Balancing Giving: Church Support & Parachurch Ministries

Discover if Christians are obligated to give special offerings to parachurch ministries. Learn biblical principles that guide our giving as believers.

Are Christians Obligated to Give Special Offerings to Parachurch Ministries?

As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of our resources and to support the work of God's kingdom. One question that often arises is whether or not Christians are obligated to give special offerings to parachurch ministries. While the Bible does not specifically mention giving to parachurch organizations, it does provide principles that can guide us in our giving.

1. Giving to the Local Church

The Bible emphasizes the importance of giving to the local church. In 1 Corinthians 16:2, the apostle Paul instructs the Corinthian believers to set aside a portion of their income on the first day of the week for the needs of the church. This principle of regular giving to the local church is also echoed in 2 Corinthians 9:7, where Paul encourages cheerful and generous giving.

When we give to our local church, we are supporting the ongoing work of ministry, including the spread of the Gospel, discipleship, and caring for the needs of the congregation. This regular giving helps to ensure the stability and effectiveness of the local church as it fulfills its mission.

The Storehouse Principle in Malachi 3:10

Some argue that the tithe, or giving ten percent of one's income, should be exclusively given to the local church based on the storehouse principle described in Malachi 3:10. In this passage, God rebukes the Israelites for withholding their tithes and promises to bless them abundantly if they bring the full tithe into the storehouse.

While this principle was specifically directed at the Israelites under the Old Covenant, it can still serve as a guide for our giving today. If we believe in the importance of tithing, then it is reasonable to allocate the full ten percent to our local church as the primary recipient of our giving.

2. Additional Offerings

While giving to the local church should be our primary focus, there is room for additional offerings to parachurch ministries and other Christian causes. These additional offerings should be above and beyond our regular giving to the local church.

When deciding how to allocate these additional offerings, we should seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible encourages us to give generously and sacrificially, as well as to give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:7). Our giving should be prompted by a desire to support the work of God's kingdom and advance His purposes in the world.

Prayer and Discernment

As believers, we should pray for wisdom in our giving. We can ask God to show us how much to give and to whom we should give. Just as the early Christians in Acts 2:44-45 shared their possessions with one another as each had need, we too can consider the needs of others and support ministries that align with our values and beliefs.

Ultimately, our giving should be a reflection of our love for God and our desire to participate in His work. It is not about meeting a legalistic requirement or checking off a box, but about responding to God's grace and generosity towards us.

3. Giving from the Heart

While there is no specific formula for how much to give or how to divide our offerings between the local church and other Christian causes, what matters most is the condition of our heart. God looks at the heart and desires our giving to be motivated by love and a genuine desire to support His work.

Just as Jesus commended the widow in Mark 12:41-44 for her sacrificial giving, He values the heart behind our offerings more than the amount we give. Our giving should be a reflection of our gratitude for God's blessings and a desire to be a part of His redemptive work in the world.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not specifically address giving special offerings to parachurch ministries, it does provide principles that guide our giving. Our primary focus should be on giving to our local church, as it is the community where we are nurtured, equipped, and sent out to serve. However, there is also room for additional offerings to parachurch ministries and other Christian causes, as the Holy Spirit leads and prompts us.

Our giving should be characterized by generosity, cheerfulness, and sacrificial love. It should be a response to God's grace and a desire to participate in His work. As we prayerfully seek God's guidance and give from the heart, we can trust that our offerings will be used to further His kingdom and bring glory to His name.