Should religious organisations be wealthy?

Question

Takings tides, collections, owning artifacts, builindings, having rich leaders. Does God approve? Should these institutions be giving their riches to the poor just as Jesus told the rich man to?

Answer 1

It surely seems that the main agenda of todays CHRISTIAN mega churches is to become whatever is bigger than MEGA. Its big business and I think that charity is far from thier minds. Lets face it if they extend charity thet expect to be reimbursed by the government. I went and saw the LARGE SCALE productions put on by these mega churches and watched the response of the SHEEP that attended, the small minded sheep that feel an incredible need to feel good about themselves because someone else says they are. They feel part of a group and feel that they have all the answers and self righteous with all the other sheep. The wolves that call themselves PASTORS feed on the sheep, just as they have for centuries. There has always been that traveling snake oil salesman with a slick tongue that could talk you out of your money, its just that now they have found a permanent home in GOD.

There should be requirements by percentage of how a churchs proceeds are spent to remain non-profit. Or better yet eliminate altogether the tax deduction for donations to churches, lets see how many Christians will tithe when Uncle Sam doesn't share part of the donation.

Answer 2

No. It's ok that they collect these tithes and things and use some for the upkeep of the church but if they are that rich, they ought to spread the money further beginning with their own parish or diocese, whatever ot's called, and then further afield as far as the money will take them. That is one thing I don't like with some people who claim to be of a certain religion, they will say all this stuff about love thy neighbour and we don't need wordly wealth but then they will be the same people who live in beautiful houses, have good jobs and 2 cars each.

Answer 3

No, but just look how many there are around the world conning people, just take a look at the God's channel, and see how they con people in the USA It's about time people work up to these con artist.
Just to add to an answer that has been given God is not a buisness Religion is and that's man made.

Answer 4

We are in the world,and money is the means of getting things done in the world.
When people start to donate buildings,cars,chairs and so on to Christians for free,just because they love God,when pastors and evangelists are exempted from paying rent and school fees,when priests can walk into a store and collect groceries free of charge,THEN Christians will no longer need money.....
Until then, let's not expect the impossible.
Even Jesus and his disciples kept a treasury and paid taxes...Judas was the keeper of the bag.

Answer 5

No, I don't think they should be wealthy. I think the funds should be flowing out and in just like a fountain that is being refilled from an invisible source. The money should be working for the people. I don't think money should be collected. I think what I contribute should be between myself and God (and the treasurer of my Community). No one else's business.

I believe beautiful synagogues, churches, mosques and temples are silent teachers which can attract people to enter and find God's teachings to help them live their lives to the fullest. I believe there should be no paid, professional clergy. I believe we should all be responsible for sharing the Word of God by the way we conduct our lives. "He whose words exceed his deeds, verily, his death is better than his life." --Baha'u'llah

I believe funds collected should be used for the organization of the religion, and for social, economic projects.

I believe those in need should be cared for; but that one should not beg or give to beggars, since giving to beggars encourages their undignified life styles. I believe we should develop profit-producing and welfare-producing societies.

I believe religions should be engaged in developing hospitals, orphanages, homes for the aged, educational institutes, etc. for the benefit of society.

Answer 6

I believe that they should have the monetary resources to promote the Great Commission. That would mean, money to pay pastors and support staff. Money to pay for creating new churches and schools. Money to help others through creation of charities to help the poor and sick.

Do I think that pastors should be driving around in BMW's and the like, no. And no true Bible believing church I've ever attended has the money for that.

Answer 7

God blesses a church for doing what He wants it to do. Being wealthy isn't wrong, but God expects His church to give to the poor, look after widows, spread the word. Sometimes spreading the word is expensive but we should do it anyway. I happily belong to a church in which I know where the money goes because it is openly available to know, but if I were to want to change churches I wouldn't unless I could be assured they were doing God's will with my tithe.

Answer 8

Brilliant question...
look at the catholic church, ownes more land and has more money than half the country's in the world and yet does it sell it painting, gold and property to help the starving of the world...NO.
It probably needs the money for the court cases for its catholic priest's to defend them from sexual abuse cases.
Too much dogma,too many perverts and too much money, shame on the catholic church.
God is a buisness and buisness is good.

Answer 9

Priests are filthy rich. They take lots of donation money, keep a portion of it, like millions, and use the others to do good things. Priests are human too, so we are no different, all greedy. Is there still news about sexual harassment in church?

Answer 10

According to themselves they should. They should have the finest of everything. Paid for in the most part from Little Old Ladies who are tricked into buying there way into Heaven. I would think and I do hope God pukes on them.