It is amazing to hear how church members view their tithes and offerings to their local churches. Though it’s cliché to say, the attitudes of their hearts reflect the nature of their contributions to the church.
I recently looked at hundreds of comments on this issue on this blog and on Church Answers. The attitudes in which church members gave were easily divided into two categories: church giving and church dues. In simplest term, church giving is an act where the member lets go of the funds with no reservations. He or she truly gives the money to God through the church. Church dues, though, have strings attached. They are not as much gifts as they are membership dues to receive certain rights and perks.
Look at each of these sets of eight characteristics. You will likely identify most of your givers versus dues payers in your church.
Church Giving
- Gifts are given with a heart of gratitude.
- The giver never speaks of the funds as “my money.”
- The giver has zero expectation of personal benefits from the church in exchange for the funds.
Church Dues
- Funds are viewed as membership dues with entitlement benefits.
- The giver loves recognition for the funds donated.
- The donor withholds funds when something does not go his or her way. Indeed, the person will often attempt to persuade others to do the same.
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Source: Christian Post
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