Church donations?

Question

Please no one take offense to this, I am not being disrespectful!
I have always wondered why they hand out a collections bowl in church, because in the bible it says that anything you need, god will supply (not in those words.. but it says, if you need food, god will feed you, if you need shelter, god will shelter you not sure exactly how it is) so why a collections plate for people to make donations?
(again this is not to offend and no disrespect is meant)

Matthew 6:31
so do not worry, saying "what shall we eat'? or 'what shall we drink?' or "what shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavelyl father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteouness, and all these things will be given to you as well.... I studied this in bible studies and it means what it means!

Answer 1

I think that your question hits a sore spot in the church. Passing a plate around is fairly recent way of getting money out of people. A century ago it was done by pew renting. Christians have always wanted to give of their money to support the Lord's work and passing a plate at church is a very convenitent way to do it. Different churches do it different ways and some churches such as the Plymoth Brethren never pass a plate except to their own people, visitors never see an offering plate. God does promise to provide all our needs, but never with the intention of you being lazy which is really a sin and will cause you to suffer need, not get it. The bottom line is that churches have gotton away from the truth of the Bible and have moved money to a place never intended by God.

Answer 2

Keep reading. You will also find in the book that people made offerings. Some, in the Old Testament in particular, were sacrifices for sin--which were visual reminders that the penalty for sin is death and that an innocent one would pay, a hint of Jesus' atoning death. But some were simply offerings. The priests and the whole tribe of Levi lived off of the offerings and sacrificial meats that weren't fully burnt up on the altars. These were the people that kept things going, and they benefited (read today, were paid) from the offerings brought to God--after all, contrary to other dieties of the day, Israel's God didn't need to be fed and didn't enjoy the pain and torture that others practiced.

There too was something call the tithe, which is an archaic word for tenth. It is hard to really read the book of Malachi without seeing that God wants his 10 percent of "the increase" (read today, earnings) "brought to the storehouse". It wasn't just to pay preachers and repair temples, although the Book also has examples of those, but there were indications that sometimes the poor got food and such necessary things too (as well as the rights to glean crops from the corners of the fields, and the 'second-pickings' from other crops, but that meant that they had to go out and get it for themselves, though the farmers were supposed to permit that because of God's decree).

It is a fair question. The Bible also gives good examples (Old and New Testaments) of people wanting to give. Why deny them their opportunity. Most places I've been, and I've been in several, there is absolutely, positively NO obligation to give when the offering bag is passed.

You don't go to the theater and then ignore the offering basket passed there, because they collected when you went in. You don't do that at a football game, same reason. Why do we not feel concerned that some rich ball player will suddenly become impoverished if we don't pay for a ticket to see him play?

Church is different. God doesn't need your money. If you don't want to give it to him, whether at this church or that, you don't have to--and you don't need to feel bad letting the offering plate or bag pass you by. Oh, and if you attend a church with a bag, I have seen people dip their hands in the bag as if putting something in. I know one person that does it, and while he didn't put anything in (I'm an usher), I know that he has already dropped a check off at the church office at other times in the month. He supports the program, so he's entitled to make the token gesture. If you feel bad, you can make the token gesture as well if it would make you feel better, although that won't work on offering plates.

Seriously, don't get hung up on the money, there's lots more to what is going on, or supposed to, than has anything to do with your pocketbook.

Answer 3

i'm in contact some church which you recognize "does not have you ever as a member." i might question WHY they gained't have you ever as a member. churches and Christians communicate the certainty in love, yet shouldn't decide (notwithstanding i understand many do). is this church relatively doing God's will in the event that they're rejecting God's human beings? As for the 2d question, if i do no longer think of there is something incorrect with accepting a donation from a non-member.

Answer 4

There was a great flood and the man prayed to be saved as the water climbed higher and higher in his home. A rowboat arrived to take him to safety and he refused to go. Later a motorboat arrived to take him to safety and again he refused. Finally, the man prayed to be saved once more as he sat atop the roof of his flooded home. A helicopter arrived and lowered a basket to take him to safety but again he refused. Overcome, the man cried out once more to be saved. It was then he heard a voice say, “I sent you 2 boats and a helicopter. What more do you want?”

So how does this answer your question about church donations? Mankind is here to act for God. To clothe the naked, feed the hungry, and shelter the homeless takes money. The church, acting on behalf of God, needs money to do the work of God. Churches pass a basket, other charities use telethons or other means to collect money. Individuals do their part by researching how their donated money is spent, then giving what they can through whatever means is open to them to help others.

Answer 5

The tithe is mentioned in the bible as well. you are to tithe 10% of you earnings (may be more) that covers the churches bills. And Offerings are out of the goodness of your heart because you are gods people and that is how god provides. When you need help your church is there to help you. That money is used to help the needy wheter they go to you church or not. Or to send youth on missions. offering is not required in the Bible but Tithes are.

Answer 6

Our church doesn't pass the plate. Your giving is between you and God. It is called tithing. Google that and read the scriptures that talk about it. You should have a better understanding after that. There is a church that a family member goes to that sends you an offering envelope. She said it is like getting a bill - they expect you to send in your tithes. I don't agree with doing it like that.

Answer 7

It is a form of worship. One may argue old versus new covenant, gross versus net and all that stuff - but giving back the first tenth is to give thanks.

Last book in the Old Testament.
Malachi 3:10 (NLT)
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD Almighty, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!

I've given for decades and haven't missed a dime of it.

Answer 8

Church donations are for the church to support themselves and the homeless. I'm not sure where you got the idea that whatever you need, God will support you. If that is so, then no one needs to go to school. No one needs to work anymore. God will only watch over you, and protect you, but I don't think he will supply you with your everyday needs.

Answer 9

oh man! this is a whole big subject! it's called tithing and offereing.
tithes are the 10% of all your increase that God has asked for (since it all belongs to him anyway)
offerings are just that, offerings made to god as an act of worship, because god says "What you sow, you reap" so if you give, God will bless you even more.
here are some scriptures on tithing and offerering, since it's a big topic.
Malachai 3
deutoronmy 12
numbers 18
galatians 6
also, try search for tithe and offering

Answer 10

Where do you think the money comes from so you are given the food, clothing and needs you have? It comes from God but He wants each of us to donate some as He has blessed us, we can bless others through what we give. Helps us not be so selfish too.