Scripture Reflection by Sang Sur on 1Thessalonians 2:5-6 posted January 25, 2020 - Prayer Tents

Offering and Money.

These verses tell us how we should view offerings and money. As pastors, elders and people in other leadership roles in the church, we must remember that our purpose is not to flatter or to make ourselves look better because of what we speak, how we deliver the message, or how we operate.

Our purpose is not human praise, but approval from God in what He has called us to do. As members of the Body, let us be grateful that we have an opportunity to offer things that are of importance to us. Let us be grateful that we have offering baskets in the church so that we may offer something that is valuable and necessary in our lives. If there were no offering baskets, that would mean that we would have no opportunity to give back what God has given us.

Another way to view this would be the reason why we have worked for throughout the week. For whom were we earning and doing the work? Was your work for the money or for God? Our lives are not for human praise. The ability to be able to offer is also to operate as the feet, hand, legs, or whatever we may have been called... for the entire Body. Let us be thankful that our part is functioning and that we are able to also care for other parts of the Body that may not be as functional.

Offerings remind us that we are part of the greater body.

In particular, as Tentmakers, Businesspersons for Christ, let us be responsible and lovers of others around us.

Since God has given us the ability to cover for the costs of entire works of God, such as church projects or mission work, we may sometimes feel that we should up the resources/money/etc. However, we also must recognize that by doing so, we prevent others from offering. For example, let’s suppose a mission activity requires $600, and that is very easy for us to cover. Yet, to others, $20 is the most they can offer based on their situations. Your paying the entire $600 prevents others from serving and you would not be operating out of community of Christ. You may in fact be operating out of pride (see Luke 18:9-14).

Even though we may have, let us discern and even let go of our pride to encourage others to contribute. This is especially important in missions. The people to whom we are preaching Christ may place their trust on you (or your church collectively) instead of God as you just throw money at them. They will not grow in discipleship and put their trust in God, but rather look to the “wealthy” to keep covering their costs and needs. Instead, help them to offer what they have. We can do this by discerning, living amongst them over extended time, and not treating them as a business project where throwing money may help. This is how we place love before money, or God before the world.

Let us be thankful. Let us continue to enable others to contribute and take part in the body of Christ as we too have been called. It is not for human praise, but as God directs us.