"A little research shows that passing the offering plate was not a regular practice until the 19th century"

If you’re only giving because you “have to,” something needs to change (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Based on that rationale, should pastors and their families give financially? I will say that we do, and always have- sometime in a box, and sometimes in a plate! :) It might seem circular to some people’s thinking, but I believe the privilege of returning a portion of what God gives us is as much afforded to us in ministry as it is anyone else…

[Jim]

For anyone who has studied queueing theory, multiple ushers passing multiple offering plates is more efficient than a single queue in line at a box. Think of the bank teller line.

Never studied queueing theory, but also in 23 years, I’ve never seen any line at the box!

Daniel,

That was hilarious the part about the guy probably paying himself more than minimum wage! We’ve had the same thing here in Gilbert - we had a family years ago that explained they would volunteer for everything because that was their tithe. I tried to explain the Scriptures teaching about both serving and giving - not doing one in exchange for the other.

Straight Ahead!

jt