Our Preacher is basically a millionaire ... he has two large houses, many cars, he wears Armani Suits, his wife is covered in jewelry, he has two boats and a medium size yacht ... I am not making this up He is a Baptist Preacher in Texas near Dallas.
I can just barely pay my bills and he want 10% of my money?
And the church does not offer many services to the community ... in one program they give drug users $500 a month to stay off drugs, but all they day is go and use the money to by more drugs.
Understand I like the church, it is just I don't really think a preacher should be a millionaire. If anything he should be a pauper, or maybe somewhat better, but not rich ...
What should I do ... the sad thing is I notice there are a lot of other millionaire preachers ... so I don't see any point in leaving my congregation ... what should I do then ...
It is like Hank Williams Jr. said "God Bless you all, but most of all send your money"
2006-09-25 17:24:10 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Gross, not net? Okay, that's blatantly unfair.
You can always underreport what you make.
Or you can--and I think your mind is headed in this direction if this is for real--find another church with a fairer preacher who is into serving God and not himself. They are out there.
2006-09-25 17:26:57 · answer #1 · answered by GreenEyedLilo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do understand the ten percent is not for the preacher, the bible clearly stated for there is to be enough food in the church, the preacher is not taking all the ten percent but as an elder he distribute and make sure all the poor are benefiting from the ten percent, Psalms 34 verse 8 will help you if you doubt giving.
Felix Chinaca-Mozambique
2015-03-26 22:40:15 · answer #2 · answered by FELIX LINO 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this is true, then you really are not going to church at all, so there would be no reason to stay there.
The bible does state that we are to take care of our pastors, they do not need to be poor or even distitute, but their needs are to be taken care of, not their wants.
That being said, there are many small baptist churches in your area, you just dont hear about them because they are not a business and do not advertize for your loyalty.
Look in your phone book , rather than online as most small churches do not spend money on the internet, preferring to use it for Gods work instead of mans.
I was not aware that olstein considers himself baptist. But at any rate , anyone can use the title, not everyone lives by it.
2006-09-25 17:42:48 · answer #3 · answered by cindy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes 10% gross is straight out of the bible -yes pre taxes - shows God is first. As people pointed out - malachi says to test God in this. You will see great rewards. So give!!!!
as for millionaire preachers - I have one in my community - he inherited it from large buisness from his dad. That is O.K.
3 questions to ponder
1) is that preacher tithing? (10%)
2) is his salary fair for his work he does?
3) Why doesn't such a large church do more for the community?
When you see those answers, you will have the big answer
2006-09-25 17:42:53 · answer #4 · answered by Slave to JC 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are many preachers that preach the tithing law. When we do give unto he work of the Lord, it should be joyfully given. I do tithe,, but sometimes, I donate to other causes. all my money belongs to the Lord I am subjected to his spiritual leading more so than the pastor's. Sorry, but when I see a need I meet it, it counts towards my 10%, sometimes more sometimes less. I do not like legalism, I try to be in subjection to my pastor, but sometimes I allow the wisdom and leading of the Lord.
2006-09-25 17:29:01 · answer #5 · answered by twelfntwelf3 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
From what you say here, you already know that this is wrong. Why other people see no problem with it, is beyond my scope of reasoning. You need to ask yourself why you would continue to go to a church that is so far off base from what the teachings of Christ are. Don't stay out of fear. If you don't believe it is right, get out. If you are Christian and NEED a church, I'm sure there are better ones out there.
2006-09-25 17:28:54 · answer #6 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How big is your GOD? Malachi 3 verise 8. says Will a man rob GOD ? Yet ye have robbed me .But he say,wherein have we robbed thee?In tithes and offerings.9. Yeare cursed with acurse:for he have robbed me,even this whole nation. 10.Bring ye all tithes into, the storehouse that there maybe meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith ,saith the LORD of hosts,if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing,that there shall not be room enough to receive it. It is not your money it's GOD,GOD give you life so you can work money, how can you be bless when you are robbing GOD. dont be a fool give your 10% and let GOD have is way.
2006-09-25 18:27:17 · answer #7 · answered by Harold M 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Wow, wow. Hahaha. You should really consider finding a church that does not behave this way, it's NOT biblical.
One thing you should really understand is that Paul in the Bible talks alot about having a humble, modest spirit. Normally when we thing of "modest" we think of non-vulgar clothing. But the meaning of modest is:
1.having or showing a moderate or humble estimate of one's merits, importance, etc.; free from vanity, egotism, boastfulness, or great pretensions.
2.free from ostentation or showy extravagance: a modest house.
3.having or showing regard for the decencies of behavior, speech, dress, etc.; decent: a modest neckline on a dress.
4.limited or moderate in amount, extent, etc.: a modest increase in salary.
I think your preacher really needs to get in line with God. I know that God wants us to have things, but we don't need things and the people who trully follow God will understand this.
The Bible DOES say to tithe to your church and you SHOULD do that regardless, especially if you're sticking with that one. We are to give one/tenth of what we reap back to the Lord. Did He not give you what you have? He allows us to work for it, He allows us to recieve it. It is His, all that is in existance is His. So it is by grace we have anything and all He askes is 10%.
It is not important to sit in church every sunday but rather to find a church were you are serving the Lord. Where you are encouraged to grow in Christ, not stand agast at the wealth the preacher has. We are called, every one of us, to be like Christ. To walk, talk, teach, preach, heal, raise from the dead, and prophecy like Him. You need to be in an inviroment encouraging of that, brother!
God Bless you!
Jennie
2006-09-25 17:51:54 · answer #8 · answered by JennBunniehness 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all I want to say this:
DON'T BE DISCOURAGED!
By God's grace and mercy He will prosper you. It is fitting that 10% of one's salary be given unto God's Church, for the Bible tells us to give a tenth of our wages in offering.
Surely God will prosper you if you faithfully give your tithes! He will never leave you nor forsake you. In Malachi 3:6-12, God speaks and says that we are robbing HIm when we do not faithfully tithe. He even adds that we may test Him in this by tithing faithfully, and seeing if He will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that we would not have room enough for it.
The Lord and His peace that transcends all understanding be with you! God bless! :)
2006-09-25 17:32:09 · answer #9 · answered by zeromeyzl 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Religion is a joke on the sheep of the world. Keep your money and I feel sorry for you that you are just barely getting by. Don't give your money to convert more people to this sharade.
I regret all the money I gave to the church when I went as a kid.
2006-09-25 17:27:49 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋