Why should Christians give offertory?

The ‘Why’ of Giving at Church

Why do Christians give offertory at Church? It’s the question that hangs in the air whenever you walk past the offertory box or see the tap-and-go machines. If we are honest, many of us cringe a little when we talk about giving during the church service. We can feel like the church is pestering people for money, or like we are beggars passing a cup, or worse still, some may get the impression that you need to somehow buy God’s love and forgiveness.

We cannot give anything in to buy our salvation from God! And, if the goal was just to ‘keep the lights on’ or ‘pay the pastors’, there are less awkward ways to do it – like hidden boxes or silent online transfers. So, why do we make giving a public part of our service?

It’s Not a Transaction; It’s Worship.

We don’t give because God is short on cash. We give because we worship Him.

In the Old Testament, worship was inseparable from the sacrificial system, in which people brought physical offerings to God. But we live on the other side of the cross of Christ Jesus. Hence, we know that Jesus offered his very own life as the once-for-all sacrifice. He fulfilled the law completely.

So, is there anything left for us to give?

Absolutely. But the offering has changed. As Romans 12:1

True worship isn’t just singing songs; it is offering our whole selves – our hearts, our time, and yes, our possessions and wealth – back to Him. That is the sacrifice acceptable to God.

This isn’t just an isolated view in one passage. When the Apostle Paul received a financial gift from the Philippians, he didn’t call it a ‘donation’. He called it ‘a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God’ (Phil 4:18).

That is why we talk about, pray for, and point out opportunities to give in every service and to every congregation each Sunday. It isn’t an intermission; it is our rightful, practical response to God’s grace towards us.

Three Biblical Attitudes of Giving

If worship is the why, how should we go about it?

1. We give out of Obedience and Stewardship: In the past, tithing was a command (Lev 27:30; Num 18:21; Mal 3:10). Today, we have a broader understanding, that being stewardship. This means realising that we are not owners of our money, but managers of God’s resources. This includes being honest taxpayers and paying fair wages to workers, but it also means intentionally setting aside a portion to support the work of the Gospel (1 Cor 16:2; 1 Tim 5:17-18; Phil 4:15-16) and the ‘household of faith’ (Gal 6:10; Rom 12:13).

2. We give out of Gratitude: We give because He first gave to us (2 Cor 8:9; Matt 10:8; 1 John 4:19). King David understood this perfectly. After collecting a massive offering for the temple, he didn't boast. He prayed:

God’s people cannot ‘give’ God anything He doesn’t already own; we simply return a portion out of gratitude.

3. We give out of Compassion: Finally, giving is the engine of love. The Apostle John asks a piercing question in 1 John 3:17: If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

Think of the early church. They didn’t just share spiritual encouragement; they sold land and goods to make sure no one among them was hungry (Acts 2:42-47). Today, our giving does the same. It turns ‘love’ from a feeling into a verb. It puts food on tables, supports missionaries, and brings the love of Jesus to our world.

Conclusion

So, the next time the offertory is announced, or you walk past the giving station, let’s leave the awkwardness and wrong theology behind. We must stop viewing the offering as a voluntary ‘church tax’ or a mere intermission in the service. Instead, let us see it for what it truly is: a moment of high worship.

When we give, we are effectively declaring where our true treasure lies. We are rejecting the lie that we own our wealth and embracing the joy of being trusted stewards. We are looking at the needs of our brothers and sisters not with a cold shoulder, but with the compassionate heart of Christ. We don’t merely want to quietly exist in a corner of Eastwood & Ermington but seek to bring the Gospel of Christ to a darkened world.

Ultimately, our giving not only indicates the Gospel’s effect in our lives but also mirrors the Gospel: We give because He gave. We pour out because He poured out His life for us. Whether it is a widow’s mite or a king’s ransom, let your gift be a joyful, tangible ‘Amen’ to God’s grace – a fragrant offering that says, “Lord, you have my whole heart, and soul and strength and mind, and I love my neighbour as myself.” (cf. Luke 10:27)