“IS IT RIGHT FOR PREACHER'S TO HAVE "MONEY LINES?”

By Bishop Elijah H. Hankerson III, BA, MA, DD

(unless otherwise stated, all Scripture quotations are from the New International Version)

GREETING

Psalm 134:1-2.¹ Behold, bless ye the Lord, all ye servants of the Lord, which by night stand in the house of the Lord.² Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the Lord.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

1.                 Life Center Service Tonight. 7 pm. We are offering a special leadership and ministerial lesson on communication.

2.                 Please register for the International AIM Convention under “COGIC Department of Evangelism.”

LESSON NOTES

I.                  WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS LESSON? My heart is to be evangelistic. That is to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. However, many of the things that we do in the Church can be a stumbling block to potential souls. Many already feel that the Church is all about money anyways. All preachers are not after people’s money. And many are making an honest living. However, many times the way funds are raised can seem questionable, if a person does not have an understanding of what is happening. The lesson today will give a Scriptural study regarding offerings and how they are raised. Please note that this lesson is dealing with offerings and not the tithe. The tithe has already been covered in a totally different lesson.

II.               BEFORE WE GO FURTHER, WHAT IS A “MONEY LINE?“ It is a common method of raising special offerings in church services, where a certain number of people are asked for a particular amount. Those invididuals are requested publicly come forward with those amounts. Those that cannot do the higher amounts are requested to give at the level of their ability. The funds raised can go toward a special project (e.g. a new roof on a church building) a ministry need (e.g. disaster relief) expenses of the ministry (e.g. the budget of a major conference) the honorarium of the special guests (e.g. a preacher or singing group) or various other reasons.

A.               WAIT: WHY DO YOU HAVE PREACHERS BEING PAID TO PREACH?! According to the Word ministers are to be paid.

1.                 THE LABORER IS WORTHY TO BE PAID. (Note, however the Word says “laborer.” Thus, a genuine minister should labor for the spiritual benefit and “heavenly” enrichment of the people; and work for the improvement of their lives down here on Earth).

1 Timothy 5:17-18 (NLT). [1]¹⁷ Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” (Deuteronomy 25:4) And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!” (Luke 10:7)

Luke 10:7 (NLT).[2] Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.

2.                 PREACHERS ARE TO LIVE OF THE GOSPEL

1 CORINTHIANS 9:14 CEV.[3] In the same way, the Lord wants everyone who preaches the good news to make a living from preaching this message. 

3.                 FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR TEACHERS.

Galatians 6:6 ISV.[4]  The person who is taught the word should share all his goods with his teacher.

III.           DID JESUS EVER HAVE A “ MONEY LINE“ OR GET PAID TO PREACH?One might argue that it is not recorded that Jesus took up special offerings when He would preach. And one could also try to argue that Jesus was not paid to preach. However, Jesus had no need to take up special offerings; because HIS ENTIRE MINISTRY WAS UNDERWRITTEN! That is correct; Jesus had sponsors (some apparently pretter wealthy) that underwrote for His entire team to be involved in full time minsitry.

Luke 8:1-3 (NLT).[5] ¹ Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, ² along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; ³ Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples.

A.            HOW WERE MINISTERS IN THE OLD TESTAMENT SUPPORTED? As Jesus did in the New Testament; Old Testament priests made their living from ministry.

1 Corinthians 9:13NIV.[6] Don't you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?

B.               BUT DIDN’T PAUL PREACH THE GOSPEL FREE OF CHARGE? Paul had a right to be paid; but he chose not to. He did not set this as a precedent for all ministers. However, due to his unique circumstances of ministering to the Gentiles, he chose to be bi-vocational (i.e. to be full time in ministry and also work a job on the side).

1.                 PAUL PREACHED FOR FREE BY CHOICE.

1 Corinthians 9:14-18 NIV.[7] 14In the same way, the LORD has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 15But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. 16For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. 18What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.

2 Corinthians 11:7 NIV.[8] 7Was it a sin for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God to you free of charge?

2.                 PAUL DID TENT MAKING TO SUPPLEMENT HIS INCOME.

Acts 18:2-3 NIV.[9] ²There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, ³and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.

Acts 20:33-34 New Living Translation (NLT).[10] ³³ “I have never coveted anyone’s silver or gold or fine clothes. ³⁴ You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me.

C.               BUT PLEASE NOTE, WHILE PREACHERS ARE TO LIVE OF THE GOSPEL THEY NEVER TO BE GREEDY OR MANIPULATE THE PEOPLE FOR MONEY. The Bible is always balanced. While the Word has shown that ministers are to be paid; nowhere does it condone ministers “fleecing the flock” for personal gain.

1.                 Greed defined.[11] Intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food.

1 Timothy 3:3 NIV.[12] Not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

Titus 1:6-8 NIV.[13] 6An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless-not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.

Ecclesiastes 5:10 NIV.[14] Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless.

Hebrews 13:5 NIV.[15] Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Luke 12:15 NIV[16]. 15Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions."

III.           WHY DO PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THE CHURCH BEING ALL ABOUT MONEY; WHEN EVERYONE ELSE IS TRYING TO TAKE YOUR MONEY? Restaurants, clothing stores, grocery stores, car dealerships, etc. are all after your money. However, no one really complains about that. But, when it comes to the Church, the complaint is that it is all about money. Why is this? Here are a few valid concerns that people have shared (and this lesson will address each of them).

A.               Paying for a blessing? One complaint is that if you are making a purchase, you are receiving some type of goods (e.g. clothes, a hamburger, a cup of coffee, etc.). However, when it comes to spiritual things, people are confused as to why it would seem that you have to pay for a blessing or pay for something spiritual.

B.               Nonprofit? Another reason is that (especially in the United States) the Church is considered a “charity” or a “nonprofit.” Nonprofits are considered to be for the good of the community and thus it would be assumed that the bulk of the funds are going toward that purpose. People get confused when there are so many people that seem to obtain personal wealth and profit from that which is supposed to be nonprofit.

IV.           IS GIVING TO ALWAYS BE DONE IN SECRET?

A.               How did people give in “Bible days?” We are in a society and world that is economically based on cash and credit. However, in most of the Old Testament era the economy was based on livestock, produce, silver and gold. Your wealth was based upon how many flocks you had, how great your agricultural harvest was and how much “precious metal” you had on hand.

Genesis 13:2 NIV.[17] Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. 

B.               Giving was quite a public act. Old Testament giving consisted of presenting to God of your flocks, your produce and your precious metals. Very little of it was ever done in secret or “just between you and God.” Even though what you gave may have been considered freewill or “what God lays on your heart,“ the actual ACT of giving was quite elaborate and public. Worship (through sacrifice and giving) in ancient Eastern times was not something private or individualistic (as we are in the Western culture). Worship was a communal event. Worship was an activity of the community. Thus, giving was public as everyone was to partake in honoring the one and only true God, the LORD:

2 Chronicles 7:4-5 NLT[18]. ⁴Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices to the LORD. ⁵King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. And so the king and all the people dedicated the Temple of God.

Exodus 36:3-5 NIV. ³They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. ⁴So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing ⁵and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done.”

1 Kings 18:30-36 NIV. [19]³⁰Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come here to me.” They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which had been torn down. ³¹Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, “Your name shall be Israel.” ³²With the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it large enough to hold two seahs of seed. ³³He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.” ³⁴”Do it again,” he said, and they did it again. “Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. ³⁵The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench. ³⁶At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.

C.               A brief word to those who would criticize our use of the Old Testament.

For those that would argue that these are Old Testament passages; my only question is, “WHAT BIBLE DO YOU THINK JESUS AND PAUL USED?” The first books of the New Testament were not composed until at least 40 years after the Resurrection!

So Jesus and Paul never used the “New Testament.” They used Genesis to Malachi. Thus, we CANNOT dismiss the Word and say, “that's Old Testament.” 

John 5:39NIV.[20] You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,

Luke 24:45 NIV.[21] Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

V.               IS IT WRONG FOR PREACHERS TO ASK FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF GIVING OR TO HIGHLIGHT THOSE WHO GIVE HIGHER AMOUNTS? In the Word no one is shamed for not having the same amount to give as someone else. There is only rebuke for neglecting to give at all. And, there is scorn for being deceptive in giving. However, so that the “sacrifice level” could be the same for everyone, different categories were often requested. Those that could do better were asked for better. Those that had meager income were requested to give as the Lord had prospered them.

Exodus 25:1-7 NIV.[22] ¹The LORD said to Moses, ²”Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give. ³These are the offerings you are to receive from them: gold, silver and bronze; ⁴blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ⁵ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather; acacia wood; ⁶olive oil for the fragrant incense; ⁷and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece.

Acts 4:34-35 NIV.[23] ³⁴that there was no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. 

VI.           DOES GOD BLESS YOU FOR "SOWING SEEDS" IN "SPECIAL OFFERINGS?" To many people, it seems like the biggest scheme and manipulation in the world to tell people that God will bless them, if they give offerings. Yes, you do have many “ministers” that are con artists and are out to “make a buck” at all costs. However, just because you have some false ministers does not nullify God’s Word. According to the Word God will give people blessings in return for their giving in offerings.

Malachi 3:10-11 NIV.[24] ¹⁰Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it. ¹¹I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe.” says the LORD Almighty.

Luke 6:38 NIV.[25] Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NIV.[26] ⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Philippians 4:18-19 NIV.[27] ¹⁸I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice pleasing to God. ¹⁹And my God will meet your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

VII.        ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO GIVE AN OFFERING EVERY TIME THE WORD IS PREACHED? The Word does not give that specific of an answer to such a specific question. However, according to the Word, financial support is to be provided to those who share the Word with us. And there appears to be a blessing in doing so.

1 Samuel 9:7 NIV.[28] Saul said to his servant, “If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”

Galatians 6:6 ISV.[29]  The person who is taught the word should share all his goods with his teacher. 

1 Corinthians 9:11 NIV.[30] If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?

1 Corinthians 9:14 CEV.[31] In the same way, the Lord wants everyone who preaches the good news to make a living from preaching this message.

Matthew 10:41-42 NIV.[32] ⁴¹Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴²And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

VIII.    IS IT RIGHT TO HAVE MULTIPLE OFFERINGS IN A WORSHIP SERVICE? In regard to the Tabernacle and the Temple in the Old Testament, offerings were given pretty much 24/7. However, a structure like the Temple was an international worship center. Thus, it was pretty much always open. Synagogues were a more localized worship center, established by Ezra. Scripture is apparently silent on how many offerings were received in a Sabbath service in the synagogue. In the admonitions regarding worship services in the New Testament; Scripture also appears to be silent regarding how many offerings to take or should be taken. The admonition that seems to be applicable is the instruction to be orderly.

1 Corinthians 14:40 NIV.[33] But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

IX.           IS IT WRONG FOR A PREACHER TO TAKE UP THEIR OWN OFFERING? This definitely seems like a strange thing in modern society. However, 1 Corinthians 9:11 shows that Paul (even though he did not always receive income) at least made the appeal for the support of his ministry. In Bible times, ministers were afforded not only financial support; but food and housing as well. However, the Bible was also strict against those preachers who took advantage of this: (1) ministers were not to make excessive demands. They were to eat what was set before them and (2) ministers that took advantage of the saints’ kindness were shunned.

1 Corinthians 9:11 NIV.[34] If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?

Luke 10:7-8 (NLT).[35] ⁷Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.⁸”If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you.

 2 John 1:9-11 NIV.[36] ⁹Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. ¹¹Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

3 John 1:5-8 NIV[37]. ⁵Beloved, it is a faithful things you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, 6who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. ⁷For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. ⁸Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.

X.               WHAT ABOUT NAMES BEING CALLED AND GIVING TO BE SEEN?

A.               Having your name called during an offering. While it would be hard pressed to find a text that mentions the exact amount that each person has given, the Word does talk about a request going to every tribe and clan in Israel. Everything that they gave was listed. Apparently David had the figure of what each group had contributed. Not only that, but he made it publicly known what he himself was contributing. This encouraged others to give as well.

1 Chronicles 29:2-9 NIV.[38] ²That’s why I have done my best to get everything Solomon will need to build it – gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, onyx, turquoise, colored gems, all kinds of precious stones, and marble. ³Besides doing all that, I promised to give part of my own gold and silver as a way of showing my love for God’s temple. ⁴Almost one hundred twenty tons of my finest gold and over two hundred fifty tons of my silver will be used to decorate its walls ⁵and to make the gold and silver objects. Now, who else will show their dedication to the LORD by giving gifts for building his temple? ⁶After David finished speaking, the family leaders, the tribal leaders, the army commanders, and the government officials voluntary gave gifts ⁷for the temple. These gifts included almost two hundred tons of gold three hundred eighty tons of silver, almost seven hundred tons of bronze, and three thousand seven hundred fifty tons of iron. ⁸Everyone who owned precious stones also donated them to the temple treasury, where Jehiel from the Levite clan of Gershon guarded them. ⁹David and the people were very happy that so much had been given to the LORD, and they all celebrated.

B.               Giving to be seen. The Bible does not prohibit being seen giving (as has already been shown in this lesson), however, it is against having the motive giving for a “show” or to get the praises of people.

Matthew 6:1-2 NIV[39]. 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. 2”So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.

XI.           IS GOD REALLY PAYING ATTENTION TO THE AMOUNT THAT YOU GIVE? Apparently so, as the Bible shows that Jesus was paying close attention to what people were giving in offerings at the Temple.

Mark 12:41-44 NIV.[40] 41Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42But a poor widow came and put in tow very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.”

XII.        IS IT RIGHT FOR PREACHER'S TO HAVE "MONEY LINES?” While the Bible does not give us a specific answer to this question; it also does not prohibit the practice. There are numerous instances in Scripture where the giving of specific individuals is highlighted and recognized in some type of manner. The main thing for us to do is to always make sure that the motive and intent is correct.  

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[1] Holy Bible. New Living Translation. Tyndale: Carol Stream, 2004.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Holy Bible. Contemporary English Version. ABS: New York, 1995.

[4] https://www.biblehub.com/1_samuel/20-41.htm. (Accessed, February 15, 2019).

[5] Holy Bible. New Living Translation. Tyndale: Carol Stream, 2004.

[6] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[9] Ibid.

[10] Holy Bible. New Living Translation. Tyndale: Carol Stream, 2004.

[11] (From Oxford Dictionaries).

[12] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[13] Ibid.

[14] Ibid.

[15] Ibid.

[16] Ibid.

[17] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[18] Holy Bible. New Living Translation. Tyndale: Carol Stream, 2004.

[19] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[20] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[21] Ibid.

[22] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[23] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[24] Ibid.

[25] Ibid.

[26] Ibid.

[27] Ibid.

[28] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[29] https://www.biblehub.com/1_samuel/20-41.htm. (Accessed, February 15, 2019).

[30] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[31] Holy Bible. Contemporary English Version. ABS: New York, 1995.

[32] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[33] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[34] Ibid,

[35] Holy Bible. New Living Translation. Tyndale: Carol Stream, 2004.

[36] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[37] Ibid.

[38] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[39] Holy Bible. New International Version. Biblica, Inc: CO Springs, 2011.

[40] Ibid.