Pastor Responds to Claims He Held Congregation ‘Hostage’ for $40K Offering -

Does this sound like a call rooted in biblical stewardship to you?

A viral moment has raised hard questions about spiritual leadership, generosity, and pressure in the church. We invite you to share your thoughts.

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Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Marvin Sapp

A viral clip of a pastor urging his congregation to raise a $40,000 offering—and refusing to let them leave until the goal was met—has sparked widespread debate. Some say it was an act of bold faith; others believe it crossed a serious line, blurring the difference between biblical stewardship and manipulation.

Scripture teaches generosity, cheerful giving, and trust in God’s provision. But does pressuring a congregation under emotional or spiritual strain align with those values? Is there a difference between challenging a church to grow in giving and making them feel coerced?

What’s your take? How should pastors approach financial needs with integrity, and how can believers discern the difference between bold leadership and spiritual abuse?

Read more and weigh in:

Here is the event in question>>>

That is just wrong. I don’t know what income level of the church. I do know that if I was one of the 1000 people and everyone else did what he told them, I’d be standing alone, embarrassed, ashamed because I go to church many times a year with no money at all because I have already given my tithes, offering and paid my bills. God says He loves a cheerful giver. He never embarrassed anyone (except the Pharisees and their like). A TV evangelist used to offer a special water mix for X amount of money. You send his ministry and they sent you a little packet of powder. Then you mix and drink it. God ‘would bless you’ financially. God wants us to show our love by obedience of our free will. Besides that He doesn’t need help to bless.