Why do people give money to the church? Is the preacher lining his pocket, is his car or home nicer than yours

Question

Why do you people fall for that? I follow or give no man nothing when he puts on his pants the same way I do. I do help people directly and I believe in God.

Answer 1

For real, if you want to use your money for Christian stuff then there's plenty of other ways to do so rather than letting the preacher get rich off of you. I don't understand why my grandma keeps contributing to her pastor's six-figure income.

Answer 2

I find this question to come from people who are uninformed about exactly what offerings in church are all about. Because of certain televangelists people tend to stereotype all God's ministers as rich money grubbers.

The offering doesn't go to the minister and nothing else. The offering in church covers the costs of running the church, the gifts sent to ministries the church supports, youth group activities, helping the poor and needy, and much more. The people who believe otherwise are deceived.

The Bible teaches that the laborer is worthy of his hire. Just as a lawyer lives off his salary, and a doctor lives off his salary so a preacher (and his family) live off what the church gives them. It is their vocation and their life work.

Many ministers live on very little, work more hours than they are required to, spend a lot of time visiting those who attend their church when they are sick or hospitalized, and rarely receive the thanks they deserve, yet they don't complain or shirk in their responsibilities. They sincerely believe that no matter what they receive or don't receive in this life they have a greater reward in Heaven just being in the presence of the Lord.

If you aren't supporting them in prayer and giving you are one of those who deny their worth. I wonder if you would go to your job and work without pay or for below minimum wage and still be content and continue to do your best. It's easier to point the finger than get the facts.

Believing in God isn't enough. There's a world of difference between believing in God and knowing Him personally. If you don't know Him personally your belief is of little value in securing your eternal destiny.

Answer 3

In most churches the minister lives on par with most member of the congregation. In more affluent communities the minister lives well. In poorer churches the minister is poor, too.

There is a governing body in every church. It oversees the financial well-being of the church. They set the salary for the minister, pay the utilities and file the tax returns. Any minister who is living better than his congregation is either being overpaid, working a second job, his spouse has a good job or is embezzling church funds. If the latter is the case he should be prosecuted immediately.

Ministers do not take a vow of poverty.

Answer 4

It use to be that people were to tithe 1/10 of their salaries for the duties and maintenance of the church. That was before taxes and the only way to look out for the sick and the poor. Now, yes; what people do is like the pockets of the preacher, which makes religion become just another form of entertainment.

Answer 5

Some ministers don't have a 'day joy'. Ministering is their job. So they deserve a wage same as you and have expenses and probably a family too. Also where do you think the carpet on the aisles, the alter, the candles, the song books & etc came from. They didn't just materialize there for you. Someone had to shell out the money, usually from the 'money given to the church'.

Answer 6

Skippy say no my ministers home isnt nicer than mine. Skippy say my minister doesnt own a home, he lives in a home provided by the church. Are you saying a minister shouldnt be paid for his work? Being a minister is not an easy job. You end up working for about 65-70s a week. He should be paid pretty well.
Skippy gives to the church because the church does way more good with that money than any government program.

Skippy say for the record, not only do Christians give more money to church than non christians, they also give more money to non faith based charities than non christians.

Answer 7

My pastor has a nice house and drives a Cadillac. The money comes from what he has earned during his life working outside the church. What our church pays him now is just barely above the poverty level. Also have you ever had a pastor as a friend? It is not an easy job. They are on call 24/7. They constantly have to cancel plans because a parishioner needs them. They not only have to teach the Bible they have to try and keep the entire church happy. Pastors do a hard job. They earn the money they are paid.

Answer 8

I don't believe in gods or lining anyone's pockets. Apparently giving money away makes some people feel better. Of course the preacher gets a piece of it all. The building needs maintenance and all, but you know the employees have to get paid too. And God ain't one of 'em.

Answer 9

Some churches do not have a paid clergy. The money paid in tithes goes to maintaining the church building etc... and not into anyones pocket. They are often specific about a project or Charity when asking for funds.

Right anyone who wants to help the needy - food closets all over the country are very low and could use your help and donations to feed those in need.

Answer 10

Maybe the church has information about needs outside your realm of awareness....

I know that what I donate to my church is used to help the poor in more than just my little neck of the woods.... Tornado Alley, Africa, Eastern Europe.... places I've never even heard of!... Those people still need help- and if God can use what I give, combined with what others give to help them then far be it from me to be stingy just because I may (or may not) disagree with the guy at the pulpit.


BTW- The "guy at the pulpit" at my church- being at the pulpit isn't his "day job".... Since he's a dentist and I live in a crappy 1-bed appartment, I'm guessing his home is bigger than mine... most anyone's is!!!

Answer 11

ummm... actually, my preacher doesnt use our offerings to line his pockets. preacher dedicate their life to preaching the gospel, and that is the job they have... why shouldnt they get paid for their job like anyone else? they do many things beside just preaching, too... they help the community, my pastor personally goes to hospital and visits ppl... when i had my children, he dorve 2 and a half hours to come visit me... my pastor lives very humbly, and doesnt have to. he has made his own money off of land he owns, and lives in the same house he and his wife bought 50 years ago for $40,000. he drives a modest vehicle, and anytime someone in the church is in financial need, he will be the first one to offer help from his own pocket.i go to a church with about 100 active members. on any sunday, our offering is a couple thousand at most... thats not very much moeny considering it has to pay utilities, pay the pastor, and a portion is used to help the community. a lot of ppl dont realize that there is a lot more to upkeep of a church that you think. like, payin someone to keep up the lawn, cemetary. soemoen to clean the church, mission funds. sound equipment.... its really a lot,.