Those huge, gigantic, brand new sprawling churches?

Question

Where do they get their money and why don't they give some to the poor in the community? Why are they bigger than shopping malls and I'm not talking about the ones with schools inside, these have no school. Just big *** churches 2 city blocks long.

Answer 1

Nauseating isn't it?
They should use some of the room as foster shelter for children that would otherwise be aborted.
Or as respite sites for wounded soldiers that they so want to fight in the name of their God.
Money spent helping the poor would facilitate their belief that the poor are so because they choose to be, not that they need help due to a bad set of circumstances.
Didn't you know it isn't how big your faith's foundation but how big your church's foundation is that is the fast track to heaven?

Answer 2

It has nothing to do with Christianity or even God.
All of them are on the Forbes list of Richest men in America.
Olsom has made billions and what they do with the money has nothing to do with charity. They make big churches and colleges, and medical centers but the catch is none of them are free. They cost more to attend than a government sponsored one because they can have prayer.
Remember to it is all tax free.
They don't have to sit down and say I earned 2 million last year and that is one of the poor ones who earn that much and say well now what do I pay in taxes? Because they don't pay taxes.
to date Opray Winfrey has done more with what she has earned and donated to orphanages, schools and hospitals.
And it was funny to me so has Madonna! And they have to pay taxes on the money they earn.
So it is a business that makes tons of money and does very little if any charity work,. One TV evangelist was saying he was suporting this orphanage in some south American country. come to investigate he was bribeing this man who ran the orphange to say he was and had something to do with the day to day running of the place when actually he didn't. It was all extortion but since the funds he earns are contributed there was nothing they could do.
For what it costs to make a TV commercial in a Christian Children Funds they could feed every starving child in the world 3 times over. Then think of the many times it runs in prime time. So someone is making money off those commercials. No proof has to be produced as to wether that is going to help anyone or not.
They said if you want to donate to the poor you are better off giving it to someone you know is poor.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, it's all about the money, success, fame and success. I can't tell you details, but I am and have been directly involved with more than a few successfull ministries that are so rich, it grieves me.

The best thing to do is to keep your spirit right and your focus on Jesus and your spouse if your married.

We have formed a house-church, group type setting and hoping to offset this "mega-church" mentality which is way not biblical.

There's very little we can do about it, except live for God to the best of our ability, and focus on the good, and positive of living right before our Master.

http://www.housefellowship.org
http://www.splashdesignworks.com

Answer 4

And I was just about to avoid this question as I feared it was referring to human mammaries.... clearly compensation for something. If there were any more than two of them then bipedal locomotion would become a thing of the past.


Huge, gigantic, sprawling churches aren't much better.
I pay homage to the Great Seytnurr from the comfort of my own sett.

Answer 5

They are that big to accomodate a lot of people. And quite often they do fill up, even in areas where you don't think there are that many people around, let alone that many people of a particular faith.

I'm not a fan of them myself, but I also don't presume to make statements like "why don't they give some to the poor..." I have looked into this a bit and whenever I do, those organizations are doing charitable work as well. There is nothing wrong with people spending their money to build themselves a large church if that is what they want to do. Basically calling people out as hypocrites is kind of ignorant (which is what you are doing in a passive sort of way.)

In the grand scheme of things, it is best for you to reflect on what YOU are doing to help others, instead of insisting that it is someone else's obligation to do so. Start there. You'll be less angry, less jealous, less judgmental, and less ugly.

Answer 6

Sounds like a double standard on your part. Celebrities buy estates with multiple bedrooms and accommodations in a variety of locations around the world when they're single. TV stations broadcast shows like MTV Celebrity Cribs, Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous, and etc.. No one protests for them to be modest, considerate to the millions in 3rd world countries dying from lack of basic necessitiies and curable diseases. On the contrary, many celebrate these individuals as successful, aspiring to have their lifestyles. Also, some Christians and many non-Christians have associated poverty with living holy for Jesus Christ. Jesus asked the rich, young ruler to sell his possessions, give to the poor and follow Him, because the rich, young ruler's possessions became his god. Now, many Christians are seeking the finer things in life that Almighty God has promised to those who seek Him first in their lives (Matthew 6). Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, the Israelites, David, Solomon, and many others were wealthy and righteous. The twelve disciples owned businesses and worked professionally. It takes money to do just about everything these days. You haven't seen anything yet. Mark these words: Christians will be the first trillionaires for the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ, and we will give in a way that will publicly demonstrate again... the profound love that Almighty God has for those truly in need (Isaiah 55 & 61; 1 Corinthians 9). So, judge fairly and do objective research! [(\o/)(XP)]

Answer 7

These giant corporate churches are funded by investments and land value appreciation, and by wealthy donors who seem to think giving a big chunk of money will compensate for their apathy toward the truly needy.

They are impressive, though. I have visited a few, they are like small cities.

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Answer 8

The Cult of the Personal God - all that matters is MY development and salvation. These churches focus so much on the individual that they forget about all those people out there they should be helping. It's all about MY pursuit of God and religion, so a huge, extravagant church is a good thing. It helps ME in my journey.

Answer 9

I know what you mean. The ones where the pastor has product placement in his sermons, like talking about how Jesus would have preferred a new pair of Nike's to his sandals, and says there were probably Doritos at the last supper.

Answer 10

Mega-Churches behave exactly like corporate businesses. They should be taxed as such. They give back so little to the community. The pastors are overpaid.