I have an acquaintance whose sister has giving thousands of dollars to a ministry or a church that she's been attending for about 2 years. The congregation was recently convinced to purchase a brand new Escalade for the Pastor & wife. The congregation pays their monthly rent on their place of residence. She's now become deeply in debt and has resorted to asking her elderly Mother to give her large sums of money to avoid losing her home etc. I would like to know if there is an agency I can contact who may keep be able to check into the legitimacy of this so called church. Any info would be helpful.
2006-07-15 15:35:34 · 11 answers · asked by thatzmygramma 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Read the Books of Proverbs and Acts.
This is the best answer I can give off hand.
POST SCRIPT:
To end up in financial trouble giving to the Pastor and his wife is not of God.
Paul worked himself so as not to be a financial burden to the readers of his epistles. What you have stated is totally opposite that of Pauls life financially.
2006-07-15 15:39:17 · answer #1 · answered by 1saintofGod 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is probably legitimate before the law, but you need to ask the person giving so much money why they are doing so. Most people tithe to the church and have the pastor on salary that is controlled by the board, and it is not unusual for the church to have a house for the pastor, but not his personal house. He usually has his salary and pays his own bills. If the church pays for a car for him then the church owns the car and he only uses it for pastoral visits.. But is this friend voluntarily gives more than she can afford then there is not much you can do.
2006-07-15 15:42:41 · answer #2 · answered by † PRAY † 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Bible asks for 10% off of first fruits. That leaves 90% for other expenses. No one should go into debt for charity.
Unless the church knows her finances, they wouldn't know that she is bankrolling her charity through debt. An Escalade, however, is WAY beyond reasonable. The pastor should be driving the crappiest car in the parking lot.
2006-07-15 15:44:48 · answer #3 · answered by normobrian 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know of any agency, but I would try a web search on both the ministry & the pastor. She might also want to talk with her sister. She should not be going into debt for the church. Tell her that she cannot buy her way into heaven. Also, if she wants to make sacrifices, that's fine, but it is unfair to ask others (such as Mom) to make sacrifices because of her bad planning. If she feels strongly that she wants to give up everything for the church, then she should do so -- and not hit up Mom to bail her out. If she is only giving sums she can't afford to fit in or because of peer pressure, then she needs to deal with the insecurity that makes her feel she has to buy friends.
This sounds harsh, but I don't know any way to be more tactful. My heart goes out to her -- she sounds very unhappy and insecure. Her behavior reminds my of my daughter, who would, especially when younger, do anything her friends told her to because she was afraid they wouldn't like her if she refused. You don't say how old this woman is, but the fact that you refer to her mother as "elderly" makes me think she is older than 20-something. Has she no husband? children? I am concerned that she would risk the roof over her head like this.
I know of a Catholic church that bought their priest a nice new car. The ministry could be legitimate, but her involvement in it seems to overstep the bounds of prudence.
Good luck in your search. I hope this poor woman can get back on her feet.
2006-07-15 15:51:01 · answer #4 · answered by world_gypsy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it's on the internet or television, it is probably a scam
Never give money to a church whose laeder lives in a bigger house than you do
2006-07-15 15:46:08 · answer #5 · answered by Nemesis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By their deeds shall you know them. No matter what church it is,taking money like that is criminal in my view. This should be checked out,and that man is not a pastor. He is a fraud,and should be exposed!!!
2006-07-15 15:51:56 · answer #6 · answered by sumrtanman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did the church put pressure on her to give the money, or was she just foolish?
2006-07-15 15:39:19 · answer #7 · answered by Davie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i know that was wrong...but God knows when we give money for His Work...we cant always control what happens but at least we can be comfortable knowing we did what God asked of us!
2006-07-15 15:56:10 · answer #8 · answered by Kellkat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Regardless of its legitimacy, she should not be building debt through charity ... she needs to either reduce her other expenses or reduce her generosity.
2006-07-15 15:40:12 · answer #9 · answered by Arkangyle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what denomination it is.... find out and contact their district or headquarters.
2006-07-15 15:38:00 · answer #10 · answered by LuvBrownies 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋