Giving money to church

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S

SpoonJuly

Guest
#81
Again

Again, you're totally misunderstanding.

Reread my original post.
This isn't about giving to church.

This is about being chased and hounded for money, and the church having a focus on money.
If I were you, I would question if that is really a church or just a religious organization.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#83
We don't tithe at our church we have a room where we go into and throw all our money in the air. What stays up is God's what drops down is ours.😂

Giving...isn't that what Christ was all about? Yet to justify it we say should we give to the church and leave the gospel out of it.
A little boy gave some fishes and bread to the Lord and a multitude were fed.
A women gave all she had and will be remembered forever to those who read the gospel events.
Peter gave what he had and a man was healed.
It is the father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
God gave his only son
So let's just leave the church out of it and give to God. Now one might say if God is head of that church then God will provide.
Then I will say who pays your electric bill faithful one? And to be scripture accurate if you have a talent that makes you employed who gave you that talent?
A church should never ask but then again a church should never have to ask. If they brow beat then then they are in error.
If I'm not mistaking wasn't Judas the treasurer? 6th chapter of John tells us Jesus was going to pay for bread for the multitude.
Wonder where they got the money?
Personally I think investing in the kingdom is the best investment we can make.
 
Oct 28, 2018
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#84
We don't tithe at our church we have a room where we go into and throw all our money in the air. What stays up is God's what drops down is ours.😂

Giving...isn't that what Christ was all about? Yet to justify it we say should we give to the church and leave the gospel out of it.
A little boy gave some fishes and bread to the Lord and a multitude were fed.
A women gave all she had and will be remembered forever to those who read the gospel events.
Peter gave what he had and a man was healed.
It is the father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
God gave his only son
So let's just leave the church out of it and give to God. Now one might say if God is head of that church then God will provide.
Then I will say who pays your electric bill faithful one? And to be scripture accurate if you have a talent that makes you employed who gave you that talent?
A church should never ask but then again a church should never have to ask. If they brow beat then then they are in error.
If I'm not mistaking wasn't Judas the treasurer? 6th chapter of John tells us Jesus was going to pay for bread for the multitude.
Wonder where they got the money?
Personally I think investing in the kingdom is the best investment we can make.
Yes the Bible is all about giving out of love, not compulsion.

Are you saying that because of this, we shouldn't be aware of when people try to use the Bible for extortion?

Please, reread my original post.
My views on giving are fair and pragmatic.

My question is about pressurised giving.
 

Jackson123

Senior Member
Feb 6, 2014
11,769
1,371
113
#85
We don't tithe at our church we have a room where we go into and throw all our money in the air. What stays up is God's what drops down is ours.😂

Giving...isn't that what Christ was all about? Yet to justify it we say should we give to the church and leave the gospel out of it.
A little boy gave some fishes and bread to the Lord and a multitude were fed.
A women gave all she had and will be remembered forever to those who read the gospel events.
Peter gave what he had and a man was healed.
It is the father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
God gave his only son
So let's just leave the church out of it and give to God. Now one might say if God is head of that church then God will provide.
Then I will say who pays your electric bill faithful one? And to be scripture accurate if you have a talent that makes you employed who gave you that talent?
A church should never ask but then again a church should never have to ask. If they brow beat then then they are in error.
If I'm not mistaking wasn't Judas the treasurer? 6th chapter of John tells us Jesus was going to pay for bread for the multitude.
Wonder where they got the money?
Personally I think investing in the kingdom is the best investment we can make.
If our motiv pure, Yes, give to the Lord is good investment. The problem is a Lot of church asking money for luxury, instead of helping the poor. Their member live in poverty, the church build million dollar facility and The pastor drive new Mercedes.

I have a friend, a poor lady, some how she inherited a small house, she sale the house and give It to the church and It is rich church the pastor drive Mercedes and live in the mansion.

She work as housemaid, cleaning a house and cooking for rich family, she live there, that is way she do not need a house.

To me she need money more than her church. I know after she donate the money, if i know before, i Will ask her to donate her money to the poor church instead of her rich church
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,700
6,888
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#86
I understood the OP, wasn't trying to misstate it's purpose.

It just occurred to me that while there are a plethora of posts/Threads like yours (and, sometimes warranted) , we NEVER see one like I mentioned.

:)

There ARE Preachers/Churches that hound folks for money. There are Denomination's that have folks fill out Financial Statements before they can be a Member......so that their Tithes can be monitored......

Just would like to see a Thread where folks talk about and realize that there are Church Congregations that do a whole lot of good for the people in their areas/and for folks around the world with the monies given to them by their members.
 
Nov 26, 2012
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#87
I belonged to a wonderful fellowship once. It was a place of learning and togetherness. The offering was a mail slot in the lobby. The pastoral staff wanted to build a more official structure, so had a campaign lasting a couple years, hounding for money. That was basically the end of the fellowship.

Instead of people inviting friends and family to experience warmth and truth, it became more like a business and the members became distant.

When the mission of the church changes from saving lives to saving for construction, the message and the sheep get lost.
 
M

Miri

Guest
#90
To the OP, I go to a Pentecostal church and we don’t have anything like you describe in terms of giving.

Sometimes things come up and are mentioned to ask the congregation if they will support them. Like sending teens away for camp for example but not all of them can afford it. So then there will be a request for financial help etc.

Two years ago God have us a £20 million new church building. There were certain extras so a “build the house fund” was set up and people actively gave to it. Even to the point of setting up standing orders and direct debits. But no one was hounded or pressurised.

The church also runs a Christians again poverty centre. Where people can get help with debt. This includes the people in the church and non Christians in the city. They actively encourage people to get out of debt before they even consider giving money/tithing etc.

Giving should come from the heart out of thankfulness. Not via pressure from a man on a mic.

Next time tell them want I give and to who and when is between me and God and is no one else’s business.

Then pray about the whole issue and ask God to show you what you should do.
 

Marcelo

Senior Member
Feb 4, 2016
2,359
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#91
In my church there is no tithing -- members are supposed to seek God's guidance regarding donations. We put the money in an envelope and anonymously drop it into a slotted box. A member can go through their entire life without ever donating a penny and no one except themselves and God will know about that. Our elders and deacons almost never talk about donations and yet the church has plenty of money.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,700
6,888
113
#93
In my church there is no tithing -- members are supposed to seek God's guidance regarding donations. We put the money in an envelope and anonymously drop it into a slotted box. A member can go through their entire life without ever donating a penny and no one except themselves and God will know about that. Our elders and deacons almost never talk about donations and yet the church has plenty of money.
In my Church, tithing is a personal thing as well.......the only person (other than the tither) who knows about the tithe....amount....who does/does not is the Treasurer...........they gotta know 'cuz dey doing the deposits n such.....

The only time we really hear the Pastor talk about tithes........is not tithes but "special offerings." Like I mentioned.......person needs help with rent, groceries n such, or sick and needs Medications.........something like that........

And, there is no reason NOT to talk about this from the Pulpit in my opinion. If someone doesn't, how will the Congregation know of the need?
 
M

Miri

Guest
#94
They have quarterly director's meetings, but no annual general meeting.

No financial report is published.
They do say that we have an open book policy, but does anybody actually ever look at it?

In reality nobody has any idea how much is being raised or spent, or on what.

So I don't feel any ownership (if you will) in the church or any form of shared responsibility.

It feels like a business that purports to be an open club.

As I said, I don't want this to sound negative, but I'm just reaching out in faith and asking for advice.

It's possible I'm just be tight, to be blunt.
Having said that, I've got my wits about me and when my spidey senses are tingling there is usually a very good reason.
At my church copies of the annual accounts and the general meeting, are freely handed out to the entire congregation. This is regardless of whether there are members, non members or just visiting.

The leaders elders and pastors hold themselves to a high degree of accountability and hide nothing.
 
Oct 28, 2018
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#95
At my church copies of the annual accounts and the general meeting, are freely handed out to the entire congregation. This is regardless of whether there are members, non members or just visiting.

The leaders elders and pastors hold themselves to a high degree of accountability and hide nothing.
We are told that the accounts can be found on the charity website but no general meeting is held and no breakdown of where money is actually being spent is given, or even how much is being raised for that matter.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
13,584
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#96
We are told that the accounts can be found on the charity website but no general meeting is held and no breakdown of where money is actually being spent is given, or even how much is being raised for that matter.
Sounds like you're not happy with your Church. Why are you staying?

If my Church personally asked me why I wasn't giving more, that would be the last conversation I had with them.
 
Oct 28, 2018
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#97
Sounds like you're not happy with your Church. Why are you staying?

If my Church personally asked me why I wasn't giving more, that would be the last conversation I had with them.
I think by reaching out on here, my own feelings have been validated.

I'll be distancing myself and leaving.
 
M

Miri

Guest
#98
We are told that the accounts can be found on the charity website but no general meeting is held and no breakdown of where money is actually being spent is given, or even how much is being raised for that matter.

Have you ever looked up the details?

Not sure if the church is registered as a Ltd, or PLC, or an LLP.

But if so you can look it up and the accounts and filing documents on here.
It’s a free service.

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk
 
Oct 28, 2018
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#99
Have you ever looked up the details?

Not sure if the church is registered as a Ltd, or PLC, or an LLP.

But if so you can look it up and the accounts and filing documents on here.
It’s a free service.

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk

Thanks for that. It doesn't seem to tell me where money is going just a list of income and money that is left over after expenses. But where can I find what the money was spent on?
 
Sep 3, 2016
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What test is used in the bible to see if you are in faith?
Answer...Luke 16:9-13 Christians are tested with the least in the Kingdom of God which is money.

It takes faith to tithe (gross). Every time you get paid are you going to believe that God’s Word works...that 90 percent with God’s blessing goes further than 100 percent without?

And here men that die receive tithes; but there He receives them, of whom it is witnessed that He lives. Hebrews 7:8 NKJV

Hebrews 7 states that Lord Jesus Christ is our High Priest who lives forever. He receives your tithes in heaven. Tithe means 10% gross.

The word of God always say bring the tithe. It never says give because you can't give what does not belong to you. Give means offering. According to the bible there is only two things you can do with a tithe - You can bring it to Gods house or you can steal it.

While the tithe is mandatory, the offering is voluntary. We determine the amount of the offering, and it is from the heart. But an offering is never an offering until we have given the full tithe.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 NIV