Could a church exist on just anonymous donations? No tithe. Or is peer pressure too important?

Question

I think an internet based church would have very low overhead, and millions of people could see the same service and they would be able to chat with eachother anonymously, and any current organized religion would never endorse it, just for that reason!

Answer 1

ALL Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses exist on anonymous donations as apposed to tithe. It's put into a box at the back of the building, not a plate that is passed around so that everyone can see whether or not you donate, and you give WHAT you can IF you can. No one is paid for anything they do at a Kingdom Hall; not the grounds work, the inside cleaning, the microphone handling, the public discourses given every week, not even for BUILDING a Kingdom Hall! We do quick builds (meaning we can start building a Kingdom Hall on Friday morning, and be worshiping in it on Sunday at noon.) and not one person gets any monetary compensation for it. Now for me, THAT'S the way it's supposed to be!

Answer 2

A church can surely exist on donations no matter who they are from. Maybe the real question here is: could a person give in anonymity? Could they live with people thinking they have not given to their church? Are they looking for approval outside of themselves and so worried about what others think that they do not give out of a true sense of philanthropy and generosity but because they feel they are being judged on the size of their donation?

Answer 3

Webcasts and such are certainly doable but there are elements missing. The fellowship.

Hebrews 10:24 .And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Getting together to encourage one another. The family atmosphere. Helping each other.

Verse 25 includes "exhorting one another". That's important. If you see someone, (or if you're that someone), that may be drifting a little left or right of center, it may be brought to their attention.

For homebound, shut-ins, etc - those unable to attend a church - the internet alternative can be a good thing.

Answer 4

sure. My information of those particularly complicated IRS policies is that money church donations as much as a undeniable volume may well be deducted without the might desire to modern-day receipts purely in case they audit you. Above a undeniable selection you had greater useful have a receipt tp vousch for it. the top max fee i'm uncertain approximately (in all likelihood below $1000 according to year) yet ask your accountant. of path , without receipts and the indisputable fact that maximum folk supply small quantities evey time they attend a provider of between one million and 20 greenbacks, purely estimate the quantity you donated over a year's time and write that down. A loan is the single best deduction human beings earnings on for the time of tax time and in case you do not have one, and till you have 5 young ones or some thing, it in all likelihood is greater useful and greater trouble-free so you might take the popular deduction instead of itemizing. returned, seek for suggestion out of your accountant or use tax utility to confirm the two way.

Answer 5

Start one and found out.

And, in the meantime, eliminate the tax deduction for giving money to churches and see how long most of them last.

Additional comment:

With all due respect, it appears you do not understand that the majority of people attend and support churches as a social function. Establishing an I'net based church would probably be as successful as starting an I'net based bowling alley, bar, restaurant, etc.

But, don't let me discourage you, that's just one person's opinion.

Answer 6

The Church I attend has about 250 attending regularly--- we have a small office but meet in a rented School Gymnasium.... NEVER NEVER does anyone hit us up for money-- NO TITHING ALLOWED! -- and visitors and guests are NOT ALLOWED to put anything in the collection... Our Church sends THOUSANDS ofverseas to Missions! No Problem at all!

Answer 7

Peer pressure is the most important part about religion. Besides raising money of course.

Answer 8

There is no peer pressure in church, people pay tithes because paying tithes is in the bible. No one is pressured to pay them. It's because they want to, not because the "have" to. It's free will a person has to pay tithes.

Answer 9

Tithing is not peer pressure. It's a directive from the Bible-
B - Basic
I - Instructions
B - Before
L - Leaving
E - Earth
The commandments about tithing begin in the Old Testament.

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Tithe Offering Scriptures
In the 27th chapter of Leviticus verses 30 and 32 read that all produce and livestock were subject to the tithe, one tenth of one’s earnings. These verses say that the tithe belongs to the Lord and is holy to Him.

The people under Moses’ instructions understood the commandment well. Unfortunately, throughout the centuries not everyone obeyed the laws relating to the tithe. The prophet Malachi scolded the people of his day by speaking for God these words, "will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse–the whole nation of you–because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house.’” Malachi 3:8-9)

We can assume that everyone who does not give to God His tithes and offerings today is also guilty of robbing Him. And we know that robbing God was one of the sins that incurred His wrath against the people of Malachi’s time. Today’s pastors have a duty to inform their people that failure to give God the tithe subjects the guilty to possible divine discipline.

Some Christians argue that tithing is only an Old Testament concept. It is true that the word, “tithe,” does not appear in the New Testament. Therefore, these people contend that we are under the New Covenant and are not liable to pay the Old Covenant tithe. However, to quote Jesus in Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

In the case of the law of the tithe, although the New Testament does not mention any form of the word, it certainly deals with the principle of giving to God. In fact, the New Testament often suggests that we give more than just one-tenth of our income.

When the rich young ruler asked what, beyond keeping the commandments, he must do to inherit eternal life, Jesus responded that he must sell all that he had and give to the poor, and then come follow Jesus. Of course, Jesus understood that this man’s wealth stood between him and complete surrender to God. Jesus is not commanding that every Christian follow the same course of self-divesting of all material wealth. But something is to be said for being willing to give all to Jesus.

When we give up our desire to possess material things then we are free to be led by Jesus wherever he directs.

On a positive note Jesus commended the poor widow who put her last coin in the temple offering box. She gave her all and was blessed for it.

No, we may not be asked to give one-hundred percent of our material goods to God but Paul gave some directions that may take us beyond the tithe. Concerning offerings to the church leaders in Jerusalem Paul wrote that each person should “give according to your means,” (2 Corinthians 8:11). He also stated, “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” (1 Corinthians 16:2) Paul said that each one should give, “in keeping with his income.” For some people that may mean giving more than the tithe.

The point is that we should give to God with a willing spirit and not try to count pennies so that we avoid giving beyond the tithe. Paul was thanking the Philippian church for gifts they had sent when he wrote, “They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:18b) As we give to the church we need to consider that our tithes and offerings please God and are like a fresh bouquet of roses to His senses. God likes it when we give toward supporting His kingdom work. Of course, God wants us to give with the proper attitude. God gave his Son, Jesus, to be betrayed, beaten, humiliated, despised, and murdered on a cross for our sins. I doubt we can outgive God.

Answer 10

As long as expenses are met, does it matter the source of donation?