Christians:?

Question

When I was a kid, I attended a number of different churches when my parents went looking for the right one. I noticed that a lot of churches will pass collection plates around during prayer (while many people's eyes are closed). Is this done so the people who are desperate enough to steal from a collection plate can do it discreetly? I know its a stupid question, but something I've always wondered about. Are churches trying to help people in a very subtle way by waiting until prayer for collection plates to be handed out?

Thanks y'all. I kind of figured that wasn't the case, and I know that the church I was a member of would have given me money if I needed it for good enough reason.

Answer 1

no, more so that they can give without others saying, "oh he gave that much??? stubborn greedy fool" etc.

Answer 2

In the Protestant churches I have visited this practice is twofold. One reason is to prevent some people from making a show of how much they give and the other is to prevent embarrassment to poor people who can afford to give nothing. I am Catholic and I have been so poor that priests gave me money from the collection plate without me even asking. There was no reason to steal. Our donations are collected openly but no one ever marginalized me for having nothing. I think most churches would help poor people like that. There is no real reason to steal out of collection plates.

Answer 3

What? I've been a churchgoer all my life, and have attended not only the services of my own denomination, but many, many others as well. Not once have I ever seen the plate passed during prayer. There might be a very brief prayer beforehand, but the plate is passed during the section of the service known as the "offertory". There is usually a musical number, and everyone's eyes are wide open. It doesn't even make sense to attempt passing a plate when people's eyes are closed.

Answer 4

I always believed it was done so that people could give without everyone else staring at what they put in the plate, which would avoid rich people showing off and poor people feeling bad. I think whoever passes the plate notices if someone steals. A church would never endorse stealing.

Answer 5

No the churches do not knowenly allow people to steel, But on the other hand the churches should not pass collectin plates in the first place.
The word of God is free and when some one collects for something that should be free they become peddlers of the word of God. (2 Corinthians 2:17) 17 [We are;] for we are not peddlers of the word of God as many men are, but as out of sincerity, yes, as sent from God, under God’s view, in company with Christ, we are speaking.
There is nothing wrong though in helping needy people? But if they can work for it they themselves feel much better.

(Exodus 20:15) 15 “You must not steal.
(1 Corinthians 6:10) 10 nor thieves, nor greedy persons, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit God’s kingdom.
(Ephesians 4:28) 28 Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him do hard work, doing with his hands what is good work, that he may have something to distribute to someone in need..
(Romans 13:9-10) 9 For the [law code], “You must not commit adultery, You must not murder, You must not steal, You must not covet,” and whatever other commandment there is, is summed up in this word, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor; therefore love is the law’s fulfillment.
(Matthew 6:2-4) 2 Hence when you go making gifts of mercy, do not blow a trumpet ahead of you, just as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be glorified by men. Truly I say to YOU, They are having their reward in full. 3 But you, when making gifts of mercy, do not let your left hand know what your right is doing, 4 that your gifts of mercy may be in secret; then your Father who is looking on in secret will repay you.

Answer 6

I don't think so. Most churches have something like a "needy closet" where people can get what they need. Maybe the church is naive enough to put people on the 'honor system'.

Answer 7

I guess maybe they think if you go to church that your honest enough not to steal. My church doesn't do it that way. We pray, then the choir sings a special song during offering.

Answer 8

I haven't seen this. I don't believe that a church would turn it's head to theft.

Answer 9

No need to steal, all you have to do is tell them you need help.

Answer 10

I have never heard of this.