The Offering That Became a Transaction

In many churches the cue is familiar. The leader says, "Offering time!" and the congregation answers together, "Blessing time!"

Professor Gary Maxey uses this exact scene in his book on why revival tarries in Nigeria. For him it is a small picture of a large problem.

What has changed

He describes a generation that has taken in, mostly without noticing, the lessons of the unbalanced prosperity gospel. He traces its source to the American Word of Faith movement. We have been taught, he writes, that one of our most important goals in life is material prosperity, and that one of the surest ways to reach it is to sow seed with our money in order to get back tenfold or more.

The result, in his words, is that offering time is no longer about humbly and thankfully giving to God without a thought of bounty in return. It has become an attempt to bribe God so that he will give us more money. We now give in order to get.

Why this blocks revival

Professor Maxey calls the self-centered materialism of the age an institutionalized narcissism and greed. He says it has robbed the church of the scriptural foundations for revival.

Then he makes a statement every reader should weigh slowly. God will never send revival to people who believe they are doing well and are not in dire spiritual need. And God cannot bless people who are focused primarily on material gain.

Revival needs people who know they are poor in spirit. A congregation fixed on its next harvest of money cannot see that poverty.

Where the Bible stands

Professor Maxey cites Paul's warning that godliness is not a means of gain (1 Timothy 6:5). He lists, among the things Nigeria must confess, that holy worship, prayer and offerings have been turned into methods of gaining wealth.

A fair challenge to the writer

Someone will ask whether God blesses givers. He does. Scripture is full of generosity and promise. Professor Maxey does not attack giving. He attacks giving as a trade, in which the gift is a lever and God is the machine.

A test

Before your next offering, ask one honest question. If I knew I would receive nothing back, not money, not favor, not an answer, would I still give this?

If the answer is no, you have found the thing to confess. Give anyway this once, quietly, and expect nothing.

Drawn from the teaching of Professor Gary S. Maxey.