We’ve all seen it before: the collection plate passed around at church, the fundraising drives, the appeals from religious organisations. For many people—especially those who don’t regularly attend church—this can feel like a demand, a guilt trip or even a transaction. It’s easy to assume that churches are all about money. After all, how else would they keep the lights on, pay their staff and finance their projects? But here’s the truth that might surprise you: God doesn’t need your money. Not a cent. Any church worth its salt will admit this.
This might sound strange coming from someone who works closely with churches. But let me pull back the curtain a little: the idea that God needs your money—or that giving is primarily about funding religious institutions—is a misunderstanding. Instead, the act of giving has a deeper, more personal significance. And frankly, it’s not about God’s benefit or the church’s benefit. It’s about yours.
God doesn’t need anything
If you think about it, the idea of a higher power needing anything from us doesn’t make much sense. If God is, by definition, the Creator of all things, then everything already belongs to Him. That includes the money in your wallet, the resources we draw from the earth and even our ability to earn a living in the first place. Whether or not you believe in God, there’s an important principle you need to know: the universe operates on abundance. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the opportunities we encounter—they’re all gifts, not commodities we can hoard or control.
This perspective flips the script on how we think about giving. If God—or the universe for that matter—doesn’t need our money, why do churches ask for it? And why should we give?
the real reason for giving
Here’s the kicker: giving isn’t about the recipient. It’s about the giver. It’s about us. At its core, giving reflects who we are and what we value. It’s an act of generosity that connects us to others and reminds us that we’re part of something bigger than ourselves. When we give, we’re saying, “I trust that there’s enough to go around. I believe in supporting others. I want to contribute to a better world.” This mindset can be transformative.
Think about the satisfaction that comes from helping a friend in need, donating to a cause you care about or surprising someone with an unexpected gift. That joy isn’t accidental—it’s hardwired into us. Numerous studies have shown that generosity boosts happiness, reduces stress and even improves our physical health. When we give, we’re not just helping others—we’re enriching our own lives as well.
the problem with transactional giving
Unfortunately, the way giving is often framed—especially in religious contexts—can feel transactional. It’s easy to think of it as a duty, a requirement or even a way to buy favour with God or the church. But this misses the point entirely. True generosity isn’t about obligation; it’s about freedom. It’s not about checking a box or fulfilling a quota; it’s about cultivating a spirit of abundance and gratitude.
Here’s where some churches get it wrong: when they focus too much on the need for money, they risk alienating people and distorting the purpose of giving. The truth is, if a church is pressuring you to give purely to fund their operations or expand their programs, they’ve lost sight of the bigger picture. Giving isn’t about keeping the institution afloat. It’s about creating a culture of generosity that benefits everyone—inside the church and out.
generosity is a universal value
You don’t have to be religious to appreciate the power of generosity. In every culture and tradition, giving is celebrated as a virtue. From ancient philosophies to modern psychology, the message is the same: we’re at our best when we look beyond ourselves and contribute to the wellbeing of others. In fact, one of the best ways to understand the value of giving is to think of it as an investment—not in financial terms, but in human terms. When you give, you’re investing in relationships, communities and causes that matter. You’re saying, “I believe in this and I want to be part of it.” That’s a powerful statement, whether you’re religious or not.
why churches ask for money
So, if God doesn’t need our money, why do churches ask for it? The answer is twofold. First, like any organisation, churches have practical needs. They have bills to pay, staff to support and programs to run. But, secondly, and more importantly, churches ask for money as a way to invite people into the practice of giving. It’s not about the amount; it’s about the mindset. By giving, we acknowledge that our resources—whether financial, emotional or physical—aren’t just for us. They’re meant to be shared. As God told Abraham, “We are blessed to be a blessing.”
When this principle is applied correctly, it can be transformative—not just for the church, but for the broader community. A church that understands this isn’t just asking for money; it’s creating opportunities for people to experience the joy of generosity and to make a meaningful impact.
what happens when we give
Here’s another little secret: when we give, we often get more in return than we expect. That’s not to say we should give with the expectation of a reward—far from it. But generosity has a way of coming full circle. It builds trust, deepens relationships, and creates a sense of purpose and connection. For example, when you donate to a cause you care about, you’re not just giving money—you’re aligning yourself with something bigger than yourself. You’re saying, “I want to be part of this solution.” And that sense of purpose is invaluable. Similarly, when you give within a community—whether it’s a church, a neighbourhood or a social group—you’re strengthening the bonds that hold that community together. You’re contributing to a culture of care and support that benefits everyone involved.
giving as a practice
Ultimately, giving is more than just a one-time act. It’s a practice—a habit that shapes how we see the world and our place in it. By making generosity a regular part of our lives, we train ourselves to think in terms of abundance rather than scarcity. We remind ourselves that there’s enough to go around and that we have the power to make a difference in the lives of those we help or support.
This doesn’t mean you have to give large sums of money or donate to every cause that comes your way. Generosity can take many forms: volunteering your time, sharing your skills or simply being present for someone who needs support. The key is to approach life with an open hand and an open heart. When we give freely, without expectation or obligation, we tap into something profound. We acknowledge our interconnectedness, embrace a mindset of abundance, and contribute to a world that’s kinder, fairer and more compassionate.
So, here’s the bottom line: God doesn’t need your money. The universe doesn’t need your money. But you might need to give—not because someone else demands it, but because generosity has the power to change you. Whether you’re religious or not, that’s something worth striving for. Because in the end, the act of giving isn’t about what we lose—it’s about what we gain.
