Why is money even a thing with church?

Question

I know I'm only 15 and Adults think teenagers don't know anything, but this time I think it's the adults who are blind. Recently I stopped going to church with my mother because I started to find the collection bowl for God's offering and the pastor's offering offensive. I mean like what does God want with money? Nowhere in the bible does God ever ask us to render money unto him. So I ask the office lady at my Church what happens to the money collected as the Church and she says "Electricity, water, upkeep and other programs like the deconess breakfast don't pay for themselves." I then ask her why the pastor needed an offering and she said "The pastor is a hardworking man and we have to give what we can to help him out."

At this I ran out the church with my head sweltering. I mean why would we call an offering that's going to the church bank account an offering to God? It smells heavily of bait & switch. And then why would we give the pastor ANYTHING? A priest is supposed to spread the word because God commands his heart, not to line his wallets. To that end I thought priest were supposed to live a humble life never accepting money for themselves? It makes it seem like Church is more a business than a school of God. I don't think money should have anything to with Church because it brings greed and corruption.

Answer 1

Recently after the hurricane that hit Texas, it was reported that religious organizations immediately helped and rescued more people than the military, FEMA, or other government agencies.



Where do you think they got the money to do that?



While it is true that some churches place an undue (and possibly sinful) emphasis on money, that is not true of all.



Many churches use their funds wisely to not only pay their bills, but to also help others!



Part of what the secretary told you is true.



It does take money for electricity, supplies, the building, insurance and other expenses.



Also if you expect a primary person to do all the preaching and work all week at the church writing bulletins, visiting the sick of the congregation, preparing lessons, planning and organizing events, counseling those with trouble, etc., then it is right to pay them so they can do all this (and more) and still live themselves. This is especially true if you expect them to be available at the church to the extent that they cannot have an outside job also.



Again, this can be abused, but a full time preacher should also be able to live at the level of the congregation he serves. He needs an income too.

Answer 2

Because you can't pay the electricity bill with love.

Answer 3

I normally give to the offerings that are going to help people, but I won't give to buy the Preacher a new house.



My mother bought the priest at the local Catholic parish a new car (she and some other mothers pitched in for a basic level car, no Cadillac).

I had no problem with than because he had served that parish for 30 years and his car was the one he came with.

Answer 4

you need to get laid

Answer 5

Well you see, once you have a church building and maybe a hall as well, and you hire clergy and other workers, they need to eat and live somewhere, and you have to do upkeep on the buildings. And then if you do other things like a youth group, a school, or Sunday school, that costs money for the materials.

And then maybe the church wants to donate money to feed the homeless or evangelize the people, or send aid to the poor and missionaries in other countries, it all costs money.

You are 15, probably not working for your living yet. But ask your parents how much money it costs just to live where you live and pay the electric and gas, not even counting food. You will see that money is needed for almost everything.

However, it's a good idea, when you donate money, to find out how well it is being spend, or even if it is being spent on something you agree with.

Answer 6

I don't know. I guess belonging to a church is free. To belong to a temple you have to pay yearly. All programs for the betterment of the community is paid for by fund raising, donations and volunteer. There is no collection plate. Everything is paid for by the yearly dues/fees. Even the Rabbil and the cantor are paid by those dues as well as water, electric and etc. Volunteering at the temple a big thing as well as in Jewish centers. Not all members volenter, but the ones who do are often well known and very appreciated.

Answer 7

It takes money to run any organization and to pay the leadership of that

organization, also. A Christian church isn't to be stagnant, but spread the truth of the gospel and grow; not just for their own benefit, but so that others will learn that forgiveness of their sins and eternal salvation is available to all. The more people that come to salvation through that church, the more God will bless not only the church but also those

that help support it. The bible says to "Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, shall God

give unto your bosom, for with the same measure that you give, the same will be given unto you again." So, giving to God (his church) is a two way street.

Answer 8

You are right. The collection bowl is a flat contradiction to Christ's words.



God's work never lacks God's supply. He sent His disciples out without anything and they lacked nothing.



So your church is not doing God's work and is in flat contadiction to Christ's words. Then they do not have the faith and cannot pass on what they do not have.





Money should never be a thing with any so called church.



Money is the world's means.





Have you heard of George Muller? He never asked for money and even concealed his needs. Only asked God to supply - and God did, and in more ways than just money.

Answer 9

Churches have to be built...upkept...priests have to eat and all the rest.

Answer 10

MINISTERS HAVE HOMES, BILLS, FAMILIES TOO DUH...NOTHING IS FREE IN THIS WORLD EXCEPT BEING SAVED BY GOD HIMSELF...CHURCHES AHVE PAYROLLS...DO U WORK FOR FREE? MINE HAS 5 MINISTERS, A JANITOR, SECRETARY ETC..EVEN A DIRECTOR OF ACTIVITIES

Answer 11

Money has always been the God of all charlatans; Shamans, Oracles, Seers, Magicians, Witch Doctors, Divinatory, Rabbis, Prophets. Priests, Ministers, Snake Oil Salesman and other flavors of Charlatanism.

Add Clairvoyants, Tarot Card and Palm readers, Astrologers, Faith Healers and the millionaire TV Evangelists to the unending list.



Today’s Clergy, like good salesmen, know that they are full of shyt and take pride in it! .



"Religion /n./ A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the Nature of the Unknowable."

----- Ambrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, 1911

Answer 12

No organisation of any kind can operate without money. Where churches are concerned there are clergy to pay, a caretaker, organists and choir members in certain denominations receive a small payment, heating doesn't come free and nor do repairs etc. The maintenance costs of any church probably take the highest amount of money donated through the collection boxes.

Answer 13

The money goes towards keeping the lights on in the church and pays for supplies and religious education for children.

Answer 14

Whatever they do, they strictly follow their Religious and Spiritual principles.

Answer 15

Religion is man made rubbish !

Answer 16

They need it for valid reasons. Defending child molesters is an expensive past time..

Answer 17

No religion should take money/tithes from any of it worshippers because their gods are supposed to be powerful enough to supply them with everything. Perhaps christians should take a leaf out of their own messiahs book and give their sermons on a hill like jesus did in the bible. Jesus didn't ask them for money and he even provided lunch for a lot of people. Keen followers would be there whatever the weather is and we all know the money they want is to fund the lifestyles of the vicar.

Answer 18

Churches should pay taxes like any other business, that's what I'm getting from these answers.

Answer 19

The last instructions Jesus gave His followers before ascending back to Heaven was to go into all the world and make disciples, Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This requires God called workers to go where ever they are called and be a witness for Jesus Christ. This requires money, Lot's of Money, and if Christians don't supply it ,it won't get done. All Christians aren't called to the Mission field but we are called to support the ones who are called. Speaking of all Church workers the Bible says the workman is worthy of his hire.

Answer 20

Here is one reason.

I've been a carpenter for over 30 years and when the church asked me to come and do repairs on the building I told them the job was going to be $15,000 and possibly more. At that point he said to me there's this fifteen-year-old kid on Yahoo answers wondering why we need money.

The woman was 100% right when she told you it needs money to run a church they have to pay for electricity it's not free the minister has to eat food. food is not free at the store go and buy some and you find out. What happens when the minister gets sick and has to go to a hospital who's going to pay for that what happens when The Minister's children need books and school supplies and clothing what about his family is wife don't be so selfish just because it's a religion doesn't mean people don't need to live like dogs.

Answer 21

Islam?

Answer 22

There are plenty of examples of Jesus approving monetary donations to the church. Remember the lady who gave a coin, and Jesus approved, as it was all that she had? In the Book of Acts, one person sold property and gave some (but not all) of the sale proceeds to the church, and was struck dead for holding part back.



We're in a capitalist country, and every organization needs money to pay salaries, building upkeep, etc. Without money, churches would close.



God loves a cheerful giver--think about it.

Answer 23

Give to Caesar what is Caesars.

Answer 24

Teens and kids are a lot smarter than most adults give them credit for. In the OT the tithe which was food was given to God to help feed the priest and the homeless, orphans, and widows. Offering is about sowing and reaping. Church offering has been in the Old and New testament. I have never been in a church were they had an offering just for the Pastor, I no not think that is right. Giving money is more about your heart. The Bible says give with an open heart. My wife and I give 10% of what we make to the our church and give more. I believe God wants us to give out of faith not to get something but to show love to one another. 2 Corinthians 9:7

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The money that people give is for rent, utilities etc. also should go to the homeless, and other things like that. I have no problem with paying a pastor is it biblical maybe not is it wrong no. What is the church for? The church to help the the community. You ask the question, "I mean why would we call an offering that's going to the church bank account an offering to God? " Is the church doing God's good works. When I give an offering I give it to God. The church are the people in the congregation not the building. In the OT and NT the people would give money to the priest and temple look at Mark 12:41-44. In the OT you had good priest who did right with the money and there were bad priest who did line their pockets. Priest did live a good life in the inheritance of Israel Levi did not get land they had noway of being able to make a living, the way that they were able to eat and live was though the some of the sacrifices and with some of the money from the offerings. Churches are a business in a sense but why do we have churches is to help. Look at Rick Warren for a long time the church that he is the Pastor of he took a salary until he started making money from his books He stopped being paid from the church. There are a lot of Pastors that have a full time job than also pastor a church I think as Christians we should compensate the Pastors for them feeding and taking care of the people. I hope this helps. May God's love and peace be with you. Look towards God and not man.

Answer 25

Lack of faith that God will provide. The sheep are very easy to fool and that is why you have millionaire televangelists trying to get money to build bigger mansions and to buy airplanes. Remember that the easiest place for evil to penetrate is into a religious organization which doesn't check itself. The sheep will follow the sheperd off a cliff.

Answer 26

How is the work of Jehovah's Witnesses financed ?



By voluntary contributions, as was true with the early Christans. (2 Cor. 8:12; 9:7)

Answer 27

You are correct in part of what you say. Jesus told his followers when they were teaching the word of God, to do it freely - Matthew 10:8 - Cure the sick, raise up the dead, make lepers clean, expel demons. You received free, give free. - - - - So, you are correct in that there should be no paid ministers of God's word. - - - - Note God's entreaty to those that are paying for God's word - Isaiah 55:2 - Why do you keep paying out money for what is not bread, And why spend your earnings for what brings no satisfaction? Listen intently to me, and eat what is good, And you will find great delight in what is truly rich. - - - - You will never see a collection plate for anything at any Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. Neither will you see any Witnesses accepting money for any Scriptural literature. They do accept donations to cover the cost of printing and the cost of shipping literature around the world. They have places in their Kingdom Halls so that if anyone wants to contribute to cover the cost of water and electricity, they can. But they are not begged to contribute at any of their meetings. If for some reason, like maintenance, something comes up that needs to be covered, an announcement might be made. And then, if it is in the hearts of those present to contribute to cover such expense, they just put their contribution in a box labeled for contributions. Even in Jesus' day, people would contribute to cover the cost of expenses. But notice which one he singled out to speak about - Mark 12:41-44 - 41 And he sat down with the treasury chests in view and began observing how the crowd was dropping money into the treasury chests, and many rich people were dropping in many coins. 42 Now a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins of very little value. 43 So he called his disciples to him and said to them: “Truly I say to you that this poor widow put in more than all the others who put money into the treasury chests. 44 For they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her want, put in everything she had, all she had to live on.” - - - - So Jesus commended this widow that had faith that if she contributed to cover the expenses involved with God's house, God would see to it that she had what she needed to live on. God loves a cheerful giver - 2 Corinthians 9:7 - Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. - - - - When a collection plate is passed, people feel compelled to give - that is not what this Scripture tells us that God appreciates. It says he appreciates those that give from the heart (just as he has resolved in his heart - a cheerful giver). So, I encourage you to find out how God provides Bible literature all over the globe, without charge - https://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/bible-study/

Answer 28

thank you for confirming that you are indeed ignorant of that which you attack....... just another teen troll...... maybe when you grow up you will gain some understanding..... for now you clearly are not open to it

Answer 29

It takes money in this world to do anything, that is how this world's commerce system works.



As the "office lady" said it takes money to maintain the upkeep of the Church and pay utility bills.



No doubt the Pastor of that Church has a family to support. He should be paid for his time and work .



It is not the will of God that any of His Children be poor and barely getting alone. God is the richest Father of all, why would He want His children to be poor.



No, God wants us to have material things in this life. But not to love them or the money that it takes to get things.



Money is not the root of all evil, the LOVE of money is the root of evil. We must keep money in it's place, in it's proper perspective, never love money or any material thing, because if you love it you might do anything to get it.

Answer 30

Only two things you need to know about god, according to the sermons I've heard.

He loves you, if you give him enough money.

After all, a church is a for-profit business, and they make a real haul defrauding the desperate.

Answer 31

You are beginning to open your eyes, you'll find there are no deities soon.

Answer 32

Church is a scam.

Answer 33

at fifteen you are as thick as they come.

Answer 34

You have no idea how right U are at 15. They should get a job and preach on the weekends if that is what they want. Church is BIG BUSINESS. God does not condone what they do.

Answer 35

The cost to run a parish is really high. The office lady is right... water, electricity, mortgage/rent, salaries (how is the pastor supposed to live and eat?), cost of living, repairs, bulletins, etc. ... every little thing adds up. TINSTAAFL - There Is No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. Nothing is free.



And yes, money and offerings are talked about in the Bible. After Christ's death and resurrection, the Christian community pulled their resources to help one another. In Christ's speeches He gives the examples of the rich people donating lots of money to the Temple, and a poor widow putting in a small coin. Since she put in everything she had, she offered more than the rich people. It was custom to make offerings at the temple.

How do you think the temple got built?



The phrase, "offering it to God," is correct even if it's going into the church's bank account. Every sacrifice we make (and a donation is a sacrifice) to the poor, to a friend, to a neighbor, to an organization, to the church, etc. is an offering to God. It's an offering for the greater good... for the building of the Kingdom. While paying the electricity isn't as exciting or dramatic as supporting a missionary overseas in a poor country, it still needs to be done and isn't any less or more important.

Answer 36

Church is a business. They say its for the electric bill, but they get more than they need for the electric bill and don't give it to the poor. Stay away from Christian liars, they're a bad influence.

Answer 37

The Catholic church does not demand any money from the parishioners.

Truthfully, I am a practicing Catholic and attend Mass every Sunday, give what you can afford or do not give at all [amen].

Answer 38

A pastor who spends his time reading the bible and learning from it so he can teach his congregation must also eat and have a roof over his head and unless your family lets him live with you, what is he supposed to do? Give God and

God`s messenger a donation.

Answer 39

We were just talking about it this morning. Stuff costs money. My church started meeting in a movie theater ten years ago, and we grew to more than a 1000 attendees. We are purchasing land and building a church, but it will cost $7 million (not cheap). It would be great if a building just fell from the sky, but that isn't how things happen.



We did buy a smaller second building last year, but it required all kinds of fixes to the roof, parking lot, and one of the hallways had major weather damage, costing tens of thousands of dollars. And there are monthly bills for electricity, water, heat and A/C. And we even pay our pastors so they don't have to live on welfare.



With that said, if you are giving to the church, you should be given some level of access to the church budget. It is okay to ask and verify that the money is being used appropriately. They might not share all the details, but it shouldn't be a big secret either. You need to feel comfortable in whatever you give.

Answer 40

Im Jewish and my religion is technically correct as Jesus did not forfill the requirements to be a mesiah. Dont worry, Judaism believes that goys can go to heaven.

Answer 41

The church is made up of facilities and programs that serve (or should serve) the community. To do so requires money and people to serve. It would be nice if we could avoid money, but it is not possible. The pastor needs to be paid so he and his family can survive while doing the service he is employed to do. You are right to question how money is used in church, that is the church board's job generally speaking. But money will be needed.

Answer 42

And now my soapbox-



Here is where the church can provide some answers. First, in the area of capital investment, churches should develop a mercies fund to help those in need. Christians should reach out to those in poverty by distributing their own financial resources and by supporting ministries working in this area. Such an outreach provides churches with a mechanism to meet the physical needs of the poor as well as a context to meet their spiritual needs.



A second solution is for Christians to use their gifts and abilities to help those caught in the web of poverty. Doctors can provide health care. Educators can provide literacy and remedial reading programs. Businesspeople can impart job skills.



This kind of social involvement can also provide opportunities for evangelism. Social action and evangelism often work hand in hand. When we meet people's needs, we often open up opportunities to reach them.



As I stated earlier, one of the causes of poverty is the culture of poverty. People are poor because they are poor. An individual who grows up in a culture of poverty is destined for a life of poverty unless something rather dramatic takes place. Poor nutrition, poor education, poor work habits, and poor family relationships can easily condemn an individual to perpetual poverty.



I believe poverty relief should be a cooperative effort between the government and the church. As I noted above, government can provide solutions to exploitation and oppression by passing and enforcing just laws. It can also provide solutions to economic misfortune through various spending programs. But it cannot solve the problems of poverty by addressing injustice and misfortune alone. Poverty is as much a psychological and spiritual problem as it is an economic problem, and it is in this realm that the church can be most effective. Although salvation is not the sole answer, the church is better equipped than the government to meet the psychological and spiritual needs of poverty-stricken people. Most secular social programs do not place much emphasis on these needs and thus miss an important element in the solution to poverty.- stepping away from the soapbox now--

Answer 43

“Anonymous”, here are some important ideas for developing believers. Giving within the church to the church is a work of faith. Correctly understood, sinners become members of a church so they may be continually and regularly nourished and supported while they are being permanently changed and transformed through divine operations by the imparted Spirit of GOD. Many of us have experienced and participated in programs offered by Christian congregations and assemblies of faith as aspects of our own family life, and a special form of inheritance from our parents or other caretakers. In many cases, such beginnings have been only carnal, material, secular, and social. Thus, we repeatedly hear, You must be born again. There must be the death and burial of the inborn spirit, with resurrection having divine DNA, so to speak. Well-meaning, yet, vain (lacking spirit substance) practices often are brought into the place for service and worship as though the church is only another community recreation center. Thus, it is difficult to apply discernment (i.e., correctly recognize and respond to spirit content from the makeup of GOD that will appear within sacred events, oneself, other persons, prophecy, the holy writings, etc.).



In the same way obedience—putting aside ones own will to carry out and perform the will of another—is one of the most recognizable expressions of genuine love (and so is acknowledged in the vows of holy matrimony), other unmistakable marks of mature love among Christians are accountability, commitment, continually acquiring “sacred knowledge,” and outpourings of gratitude, respect, and thanksgiving. The Holy Spirit must impart inseparable aspects of divinity to those who are “born again,” and they must “grow up again” enduring challenges, “growing pains,” and even suffering with Christ. Included are faith, holiness, joy, hope, meekness, lovingkindness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Because every believer does receive some measure of fresh spirit content, believers are accounted as a new creation through Jesus Christ having oneness without sameness. There can be great diversity within a congregation, for all do not have the same level of knowledge, maturity, and willingness to unselfishly serve.



Salvation is carried out and completed through divine operations, rather than through application of finite tools such as feelings, intellect, logic, philosophy, and science. Sin opposes the continued existence of divine law, the Law Giver, and the Creation grounded in sacred law. Because the living accept sin as natural, normal, and in no way contrary their own makeup, sin may dominate awareness and self-will (willpower) within created beings and living creatures. Sin can not influence or manipulate the divine will; thus, the living are granted fresh endowments of divine will to reinforce their character, focus, and process when identifying and resisting sin. Through the Spirit, giving, stewardship, and other forms of service are aspects of sacrament (sacred practice), and are no longer inappropriate, irritating, and upsetting. By continual practice, the discipline and order within the community of shared spirit is to become “second nature” like breathing in and out. Consider again the following:



(1.) Proverbs 19: 16-18, King James Version (KJV): 16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. 17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again. 18 Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying.



(2.) Proverbs 19: 22, KJV: 22 The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.



(3.) James 2: 14-19, KJV: 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.



(4.) 1st Corinthians 9: 11-14, KJV: 11 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.



There is far more to be said, correctly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) 1st Chronicles 29: 10-18, KJV: 10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. 11 Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. 13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. 14 But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 16 O LORD our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee an house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own. 17 I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee. 18 O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee:) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.





THE BLACK PHOENIX

Washington, DC

Answer 44

money runs our society. you need money to pay bills, eat, live in a dwelling. your knowledge of the bible is willfully ignorant. god specifically told israel you must tithe to god 10 percent of their income. the priest could not earn money. the rest of israel tithed to feed the priest and their families. even jesus had money to pay for expenses or help a poor person. you should syop being ignorant and read the bible to get rid of your stupidity

Answer 45

Most of the preachers long ago worked for a living like everyone else. Now, they get some degree and go into business. It's a money maker. I suppose that the next time you go to church and need a few dollars, god wouldn't object if you take it. After all, it is collected to help the flock.

Answer 46

You are right God does not need our money, but you missed the main point......



Matthew 6:24



“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.



So, it is we who need to learn how to give, to help those in need, and those who teach in the church. And God Himself give the money back to us in many ways.



2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NKJV)



6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.



Acts 20:35



I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Answer 47

Someone needs to tell that church office lady of yours that she doesn't need to tell kids things they don't need to know.

Answer 48

As tempted as I am to bask in the warm glow of your holy brilliance and aura, I think that I will trust the words of Christ and the Holy Spirit instead:



'Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will entrust the true riches to you?' (Luke 16:11).



How we use our wealth is the first step towards showing GOD our sincerity. We will only be proportionately faithful with the 'true riches' after this demonstration is complete.



'Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar? So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.' (1 Corinthians 9:13-14).



It is the individual choice of the minister if they wish to do this, however. The apostle Paul even anticipated people like yourself making short-sighted accusations, so he went the extra mile and refused to take what he had every scriptural right to take:



'But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.' (1 Corinthians 9:15-18).



Once you have demonstrated yourself faithful with your own material resources, then you can contribute to the ongoing conversation about how a minister of GOD exercises his sacred rights and duties regarding the gospel of Christ. It sounds to me like you are merely making a lame excuse to abandon your own economic responsibilities so you can use your resources as you please, rather than as you should. That won't ever lead to the 'true riches.'

Answer 49

because the pastor and his family have to eat.



and because the church building isn't free, and electricity isn't free.



the vast majority of churches are not 'mega-churches' like joel osteen's operation, with all the trappings of wealth.

many churches can barely keep the lights on, and the pastors have to take on a second job to make ends meet.

Answer 50

https://youtu.be/8r-e2NDSTuE

You are starting to shake the stupid...thank you!!! Keep questioning and get the facts behind the con game that lures the DESPERATE gullible fools that need to pay to keep their fairytale alive in order to cope in life.

Answer 51

at my church there is two collection plates on sunday at ours one for donations and the other for repairs for the church from the congregation members.

Answer 52

These are valid questions and concerns. With the ministry comes expenses; therefore, voluntary donations may be given for expenses and upkeep only. No to pay salaries. Even Jesus and the apostles had a money bag (John 12:4-6; John 13:29). However, Jesus and the apostles were not paid for their ministry. Also, the first century Christians were not paid for their ministry. In harmony with the pattern set by Jesus, true Christians today do not get paid for their ministry. Jesus said, "you received free, give free (Matthew 10:8).

Answer 53

Because the church is a business.

Answer 54

Churches are really businesses. Non-profit organizations still make money, they pay their own personal bills and buy luxurious items with their paychecks.

Answer 55

I am not sure.

Answer 56

It's called tithing. It is to show support for the ministry. Not everyone is John Hagee or Perry Stone, and they have bills to pay for The Pastor, his working staff, the building, the utilities, misson trips, VBS (Vacation Bible School), during winter vacation, Spring Break, and Summer time, teachers for Sunday School for you and the little children up until caticism at 16, for the cooks or preparers in the kitchen at church.

Answer 57

They need money for salaries, mortgage, insurance, utilities. Just because the income isn’t taxed, does not mean they get everything for free.

Answer 58

You couldn't begin to understand about money issues until you begin a part time job..........

Money is needed to run anything.........your parents home.........a business........and especially all that is needed in a church home...........don't you realize even the Minister and staff deserve to have a check just as all of us do.

Many missions or out reach programs happen to help others know about GOD'S LOVE AND CARING ABOUT ALL PEOPLE.........

Also church needs cleaned up...........where a janitor happens..........this list has many more things to be paid by all the people who attend........hope this helps you understand.......

Answer 59

I think all those who've answered are 15 or think they are..hahaha, what makes you so special??

Now if you read the Bible you can discover how costs where paid by Christians, even those who did not know the recipients...but by faith they supported the spread of the WORD of GOD..I think you can understand even that much young fella

Answer 60

...'cause the preachers have to make a living, too. They can't pay their bills and have meals from prayer alone.

Answer 61

obviously, our priest needs to be supported. he needs to eat, to have a roof over his head, and a warn fire on the winter nights. his offering to the people is the sowing and nurturing of faith in their lives.

this simple offering is enough to support the church.



what i find offensive is that the US government supports "all" of the churches as tax-free organizations without any discrimination as to their validity as a true religion. what person can not tell which of the 6000-or-so christian religions in the USA is a true religion or a heretical religion?. so many people offer their entire estates after their deaths to their church as an "offering" for their salvation that some churches have loads of money and property tax-free. they become like feudal landlords with huge rich estates, and many people will give-up a mundane life for one in the church simply for the free ride.

in the USA anyone can start a church, so we should have a public religious debate for every church and relgion and cult in the USA to simply establish the "truth".

any group who loses in the debate shoulod either join the winning faith, or give-up and disband as a church. also, all churches except the "true religion" should lose their TAX-FREE status.

we have enter a period where the government allows the churches, all christian churches, to have more RIGHTS-under-the-law, then the common people; this is a return to feudalism like that of the middle ages.



the government should not support any church or religion!

Answer 62

Money should not be a focus in a house of worship. It should be just that, a place to worship God. It is not something that should be paid for. Jesus said in Matthew 10:8, you received free, give free. It should not be a burden on its member but as 2 Corinthians 9:7 states that God loves a cheerful giver. Voluntarily giving from the heart is that message not a burden on giving what one cannot afford but willingly. In Old Testament with the building of the tabernacle Gods servants were told to bring in things to help with the work but they were not forced. Note the result: Exodus 36:6,7-6 So Moses commanded that an announcement be made throughout the camp, saying: “Men and women, do not bring any more goods for the holy contribution.” With that the people were restrained from bringing in anything else. 7 The goods were enough for all the work to be done, and more than enough.

Answer 63

What you should have asked is what happens to the rest of the money once the bills are paid and the vicar has had his breakfast as I can't see it working out to the penny each day. I lived with my grandfather and one day I asked him for some money for the collection plate as the teachers had told us to ask. I said can I have some money please for the collection plate as the priest doesn't have enough to buy a shoelace. That was what my teacher told me to say. My grandad said "WHAT? HE JUST BOUGHT A NEW VOLKSWAGON LAST WEEK, and he had, a beetle. I used to pass the church on my way from school and there it was, brand new. For that reason, I am right with you. Forgetting the night masses, Look how many masses there is in the morning. Each one with a 200 audience. The standard coin is a pound coin in the UK. That is near £200 per mass. Near a thousand a day then the night masses.??? Must like a big breakfast.

Answer 64

On one hand I agree with you - money utterly corrupts and has corrupted religion. Especially American religion. On the other hand, we live in a capitalist society and not paying for work is slavery. How is a person supposed to live, working without pay?

Answer 65

For the pastor to buy his lamboGHINI

Answer 66

Matt 17:24-26 is relevent:



"After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?” “Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?” “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him. “But so that we may not cause offense, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”



There are a few points to this. Firstly, it was established practice for Jews to give money to support the temple, and secondly, Jesus was willing to pay even though, as Son of God, he was not morally obliged to do so. Notice also that Jesus's explanation of why he wasn't obliged to pay only makes sense if, by giving money to the temple, the donor was also giving money to God (ie the sons of a king don't have to pay tax to the king, so the Son of God doesn't have to pay tax to God).



Giving money to the church is giving to God because by giving to the church you are supporting the worship which the church offers to God, and also because you are supporting the charitable things which the church does as acts of service to God.



I could point out various other verses in the Bible that describe collections of money or gifts, either for the tabernacle and ark, for the temple, or (in the New testament) for the needs of the church. However, I doubt you really want a long list of references. If I'm wrong, leave a comment and I'll add to my answer.

Answer 67

churches are selling a product you have to pretend you get after you die....religion is an obscene scam....

Answer 68

It's people like you that are the greedy ones.



Luke 10: 7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.



Your teachers are wrong. I wish everything was free for my own selfish desires.