Well, that was quick. Gospel artist and pastor Marvin Sapp has addressed a widely circulated video in which he asked his congregation to contribute $40,000 before the church doors were reopened. In a detailed Facebook post, Sapp explained the reasoning behind his request, emphasizing biblical principles and the importance of a secure giving environment.
“Recently, a clip has gone viral of me challenging 2,000 individuals (virtually and in person) to plant a seed of $20 during an international gathering held at a convention center, with over 4,000 people in attendance that evening plus virtual viewers,” Sapp wrote. “In that same moment, I also challenged leadership to lead by example by sowing $100. That evening, I personally gave much more.”
He further clarified that his instruction to close the doors was not about pressuring attendees but ensuring a safe and distraction-free atmosphere for giving.
“The truth is, when finances are being received in any worship gathering, it is one of the most vulnerable and exposed times for both the finance and security teams. Movement during this sacred exchange can be distracting and, at times, even risky. My directive was not about control—it was about creating a safe, focused, and reverent environment for those choosing to give, and for those handling the resources.”
To support his approach, Sapp referenced a passage from the Bible, stating he wanted to provide “context, not opinion, not tradition, but Scripture.”
“In 1 Chronicles 29, we find a powerful moment where David, preparing for the building of the temple, challenges the people to give. He starts by giving of his own treasure over and above what he had already set aside. Then he calls on the leaders to do the same. What happened next? The people gave willingly and generously. In fact, they gave so much that a record was kept of each gift, and ultimately, David had to tell the people to stop giving because the need had been exceeded.”
Sapp continued, “The Bible says they gave gold, silver, bronze, iron, and precious stones. Specific amounts were recorded not because God needed their money, but because the people needed to show their commitment to the vision and because stewardship demands accountability. So when someone challenges people to give a specific amount, it is not unbiblical. It is not manipulation. It is in order. It is consistent with Scripture.”
