Bible Studies/making change

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Expert: - 2/17/2010


Question
Hello Reverend Ross!

Is it ok to make change with the offering plate that gets passed around?  For example, a person wants to put $5 in, but they only have a $10....so when the plate comes around, they put the $10 in and remove a $5.  Anything wrong with doing this?  Would God frown upon this, or is it just in bad taste?  Or is it ok?  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Brad!

Anyone but you, and I would have declined this question as not being within my competence!!

However, I do think that this is merely - as you put it - "bad taste".  The only criterion in the Bible, of which I can think, is that the Lord loves those who give cheerfully (II Cor.9:7), not merely those who don't take change out of the plate!

Having said that, here in the UK we have a large number of bus companies who advertise "Exact fare.  No change given".  Now, if I am foolish enough to have nothing but a £20.00 note when I board the bus to take a journey for which the fare is 80p (read $ and cents, if you wish!!), then I cannot complain that such a short journey has been so expensive.  Likewise, if I planned to give £5, the simple solution would be to change my £10 note for two £5 notes on Saturday.  Otherwise, I might just pass the plate (as I do - we have a Direct Debit set up with the fellowship!) and place the double amount in on the following Sunday.

Hope this helps - but remember that any expertise that I may have is confined to the text of the Bible.  Anything else is (hopefully, sanctified) common-sense.

Blessings

C.Brian Ross (Rev)

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Rev C.Brian Ross

Expertise

I am happy to offer answers to anyone with a question that refers to the Christian Faith in its widest possible sense. I believe that the Bible is the living Word of God, and seek to base all of my life on its teaching. I also have some knowledge of some of the cults, and of Islam and Judaism. Of course, my answers are just one man's thoughts, and I would always advise a questioner to check with others, and with the Word of God.

Experience

Served as a full-time parish minister in Scotland for about six years, and then spent the last thirty as a teacher (now 'retired') of Religious Education in Secondary Comprehensive schools (ages 11-17) while continuing my own preaching and teaching ministry. I also believe that learning is a life-time process, and have recently completed a Master's degree in Divinity.

Organizations
Former Presenter on Revival FM - a local Christian, community radio station, broadcasting in west central Scotland, and online at revival.fm Involved with a number of organisations that support Christians who are currently suffering persecution in some 70 countries around the world. I am currently a Chaplain with Strathclyde Police Force, deployed within 'Q' and 'N' Divisions, and also responsible for the Force Training and Recruitment Centre.

Publications
Various articles in Christian magazines. I also have two blogsites - www.crazyrev.blogspot.com and (with audio messages) www.revcbross.blogspot.com I am currently writing my first book - a lay person's guide to some of the great words of the Christian Faith.

Education/Credentials
Diploma of The Bible Training Institute, Glasgow; Licentiate in Theology of the University of Glasgow; Associateship of The Philosophical Society of England; Bachelor of Arts Degree (Hons) in History from The Open University; Post-grad Certificate of Education - Religious Education and History; Post-grad Certificate in Learning and Teaching; Post-grad Diploma in Management and Learning in Education; Master of Science Degree from the University of Strathclyde; Master of Divinity Degree (with Distinction) from Trinity College and Seminary (accredited by the University of Liverpool)

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