What if you don't have offering money?

[dqhall]

I truly don't know of any church here that doesn't have a collection.
Thank you to everyone who has replied, I am just going to wave them on. I was considering explaining in a note or something but when I have considered what people have said and prayed also, it is between God and I and I don't have to explain.
When thinking about it I don't care what people think, I just wondered what anyone else would do.
It is a one off that I will rectify the following week.
I have often wondered if that would hinder people attending church, truly some people are pushed to make ends meet and what about the homeless?

I'm not going to go into my personal finances but someone asked if pensions were taxed.
If that is your only income then, no.
I am on disability with no other income so I don't pay tax. Well actually every person in Australia does pay tax- all goods and services are now taxed ten per cent.

Anyway thanks again, I appreciate all that has been said.

Staying home and reading the Gospel of John may be a good way to spend a Sunday.

 

[Albion]

I thought Dysert was right (post #4). The idea that the person doing the collecting would stand there waiting more than a split second surprises me. I have never witnessed that happening.

But in any case, be casual about it. Do not talk about it beforehand or afterwards, and do not throw in some coins. Just make a quick gesture of waving it on. There are a dozen good reasons why anyone might do that occasionally (which is key to this answer) and you do not need to explain yourself.

 

[Heavenhome]

Staying home and reading the Gospel of John may be a good way to spend a Sunday.

I do that each Sunday after church!. (well not always John's gospel)

 

[Heavenhome]

Th

I thought Dysert was right (post #4). The idea that the person doing the collecting would stand there waiting more than a split second surprises me. I have never witnessed that happening.

But in any case, be casual about it. Do not talk about it beforehand or afterwards, and do not throw in some coins. Just make a quick gesture of waving it on. There are a dozen good reasons why anyone might do that occasionally (which is key to this answer) and you do not need to explain yourself.

Thank you and I agree.

 

[Devin P]

Hi all,
I have a question regarding church.
Due to unforeseen circumstances I have found myself in the position for one week only of not having money for the offering at Church. I am fine but live pension to pension.
What would you do?
I've thought of telling the person collecting before the service, putting a little note in.
(Explaining)
Note: I will make sure that I make up the amount next week.
I'm asking because they will stand waiting.
Do I wave them on?
It is a small church and I am the second person they go to.
Of course the easy way out is not attend but I don't believe God thinks if you have nothing you shouldn't be there.
Basically I want to be honest and not pretend. Its not great I know but its just life at the moment.
Funny thing is just now the weather predicted is not good ( gale force winds etc) so I may not even be able to go as I don't drive in weather warning weather!

Well, the tithe isn't a command. It's not a sin if you don't tithe to the church.

The tithe was only ever about saving up for His feasts. So you'd have food and funds for certain feast days like Sukkoth and such. It was also for helping people that needed it, and also for feeding the Levitical priests, but the modern concept of tithing comes from catholicism. It's better if your tithe goes to you and those that you come across that need some help. Considering that's all it ever is used for throughout the bible.

 

[AnnaDeborah]

I think it depends on how the giving is done as to whether it would put someone off coming. In our church, mostly the person taking the bag round will only approach those who make it obvious they are getting something ready to put in. And the person leading always stresses beforehand that this is for those who are committed to supporting this particular fellowship and visitors should not feel the need to give. I've once seen a lady stand in front of someone and shake the bag at them in an attempt to get them to put something in, but she was spoken to very seriously about this and I've never seen anyone do this again. If someone were to stand in front of you when you've made it quite obvious you're not getting money out, then to be honest, the church leadership should be dealing with their behaviour!

 

[drjean]

Too many go with the 10% as money only... when it's also time, talent etc. Many just give the money and forget the rest. Give what $ you can even if only "2 mites" and give in time etc also.

 

[Stone-n-Steel]

Hi all,
I have a question regarding church.
Due to unforeseen circumstances I have found myself in the position for one week only of not having money for the offering at Church. I am fine but live pension to pension.

If you don't have the money to give then maybe, they should be helping you. There should be no obligation to give at the Church. Under Mosaic law, that was the case but we are under grace not law now. Also, if you are putting money in the plate to please the people next to you then that does not sound like a good reason.

I hope my doctrine has not offended.

 

[Brian Mcnamee]

Hi all,
I have a question regarding church.
Due to unforeseen circumstances I have found myself in the position for one week only of not having money for the offering at Church. I am fine but live pension to pension.
What would you do?
I've thought of telling the person collecting before the service, putting a little note in.
(Explaining)
Note: I will make sure that I make up the amount next week.
I'm asking because they will stand waiting.
Do I wave them on?
It is a small church and I am the second person they go to.
Of course the easy way out is not attend but I don't believe God thinks if you have nothing you shouldn't be there.
Basically I want to be honest and not pretend. Its not great I know but its just life at the moment.
Funny thing is just now the weather predicted is not good ( gale force winds etc) so I may not even be able to go as I don't drive in weather warning weather!

It is ok not to have it and the offering is a free will offering now. Your reaction is a bit of worry of what others will think of you. So it might be good for you to experience this awkward feeling and remember that you life, your time and your talents are all for teh LORD. You owe no one an explanation.

 

[Silly Uncle Wayne]

Hi all,
I have a question regarding church.
Due to unforeseen circumstances I have found myself in the position for one week only of not having money for the offering at Church. I am fine but live pension to pension.
What would you do?
I've thought of telling the person collecting before the service, putting a little note in.
(Explaining)
Note: I will make sure that I make up the amount next week.
I'm asking because they will stand waiting.
Do I wave them on?
It is a small church and I am the second person they go to.
Of course the easy way out is not attend but I don't believe God thinks if you have nothing you shouldn't be there.
Basically I want to be honest and not pretend. Its not great I know but its just life at the moment.
Funny thing is just now the weather predicted is not good ( gale force winds etc) so I may not even be able to go as I don't drive in weather warning weather!

If you are obligated to pay, or feel obligated to pay, it is not an offering, it is a payment.

An offering is something you freely give up to God (via the church), if you are in any way compelled to give, then I suggest you actually stop giving entirely for a period (a month) and contemplate what you are doing - are you giving to God or to the church; Are you offering up a sacrifice or making a payment.

Having worked out what you should be doing, then start doing that and do so cheerfully (2 Co 9:7). You will find that you are more blessed by offering and that it doesn't matter if you miss a week because God has infinite riches and would rather you gave freely than under compulsion.

 

[zoidar]

Hi all,
I have a question regarding church.
Due to unforeseen circumstances I have found myself in the position for one week only of not having money for the offering at Church. I am fine but live pension to pension.
What would you do?
I've thought of telling the person collecting before the service, putting a little note in.
(Explaining)
Note: I will make sure that I make up the amount next week.
I'm asking because they will stand waiting.
Do I wave them on?
It is a small church and I am the second person they go to.
Of course the easy way out is not attend but I don't believe God thinks if you have nothing you shouldn't be there.
Basically I want to be honest and not pretend. Its not great I know but its just life at the moment.
Funny thing is just now the weather predicted is not good ( gale force winds etc) so I may not even be able to go as I don't drive in weather warning weather!

I don't understand the problem. We are to give from what we have. If you don't have money for one week, then don't give that week. We are not only to give to Church, we are to give to the poor, to help those in need etc. Some people believe if they give the 10% of their salary they have given what is required. There is no such requierment, but give generously so God doesn't have to be ashamed over you.

 

[Greg Merrill]

Tithing was for the ancient nation of Israel, and was to be given to the Levites, because they were not given land, like the other tribes of Israel, and they worked in the religious service of the Lord, Numbers 18:21; Numbers 18:24. It was to be brought into the storehouse of the tabernacle/temple (not the church), Malachi 3:10. The tithe was a requirement of the law of Moses. This is not what the Bible says is the way the church was to be supported. See 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 to see how the church was to be supported. One is not under obligation legalistically to have to put something in the offering, especially if they don't have anything, or really don't want to.

 

[Anguspure]

Hi all,
I have a question regarding church.
Due to unforeseen circumstances I have found myself in the position for one week only of not having money for the offering at Church. I am fine but live pension to pension.
What would you do?
I've thought of telling the person collecting before the service, putting a little note in.
(Explaining)
Note: I will make sure that I make up the amount next week.
I'm asking because they will stand waiting.
Do I wave them on?
It is a small church and I am the second person they go to.
Of course the easy way out is not attend but I don't believe God thinks if you have nothing you shouldn't be there.
Basically I want to be honest and not pretend. Its not great I know but its just life at the moment.
Funny thing is just now the weather predicted is not good ( gale force winds etc) so I may not even be able to go as I don't drive in weather warning weather!

Have you not read Jesus warning about giving in public? To give so that recognition is gained by other people is a practice that forfeits heavenly reward. We should give in a manner such that or left does not even know what our right hand is doing.

 

[S.O.J.I.A.]

They'll be alright.

You're called to give from your heart, not out of obligation.

 

[devin553344]

Hi all,
I have a question regarding church.
Due to unforeseen circumstances I have found myself in the position for one week only of not having money for the offering at Church. I am fine but live pension to pension.
What would you do?
I've thought of telling the person collecting before the service, putting a little note in.
(Explaining)
Note: I will make sure that I make up the amount next week.
I'm asking because they will stand waiting.
Do I wave them on?
It is a small church and I am the second person they go to.
Of course the easy way out is not attend but I don't believe God thinks if you have nothing you shouldn't be there.
Basically I want to be honest and not pretend. Its not great I know but its just life at the moment.
Funny thing is just now the weather predicted is not good ( gale force winds etc) so I may not even be able to go as I don't drive in weather warning weather!

I would just pass the basket. I mean what's the big deal, it's optional anyways. They're just asking for money and not demanding it.

 

[MMDave3]

To the original poster - give what you want to give when you can give. If someone from your church gives you a hard time about that, then it's time to find a new church.

 

[AlexDTX]

Hi all,
I have a question regarding church.
Due to unforeseen circumstances I have found myself in the position for one week only of not having money for the offering at Church. I am fine but live pension to pension.
What would you do?
I've thought of telling the person collecting before the service, putting a little note in.
(Explaining)
Note: I will make sure that I make up the amount next week.
I'm asking because they will stand waiting.
Do I wave them on?
It is a small church and I am the second person they go to.
Of course the easy way out is not attend but I don't believe God thinks if you have nothing you shouldn't be there.
Basically I want to be honest and not pretend. Its not great I know but its just life at the moment.
Funny thing is just now the weather predicted is not good ( gale force winds etc) so I may not even be able to go as I don't drive in weather warning weather!

You are under no obligation to give anything. Everything we give is a free-will gift. Just let the plate pass you by.

 

[paul becke]

Wave them on.

Yes. Just nod with a smile of embarrassment. The collector and the rest of the congregation have probably been in a similar situation, many in the same. It doesn't take a powerful leap of the imagination to realise there could be a thousand and one reasons why you forgot to bring money along for the plate. Or didn't have any.

 

[paul becke]

To the original poster - give what you want to give when you can give. If someone from your church gives you a hard time about that, then it's time to find a new church.

Hard time ? LOL If someone is immature enough to reproach you for it, say to them : 'Tell you what. How if I let you know when I feel I need your advice ? Hmmm ? Better still - let it be water off a duck's back.

I suspect it is all in your mind though. Very, very few people, would be foolish enough to take you to task over such a matter. None, I suspect.

 

[Blade]

Ok.. these kind of thoughts never come from God. He never ever makes you feel guilty or condemns you. Do you feel like that? Then KNOW its not from God. There is no.. YOU HAVE TO GIVE. This is between YOU and Him not man. So smile rejoice.. the word says..we are NOT here to please man.

So.. now if you just don't like the fact you dont have money to give.. then ASK the GOD that is IN YOU to supply you with enough money so you can. A HE WILL! YES its THAT EASY! KNOW He hears you. .KNOW that HE HEARS you and that HE WILL answer. He supplys ALL your needs.. rejoice!