Christians this is RIDCULOUS!!?

Question

Now consider this: Why don't the ministers and deacons of the church gather together every Sunday morning and pray to Jesus for the money they need? Why doesn't Jesus answer their prayers? Why do churches have to beg for money from mere mortals when there is an immortal, all-powerful God who should provide anything they ask for? Here is what "God" is saying:
Pray to me for anything and I will hear and answer your prayers. I say it in dozens of places in the Bible, but I like the way I say it in Mark 11:24 the best: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Anything you need -- money, love, happiness, you name it -- I am here to provide it for you.

Now, there is just one thing I need in return. I need your money. I need lots of your money. The Bible specifies that you tithe ten percent of your income to me, but think of that as a starting point. Feel free to give more!

Because even though I created the universe and everything in it, and even though I will give you everything you ask for in prayer, I can't give a cent to any church, ever. When they pass the offering plate at church, be sure to give generously!

This, of course, is ridiculous.

Open your eyes and realize that religion was created for the benefit of the creator(pastors) as a business.

Answer 1

Paid out 660 million and didn't even notice

Answer 2

If you will tell me the exact name and addresses of the churches in which you have observed this precise behavior I will be happy to write them a note of protest. I have been in many churches and though they do pass an offering plate they do not go through the machinations you describe. I do not doubt that some do, though, and that is to their disgrace. Please don't judge all pastors by the conduct of a few bad apples. Are there no bad apples in the field you work in? I was an Associate Pastor in an inner city church where neither I nor the senior pastor received any salary. I also pastored in a small town where I received no salary and in another where my salary was about $100 per week. I have always had to work to supplement my income as a minister and my monetary compensation for ministry has been incredibly low. Right now I am writing a book for a ministry and am promised no compensation at all. I don't do it for the money and neither do most of the ministers I know.

Answer 3

I see we are stereotyping again here, condemning all pastors because of the actions of a few. That's sort of like saying that all women are hookers because a few are, or that all men are wife-beaters because a few do so.

Granted, there are televangelists, pastors and preachers who are greedy and always ask for money, which is why Jesus said that by their fruits (works) we would know who are truly His disciples, and those who claim to be but aren't.

Paul stated that those who preach the Gospel should make their living by the Gospel, and those who hear should support those to preach and teach them.

I Corinthians 9:13-14

13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar?

14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.


Galatians 6:6

6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.


Some start with good intentions, but when they become popular and they start a radio or television ministry, then pride and greediness start to set in and they lose their original focus and become what we see.

But Paul also stressed;

I Timothy 6:8

8 And having food and clothing let us be therewith content.


The reason why God doesn't answer the prayers of these greedy people is expressed by James, when he said;

James 4:3

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.


In other words, people ask of God for the WRONG REASONS, asking for their wants, not their needs.

Greedy pastors and preachers will be condemned by God for their wickedness when they stand before Him, and to lump all pastors and preachers with the greedy ones is unfair to the ones who run small, poor churches, who truly preach and teach the Word and eke out a living on small salaries because they don't have huge, popular ministries.

Answer 4

God says that you will receive what you ask for but he does not say how. Maybe God is going to use the people of the congregation to provide the answer to the prayer.

Also the tithe serves the purpose of providing for the living expenses of the priests in the old testament. That is what it was for so the people who all day spend time in communion with God for the people would be able to get something to eat and clothes to wear. Offerings is what you decide God is calling you to do extra, it is a sacrifice on your part and also serves the purpose of illustrating a point, who do you serve, God or money?

Answer 5

Why doesn't Jesus answer their prayers?

Jesus does answer their prayers. The Spirit of Christ moves believers to use some of the money that God has made them stewards of to support his Kingdom work here on earth.

What do you think, God is going to start counterfeiting currency and rain it down on the church like manna from Heaven? The Bible clearly teaches that teachers and preachers of God's Word should be supported by those who benefit from their work.

1 Timothy 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages."

2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.

9 As it is written, "He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.

Answer 6

You are right. The love of money is the root of evil. And the pastors that preach on tithing are doing it because they are a) legalistic, or b)greedy. And they are driving people away from the church. I have no problem supporting pastors who are preaching for the truth. But the ones who are riding in limos and private planes while their congregations are barely able to pay their bills really set off a bit of righteous indignation inside of me. Anyway, I'm glad you "get it". Peace.

Edit: I do know some pastors who work full time jobs and do not take a salary for themselves, but use the collection to pay rent and support missionaries and other good causes. Peace.

Answer 7

Unfortunately, most churches don't make money. Most are always in the red and pastors, even part time ones, tend to work a LOT of overtime with crap pay.

So...not sure it's really a business decision to try to start a church. It can be, of course. Check out Paula White Ministries or similar televangelists.

Matt

Answer 8

LOL.
You obviously have not been to many Churches.
GOD provides what every fellowship needs. If a fellowship begs for money or talks about it all the time that is a very clear message that they have no faith in GOD and are wolves in sheep's clothing. Any Christian in a relationship with Christ Jesus will clearly see this and stay clear of the people who fleece GOD's flock.

Answer 9

We should tithe and give if u feel more of it. To help the church with their bills so we can continue to attend church with lights, heat, ac, missionaries, and etc. Programs to do better to attract people to serve for the lord like awanas for kids, day camps, and etc. Food banks to serve for the poor. To buy clothes for others. It's not only towards the pastor but alot of other ways.
When you give, you will recieve from God, you cannot predict what will be given to you but it will come to you from God himself that you cannot see or even think of. I have been blessed so much when I was a single mom, I was given a free car, wash and dryer, and etc. So from the gifts of others they were blessed from God for their heart cuz God sees it in them. I have too when the bad things were going on in my time, i surrender to do what i had to do and the good came out of it. Amen to that.
BTW, he will provide when you pray for you needs, he makes the decision when and what is given to you even if it's not always what you want. Like parents choses what to give to children who always have so many wishes and wants and needs. Just like God is our parents. He gives what he knows is best for us.

Ofc there are other cons out there who misuses the money which is sad, but God has a plan for them, he will take care of them.

Answer 10

You are definitely an idiot! To begin with GOD expects us to read, study, and obey HIS WORD, the BIBLE. You are wrong about Tithing. Tithing was a command given to the Israelites and has been wiped from our commands. We are told to "Give as we have been prospered on the first day of the week". This is expected by GOD it is a part of what we are told to do for HIS WORK by the Church. We are also told how that money is to be spent. It is NOT to make anyone wealthy and in most cases it certainly does not. There are evangelists who spread the word in foreign lands and in our own country that need this money to keep the work alive. There are widows who need this money to survive. There are costs involved in keeping the Church Doors open and we spend money to do that. We have two preachers and they work full-time jobs outside of their preaching duties. They are very poorly paid but they enjoy the LORD'S WORK and are very good at it. Get YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT before YOU open YOUR mouth!!
Thanks,
Eds (Christian)



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Answer 11

Prayer is primarily addressed to the Father; it can also be directed toward Jesus, particularly by the invocation of his holy name: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners."


"No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord', except by the Holy Spirit" (1 Cor 12:3). The Church invites us to invoke the Holy Spirit as the interior Teacher of Christian prayer.

Because of Mary's singular cooperation with the action of the Holy Spirit, the Church loves to pray in communion with the Virgin Mary, to magnify with her the great things the Lord has done for her, and to entrust supplications and praises to her.