Why give money to the church?

Question

It's been said that Christians are supposed to give 10% of their earnings to the church. Here's a list of things i think you should give that 10% to before the church, tell me which of these you disagree with and why.

- The homeless
- The poor
- The hungry
- Orphans
- Africa
- Cancer research
- AIDS research

Shouldn't God provide for churches since their doing His work. i mean God gave manna to the Isrealites in the desert, if a church's faith is that strong, wouldn't God provide for them like he did for Job (that is of course before he let Satan kill his family, staff and live stock, gave him horribly painful sores)

Answer 1

Many people that give to the church do not give a second thought to where their money is going. From what I have seen it stays in the church (expansion, equipment, etc.) People put too much trust in others and the result is the observations you have made.

Answer 2

The minister's income could be paid, then there is value to run the church (electric powered invoice, water, etc). additionally if maintenance to the development could be made. undecided how extra is dealt with. i do no longer walk a non secular direction at cutting-edge, yet turning out to be up I attended my grandparents church each and every so often (Primitive Baptist). Their minister's/preachers did no longer get a income (that they had prevalent jobs and preached by using fact they have been "called" to), and human beings voluntarily donated money for maintenance of the church (no plate become surpassed, no specific quantity of tithing become envisioned). they did no longer see faith as a employer, yet additionally understood there have been some expenditures incurred in having a place to fulfill. additionally, of a visting pastor got here approximately to be in attendance on a given weekend, some might provide him money to assist pay for his shuttle expenditures...yet lower back it wasn't envisioned or required, and continually accomplished after the provider, as they have been shaking his hand (like slipping a maitre 'd a tip to get a table).

Answer 3

Yes, you're right and not only that, the whole "10 percent" thing come from the Old Testament and had to do with maintaining the jewish temple and they would really take care of the elderly , etc, there were no government programs in place, now we already give a big part of our paycheck to taxes which will pay for children's education, social security , etc.

So there is no basis for pastors claiming their 10 percent that you owe them. It's total manipulation of people for church leaders to prosper and live well.

Answer 4

God chose to set this mandate in the Bible as a way to acknowledge Him as our provider, not to mention the fact that it is a principal of sowing and reaping. He gives us something, we give Him something back to work with ( in the local church ), and He multiplies it for His Kingdom and blessings to us. Also, we can't forget about sowing the "seed" or tithe/offerings into good soil ( ministries). Not all churches are the same and not all are good ground to sow into. The tithe is part of the provision to the church. And even though God works and moves in supernatural ways, He also works in and through very natural means as well. All the causes you listed should be addressed through the church. Unfortunately, we haven't always done a very good job of this.

Answer 5

No where does it say in the Bible that you must give 10% of your income to the CHURCH. The Old Testament saints were to give a tithe to GOD and God gave the Levitical and Aaronic priesthood the right to use the tithe for the upkeep of the Temple and of their own upkeep. In the New Testament, Paul said that we (beleivers) are to share material blessings with our spiritual mentors and to set apart as an offering what amount God has put into their hearts to give.

Answer 6

You have to watch who you give to even well established organizations. Many research organizations for things like cancer are a waste. There is alternative supplements that many use to treat their cancer and the drug companies could take these things and improve on them but they don't because their drugs that often speed many to death rather than help them, makes them a better profit.

Also while it is good to help the poor, I know many people who are poor simply because of their own wastefullness and expecting others to always bail them out.
Also our country sends other countries lots of money and many of the higher up officials take the money and waste it on their own self. There was a documentary about 10 years ago on how our country sends the smallest town in Africa tons of money and the ruler of the town spends it on more Rolles Royces and a fountain for his front door hallway that was bigger than many peoples bathrooms.
Churches do need money to pay the utlity bills and many of them do send some money to help causes.

Answer 7

ALot of churches are beging to put such things before their own earnings, in fact I went on mission trips were I paid out of my own wallet (expensive to) to go on church funded expeditions around the country to help the poor and the needy. Alaska we helped build a school for a native community that could not afford it. Not all churches do this.People are thinking that way and It is in a way christian way to do so and morally sound.

Answer 8

I agree with you. I think that 10% thing was from a long time ago when churches were basically huts. Nowadays, churches have arcades, giftshops, playgrounds, etc. Way too much stuff for a church in my opinion. I do think money could be given to charities instead of money hungry churches. They use that 10% passage just to get money from people who think they should obey that stuff.

Answer 9

I totally agree with you. And what pisses me off is that millions of people can't afford to give a penny away because of their financial problems. They can barely afford to put food on the table for the their kids, but they are expected to give 10% to the church. People go to church for hope and enlightenment.....not to waste their money. If I ever have money to spare (which I never have, by the way), I will go up to homeless people and ask them if they want me to buy them a burger from mcdonald's or something. Not to sound insensitive or anything, but I don't trust giving money to them because most of them will spend it on booze.

Answer 10

If you attend a church it is not wrong to give a little, they have expenses too. When I give larger amounts, I prefer knowing 100% of it is helping someone directly and not padding wallets. The first four you mentioned are easy to reach in most of our communities without the need for 'organizational' assistance.