I only attend the church that my family goes to because of the ties there. My wife connects with many in the women ministries and my daughters enjoy the kid’s programs. Though I get some biblical and spiritual nuggets, overall I desire something more than what the church offers.

Every sermon has a pattern to it. That pattern is for the congregation to feel guilty, get sad, and give the church a their of monies. Some how and some way every message ties to tithing, offerings, giving beyond the those. The guilt, mood music, and tear jerkers are to make the giving easier for the congregation. It gets tiring as the messages tied to money are shallow.

The real problem I have is not with the idea of tithes and offerings but the fact that my church believes they are the center of charity. First of all I do not tithe. I give a similar amount each week in the offering plate as if I were attending a movie or show with the family. I give what I feel the message was worth to me. If they pass the offering plate more than once, as they regularly do, then I weigh whether it is a worthy cause or not and vote with my wallet.

My church is not the center of charitable giving. We sponsor a child through World vision, we volunteer our time, give at school and work, give to panhandlers, and are generous to our guests and neighbors.

The Lord makes His provision through the monies we earn at our jobs. In order for us to make money the fragile balance of our mental and physical health needs to be maintained. Without that we are incapable of producing wealth. If you believe you are self made and do not need God then you are only fooling yourself. Everyone is a moment away from a physical disability or a mental breakdown.

Out of our provisions we decide how generous we want to be. The closer you draw to God the more generous you will be. That can not be artificially replicated by churches continuously preaching sermons about giving them money.

If churches taught how to make disciples of all nation then they would not have to preach a sermon on money at all. No one would have any care about money. Their only cares would be about preaching the good news that our Lord Jesus the Christ brought the world. The needs of their bodies (i.e. what to wear or eat) would come last in priority.

If I could go to church, for once, and not hear a sermon on money I would give more than I have ever given on a regular basis. Because they continually twist each message toward our pocketbooks I will continue only to give what I feel the messenger’s worth was at the time.

If you give out of joy and from the heart then you are truly blessed. If you can do the despite being told to continuously you are a godly person and are strong willed. You are a rare and unique breed.