Ministries that offer merchandise for "donations"

[Hungry]

How do you feel about churches and ministries that offer merchandise in exchange for "donations?" If you want to sell stuff just sell it, that would be more honest. It's obviously an attempt to avoid reporting income from the sale of merchandise and smacks of greed.

This practice has left such a sour taste in my mouth I wouldn't even think about supporting a ministry that practices it.

How do you feel about this? Does it seem as duplicitous to you as it does to me?

It depends on the ministry. If a church is raising money for a mission trip or youth program that is above and beyond normal expenses then providing service or merchandise for “donation” would be acceptable. However, better parking spots and fast passes at the coffee counter for “donation gold members” may be going too far.

 

[Icedaisey]

he has not tried to hide it tho.. perry stone said make a donation to buy the video dvd. and there was a colllection of dvds for sale for a 95 dollar donation. Perry stone said exactly what the donation was for. which means the tax people will be well aware which is not tax avasion is it. working and selling goods on a donation bases is leagal and does not mean you are a tax avader. it is how many charity organizations work and function. because they can not aford the ground rent and taxes they would go out of buisness.

You mean that comment for someone else. I did not refer to Perry Stone in my remarks.