Jim came to see me with a message from the finance committee he chaired. The group met when I was with another group, so I missed their meeting. I’d begun to use cards for Sunday guests that were actually envelopes. The simple message on the envelopes was “Please use my gift as an expression of my love for Christ.”
My predecessor schooled the church on a doctrine of the “contemporary” church; namely, no visitors should be asked for money. The argument is that many people thought the church was after their money anyway, so we should disclaim this from the start. The pastor would say something like, “Our members support the work of this church, and we don’t want any guests to think they have to give.”
I think I took this as a minor objection and continued to use the envelopes until Jim returned with a stronger admonition. This was a battle I didn’t want to pursue as the newbie pastor, so we gathered the envelopes and stacked them in the church closet where old documents go to die.
This kind of thing doesn’t happen today since we’ve stopped singling out visitors. We’re told that anonymity is what visitors want now. I remember the days when we had them lift a hand or remain seated while members stood, and the like. Churches today struggle about how to make contact with guests who wish to remain anonymous while church-shopping.
But the main issue is whether the church should take money from non-members.
I give credence to the concept of church members supporting their churches and not pressuring any visitor to give money for support. But on the other hand, I have no issue with the church taking freewill gifts from non-members or even non-Christians.
I remember at least one non-Christian who gave money to our church. I visited him in the hospital several times. I asked to pray with him once and he said, “Preacher, pray for me, but don’t pray with me.” This was odd, and the only time I’ve ever heard this. But I honored his wishes. He sent a check to our church before he died, and we used it for God’s work.
A retired minister in my home church taught high school boys in Sunday School. He told us once about a bootlegger who offered him a check.
“Pastor,” he said, “would you take this money to the church?”
Mr. Menek said, “Yes sir. The devil’s had this money too long!”
The church is not after anybody’s money. We’re only a temporary repository for it and must use it to help others. And I’m convinced we can graciously steward money from those who yet seek God.
