Church giving: Blessing or burden?

Giving is an essential part of Christianity as a religion, but recent developments have shown that some pastors are rather extorting money from their members. KOLA MUHAMMED and ADEOLA OTEMADE examine the new strategies employed by pastors in making church members to give financially. 

One of the pillars of the Christian religion is giving. The practice is documented in the Holy Bible. The scriptures affirm the importance of giving in 2 Corinthians 9:7 b when it says: “…God loves a cheerful giver.” As such, Christians feel obliged to give their substances when called upon to do so.

Nigeria is rated one of the most religious nations in the world with its ever increasing number of churches where various doctrines are practised. Part of the new development is the strategies being adopted by pastors in raising funds. This, to some extent, leads to discouragement on the part of members who have little money to spare.

Findings have also revealed that the concurrent crusades and special programmes initiated by some clerics are new strategies developed to raise funds at worship centres not considering the financial status of their members and current economy situation in the country. The perception of giving in church in general and the device many clerics have adopted in raising funds have become a contending issue in the church today.

TribuneChurch investigation revealed that the mode of giving in churches today especially in Pentecostal churches has moved from the usual way of giving to a somewhat bizarre style to the extent that some pastors reportedly place curses on non-givers. The newly-adopted way, according to findings, include selling of mantles (handkerchiefs), anointing oil, fruits and water, among others for huge amounts of money.

TribuneChurch sought the opinions of some church leaders and members across denominations in the country on their perception of giving, how money has been a factor in the explosion in the number of churches and how cheerful they have been giving in the spate of the economic downturn.

Pastor Timothy Durojaye of the Access to Miracle Ministries, Lagos, told TribuneChurch that one of the major causes is the number of self-acclaimed pastors.

“They have turned God’s work into cash and carry. The work of God is for those that have been called by God. A lack of trust in God and infusion of human knowledge often result in misbehaviour. God called pastors to meet the needs of people and it is God who has called them into His work that can reward their labour,” he added.

In his own reaction, Pastor Seyi Dare-Davids, General Overseer of Agbala Daniel Cathedral Church, Ojoo, Ibadan, Oyo State, emphasised the importance of giving, adding that “giving is compulsory for all believers, but not a necessity, because if you can’t give, you can’t receive. The Bible states that: “give and it will come back to you, in good measure…”

The verse also makes us to understand that giving is very important in Christian life.

Pastor Dare-Davids also said that “not all pastors are called and chosen by God, some are self-called and some by Satan. Pastors are not supposed to force members on the particular amount to give; it should be from their mind. No pastor’s specifications on giving are binding except only what the scriptures say and that is the most important thing.

A Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) member, Adeyemi Abrahams, told Tribune Church that “most of the so-called pastors are merely lining their pockets. Personally, I get my instructions from God and that is how it should be. After all, this journey of life is an individual thing, and the Bible warns about wolves in sheep›s clothing whose intention is to confuse God’s children.”

A Baptist cleric, Pastor Kayode Adebisi, speaking on church giving, said: “Giving is an essential part of our worship to God. It can be done through different means and not limited to tithing and offering, first fruits, among others. No one has the right to compel anyone to give or determine how much one should give. The Philippians church in their great poverty and lack gave to the ministry of Paul not because he asked or commanded, but because they wanted to give willingly.

«When you give willfully and generously to God, there is a blessing that will always follow. The motive for giving should be out of worship and love for God. Any man that compels or places curse on people to give is not saying the truth.”

A Methodist Church leader, Mr Josiah Fasooto, said that giving is not compulsory but the popular Christian belief is that the more you give, the more you receive. It also requires personal conviction in order to adhere strictly to the idea of giving. Giving should also be geared towards the underprivileged.

“Giving is from God and we are not to give because we expect a reward from God. Many expect that when they give you one naira, you are to reciprocate in similar kind,” he added.

Mr Adesoyi Olakunle, member of a Pentecostal church, told TribuneChurch that the rate at which some clerics raises fund in the church these days is strange and it calls for a caution.

“Some churches are not different from social events or fund-raising gatherings as clerics place huge amount on prophetic prayers and anointing. This has also discouraged some members who no longer see the reason to come to church again because they cannot afford the constant donations,” he said.

Mrs Funke Aremu, a regular churchgoer, also expressed her displeasure over the new form which some clerics have adopted in gathering funds in the church.

“This is a pressing issue in the church today. Recently, I was at a church programme where the invited pastor had to make a call of giving of various categories of money and special preferences were given to those who donated hundreds of thousands, while those that did not give much only got handshakes and those who could not give at all were stylishly cursed. This act could frustrate some people as they may be forced to look for all means, even ungodly ways, to get money, all because they wanted to give in the church,” she said.