Dear Pastor;

I’m confused… You just used 2 Cor 9:6 as a basis for your teaching today…

“My point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each one of you should give just as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, because God loves a cheerful giver.”

…then you turned around and said we should commit to giving regularly.

Ummm… What about “under compulsion” am I not understanding???

Giving is good but Scripture is clearer than your sermon.

I appreciate that you want what’s best for me and that’s why you’re running through a long list of stuff our money goes too, but as you continue to talk the less I’m interested in giving. Mostly because the majority of the money we give goes to your paid staff and buildings.

It seems that it would be more fruitful for me to identify a mission that I really want to benefit and give to that. Or if I give to the church, that I would see my money stay there.

We should give of our money or time or talents. No doubt. Maybe even all three but its for me to decide. And to decide to joyfully do and not by pressure.

But do not say in the same breath that I should give of one of those three and then try to commit me to tithe 10%. (Okay maybe you did breathe…)

And again about the pressure…. You’ve included an insert in the bulletin that your challenging me to commit to use. Ummmm…. Thanks for the confusion and the obvious misinterpretation of Scripture.

Sincerely,
Sean

PS
(READERS: Please don’t just start chiming in on the general idea of giving and how evil it is. Or send me negativity about the church. I have enough of my own. Besides I do believe that if everyone gave time, talents, and cash, no matter what their religious background the world would be different. Better. I believe that.)