The Offering Cycle

.... A challenge arose in Paul’s day that has replayed through the ages, becoming the most persistent criticism of the church in our time. What evangelist has not received criticism or had his efforts dismissed, because he received an offering? A cycle was established that would grow and repeat itself.

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.... Like Paul, some ministers have endured deep poverty for as long as they could, so that the sincerity of their motives would not be questioned. But their 'tentmaking' jobs divided their time and deprived them of resources, which hindered the gospel in other ways.

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.... When he end of their endurance was reached, the tables were turned and they took the moral high ground, openly preaching the need for tithes and offerings. A change of heart took place and they finally received the resources they needed – but now their motives were questioned. And sometimes this momentum took on a life of its own. Eventually it could lead to the opposite extreme, and even to abuse, before the cycle turned again to the point when the propriety of Christian giving was questioned again.

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.... In part, Paul answered this criticism by receiving from ministry partners quietly. In the sense that he no longer ministered among them, yet still received support from them, he said that he had ‘robbed’ them (2 Corinthians 11:8). Had he received the same, quiet support from those he actually ministered to, his problems would probably never have begun (Matthew 6:2-4). But is that the best solution?