Let me tell you something...

 Let me tell you something that’s been on my mind lately. You know how you’re reading through the Bible, and suddenly something just jumps out at you? Well, Ezra 3:5 did that to me recently. It’s one of those verses that really made me stop and think. Have you ever noticed how, whenever giving to God is mentioned, it’s always tied to free will? It’s like God is saying, “Relax, no pressure.” Seriously, there’s no twisting of arms or guilt trips involved. Paul even put it plainly: “Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give” (2 Corinthians 9:7). It’s as clear as the Nairobi sun in December—giving should come from the heart, not from some guilt-laden nudge.

But let’s be honest. These days, some churches have taken a different route. It’s like they’ve borrowed a page from the matatu touts trying to squeeze an extra fifty bob out of you. You know what I’m talking about—the endless calls for pledges, the emotional appeals that almost have you questioning your very salvation, and the kind of theatrics that would make a Kameme TV drama look tame. It’s like they’re trying to wring every last coin out of you. And let’s not even start on the pressure tactics you see on WhatsApp groups and social media platforms!

But here’s the kicker—this is *not* how it’s supposed to be. If I’m giving just to save face, or because everyone else is standing up and I don’t want to look like a tight-fisted miser, then what’s the point? I end up feeling guilty or, worse, resentful afterward. I start thinking, “Man, I didn’t really want to give that much, and now I’m stuck.” That’s just wrong! God doesn’t want us grumbling over what we’ve given to Him.

No, my brother, giving should always be a willing, joyful act—a freewill offering straight from the heart. No pressure, no constraints, no one hounding you. Just you, deciding in your heart, “I want to give this to God,” and then doing it quietly, without making a fuss. Just a simple, “Lord, I love You, and I’m thankful for the chance to give.” That’s how it should be, plain and simple.

And it’s not just my opinion. This principle runs through the entire Bible, from the Old Testament to the New. Giving is always about freedom, not force. Sure, ministry needs resources, but that doesn’t mean we should be coercing people, especially those who aren’t even part of the faith. It’s like later in Ezra, in chapter 4, when Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders flat-out refused help from those who weren’t truly aligned with God. They basically said, “Thanks, but no thanks—we’ll handle this ourselves.”

Now, wouldn’t it be great if more churches had that same attitude today? We don’t need to go running to the world to help do God’s work. But not everyone sees it that way, unfortunately. Some are out there trying to recruit anyone and everyone, even those who don’t share the faith, to help with their building projects or whatever else they’ve got going on. But here’s the truth—God doesn’t need help from those who aren’t truly His servants.

Can God not speak to people and place the conviction to give in their hearts without man probing them? Look at George Müller, the man who ran orphanages in England during the 19th century. He never asked anyone for a single penny, yet his work was fully funded through prayer and faith alone. He trusted that God would provide, and God did—over and over again. It’s proof that it’s doable.

So yeah, Zerubbabel and his crew had it right—they refused that kind of help. Maybe we ought to take a page out of their book. After all, God’s got this. He doesn’t need the world’s help to accomplish His plans, and neither should we.