Why do people think it is wrong to give money to the church?

Question

I have seen that many non believers, or even people that do believe in God and church, think that Christians only want money. Do they not realize what this money goes to? It is not for making the pastor rich, or being on television, or building a bigger church. It is for helping people.

God tells us in the Bible that we must give tithe and offerings. Not only does this help to keep the church open, but it helps those in need. My Grandmother is an active member in her church. She is going through some really rough financial problems right now. The church she attends has told her to never put gas in her car again, because they will do it for her. They also supply her with money to help on her bills and living expenses. Without the people giving to the church, they would not be able to help her. This is done for many people that come through and need money for ligit things.

Why do people not understand this?

You cannot base an opinion about ALL churches based on the Catholics. Did ANYONE read this question thouroughly? Not all churches are scandalous. Yes, there are some, and it is wrong. But my grandmother's church cares about people and helping as much as they can.

Answer 1

If we are members of any organization, and share facilities that have utility bills and upkeep costs, I think it is wrong if we do not share in paying for the thigs that we use.

Answer 2

I think that it very much because of the unfortunat fact that some churches and clergy abuse the tithes and offerings that their members. Yes, I'll be the first to acknowledge that not all churches/clergy do this (I'm a Mormon, and I've been a volunteer in in the Mormon Church's welfare program, as well as having been an assistant financial clerk for one of the congregations I've been in, so I've personally seen the good the Church does with the tithes and offerings it receives), but there are enough out there that do do it that it tends to give the whole thing a bad rap with some.

Answer 3

I think non-church goers see the large buildings, fancy carpet, decorative items and other things the church doesn't necessarily need but is good to have and they feel that isn't a worthy cause to give their money to. That is not my view but some do see it that way. I think some pastors of large churches and these TV evangelist with jumbo jets and 2-3 houses (oooh yes it is true) give tithing a black eye. I read in a Time Magazine article 3 years ago that Joyce Myers is one of the biggest money swindlers out there as far as padding her own pocket with tithes and donations. There is two REAL Biblical acounts of tithing and giving "to God". The Old Testament account is giving your tithe or "10%" of EVERYTHING you own (not just money) to the Levitical Priest and the Temple. The Levitical Priest were not allowed to perform physical labour and so the depended on tithes from the Israelites to live off. In the New Testament times the Jews were facing terrible famine and depression so giving to the church was SOLELY to support the poor and homeless believers. You see in the book of Acts that people were commanded by the Apostles to give up EVERYTHING THEY HAD and it was divided up. I feel tithing and offering has been twisted WAY out of proportion today.

Answer 4

we do, but you miss the point. do you not sit in a building? does your church not have a media as in TV, speakers, or something on the wall? does your pastor not have a nice house, car? what about all that money? shouldn't that have gone to the poor, homeless and needy first?

why do you deserve to sit in riches when others don't? do you think God will understand that you enjoyed some wealth while others went without?

are you giving to the limits of God, or just to the limits of your own self comfort, after all, you are sitting in that building aren't you?

show me a passage where Yahushua sat in a church, show me a passage where it says Yahushua asked for money. I sure remember him flipping the table over on the money. And I recall him saying to do his good deeds in private, where the left and right hand do not know what each other are doing. Is this true when standing in a church? Don't think so.

rule #1, follow the book, not man, not a pastor, not what a church thinks, rule #1 is stressed over n over again, follow the Word, not man. man wants the building, not God.

Answer 5

That tithe hits people where their heart is. Ofcourse you should only give what you can, if you can't give that 10%, but people fall short of even giving what they can. That tithe is an offering to God, as well as an investment into your life that will reap multifold returns. I believe that 10% of the people give 90% of the collection.

When you think about all the different ministries and services offered by the church, giving money is the easiest thing to do. People are offering their time, their talents, even their lives to serve God, and you sitting in the pews are not even willing to do the easiest thing - give money. Such is the condition of the heart and your faith.

God says test me in this, and see if I will not open up the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing. What are we as Christians missing, in our disobedience?

Answer 6

I give at my church because it's a small church and we're sefl sufficient, even the pastor has a day job and helps to pay the light bills--big churches do not help people anymore, that's the biggest lie I've ever heard. I've never seen a shelter open it's doors, but I personally know of eleven in my surrounding area that exist as a tax writeoff--I have had needy friends who have had to crash on my couch because those places would not help them

Answer 7

Your grandmother probably belongs to a traditional church. Traditional churches tend to be a bit more genuine, but we have an explosion of these non denominational churches popping up on every corner with the pastor having no other job, but being the pastor and he drives a lexus.
I think the appearance of these churches are making many people a little untrusting.

Answer 8

I think it's lovely that your Grandmother's church does this for her but I also see a lot of evidence to the contrary such as the mega churches, the wealthy pastors etc. etc. I only remember one thing about offering: Render unto Cesar that which is Cesar's (talking government taxation).......I don't recall anyone having to give money to be part of a church or a believer.

Answer 9

Yes i agree to a certain percent but go to Matthew 13 and read the sower and the seed God said to sow into fertile ground and alot of Churchs are not fertile so that is why alot of them people have trouble giveing to them and when they preach on giving all of the time they are begging for the money, if they are doing Gods work God will supply what they have need of he will do it, they don't have to beg for it, because he will place the need to give on a persons heart to do so.

Answer 10

the money is not supposed to go to the minister at all. but they are taking the money and buying homes, building huge expensive churches, boats, cars, vacation homes, taking cruises, and other extavagancies.
the book of revelations calls these deminational chuches whores and true to their nature they chase money

jesus and the apostles didn't do this.