How to overcome the feeling of left-out because you haven't given much money to church?

Question

Today my new church (i just join this church for 2 months) is doing some fund-raising for the new church building. We were asked to fill-in the form of how much money we would contribute. I didn't know that it was going to be announced at the end of service. When they announced the sum of the money collected at the end of service (they didn't announce the name though), i felt very ashamed because i didn't contribute as much as others. I also feel very left out, so i left the service not long after they start counting. I just feel that it's like the auction or donation event to announce the sum of the money like that, i thought it is supposed to be a private and confidential information just between you and the church. Is there any biblical explanation for this? And how to overcome the feeling of being left out?

Answer 1

Don't be ashamed at all - be happy for what money was raised. It is between you and God and they didn't say names - they have to say the amount so people will know how they did and where they are at., and celebrate it. Churches do it regularly.
If you felt guilty - pray about it, that's all.
And get ready - alot of trash may follow in these answers. Just give what you can or nothing if you can't - the truth is.... God is only concerned with your heart. If you want to give that pleases him - maybe at another time in your life you can.

Answer 2

I encourage you not to feel left out. I"m sure there were others there who, like you, were not able to contribute financially. There are other ways to contribute to your new church besides making donations. Volunteer your time and effort to help with projects, Sunday School, pot luck suppers, etc., etc. In this way, you are making a contribution of your talent, even though you are unable to make a contribution of treasure. Do not worry about what others may think. Worry only about what your Savior will think. He will be looking into your heart. Serve him in the way that you can. He gave us many good examples of how we are to live our lives. Devote yourself to that. Pray daily for the success of the fund-raiser and for the Lord to show you how you may make a contribution. If you are able to contribute money, that is good, but many other things are needed besides money. People are needed. What good is the money if there are no people to do the work of the Lord? With a little thought, you will be able to come up with some way to "contribute" with what the Lord has given you. The Lord wants you to be joyful, not sorrowful. Loving the Lord should lift us up, not tear us down. Be daily in the Word and you'll begin to understand ways the Lord can use your talents. He did give us all talents, you know, to be used for his benefit.

I hope these words will help you to be able to change your focus from helping the church financially to helping the church by using your "talents." Be happy and joyful and let your light shine to the glory of God.

Answer 3

Just give what you are suppose to give. Each person is different because each person makes a different amount of money. Many Church's at the end tell how much they collected that day. The they add it to the little sign on the wall. They don't do role call on how much each gave. I never fill out those things. I just put my money in the plate....I never have. Just sit it in the plate. Nobody looks. I wouldn't feel left out. Ignore it. Just give what you can or are suppose too.

Answer 4

There is nothing to feel bad about..in the Bible there is a woman that gave all that she had, and that was just two pennies..but God took it and used it..it doesn't matter the amount of money that you give..God sees your heart and that is what is the most important thing of all!
There is a scripture that says that one hand isn't suppose to know what the other is doing..do whatever you feel you need to do for God, but do that in secret..but if they are announcing the total, I don't see a problem...that just lets others know how much more will be needed..but don't feel bad...God's watching..He sees you for who you are, not how much you can or can't give.

Answer 5

Sorry to hear this was done to you Celeste...this is not the way that a good bible believing church should do things :( but then one must remember that it is not man that we follow,..or serve..it is Jesus Christ. He is the only One that you are accountable to!! Just think, He concidered the woman that put in her 2 mites (2 pennies..more or less) of more importance,than the many that were putting in alot of money! Jesus knows the "giving" is from your heart & it should never be about the "amount"! May the Lord watch over you & guide you, always!

Answer 6

You know something? If a church, where you are supposed to feel closer to God and worship and feel good, is making you feel left-out and bad then I say you drop it and pray at your own house. What the heck is wrong with people? Don't these people know anything other than money and trying to trick people into giving them money so they can remodel and do this and that? Gosh! I cannot believe this! They are telling people this and that is a sin, but they don't see what they are doing themselves. This is no different then ripping people off or stealing somebody's money. They are the sinners themselves!

Answer 7

would not it look like you want your church to revolve round you? you're saying you've been forced into it; so, for sure, it wasn't for YOU. you imagine the Church is evil because you imagine that women persons clergymen are ok; because you imagine birth control is an outstanding theory; because you imagine homosexuality is wonderful. in reality, YOUR judgment about the Catholic church is so severe and powerful that you hereby deem all Catholic church homes must be close down posthaste! And even as your at it shall we convict all Catholic clergymen of pedophilia, instantly to reformatory, no bond, no proper to counsel because it truly is YOUR justice. You for sure love your self specifically issues. it truly is an analogous for all anti-Catholics. i'll put up reams of Biblical verses proving that the beliefs of the Catholic Church are what GOD needs and what JESUS informed us to do. i'll practice you that GOD suggested to love HIM specifically issues. besides the undeniable fact that it would not be counted. If something about Catholicism inconveniences then you definitely it truly is not any longer for you. and in view that it has the billions of followers that it has around the world and also you're not from now on one of them...properly...then it ought to be evil. the surely way that could actually help you is to wish for you. and that i'll...yet...Wow! talk about a bypass to undergo!

Answer 8

I live overseas where Christians are lucky to meet in a home let alone a nice church building. To see the money spent on buildings in American in order to build the pastor's ego and make him feel like a success makes me sick. Do you think the church building is necessary and a good use of people's money? According to Matthew giving should be "in secret". Don't feel left out.

Answer 9

Donating money isn't like a popularity contest. I am sorry that your church made it seem that way. Maybe you need to find a church that is more discreet with the financials.

I just donate cash in the collection basket. As far as my church knows I don't donate at all. They treat me just as well as they treat anyone though.

Answer 10

I really hate that feeling. How much money you have or don't have to give is between you and your God. I'd rather give money to feed hungry people than to build new churches anyway. We have plenty of churches and there are people starving down the street from them. Plus we have our own families to support -- the church never gave me $ when things got tight. Charity begins at home... don't worry about it