I’ll admit, at first, I wasn’t going to address it. Gospel recording artist and pastor Marvin Sapp recently found himself in a social media firestorm over his call for an offering. However, I sensed a larger narrative regarding the overall idea behind God, the church, and money.
If you’re unfamiliar with the viral clip, it depicts Sapp directing ushers to close the doors as he calls for a specific offering. While this act is not uncommon in some churches and faiths, especially during large events, some unfamiliar with this practice, mixed with the out-of-context clip, were outraged.
The narrative changed from him asking for the doors to be closed to locking the congregation in the room and forcing them to give offerings. Soon, commenters were accusing the singer of collecting funds for himself. And some grouped all pastors into the nefarious act of lining their pockets with money from financially struggling congregants. Even when Sapp and the pastor of the event released public statements addressing the misunderstanding, the indictment of pastors and church offerings stood at the forefront of social media frustration.
After pastoring for over 20 years in the age of social media, I’ve learned not to get caught up in the fervor of internet outrage. However, I do find it interesting that this incident revealed the fears, frustration, or incorrect assumptions about the “church’s” money.
The phrase “God doesn’t need my money” is one of the most common refrains that pastors hear. It’s also true. The Almighty, who created the universe, the Alpha and Omega, the One who loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us, doesn’t need a single penny to do the magnificent.
However, sharing the Gospel throughout the world requires funding. Even the disciples had a treasurer who managed donations. No, that doesn’t mean giving toward luxury cars or private jets. But our giving does help the women’s ministry throw community baby showers. It allows the youth ministry to purchase food for the annual lock-in; the college ministry to gas up vehicles to retrieve students who don’t have cars; and the community relations ministry to support area residents in need.
Giving should not be the result of a hostage situation. It shouldn’t come from the hope that God will bless us or the fear that if we don’t, He will curse us. And contrary to popular belief, giving your money doesn’t prove you have a great relationship with Him.
I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that human beings can make a mess of things. Some individuals mismanage funds, take advantage of their congregants, or allow greed to drive their offering demands. But these behaviors shouldn’t make us label giving to all churches or events as bad or pointless. We are allowed to use discretion, pray, and let the Lord guide us in our personal decisions.
The simplest answer is found in 2 Corinthians 9:7, which says, “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (NIV).
Let’s not get caught up in the chaos of social media’s arguments of a year-old clip. The best way to approach giving is through our hearts.
This article is part of our 2025 May/June Issue
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