Why does church need money from people through offering plate?

Question

Can't they just pray and get their plates full? Sure god answers prayers doesn't he? Jesus told them to give away whatever they've earned, but they don't even pay the damn taxes!

Answer 1

Somebody has to pay for the massive mansions, hideous wardrobes and cheap rent boys of the church leaders.

Answer 2

Let me begin my answer by highlighting my bias. I am an atheist. That said, I still feel I can offer an objective answer. It's simple economics, really. Well, perhaps not so simple.

The church has a number of income streams outside of donation. They have shops and fundraisers and, most of all, real estate (yes, with rentals it is an income stream). There are other bits and pieces, but these are the major ones.

The reason why they collect in this way is because, well, they can. If you stick a plate out, people will stick money in it. The people sitting in the pews are essentially cattle. All they need is a little more prodding and out with the milk.

The church will tell you (I've been to church hundreds of times and even raised my hand during homily to ask a question in response to nonsense) that it's for the individual parish. It is. The money in the plates keeps the lights on directly. Funding from big brother in the Vatican is sparse at best. Still, it's the cattle thing.

Answer 3

Yeah of course God answers prays but maybe he is answering them when they get full plates?

Jesus didn't tell them to give whatever they earned away. He told a rich man to sell everything he had and follow him because the rich man was reckoning to be righteous and following all the commandments. So Jesus made a point that he loved money more than God.

Jesus said that the gospel was free and we have freely received and should freely give. But this doesn't apply to those who have not recieved.

The other point to your question is an offering plate. An offering plate is not needed specifically, it could be a bag a bucket....whatever....the point is they are giving what their conscience tells them to give.

I know you were joking about taxes but have you ever considered that most hospitals and benefits to most societies mainly come from people who believed in God and the state took over those same systems. NHS in UK is a prime example. :-)

Answer 4

The money goes to several things; missions and outreach programs, denominational dues, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, building maintenance, the pastors salary,
special activities and events at the church. Most give to the church of their tithes - a tenth of their income. The individual does not have to give the whole tithe to their church, but can also support charity programs, shelters... whatever the Spirit leads them to do in their hearts. The new testament church is not required to tithe, and some do not, but many do so from faith that God will provide their needs as they help provide for the needs of others and the church.

Answer 5

The offerings are how the church pays for light, heat, water, sewer, Sunday school materials, a pastor's wages and many other things, depending on the size and involvement of the church.

And they do pray, continuously, for people to put God first. That means giving back to God some of what He has blessed us with. Money easily liquid funds, easily converted into other things.

Answer 6

We don't realise that salvation in all its aspects comes from grace.

2 Cor 8:9 "You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was rich, yet for you sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich."

God can make us wise and prosper us both that way and by supernatural means
(but not if we spend the whole lot on ourselves.) I don't think He does things like making money materialise though (although God tends to do things in all sorts of godly ways, so He could).

Obviously in practice you'd expect church bodies to support their ministry teams and running costs. But they should give a lot more for mission and help for those in need.

There is some very good teaching on church finances at www.garycarpenter.org.

Answer 7

we don't have a collection plate at my church.

its called tithing, i pay 10% of everything i earn to my church.

i got a question for ya. What organization has the worlds best disaster relief program?

the answer to this and what my church is are the same.

i don't mean to boast but its pretty cool being able to help supply food blankets and other essentials to the people in disasters like Caterina and the like

Answer 8

Sadly, the electricity, heat and air conditioning, water and trash pickup isn't covered by prayer. Buying hymnals; paying the secretary to type up bullentins and service schedules; cleaning person; candles and flowers and wax for the pews, and sometimes the salary for the minister is also covered by the donations. No, they don't pay taxes but they do sometimes pay someone to mow, remove snow, and rake leaves.

Answer 9

People give offerings to be blessed! When you give to God what he has givin unto you YOU WILL BE BLESSED!! Paying your tithes is another thing! Give to God 10% to show that money isn't what you live for. "For man should not live by bread alone, but by every word that prosideth out of the mouth of God!" -WORD!

Answer 10

God has answered their prayers, people donate of their own free will to the collection plate.