Worship, not Fundraising

As I walked through the church doors, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The once-familiar sanctuary now resembled a lavish marketplace, where spirituality was peddled like a commodity. The pulpit, once a sacred platform for proclaiming God's Word, had become a stage for sales pitches.

"Come and give generously," the pastor exhorted, "for your seed will reap a hundredfold return." The emphasis on financial blessings echoed through the halls, leaving many feeling like spirituality was only accessible to those with deep pockets (money). But isn't Christ's love supposed to be free? Didn't He say, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28)? Has the Church forgotten its purpose? Now, churches host fundraisers, selling food, drinks, and even hiring jumping castles requiring children to pay to participate. Is this the example set by the early Church? In Acts 2:42-47 and 4:32-37, believers gave willingly, motivated by the preached Word of God, not commercial tactics. They shared resources, ensuring everyone's needs were met. The apostles didn't sell spiritual experiences or entertainment; they proclaimed the Gospel, and the people responded with generosity.

What drove this generosity?
The power of the Gospel message, which transforms hearts and opens eyes to the needs of others. As Paul wrote, "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" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Warning to Mr Pastor
Moreover, if the Gospel we preach isn't sufficient to inspire willing generosity, then we, as ministers, face a grave concern. It indicates a failure in our mission to proclaim the transformative power of Christ's love. We cannot utilize the pulpit to solicit funds or threaten believers with suffering if they don't give, as if we're still under the old covenant. Such tactics disqualify us from ministry, for we're called to preach the Gospel of salvation, not financial prosperity. When we prioritize the Gospel, believers respond with willing and cheerful generosity, motivated by the depth of God's love. To restore the heart of worship, we must realign our priorities with Scripture,  Preach the Gospel, the message of love, focus on spiritual growth, encourage biblical generosity and lead with humility and servant-hood.

As Jesus declared, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18). May our churches rediscover the beauty of unconditional love and acceptance.
Let's reclaim our role as beacons of hope, where the least of these find refuge and solace.

Conclusion
I firmly believe in the beauty of giving, particularly when it supports the construction of houses of worship and aids struggling families. However, let us not compromise the integrity of the Gospel's good news, which inspires cheerful and willing generosity. By faithfully proclaiming the Gospel, people will respond with greater generosity than any fundraising effort. Moreover, this approach will create an inclusive environment where the poor feel welcome and valued, joining us in worship and service.

Ngwabiso Dube.