教会是不是只想要我的钱？
Does the church just want my money?
简答 Short Answer
奉献是基督徒对上帝恩典的感恩回应，不是入门的条件。真正的教会不会因你不给钱而拒绝你，也不会用压力逼你奉献。但要警惕以敛财为目的的假教会。
Giving is a grateful response to God's grace, not a condition for entry. A true church won't reject you for not giving or pressure you to donate. But beware of false churches that exist to collect money.
详细解答 Detailed Answer
这个顾虑完全可以理解，因为确实有假教师假教会以信仰之名敛财。彼得早就警告过：「有假师傅……因有贪心，要用捏造的言语在你们身上取利」（彼后2:1-3）。所以你的警觉是对的。
但是，我们需要区分真教会和假教会：
真正的教会： - 绝不以奉献作为加入或留下的条件 - 讲台上传讲的核心是基督的福音，不是财务需要 - 账目公开透明，接受会众监督 - 牧师的生活简朴，不追求奢华 - 奉献是自愿的、甘心的、按各人能力的
需要警惕的假教会： - 不断强调「种子奉献」「信心奉献」，承诺物质祝福 - 牧师生活奢华——豪车、私人飞机、豪宅 - 施加压力、制造愧疚，逼迫会众奉献 - 把奉献金额与属灵程度挂钩
圣经关于奉献的教导很清楚：「各人要随本心所酌定的，不要作难，不要勉强，因为捐得乐意的人是上帝所喜爱的」（林后9:7）。注意三个关键词：本心酌定（自己决定）、不要勉强（没有压力）、乐意（甘心的）。
奉献的本质是管家意识——我们所拥有的一切本来就是上帝的，我们不过是管家。「万有都是本于他、倚靠他、归于他」（罗11:36）。奉献不是我们给上帝什么，而是把属于祂的归还一小部分。
如果你正在考察一间教会，放心大胆地去参加崇拜，不需要奉献任何钱。先听道，先认识上帝，先融入群体。奉献是信心成长之后自然的果子，不是门票。
This concern is entirely understandable, because false teachers and churches do exploit faith for profit. Peter warned: 'There will be false teachers among you... in their greed they will exploit you with false words' (2 Pet 2:1-3). Your vigilance is right.
But we must distinguish true from false churches:
True churches: - Never make giving a condition for joining or staying - Preach Christ's gospel, not financial needs, from the pulpit - Maintain transparent finances under congregational oversight - Pastors live simply, not lavishly - Giving is voluntary, cheerful, according to ability
Warning signs of false churches: - Constantly emphasize 'seed offerings' or 'faith offerings,' promising material blessings - Pastors live luxuriously — luxury cars, private jets, mansions - Apply pressure, create guilt, coerce giving - Tie donation amounts to spiritual maturity
Scripture's teaching on giving is clear: 'Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver' (2 Cor 9:7). Three key phrases: decided in his heart (your choice), not under compulsion (no pressure), cheerful (willing).
Giving is fundamentally about stewardship — everything we have belongs to God; we are managers. 'For from him and through him and to him are all things' (Rom 11:36). Giving isn't giving God something but returning a small portion of what's already His.
If you're exploring a church, attend worship freely without giving anything. Listen to preaching, get to know God, join the community. Giving is natural fruit of growing faith, not a ticket.
📖 经文引用 Bible Verses
📚 推荐阅读 Related Readings
- •韦敏斯德小要理问答 第1问；WSC Q1
- •兰迪·乔庆斯，《财宝原则》；Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle