their salary.
This creates unnecessary vulnerability. Some fear that relatives, neighbors, or even fellow church members might use this information against them – pressuring them for donations, demanding favors, or comparing their earnings. In places where corruption, extortion, or social rivalry is present, such exposure can even put families at risk.
But Scripture never intended tithing to become a public disclosure of income. In fact, Jesus emphasized secrecy in giving (Matthew 6:3–4): “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
By respecting confidentiality, the church protects not just dignity but also safety. A wise church leadership will ensure financial accountability without endangering its members through unwanted exposure.
Biblical Warnings
Scripture speaks strongly on this matter, Matthew 6:1–4, Jesus teaches us to give in secret; God is the only audience that matters. Acts 5:1–11, Ananias and Sapphira pretended to give more than they did to look generous. God judged their hypocrisy severely. James 2:1–4
James warns against favoritism, especially toward the wealthy. In God’s Kingdom, worth is not tied to financial power. Malachi 3:10, God invites His people to test Him in tithing, showing that the purpose of giving is trust, not display.
These passages remind us that God does not look at amounts, plaques, or announcements. He looks at the heart.
Accountability Without Exposure
Some may ask: If we don’t announce names, how do we ensure accountability? The answer is balance. Accountability is essential, but it does not require public exposure.
Treasurers and finance committees should keep careful records. Churches can publish annual reports that show total income, expenses, and ministry outcomes – without attaching names and amounts. Instead of focusing on who gave, churches can share how offerings were used. Stories of missions supported, families helped, and ministries sustained inspire far more than lists of donors ever could.
This way, integrity is maintained without creating unhealthy competition.
The Danger of Money-Driven Ministry
Another grave danger arises when money becomes a lever of power. Wealthy donors sometimes expect privileges, influence, or special treatment. Leaders, in turn, may feel pressured to please them, even at the cost of truth.
This is a slow poison. A money-driven church loses sight of its calling. Decisions become shaped not by the Spirit of God but by the size of donations.
But Jesus paid special attention to the poor, the weak, and the overlooked. The measure of a healthy church is not how well it serves its wealthiest members, but how faithfully it loves all its members. A Christ-centered church gives equal dignity to every person – rich or poor.
Recovering the Joy of Giving
So how do we restore offerings to what they were meant to be? By recovering the joy of giving. Offerings are not fees for membership. They are not payments for blessings. They are not bargaining chips with God. They are acts of devotion, gratitude, and trust.
Paul says, “God loves a cheerful giver.” Joyful giving flows from an awareness that everything we own already belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). We are not owners, but stewards. When we rediscover this, even the smallest gift becomes an act of joy.
The early church modeled this beautifully. Acts 2:44–45 describes how believers shared their possessions so that no one was in need. The Macedonian churches (2 Cor. 8:1–5) gave generously even out of poverty, demonstrating that joy in Christ, not wealth, was their driving force.
The lesson is clear – God values faith more than figures.
A Pastoral Reflection
As a pastor, I have seen both sides of this struggle. I have witnessed the pride of those who sought recognition and the pain of those embarrassed by their small contributions. Both grieve me deeply, because both miss the point of giving.
I remember once, in a leadership meeting, a leader suggested publishing a list of tithes to “motivate” others. The intention may have been good, but the consequences were surely foreseen – pride for some, shame for others, fear of exposure for many, and competition instead of worship. By God’s grace, the church chose not to pursue that idea. That decision protected the unity and dignity of the congregation.
As leaders, we must remain vigilant. We must guard the sanctity of offerings, protect the weak from shame, the wealthy from pride, the faithful from exposure, and above all, ensure that all glory goes to God alone.
The church today faces many pressures – financial, social, and cultural. In such times, worldly attitudes can easily creep into holy practices. But we must remember: offerings are not about recognition, amounts, or privilege. They are about love, gratitude, and faith.
When names are demanded or amounts exposed, worship becomes competition. Pride rises in some, shame grows in others, fear spreads among many, and God’s glory is diminished. But when offerings are given in secret, in humility, and with joy, they fulfill their true purpose – holy gifts laid before the Lord.
Conclusion
My appeal is simple: let us give as Christ gave – freely, humbly, and joyfully. Let the church receive offerings with integrity, use them faithfully, and direct all honor and glory to God.
Once we place an offering before God, it belongs to Him alone. No strings should be attached, no recognition demanded, no privileges claimed.
“Freely you have received; freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)
~ Meyu Changkiri
