“I attended a worship service in your
church and noticed you are collecting monetary contributions, Are your members
compelled to give monetary contributions to the Church?”
GIVING CONTRIBUTIONS IS written
in the Bible and is not man-made commandment preached by the ministers of the
Church. The Bible teaches:
“For
the rendering of this service not only supplies the wants of the saints but
also overflows in many thanksgivings to God. Under the test of this service,
you will glorify God by your obedience in acknowledging the gospel of Christ,
and by the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others.” (II
Corinthians 9:12-13 RSV)
The members of the Church of
Christ give contributions during congregational worship services because
according to the Bible giving offerings is integral part of worship services. This
is what the Bible said:
“Through
him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the
fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share
what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Hebrews 13:15-16 RSV)
However, contrary to what some
people believe we are not being forced, compelled, coerced or manipulated to
give our contributions. We give our offerings on a voluntary basis. The
Apostle Paul teaches:
“Let
each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not
reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion...” (II Cor. 9:7, The Amplified
Bible)
Apostle Paul
exhorts the Christians to “Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind
and purposed in his heart.” Paul also added, “…not reluctantly or sorrowfully
or under compulsion…” Thus, giving monetary contributions in the Church of
Christ is not compulsory.
Thus, we give monetary
contributions during the worship service as our offerings to God as taught by
the Bible. However, we give our offerings on a voluntary basis, out of
our faith and understanding of the biblical teaching concerning religious
offerings that each one should give according to what he has decided in his
heart.
Copyright Statement
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
© THE IGLESIA NI CRISTO 2013
No part of this publication may be produced, stored in
a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission from the publisher.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Know why more and more people worldwide convert to Iglesia Ni Cristo (Church Of Christ). Learn more about this Church and find out what makes it unique.