𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗕𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗚: 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗨𝗥𝗖𝗛

“WHEN GIVING BECOMES GRABBING: EXPOSING EXTORTION IN THE CHURCH”

INTRODUCTION

In the Dispensation of Grace, giving is meant to be grace-filled, not fear-forced. Yet many believers are pressured, manipulated, and spiritually milked under the guise of “seed,” “first fruit,” and “tithes.” This message exposes unscriptural extortion, rightly divides Scripture, and restores liberty in Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:17 – “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”

I. PERVERTED PURPOSE OF GIVING
1 Timothy 6:5

Twisted Motives – Giving turned into leverage
Textual Misuse – OT verses forced into the Church Age
Trading Mentality – God reduced to a transaction
Giving was never designed as spiritual extortion.

II. PRESSURED PEOPLE OF GOD
Galatians 5:1

Fear-Based Fundraising – “You’ll be cursed if you don’t give”
Follower Frightened – Faith replaced with fear
Freedom Forgotten – Liberty stolen by manipulation
Grace never intimidates.

III. PLUNDERING THROUGH PROSPERITY
2 Peter 2:1–3

Promise of Riches – Earthly gain as bait
Profit over People – Souls secondary to silver
Pretended Piety – Godliness used as a cloak
Prosperity preaching often produces poverty in the pews.

IV. PERVERSION OF OLD TESTAMENT PRACTICES
Malachi 3:8–10 rightly divided

People Addressed – Israel, not the Church
Priestly System – Levites, not pastors
Physical Storehouse – Land-based economy
The tithe belongs to Israel’s Law, not the Church’s Grace.

V. PAUL’S PATTERN FOR GIVING
2 Corinthians 9:7

Purposeful – “As he purposeth in his heart”
Personal – No outside pressure
Pleasant – Cheerful, not coerced
Grace giving is voluntary, not violent.

VI. PASTORS WHO PREY
Ezekiel 34:2–4

Feeding Themselves – Instead of the flock
Fleecing the Sheep – Financial abuse
Forgetting Accountability – God still sees
God judges shepherds who exploit His sheep.

VII. PROFIT CONTRASTED WITH PAUL
Acts 20:33–35

Paul Coveted No Man’s Silver
Paul Labored with His Hands
Paul Loved the Saints
True ministry sacrifices; it doesn’t siphon.

VIII. PROPER POSITION OF THE BELIEVER
Ephesians 1:3

Already Blessed – No seed needed
Already Accepted – No purchase required
Already Complete – Nothing to buy
You don’t give to be blessed—you give because you ARE blessed.

IX. PROTECTION THROUGH RIGHT DIVISION
2 Timothy 2:15

Separates Law and Grace
Shields from Spiritual Abuse
Secures Sound Doctrine
Right division protects believers from religious predators.

CONCLUSION

The image shows a follower being squeezed dry while the “man of God” prepares to feast. That is not biblical giving—that is spiritual extortion. Grace giving lifts the believer; it never strangles him.
Romans 8:32 – God already gave His best: Christ.

CALL TO ACTION

Reject fear-based giving
Study the Bible rightly divided
Stand fast in the liberty of grace
Don’t let anyone rob you using verses out of context.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Grace never demands—it invites
Giving is worship, not payment
The gospel is free—don’t sell it
Christ paid it all—no seed required
Right division ends religious extortion

“Freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8)