“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops.” These are the words of Solomon found in Proverbs 3:9. Many Christians today interpret this and think that giving money is the only way they can help the church.
This is especially true with church members who think tithing and donating money is the highest form of worship. But who can blame them when we live in an era where prosperity preaching is rampant?
You are not alone if you’re wondering how to help your church besides donating cash. Not everyone can afford to donate thousands or millions of dollars for the advancement of God’s kingdom.
And while money plays a crucial role in the spreading of the Gospel, it is not the only way you can contribute to the Body of Christ.
Here, we present to you eight ideas on how to help your church when you can’t afford to donate.
8 Ways To Contribute To Your Church Besides Donating Money
1. Volunteer Your Time and Talents
There are many ways to volunteer your time and talents in the church. For instance, you can help with tasks such as greeting visitors, collecting offerings, or helping with children’s ministry.
You can also join a ministry team or committee, especially if your church has teams that focus on specific areas such as music, outreach, or youth ministry.
Do you have a special skill or talent, such as singing, playing an instrument, or speaking a foreign language? Consider offering to use those talents in the church.
Finally, you can help with events if your church regularly hosts events such as potlucks, picnics, or Vacation Bible School. Volunteer to help with the planning and execution of these activities.
2. Share Your Resources
Your resources aren’t limited to money. If you have a vehicle that you think the church could use, you can lend it to the church on some days. This works if you have church members who don’t have their own car, and is an opportunity to start a carpool ministry. Another resource you can share is your home.
Sometimes, your church will have visitors from other places, and you can offer a room where the guests could stay. A room large enough to fit a small crowd is also perfect for accommodating bible study groups.
3. Participate in Fundraising Events
Another idea on how to help your church is joining fundraising events. From time to time, your church will organize a fundraising event to raise funds for the church or a particular project of the church. These events can take many forms, such as bake sales, car washes, silent auctions, raffles, or even more significant events like carnivals or galas.
Participating in these events can involve volunteering to help plan and organize the event, setting up and tearing down for the event, helping with tasks during the event, or even just attending and supporting the cause. Fundraising events are an excellent way for you to support your local church without having to give money.
4. Support the Church Through Prayer
Supporting the church through prayer means offering prayers on behalf of the church, its members, and its mission. This can involve praying for the spiritual well-being of the church, for the leadership and guidance of the church, for the success of church events and projects, and for the overall health and prosperity of the church.
Praying for the church is a way of showing support and expressing a desire for the church to thrive and fulfill its purpose.
The Bible is filled with passages you can use to guide your prayers. For example, you can use 2 Timothy 4:2 and pray that your church will preach God’s word with boldness and without apology. You can also pray Revelation 2:4-5 and ask God to help your church not lose its first love.
5. Encourage Others to Give
If you can’t afford to donate to your church, you can encourage others to do so. Many people in the church have a deep desire to give but don’t know how. Encouraging others to give in the church means encouraging other church members to financially support the church through offerings, tithes, or other contributions.
Some of the things you can do involve speaking with others about the importance of giving, sharing personal experiences about how giving has made a positive impact on your life, or simply reminding others about the opportunities available to give.
6. Donate Items That Can Be Sold or Used by The Church
Jesus encourages us not to store treasures for ourselves here on earth (Matthew 6:19-21), and one way we can obey these words is by striving to live simply. And what better way to promote a minimalist lifestyle than to donate household items you don’t use? These items might include gently used clothing, furniture, electronics, appliances, or other household goods that can be sold in a church rummage sale or thrift store.
Donated items might also include items that can be used by the church directly, such as office supplies, craft supplies, or other materials that are needed for church programs or events. By donating items that can be sold or used by the church, you can help to raise funds for the church while also providing resources that will be put to good use.
7. Offer Practical Assistance to Those in Need
Offering practical assistance to those in need means providing help with everyday tasks that may be difficult for someone to manage on their own. This can involve offering to run errands, help with housework or yard work, provide transportation, or assist with other tasks as needed.
Practical assistance can be a valuable and much-appreciated form of support, particularly for people facing challenges due to illness, disability, financial difficulties, or other circumstances. It can also be a way to show compassion and care for others and to make a positive difference in their lives. Finally, it’s an excellent way to emulate the servanthood that Jesus displayed (Mark 10:45).
8. Be an Advocate for the Church
The final one on our list of how to help your church besides donating money is being an advocate for the church. This means actively promoting and supporting the church and its mission, which can involve sharing information about the church and its activities with others, encouraging others to get involved with the church, and speaking out in support of the church’s beliefs and values.
As an advocate for the church, you can help to raise awareness about the church and its work, and you can help to build a stronger sense of community and support for the church. This can be especially important in today’s world, where it can be easy for people to become disconnected or disengaged from their communities.
By advocating for the church, you can help keep the church strong and vibrant, and you can help create a positive impact in your community.
Conclusion
We all want to offer financial aid to the church by donating money. However, not all of us have the capacity to do so. The good news is that there are many ideas on how to help your church besides giving your money.
This involves volunteering your time and talents, participating in church events, supporting the church through prayer, encouraging others to give, and being an advocate for your church.
Whatever you choose to do, remember that every little bit helps and that your efforts can make a significant difference in the life of your church.
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