A question about giving
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There are many factors, I would think. Two examples would be their awareness of the corruption, and the heart of why they give. I don't know the factors, but God does. He is righteous, just, and omniscient. He will judge with perfect righteousness and justice. If they deserve a reward, they will get it.
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Giving of yourself, your time, your talents, and your treasure to those in need is important. However, and I'm speaking from experience, it's very/very/very important to check out those to you are donating to.
I've been scammed numerous times and there are numerous scammers out there, just waiting to steal your money. For instance, years ago I donated for over a decade to the 'Christian Children's Fund'. I received a picture of a child I was personally supporting. I supported that child and then others for years. Then, a newspaper broke the story that many of these children were 'ficticious' and that the money wasn't going to them. Unfortunately, the newspaper turned out to be correct.
Later I contributed to 'United Way' on a long term regular basis. Turned out that the CEO of this fund demanded $6million when he retired, and he got it. It was also revealed that he needed the money to support his mistress who was suing him. Turned out I was supporting this greedy fatcat. Furthermore, this fund covertly supported 'Planned Parenthood and abortion'.
One current charity that you'll see advertised on TV is for 'Jewish Holocaust Survivors in the Ukraine'. The ads depict old women in need of food/clothing/shelter. Well, after research, I found out that the CEO of this charity is among the highest paid ever. He's taking a lot of the money for himself. Furthermore, WWII and the Nazi Holocaust ended 77 years ago, so there are very few remaining Holocaust survivors left. So, the money is going into the pockets of those running the charity.
There are so many scams being run it's ridiculous. I recommend that you be generous toward others. But I absolutely recommend that you do due dilligence on the charities that you choose to give to.
God loves a generous giver, but give to the right causes.
I've been scammed numerous times and there are numerous scammers out there, just waiting to steal your money. For instance, years ago I donated for over a decade to the 'Christian Children's Fund'. I received a picture of a child I was personally supporting. I supported that child and then others for years. Then, a newspaper broke the story that many of these children were 'ficticious' and that the money wasn't going to them. Unfortunately, the newspaper turned out to be correct.
Later I contributed to 'United Way' on a long term regular basis. Turned out that the CEO of this fund demanded $6million when he retired, and he got it. It was also revealed that he needed the money to support his mistress who was suing him. Turned out I was supporting this greedy fatcat. Furthermore, this fund covertly supported 'Planned Parenthood and abortion'.
One current charity that you'll see advertised on TV is for 'Jewish Holocaust Survivors in the Ukraine'. The ads depict old women in need of food/clothing/shelter. Well, after research, I found out that the CEO of this charity is among the highest paid ever. He's taking a lot of the money for himself. Furthermore, WWII and the Nazi Holocaust ended 77 years ago, so there are very few remaining Holocaust survivors left. So, the money is going into the pockets of those running the charity.
There are so many scams being run it's ridiculous. I recommend that you be generous toward others. But I absolutely recommend that you do due dilligence on the charities that you choose to give to.
God loves a generous giver, but give to the right causes.
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Here's a list of the most greedy and rich pastors, stealing from the poor and giving to themselves. If you are so stupid as to donate money to these, then you are an idiot and deserve to lose your money: Top 27 Richest Pastors in the World & Net Worth 2022 - Wealthypipo
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About Child Fund "
Child sponsorship model[edit]
Individual sponsors contribute funds on a monthly basis. Sponsor funds are combined to benefit entire communities.[10] Each country's office develops its own programs based on the needs of local communities, but common programs include early childhood development programs, health care, clean water and nutrition support"
Child sponsorship model[edit]
Individual sponsors contribute funds on a monthly basis. Sponsor funds are combined to benefit entire communities.[10] Each country's office develops its own programs based on the needs of local communities, but common programs include early childhood development programs, health care, clean water and nutrition support"
I'm confused here. Well mega church with mansions, Jets, limos how did you tie this to "corrupt"? Now every time I look at someone else I am remined why He died for me. I ask how I am I different again from them that you say are corrupt? Sinless are we? Repented of every sin we have or do? If so that is wow praise GOD I so pray to be like that. Yes I can like some easily say so and so is wrong or a false teacher because they preach believe something I or my group of people do not. I could go on but.. what always happens for me is I am remined that as its written in Samuel God sees the heart man only sees the flesh.
Why not pray seek ask Him about it if its something we really care about. Ask Him to show you people through His eyes. Yeah I think maybe seeing people as He does not as we do might help in matters like this. For what He love forgives we do not will not. Its why He is and we are not. Why we need Him since we cannot love forgive nor judge unless He is doing it.
To make this easy for me anyone that gives to GOD He always blesses. Lol yeah I really believe God knows that person giving believes that person upfront is of God when they might not be. But..its that faith He sees. They are giving to God He will always bless that. Sin in in anyone always leads to death that's the price. If you and I that love Jesus and are forgiven if we sin and walk in it we will pay the price and its death in this world. So many will get to heaven just no reward.
Why not pray seek ask Him about it if its something we really care about. Ask Him to show you people through His eyes. Yeah I think maybe seeing people as He does not as we do might help in matters like this. For what He love forgives we do not will not. Its why He is and we are not. Why we need Him since we cannot love forgive nor judge unless He is doing it.
To make this easy for me anyone that gives to GOD He always blesses. Lol yeah I really believe God knows that person giving believes that person upfront is of God when they might not be. But..its that faith He sees. They are giving to God He will always bless that. Sin in in anyone always leads to death that's the price. If you and I that love Jesus and are forgiven if we sin and walk in it we will pay the price and its death in this world. So many will get to heaven just no reward.
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I dont know if people give money I think its more like they sell a lot of merch or convince peeps to tithe and then they invest it in some property then sell it for profit and thats how they get a lot of money
Not sure why a pastor would need a mansion, jet AND limo?!
Some ministries are aviation ministries and do need air planes though to get to remote places though I have never heard of ministries that use limos!
I think just use discernment in giving especially if its money - its always better to give your time though.
Mansions are what Jesus promises the Father will prepare for us, so, I dont think earthly mansions are necessary for believers. They are money pits though, its true. I was reading about Kensington Palace, home of royals. Its centuries old, and falling to bits but every time a royal moves in an apartment they have to renovate it. Which costs a lot of money...but they use taxpayers money to fund it all.
basically the british tithe to the royals so they can live in luxury. it seems like Church mega pastors do the same kind of thing in the US. and of course the Pope has always done this in catholicsm.
Not sure why a pastor would need a mansion, jet AND limo?!
Some ministries are aviation ministries and do need air planes though to get to remote places though I have never heard of ministries that use limos!
I think just use discernment in giving especially if its money - its always better to give your time though.
Mansions are what Jesus promises the Father will prepare for us, so, I dont think earthly mansions are necessary for believers. They are money pits though, its true. I was reading about Kensington Palace, home of royals. Its centuries old, and falling to bits but every time a royal moves in an apartment they have to renovate it. Which costs a lot of money...but they use taxpayers money to fund it all.
basically the british tithe to the royals so they can live in luxury. it seems like Church mega pastors do the same kind of thing in the US. and of course the Pope has always done this in catholicsm.
Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment. Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors. As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image.
I say
Can the Rich be poor in Spirit -----because that is what Jesus is implying when He uses the word Poor in one sense ----it doesn't always mean Poor in money and material things ----
God has not a problem with people being rich in material things and that includes money -----Money is not an issue for God ---Faith is the issue -------God's picked many Rich people and called them His righteous people-----because of their faith not because they gave from their wealth to the poor ------
Job ------was very rich and God called him Righteous ---and God allowed Satan to inflict him and God restored all Job lost with TWICE as MUCH in the end ----So he was Blessed 2 fold ----
Abraham was very Rich in material things and money and God made a Covenant with him ----to be the Father of many Nations
Did Abraham and Job go out and give to the poor and the needy from their wealth ----it doesn't say that they did but they were certainly Blessed by God regardless -----
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How do you know they are corrupt just because they have a nice house and a plane and a Limo ----
As I pointed out God deemed Rich people Righteous ----Job -----Abraham ----Isaac ----Joseph ---Solomon and David are a few all wealthy people ----they might have lived in very fine houses all of these people ----planes didn't exist then but if they did they just might have had one as well as a Limousine ==I don't think it would have mattered to God --He would have still deemed them Righteous because of their Faith in Him and continues to Bless them
Your surmising they are corrupt -----just because of what they have ----you have no idea if they give to the poor or the needy or not ---you could be blinded from seeing the whole forest as all you see are the trees in front of you ----
Many believe Jesus was poor and lived like a vagabond all torn and tattered ---and that is just False Doctrine ---Jesus and His Disciples wanted for nothing and if there had been a plane or a Limo in His time ==He just might have used it to get from Place to place to preach His Good News -----He had many wealthy women travelling with Him who financially funded His Ministry --and they were Blessed as well ----
Luke 8
Women Who Supported Jesus
8 After this, Jesus traveled from one city and village to another. He spread the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him. 2 Also, some women were with him. They had been cured from evil spirits and various illnesses.
These women were Mary, also called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;
3 Joanna, whose husband Chusa was Herod’s administrator; Susanna; and many other women. They provided financial support for Jesus and his disciples.
I say
God knows about these Mega Churches and their Ministers and what they do with their funds ----we do not --all we can do is surmise ---
My view is
Jesus never condemned wealth or poverty ---He condemned the sins that caused both of these things which is greed ---lust ---envy ----slothfulness -- pride ----theft ----etc
We are called to Give --our obedience to His command is our only job ----what happens to what we give is not our business ----it then becomes God's business ===
This is God's promise to us when we give with a good and joyful heart ----
Can the Rich be poor in Spirit -----because that is what Jesus is implying when He uses the word Poor in one sense ----it doesn't always mean Poor in money and material things ----
God has not a problem with people being rich in material things and that includes money -----Money is not an issue for God ---Faith is the issue -------God's picked many Rich people and called them His righteous people-----because of their faith not because they gave from their wealth to the poor ------
Job ------was very rich and God called him Righteous ---and God allowed Satan to inflict him and God restored all Job lost with TWICE as MUCH in the end ----So he was Blessed 2 fold ----
Abraham was very Rich in material things and money and God made a Covenant with him ----to be the Father of many Nations
Did Abraham and Job go out and give to the poor and the needy from their wealth ----it doesn't say that they did but they were certainly Blessed by God regardless -----
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How do you know they are corrupt just because they have a nice house and a plane and a Limo ----
As I pointed out God deemed Rich people Righteous ----Job -----Abraham ----Isaac ----Joseph ---Solomon and David are a few all wealthy people ----they might have lived in very fine houses all of these people ----planes didn't exist then but if they did they just might have had one as well as a Limousine ==I don't think it would have mattered to God --He would have still deemed them Righteous because of their Faith in Him and continues to Bless them
Your surmising they are corrupt -----just because of what they have ----you have no idea if they give to the poor or the needy or not ---you could be blinded from seeing the whole forest as all you see are the trees in front of you ----
Many believe Jesus was poor and lived like a vagabond all torn and tattered ---and that is just False Doctrine ---Jesus and His Disciples wanted for nothing and if there had been a plane or a Limo in His time ==He just might have used it to get from Place to place to preach His Good News -----He had many wealthy women travelling with Him who financially funded His Ministry --and they were Blessed as well ----
Luke 8
Women Who Supported Jesus
8 After this, Jesus traveled from one city and village to another. He spread the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him. 2 Also, some women were with him. They had been cured from evil spirits and various illnesses.
These women were Mary, also called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;
3 Joanna, whose husband Chusa was Herod’s administrator; Susanna; and many other women. They provided financial support for Jesus and his disciples.
I say
God knows about these Mega Churches and their Ministers and what they do with their funds ----we do not --all we can do is surmise ---
My view is
Jesus never condemned wealth or poverty ---He condemned the sins that caused both of these things which is greed ---lust ---envy ----slothfulness -- pride ----theft ----etc
We are called to Give --our obedience to His command is our only job ----what happens to what we give is not our business ----it then becomes God's business ===
This is God's promise to us when we give with a good and joyful heart ----
I say
Can the Rich be poor in Spirit -----because that is what Jesus is implying when He uses the word Poor in one sense ----it doesn't always mean Poor in money and material things ----
God has not a problem with people being rich in material things and that includes money -----Money is not an issue for God ---Faith is the issue -------God's picked many Rich people and called them His righteous people-----because of their faith not because they gave from their wealth to the poor ------
Job ------was very rich and God called him Righteous ---and God allowed Satan to inflict him and God restored all Job lost with TWICE as MUCH in the end ----So he was Blessed 2 fold ----
Abraham was very Rich in material things and money and God made a Covenant with him ----to be the Father of many Nations
Did Abraham and Job go out and give to the poor and the needy from their wealth ----it doesn't say that they did but they were certainly Blessed by God regardless -----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How do you know they are corrupt just because they have a nice house and a plane and a Limo ----
As I pointed out God deemed Rich people Righteous ----Job -----Abraham ----Isaac ----Joseph ---Solomon and David are a few all wealthy people ----they might have lived in very fine houses all of these people ----planes didn't exist then but if they did they just might have had one as well as a Limousine ==I don't think it would have mattered to God --He would have still deemed them Righteous because of their Faith in Him and continues to Bless them
Your surmising they are corrupt -----just because of what they have ----you have no idea if they give to the poor or the needy or not ---you could be blinded from seeing the whole forest as all you see are the trees in front of you ----
Many believe Jesus was poor and lived like a vagabond all torn and tattered ---and that is just False Doctrine ---Jesus and His Disciples wanted for nothing and if there had been a plane or a Limo in His time ==He just might have used it to get from Place to place to preach His Good News -----He had many wealthy women travelling with Him who financially funded His Ministry --and they were Blessed as well ----
Luke 8
Women Who Supported Jesus
8 After this, Jesus traveled from one city and village to another. He spread the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him. 2 Also, some women were with him. They had been cured from evil spirits and various illnesses.
These women were Mary, also called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;
3 Joanna, whose husband Chusa was Herod’s administrator; Susanna; and many other women. They provided financial support for Jesus and his disciples.
I say
God knows about these Mega Churches and their Ministers and what they do with their funds ----we do not --all we can do is surmise ---
My view is
Jesus never condemned wealth or poverty ---He condemned the sins that caused both of these things which is greed ---lust ---envy ----slothfulness -- pride ----theft ----etc
We are called to Give --our obedience to His command is our only job ----what happens to what we give is not our business ----it then becomes God's business ===
This is God's promise to us when we give with a good and joyful heart ----
Can the Rich be poor in Spirit -----because that is what Jesus is implying when He uses the word Poor in one sense ----it doesn't always mean Poor in money and material things ----
God has not a problem with people being rich in material things and that includes money -----Money is not an issue for God ---Faith is the issue -------God's picked many Rich people and called them His righteous people-----because of their faith not because they gave from their wealth to the poor ------
Job ------was very rich and God called him Righteous ---and God allowed Satan to inflict him and God restored all Job lost with TWICE as MUCH in the end ----So he was Blessed 2 fold ----
Abraham was very Rich in material things and money and God made a Covenant with him ----to be the Father of many Nations
Did Abraham and Job go out and give to the poor and the needy from their wealth ----it doesn't say that they did but they were certainly Blessed by God regardless -----
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How do you know they are corrupt just because they have a nice house and a plane and a Limo ----
As I pointed out God deemed Rich people Righteous ----Job -----Abraham ----Isaac ----Joseph ---Solomon and David are a few all wealthy people ----they might have lived in very fine houses all of these people ----planes didn't exist then but if they did they just might have had one as well as a Limousine ==I don't think it would have mattered to God --He would have still deemed them Righteous because of their Faith in Him and continues to Bless them
Your surmising they are corrupt -----just because of what they have ----you have no idea if they give to the poor or the needy or not ---you could be blinded from seeing the whole forest as all you see are the trees in front of you ----
Many believe Jesus was poor and lived like a vagabond all torn and tattered ---and that is just False Doctrine ---Jesus and His Disciples wanted for nothing and if there had been a plane or a Limo in His time ==He just might have used it to get from Place to place to preach His Good News -----He had many wealthy women travelling with Him who financially funded His Ministry --and they were Blessed as well ----
Luke 8
Women Who Supported Jesus
8 After this, Jesus traveled from one city and village to another. He spread the Good News about God’s kingdom. The twelve apostles were with him. 2 Also, some women were with him. They had been cured from evil spirits and various illnesses.
These women were Mary, also called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;
3 Joanna, whose husband Chusa was Herod’s administrator; Susanna; and many other women. They provided financial support for Jesus and his disciples.
I say
God knows about these Mega Churches and their Ministers and what they do with their funds ----we do not --all we can do is surmise ---
My view is
Jesus never condemned wealth or poverty ---He condemned the sins that caused both of these things which is greed ---lust ---envy ----slothfulness -- pride ----theft ----etc
We are called to Give --our obedience to His command is our only job ----what happens to what we give is not our business ----it then becomes God's business ===
This is God's promise to us when we give with a good and joyful heart ----
21“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”...Luke 12
This Parable you speak of above shows the Sin of Greed ---Selfishness and teaching eternal life does not consist of possessions ----
Jesus is teaching us here ----there is nothing here about Jesus not blessing the rich -----the Rich Fool here was blessed with a Mega Harvest ------what Jesus is saying is the mega harvest is not the way to eternal life ----
The Parable of the Rich Fool
13 Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’
18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’
20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’
21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
So JohnB ---you need to understand that God Blesses unbelievers as well as Believers -----all wealth comes from God
JonnB ---you need to understand that the people who live in this world have not the knowledge or right heart to give ----many people who Claim to be Christians don't give to God what is already God's --which is money -and or your possessions -----
Something to Ponder
if you have a car and it was your life line to get to work -------and God said to you ===take your car and give it to the person I tell you to give it to -----would you do it ----Great-Faith and trust in God is needed to give of your money and possessions away ------and know that you will still be taken care of -----
The Widow who gave all she had showed Great faith and trust in God ---not many people have that maturity in God
-----Lets hope you do and would give your Car in obedience to God's command ----and not worry about getting to work the next day -----relying on God to provide your ride -----
Not an easy feat ----
Believers Give because they Love God and trust in Him to provide their needs ---- these Mega churches with their Thriving Ministers may or may not give but that should not be our concern-----what we do with our wealth and blessings should be our concern ------
Like Jesus said to the Pharisees who were trying to trick him with the woman caught in adultery----be careful with judgment -----
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P
This is a really good question. I never thought about this in the way you asked this question. Makes me think of now deceased Gene Scott from out your way I think. I never gave him anything but when I first started to try and figure out what gives with Christianity about 6 years ago, Scott's widow Melissa was on tv here in Chicago and I supported her a bit thinking back about the way Gene seemed to be right up front asking for money to buy a race horse and to bet on it once he said he bought it. But there was a question in my mind as my then 'wife's' boss was supposedly stiffed by Gene about some rental property as told to me by my 'wife'. But it is kind of foggy as I was drinking a couple cases of beer per day about that time 1988. We lived in La Habra.
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