Giving: Administration of the Gift

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 2 Corinthians 9:1-5

 

2 Corinthians 9:7

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

(NKJV)

 

The secular world can view the Church as an institution collecting contributions from the congregation and lining their own pockets with the cash to live lavishly. Sadly, church history has instances where pastors have lived lavishly on the contributions of their congregation instead of using these funds to advance the spread of the Gospel. In this text we see Paul giving instructions to the Church in Corinth as to how to administer the gift they had collected so no shame comes to the Church. Each Church must have controls in place to ensure contributions go to where contributors believed they would go.

 

The text begins with Paul stating it is superfluous for him to write to the Church of Corinth about giving and the gift they had collected (2 Corinthians 9:1). Paul was aware of the Corinthian’s willingness to give and was something he boasted about to the Macedonians (2 Corinthians 9:2). Still, the Apostle Paul felt it necessary send men to Corinth to ensure his boasting was not in vain (2 Corinthians 9:3). These men were to ensure the Church was ready to send the gift they had collected as promised so as not to disgrace Paul and themselves due to Paul’s boasting (2 Corinthians 9:4). Paul also wanted to ensure the gift was one of generosity from the heart and not a grudging obligation (2 Corinthians 9:5).

 

Paul has boasted to the Macedonians about the generosity of the Corinthian’s gift and wants to be sure it is ready and given as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. To avoid disgracing himself and the Corinthians, he sent brethren to collect the gift, so the administration of the gift comes from a heart of generosity and not grudgingly. The shame he wants to avoid is the shame that would come if they appeared unprepared by the Macedonians who came with Paul. While this unpreparedness could be due to a lack of organization, it could appear that the Corinthians are giving in a grudging manner.

 

Giving is not a grudging duty a Christian must do for acceptance in the Church but is instead an act of generosity given from a generous heart. Lack of organization in administering a gift does not necessarily mean the gift is given grudgingly but could indicate a lack of administrative organization within the Church. While the Church’s main focus must be on spreading the Gospel and making disciples (Acts 1:8; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20), it must also be organized in the administering of gifts given to the Church to avoid embarrassment and shame by not properly administering gifts given to the Church.

 

Unfortunately, Church history is full of cases involving the misappropriation of contributions bringing embarrassment to the ministry. In the business world, controls are in place to ensure those collecting or spending money are not involved in accounting for it. In the Church, the pastor should not be involved with the accounting of funds like knowing who is giving and how much. This ensures the pastor does not resort to the use of fear, guilt, or coercion to entice people to give more. Pastors must also avoid the temptation to soften their message so they do not offend contributors who may leave, taking their contributions with them.

 

Perhaps you are reading this and have experienced fear, guilt, or coercion used to entice you to give grudgingly or know someone who has. This may have led you to walk away from the Church or God or caused you to never ask God to forgive your sins or make Jesus the Lord of your life. I urge you not to allow some misguided Church leader to prevent you from making the most important decision of your life but to pause and pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.