Methods are many, principles are few, methods often change, but principles never do. Many people mistake methods for principles and attempt to tell others that if they do not give a certain offering at a certain time or in a particular manner their lives will not be fruitful. This could not be farther from the truth. It is off-base to say a person will not be blessed when he/she does not give a specific amount of offering or according to a specific request (Passover, café, art, etc.) or in a specific way (heave offering, wave offering, everyone walk to the front, in an envelope, by electronic funds transfer, etc.) when the person otherwise follows scriptural principles of tithing and free-will offering. These are clearly defined in scripture as pleasing to the LORD whereas having to walk to the front or give by electronic funds transfer are methods that can vary from time to time or be based on Church or personal preference.
Some methods can provide a great boost to your giving and allow you to support ministry efforts greater than what you can do by yourself. It is possible that heaving or waiving your offering before giving it may enhance your worship experience but they are not principles such that everyone who does not heave or waive offerings will not receive a return from the LORD. A particular method will not necessarily produce any more blessing or reward. Neither does one scriptural principle cancel out another. For example, heaving and waving each offering without consistent tithing, budgeting, debt elimination, investing, and/or entrepreneurial endeavors is not likely to break the shackles of your financial bondage and take you to the wealthy place.
It may produce a momentary emotional high and a belief that what the offering requester said would happen is going to come to pass, but for those already in financial bondage it likely will be followed by more of the same old bondage in their lives when not accompanied by the other financial stewardship principles. Failure to let the Holy Spirit guide you in following each scriptural principle as you learn and understand them will likely hinder the material blessing and reward that could flow into your life no matter how many heaves and waves you perform while giving.
The above has been spoken for the purpose of helping you see it is of utmost importance to continually seek the LORD and intimacy with Him, so you will follow the greatest principle of all: “do whatever the LORD tells you to do.” His instruction will always be in line with scripture and if you truly hear him ask you to do an unusual thing from time to time such as give in a certain way or a certain amount, please do it. Joining with the congregation in a certain way of giving may be invigorating and unifying for the local fellowship and thus you should be open to the LORD leading you in this way. Just realize you are not damned if you do not give according to someone’s method even though you may have to take heat from Pharisees and unbelievers.
Stay away from any method that is not clearly in-line with a scriptural principle such as those that are not based on loving the LORD and people or that are based on greed. Following scripture by using methods aligned with its principles will produce the fruitfulness and prosperity the LORD desires for your life.
Please pray for this ministry and email me with any questions. May the LORD bless you richly as you follow His plan!
Psalm 37:21-24, Proverbs 2:6-8, Matthew 23:23, 1Corinthians 12:14-26, Ephesians 4:11-16
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