Psalm 35:27 *Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant*
*THE EXTREMES* (E)
*5#.Coercion in matters of giving*
Several years ago, during my NYSC, we visited a church in the city of our service for a mission awareness programme. As the fellowship leader, one of the ways we created awareness about our evangelism tagged 'Rural Rugged Evangelism' was to go round churches to inform them about it.
One of those days, we visited a church where the preacher raised money by coercion. He practically left the pulpit and was forcing people to make a pledge. He even checked how much they pledged and made one particular man add to his pledge. After the man did, he took only him to the altar and anointed him because he gave something bigger than everyone else.
I noticed every other person in service that day were not happy when he singled out that man. They were forced to give yet this man did not deem it fit to pray or anoint them probably because theirs was little. I felt bad too as a youth corper.
You see, I don't have problems with raising money for a clearly defined purpose If there is a genuine need. I do that with ministry partners often. It is biblical. Moses and Paul did( Ex 35:4-40, 1 Cor 16:1). However, it must not be done with coercion, threats and guilt-tripping.
Some preachers do not coerce by way of confrontation like that preacher did but they coerce by way of making people feel guilty. For instance, why tell someone who is passing through life challenges or someone who lost a loved one that failure to tithe is the reason behind their misfortune?
I don't think Jesus would talk like that. Saying that won't make him/her tithe because tithing should be done by revelation not by guilt-tripping. I tithe willingly because I understand honour and worship.
Prosperity gospel preachers have mastered the art of making people feel guilty and then making them give out of emotions instead of understanding. This is the reason some give and look back in regret. They were forced to do it.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (ERV) says, *"Each one of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give. You should not give if it makes you unhappy or if you feel forced to give. God loves those who are happy to give*".
Even under the law, giving was designed to be willing not by force or coercion. God's pattern has always been to receive from willing hearts and bless them in return. Once force, threat or guilt-tripping is involved, he is not involved.
Ex 35:21 says, *"and everyone who was WILLING and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments*" (NIV).
*Giving should not be by coercion but by the willingness of the giver. Any giving that is done under coercion, threat or feeling of guilt is not acceptable by God*.