Is it all right for the pastor to comment on your offer?

zoidar

loves Jesus the Christ! ✝️
Supporter
Sep 18, 2010
7,163
2,606
✟877,129.00
Country
Sweden
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Didn't know where to post this, so it ended up here, even it's not that much of a "junk-question" ^_^

We can give our offer in Church by our phones, don't know how it works for you. I took it for being anonymous. The other day our pastor mentioned one of my offers. Is that all right for him to do? I didn't think anyone looked at who's giving what. He said nothing bad about it, yet I got a bit uncomfortable. I feel what I give is between me and God. What do you think?
 
Last edited:

Paidiske

Clara bonam audax
Supporter
Apr 25, 2016
34,110
19,005
43
Albury, Australia
Visit site
✟1,473,140.00
Country
Australia
Faith
Anglican
Marital Status
Married
It's almost impossible for pastors to stay completely unaware of everyone's giving. I don't set out to observe or notice what people give, but I'd have to be blind sometimes not to see, if you know what I mean?

(I mean, heck, some people just hand me cash when I visit, so they obviously don't feel uncomfortable about it!)

Generally speaking, I would think any comment beyond, "thank you, that's really helpful," or the like, ought to be very carefully considered.
 
Upvote 0

Neogaia777

Old Soul
Supporter
Oct 10, 2011
23,277
5,237
45
Oregon
✟952,487.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Celibate
The very original or very core intent behind the rules of giving or tithing, the original intent of God the Spirit behind it was, for you to have money/wealth/possessions, etc, but for them not to have you, etc...

Now some people that tithe, it still has them still, etc, not all, or maybe not even most, but some, etc, so then also, if you can follow that rule in your heart without it, or without doing it, etc, giving/tithing, etc, then you are doing still very much better than the people that do give/tithe, but that it still has them still, etc, but then again, I also highly doubt that without any giving of it from you of any kind at all ever, etc, then I also still highly doubt that it doesn't still have you too also, etc...

And I also think from a much broader perspective, it's about having any kind of idols at all in your heart at all in general, etc, and I think we all need to check and see occasionally or pretty regularly to see just how we are all doing with that in our hearts always pretty regularly, etc...

But having a giving heart and personality, especially with your money/wealth/possessions, etc, is a very good way for you to have it, and it not have you, etc, and I think that was more the original intent or overall point of it all originally, etc...

And was/is/will always be, the "Spirit" behind it originally, etc...

God Bless!
 
  • Informative
Reactions: GallagherM
Upvote 0

Neogaia777

Old Soul
Supporter
Oct 10, 2011
23,277
5,237
45
Oregon
✟952,487.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Celibate
The very original or very core intent behind the rules of giving or tithing, the original intent of God the Spirit behind it was, for you to have money/wealth/possessions, etc, but for them not to have you, etc...

Now some people that tithe, it still has them still, etc, not all, or maybe not even most, but some, etc, so then also, if you can follow that rule in your heart without it, or without doing it, etc, giving/tithing, etc, then you are doing still very much better than the people that do give/tithe, but that it still has them still, etc, but then again, I also highly doubt that without any giving of it from you of any kind at all ever, etc, then I also still highly doubt that it doesn't still have you too also, etc...

And I also think from a much broader perspective, it's about having any kind of idols at all in your heart at all in general, etc, and I think we all need to check and see occasionally or pretty regularly to see just how we are all doing with that in our hearts always pretty regularly, etc...

But having a giving heart and personality, especially with your money/wealth/possessions, etc, is a very good way for you to have it, and it not have you, etc, and I think that was more the original intent or overall point of it all originally, etc...

And was/is/will always be, the "Spirit" behind it originally, etc...

God Bless!
Oh and God most usually doesn't give more, to those for or with whom it still has with what they have still even now still also, etc...

In this a lot the "preaching" that you hear a lot of the time on it, is most usually correct, etc...

But sometimes what they fail to already tell you, is that if your doing it for those reasons already in your heart already, etc, then you've not only missed the point, etc, but have just proved that "it still has you in your heart", and you maybe may not get blessed in that area yet beyond what you already have yet until that changes maybe, etc...

IDK, God will know and knows what's best, etc, when the right time is, etc, etc, etc, if ever at all, etc...

When it might be more of a blessing, and maybe when it might be more of a curse maybe, etc....

Anyway,

God Bless!
 
  • Informative
Reactions: GallagherM
Upvote 0

Sabertooth

Repartee Animal: Quipping the Saints!
Supporter
Jul 25, 2005
10,491
7,061
62
Wisconsin
Visit site
✟952,359.00
Country
United States
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
In the USA, giving & tithing can be tax deductible,* so we are used to having such a record. I give & tithe whether it is deductible or not. (In my situation, it hasn't been.**) Receiving that deduction, when eligible, is just better stewardship.

*For people with a higher income.
**People with a lower income are granted a "standard" deduction. We can take our "actual" deduction, if we want to, but up until a certain income, the standard deduction is more generous.
 
Upvote 0

Carmen Carter

Member
Jun 15, 2021
22
12
Rockville
✟8,084.00
Country
United States
Faith
Pentecostal
Marital Status
Celibate
Didn't know where to post this, so it ended up here, even it's not that much of a "junk-question" ^_^

We can give our offer in Church by our phones, don't know how it works for you. I took it for being anonymous. The other day our pastor mentioned one of my offers. Is that all right for him to do? I didn't think anyone looked at who's giving what. He said nothing bad about it, yet I got a bit uncomfortable. I feel what I give is between me and God. What do you think?
Yes its between you and God. He needs to be careful about what he says, because God is going to Judge these Pastors and Ministers for not pasting his sheep correctly
 
  • Like
Reactions: zoidar
Upvote 0

tturt

Senior Veteran
Supporter
Oct 30, 2006
15,760
7,236
✟788,800.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
Sure it was a surprise to learn the pastor knew about who gives.

Jesus, while on earth, watched the offering plate and noticed who gave and how much. Then He remarked "For they all put in from their abundance, but she from her need has put in everything she had - all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44).

Or do we think He let the poor widow put in everything she had without blessing her as promised in the OT - Mal 3:10?
 
Upvote 0

zoidar

loves Jesus the Christ! ✝️
Supporter
Sep 18, 2010
7,163
2,606
✟877,129.00
Country
Sweden
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Sure it was a surprise to learn the pastor knew about who gives.

Jesus, while on earth, watched the offering plate and noticed who gave and how much. Then He remarked "For they all put in from their abundance, but she from her need has put in everything she had - all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44).

Or do we think He let the poor widow put in everything she had without blessing her as promised in the OT - Mal 3:10?

The Lord surely sees what we sow, whether it's with money or with other resources.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Carmen Carter
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Neogaia777

Old Soul
Supporter
Oct 10, 2011
23,277
5,237
45
Oregon
✟952,487.00
Country
United States
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Celibate
Sure it was a surprise to learn the pastor knew about who gives.

Jesus, while on earth, watched the offering plate and noticed who gave and how much. Then He remarked "For they all put in from their abundance, but she from her need has put in everything she had - all she had to live on.” (Mark 12:44).

Or do we think He let the poor widow put in everything she had without blessing her as promised in the OT - Mal 3:10?
The big question is, and what I would like to know, etc, is did she tithe or give before that, because if/and/if she did, I doubt it was always all that she had, before that, etc...?

God Bless!
 
  • Prayers
Reactions: Carmen Carter
Upvote 0

paul1149

that your faith might rest in the power of God
Supporter
Mar 22, 2011
8,460
5,268
NY
✟674,364.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Politics
US-Others
He would have been very wise either not to say anything, or simply to thank you for your faithfulness without reference to any offering. It's a minefield, and his motives had better be sterling or he's inviting trouble.
 
  • Agree
Reactions: tturt
Upvote 0

Tolworth John

Well-Known Member
Supporter
Mar 10, 2017
8,278
4,680
68
Tolworth
✟369,559.00
Country
United Kingdom
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
We can give our offer in Church by our phones, don't know how it works for you. I took it for being anonymous. The other day our pastor mentioned one of my offers

Two points.
Talk to the minister. To find out why he made that mention, let him know how you feel about this betrayal of the confidentiality of giving.

Stop using an identifiable method of giving. Use cash.
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

miamited

Ted
Supporter
Oct 4, 2010
13,243
6,313
Seneca SC
✟705,807.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Didn't know where to post this, so it ended up here, even it's not that much of a "junk-question" ^_^

We can give our offer in Church by our phones, don't know how it works for you. I took it for being anonymous. The other day our pastor mentioned one of my offers. Is that all right for him to do? I didn't think anyone looked at who's giving what. He said nothing bad about it, yet I got a bit uncomfortable. I feel what I give is between me and God. What do you think?

Hi zoider,

I agree with @Paidiske that in many fellowships it's hard for a pastor not to know what is given in offerings. The only way to really give offerings anonymously is to put cash in the plate. Making offerings online or by check or with an app is always going to indicate 'who' is making the offering and where the money is coming from.

As far as a pastor mentioning someone's specific giving, I certainly wouldn't expect it to be by name in any sermon message or general fellowship announcement without clearing it with the giver first. However, to make a general claim that a specific offering was received, such as: "We received an offering of $2,000 for the upgrade to the PA system." I wouldn't find offensive in any way. That's anonymous and unless you know what everyone else is giving, it may or may not be your gift that is being referred to. However, in general, I think that while many pastors know what their individual congregants give, it shouldn't be offered in public conversation.

You however, aren't really specific about how the offering was mentioned. Was the pastor thanking you in a private conversation for your offering? That's ok in my book. I would respond, "I just hope that the fellowship will use it to the glory of God." BTW as someone mentioned earlier concerning taxes. Fellowships generally send out 'giving' statements to parishioners early on in the new year because they are tax deductible and most people that give, and can deduct such expenses will do so. If there were no accounting for the offerings made and by whom, that wouldn't be possible. So, I think your understanding that you thought offerings were anonymous, isn't likely true in any fellowship. However, 'who', among the fellowship knows can be different with different fellowships. For smaller more intimate fellowships, the pastor may be a part of the bookkeeping process. For larger fellowships, there are usually others who count and tally the offerings.

Anyway, if your pastor made some grand announcement during the message time that we sure want to thank so-and-so for giving $500 last week, I wouldn't approve. If he was merely mentioning your offering in a private discussion with you, I wouldn't be particularly offended unless he was insinuating that I was cheap and wasn't giving enough. But, bottom line, if you really desire that your offerings be anonymous, then always give cash. Just slip it in the plate or the collection coffer in the foyer or whatever and no one knows, unless they were watching you put it in, where the offering came from. That's generally what I do. I take a few hundred dollars with me on Sunday morning and fold up my offering and put it in the plate.

God bless,
Ted
 
Upvote 0

zoidar

loves Jesus the Christ! ✝️
Supporter
Sep 18, 2010
7,163
2,606
✟877,129.00
Country
Sweden
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Private
Hi zoider,

I agree with @Paidiske that in many fellowships it's hard for a pastor not to know what is given in offerings. The only way to really give offerings anonymously is to put cash in the plate. Making offerings online or by check or with an app is always going to indicate 'who' is making the offering and where the money is coming from.

As far as a pastor mentioning someone's specific giving, I certainly wouldn't expect it to be by name in any sermon message or general fellowship announcement without clearing it with the giver first. However, to make a general claim that a specific offering was received, such as: "We received an offering of $2,000 for the upgrade to the PA system." I wouldn't find offensive in any way. That's anonymous and unless you know what everyone else is giving, it may or may not be your gift that is being referred to. However, in general, I think that while many pastors know what their individual congregants give, it shouldn't be offered in public conversation.

You however, aren't really specific about how the offering was mentioned. Was the pastor thanking you in a private conversation for your offering? That's ok in my book. I would respond, "I just hope that the fellowship will use it to the glory of God." BTW as someone mentioned earlier concerning taxes. Fellowships generally send out 'giving' statements to parishioners early on in the new year because they are tax deductible and most people that give, and can deduct such expenses will do so. If there were no accounting for the offerings made and by whom, that wouldn't be possible. So, I think your understanding that you thought offerings were anonymous, isn't likely true in any fellowship. However, 'who', among the fellowship knows can be different with different fellowships. For smaller more intimate fellowships, the pastor may be a part of the bookkeeping process. For larger fellowships, there are usually others who count and tally the offerings.

Anyway, if your pastor made some grand announcement during the message time that we sure want to thank so-and-so for giving $500 last week, I wouldn't approve. If he was merely mentioning your offering in a private discussion with you, I wouldn't be particularly offended unless he was insinuating that I was cheap and wasn't giving enough. But, bottom line, if you really desire that your offerings be anonymous, then always give cash. Just slip it in the plate or the collection coffer in the foyer or whatever and no one knows, unless they were watching you put it in, where the offering came from. That's generally what I do. I take a few hundred dollars with me on Sunday morning and fold up my offering and put it in the plate.

God bless,
Ted

It was in private, but we were not alone. I guess I can bring with me cash next time. I had given a little extra to a special project, maybe my pastor just wanted to show that it was noticed, a way to say thanks maybe? Anyhow even he may know exactly who gives what, I think it's the right thing to keep it to himself. Of course it's all right to have an anouncement, like we have received this much and we need this much more for the new chairs etc.
 
Upvote 0

miamited

Ted
Supporter
Oct 4, 2010
13,243
6,313
Seneca SC
✟705,807.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
It was in private, but we were not alone.

Hi zoidar,

I agree with tturt under the circumstances you describe. Now, in your last reply you say it was in private but that you were not alone. Did others hear the comment? Maybe you should ask yourself 'why' it bothers you so much. I mean, like I said in my previous response, I'd be disappointed if a pastor made some public comment about my tithing, but to thank you in a 'reasonably' private manner for an extra contribution to a specific project...why does that bother you?

Is it because you want to believe that you're being unknown in your giving, as the Scriptures do mention? Then you've got to go cash. There are no fellowships where someone doesn't know what a person is giving if they use checks or apps or online website donating. But honestly, I'd suggest that you don't know how online or app pay sites work if you were under some delusion that by making your offerings in such a manner...nobody knew what you were giving.

I also believe that the pastor likely thought he was doing a good thing to tell you that he noticed your extra gift.

God bless,
Ted
 
Upvote 0
This site stays free and accessible to all because of donations from people like you.
Consider making a one-time or monthly donation. We appreciate your support!
- Dan Doughty and Team Christian Forums

Toynbee

Trump Won
Sep 22, 2011
1,167
3,308
✟40,538.00
Country
United States
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Didn't know where to post this, so it ended up here, even it's not that much of a "junk-question" ^_^

We can give our offer in Church by our phones, don't know how it works for you. I took it for being anonymous. The other day our pastor mentioned one of my offers. Is that all right for him to do? I didn't think anyone looked at who's giving what. He said nothing bad about it, yet I got a bit uncomfortable. I feel what I give is between me and God. What do you think?
What was his comment, or is the issue merely that he knows what you gave and said [whatever] about it?
 
Upvote 0