THE CHURCH, THE GIFTS, THE GIVER

Wale Micaiah
Aug 8, 2017 · 4 min read

Religious institutions are sacred but the gift Worshipers (as offering/tithe) bring as a sign of honour may bring contempt to the institution. In the past and especially in the Orthodox settings, every giver is almost known because they are somewhat in a community setting. While offering may be untraceable, every tither has a Tithe card where what is given is documented. The Church was family-like then.

On the next Sunday/Service day, there is a public announcement on what the Church earned the previous service day. That’s accountability. The number of people that were present; Male, Female, Children. The total Offerings, The Tithe, etc. all form part of the announcement. Today, things have changed. Difficult to keep track of people and know who they are. Difficult to keep track of who gives what.

While not intending to know who gives what, in a society with prevalent corruption, Churches need measures to avoid being a conduit. Some people have misconstrued the act of Giving and Receiving. They want to give anything, irrespective of how they come about it. God is more interested in the Giver than the Gift. Genesis 4:4 says, “And the LORD had respect to Abel and to his offering”. God is more interested in You as a person than what you can bring as offering/tithe to the Church. Therefore, He cares more about the Process.

If the process of offering and tithing is the path of Corruption, Cheating and Swindling, there can’t be a lasting blessing thereof. Can Churches really prevent Corrupt Women and Men from bringing stolen money as tithes and offerings to Churches? May be, maybe not. It’s already in the news that some men try to sanctify stolen money by Tithing. God is not mocked. The Church has a responsibility here. For the purpose that the Church can come under disrepute for being receiver of stolen money it must take some due diligence measures. It is what organisations do to avoid being a conduit for Money Laundry & Terrorism Financing….if they can, the Church should as well.

The first step is AWARENESS. Worshippers must be told every now & then that God cannot be pleased with the Corrupt so also his/her Gift. Stolen money is what it is no matter for what purpose it was used — Offering, Tithe, Church Building, Pastor’s Offering, etc. Worshippers should remember that the Widow was commended more than others because she gave what she had not another’s property. Next, some DUE DILIGENCE on substantial gifts must be taken. The Giver must be profiled. A little information need to be documented.

The Banking system has a process where amount above X value (by Individual/Org) would be declared & may require further investigation. The Church needs a policy that would ensure further documentation be received or filed as regard individual who give above a threshold. For every transfer received in line with this policy, they must take some measures to ascertain that this is in order & according to established laws. The Church cannot be seen as the reservoir for all kinds of proceeds. The Church shouldn’t become a channel for which men dry clean loots

If money is received from a Public figure, the Church has a responsibility to review such benevolence and subject it to this policy. The Church has a responsibility to join the government in taking a strong stand against Corrupt men and women. No welcoming party! Churches that welcome Women & Men who give without visible sources of income are not helping the fight against Corruption. The Church must raise its banner against Corruption and Corrupt people. The Church is a house of prayers not home for looters.

Wrapping it up, the Policy must also demonstrate the ability of the Church to make RESTITUTION. I will explain in a bit. As soon as documented Tithe/Offering is identified or reported as corruption proceeds, the Church must refund IMMEDIATELY without delay. The Church cannot afford to keep the accursed thing in their custody. Achan is a good case study for study. The Church represents Christ on earth, Pure and Holy. The Church cannot afford to be stained with the act of Corrupt men and women.

The fight against Corruption is not only Government’s, it is also a battle for the Church for Corruption affects ALL! The Roads & Hospitals whose money were stolen could benefit the Church. We therefore shouldn’t be thankful for the crumbs from Corruption. We shortchange ourselves when we welcome crumbs of corruption which essentially impoverish the masses — who resort to Vigil & Prayers. If the Money stolen by one is available for All…it ultimately can lead to prosperity for all instead of ill-gotten wealth for one.

The stand of the Church against Corruption should not only be in preaching, we must institute policies that spells our stand against it. The Church must lead and possibly show the World how we really really detest the act of robbing Paul to pay Peter. May God bless the Church and may the Church bless our nation Nigeria with an example of how to really end Corruption.

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