Why do most people give offerings in church?
Most people give offerings in church out of a sense of duty rather than cheerfulness. They give because they think someone is laying a burden on their shoulder that they have to give, not because they are hilarious or cheerful givers.
Les explains that Scripture says each person should give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity. The word "cheerful" in the original Greek really meant "hilarious." Yet when people go to church on Sunday morning and lay their offering on the plate, not many do so with a hilarious attitude. Instead, they give out of a sense of duty, or because they think someone is laying a burden on their shoulder that they have to give. Les illustrates this with a man in Iowa whose pastor looked at his home, car, and possessions and told him he should give $600 a month. The man was totally turned off, saying nobody is going to tell him how much to give. Les agreed, saying no one has the right to do that; it is strictly between the individual Christian and his Lord. If you don't want to give and can't give hilariously, God in so many words says, "I don't need it, I don't want it."
More Questions
Why do most people put money in the offering plate at church?
Not many people give with a hilarious attitude on Sunday morning; they give out of a sense of duty because they think somebody is laying a burden on their shoulder that they have to give.