When the Pulpit Says “Give” But Won’t Give Back
“Give!” they shout. “Serve God!” they cry. “Walk in truth!” they proclaim.
But what happens when the preacher who says it… won’t live it?
What happens when the pulpit demands sacrifice but hides in comfort? When the one who preaches giving refuses to share? When those who command others to serve, never serve themselves?
This is not about blame—it’s about awakening. It’s about shining light on the growing distance between the words we preach and the lives we live.
Jesus faced the same thing in His day. He told His disciples in Matthew 23:3:
“Do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.”
He wasn’t speaking to atheists or pagans—He was talking about the religious leaders, the ones with robes and titles, who sat on Moses’ seat.
Today, we still see preachers who talk much, but do little. They preach long sermons on humility while demanding the best seats and highest honors. They preach about giving, but never give quietly from their own pockets. They urge the poor to tithe faithfully while building their own empires on those coins.
In a small rural church, every Sunday the preacher would preach fiery messages about sacrificial giving. He quoted Malachi 3 loudly, declared “You’re robbing God!” and urged people to give “until it hurts.” People obeyed—mothers skipped meals, children brought their saved coins, widows emptied their baskets.
But one day, church records accidentally became public. It was revealed that most of the offerings had been funding the pastor’s lifestyle: new furniture, private parties, imported suits, and monthly travel. The people who had faithfully sacrificed were feeding not the ministry—but a man’s pride.
“Woe to you… You devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers.” — Luke 20:47
This is not a new problem. It’s an old disease wearing modern clothes. And still, God is not silent about it.
Jesus didn’t just preach generosity—He lived it.
He gave up heaven. He walked the dusty roads with no place to lay His head. He fed multitudes, healed the sick for free, and washed His disciples’ feet.
“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life…” — Matthew 20:28
How many of our leaders today live like this?
One man built a massive church in the city. He lived in a gated mansion, never interacted with the members except from the pulpit, and often reminded them to “sow seed” into his anointing. His sermons were always polished, loud, and impressive.
Across town, another pastor had no big building. He lived among the people. He visited the sick, bought school books for orphans, prayed for families in the night, and often went without so others could eat. He didn’t need to preach long. His life was the sermon.
After ten years, one church had grown in numbers—but people remained spiritually weak, always needing more noise to feel alive. The other produced strong believers who fed the hungry, served the poor, and prayed in secret.
“By their fruits you will know them.” — Matthew 7:16
Not by their stage, not by their volume, not by their social media followers—but by their fruit.
There was once a missionary in a broken town where war and famine had crushed the people. He rarely preached. He didn’t own a sound system. But every day, people saw him deliver bread to widows, bring firewood to single mothers, carry water for the elderly, and sit beside the sick without being asked.
A local man once said, “We don’t know what religion he is. But we know his God must be love.”
He gave without asking. He lived without boasting. He didn’t shout sermons—he became one.
So what should we say to the pulpit today?
Preachers, teachers, leaders: Preach less—live more.
Say less—give more.
Stop demanding what you do not do.
If we preach giving, let us give. If we preach sacrifice, let us sacrifice. If we preach servanthood, let us be found with the towel and the basin.
And to the believers:
Let us stop being drawn to noise. Let us test the fruit. Let us follow those whose walk matches their words.
“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” — 1 John 3:18
True anointing is not found in noise. It’s found in obedience.
📌 Reflection Questions:
Do I follow voices or follow fruits?
As a believer, do I examine the lives of those I listen to?
As a leader, do I give what I ask from others?
✝️ Final Thought:
God doesn’t just watch our words—He watches our walk.
The world is not just listening for preachers—it is looking for living sermons.
The pulpit must give, not just talk about giving.
The shepherd must lead, not just shout.
The servant must serve, not just command.
Let us rise as a generation who not only speaks the Word—but who lives it loudly.