Are churches in it for the money?

Question

How do you know if a church is just stealling from the poor? How can you tell if they are just using religion as a way to make a profit. What makes a church, a church of God?

Answer 1

1 Cor. 2:And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

A true church of God will preach the crucifixtion.

Mark 16: 15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

A true chuch of God will be interested in carrying the message of repentance, salvation, and baptism (as evidence of repentance) to everyone....and they will put their money into that effort.

In my mind, if they are using their money strictly for the maintenance of a building and not for spreading the gospel, they are misusing funds. It is ok to maintain a building for fellowship of the brethren...but if that is the only focus, and there is not support of spreading the gospel to mankind in various ways, through missions etc....then your monies will not go for the furtherance of the gospel.

Answer 2

Ask the Lord for the discernment to see if the church that you are in is all about the money and if so look for a different church. There are so many good churches in the world today but unfortunately there are also a lot of bad ones.

Answer 3

My personal view of church is plain and simple a social place to hang out with good people that are trying to live better than some other social groups. My religion is in my heart. And for me it works better to practice everyday and everywhere I go. Sundays and Wednsdays just aren't enough for me. The only semi-rational reason other than socializing to have a church is to have someone distribute your money it a way that one hopeswill be for the good of the community and the recipient. Personally I think tithes should be paid to God's children(as Jesus said,"So much as you have done it to my brethern you have done it to me."). If tithes are paid to a church then I don't feel comfortable that the steward of the church is going to handle the money properly.

Answer 4

When the preachers blessings are for sale..run// You know the ones that say if you give 20,50,100 dollars right now, you will receive this or that blessing, then they start interviewing people who have "paid" for the blessing.

You have seen the Devil-Evangelical telethons, all proceeds go to his million dollar home, his bently, his private Jets.. You can spot a pulpit-pimp when you see one. If you dont notice right off, you will start to notice when he starts teaching things that are clearly not in the bible (things such as humans being little Gods among many other wild things)...even if you don't know the bible really well, what they say just doesnt sit right with you. it is time to either flip the channel or visit another church.

Answer 5

Ah..... this is why as a Christian I could never find a church to belong to. It seemed they were all after your money and telling people that if you give to them, you'll get a hundred fold back in return and blah, blah, blah. But I recently began going to a church. My whole family really likes it and they do coaxe us to give sometimes. But I realize more now that the pastors do need money to pay the church bills. So now I am a bit more laxed about it. But that "gimme your money and get a hundred fold" back crappola just doesn't jive with me.

YES, MARIANNE MAKES A GOOD POINT. SEE WHAT THEY ARE USING THE MONEY FOR. WE LIKE OUR CHURCH BECAUSE IT IS ALWAYS USING IT TO HELP THE COMMUNITY.

Answer 6

Give them a test. I know of one that uses the money it raises to help people in the neighborhood with their bills and food. One even has a deal with a local Starbucks to raise money to help provide food at a local pantry. Then again, there's one mega church in Chicago run by a certain Reverend that seems to soak up money, and you never see any charity being done. But the Reverend wears sharp clothes and drives a nice car.

Answer 7

Religion is a $3 billion a year tax free business. Men of the cloth sell a belief that many of them don't believe in themselves. But it provides a living. Do you think that a priest who molests children believes that there is a man in a cloud watching everything that you do? Of course not. But they sell the belief to followers. And it provides a place to live, job security, a monthly cash allowance, at least 3 solid meals a day and the gay ones live in privacy with men. And you sell a belief that can't be proven.

Answer 8

Good question.The poor at spirit . would do best to start from a home based Bible study group. because the image of the intent of the church is tainted. Lots of organizations take care of their own need first. They can not steal from the poor when the intended giving did not reach them. the struggle to ask is difficult .

Answer 9

well look at the church and see what they do for the needy,,my church has a open book policy anyperson can see the books when they want.. you half to have faith when you are giving to the church..and yes nowdays there are some dishonest people even in the church..just trust in god

Answer 10

I am Rational Spirituality,

A church is a societal establishment, in its fabric no different from other institutions.

You can build a church of God within your own mind and heart, and you can share that with others who are equally sincere.