Would it surprise you to learn that I don’t think people should be “talked into” giving money to God’s work either? The Bible says we should give because we want to, and “not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

At the same time, churches and other ministries need money to operate; to be blunt, if they don’t have any, they’ll go out of existence. Even Jesus’ little band of disciples had a treasurer, and the Bible mentions several women who “were helping to support them out of their own means” (Luke 8:3). In our own ministry, we have always tried to make people aware of the opportunities we have before us, and encourage them to support us if God leads them to do so.

I can’t help but wonder, however, if your real problem isn’t something deeper—perhaps something you haven’t even realized. My question is this: What is the most important thing in your life? Is it Christ and His will—or is it something else, such as money?

Only you can answer that question, of course—but I challenge you to do so. Some day, your life will be over, and everything you have accumulated here will be gone. Are you ready for that day? You can be, by committing your life to Christ and beginning to follow Him every day.