When we give, we give to God. Where you give it though is what this question is about.
Would you give money to a church that you KNEW would not have you as a member?
Or, if you prefer, if you were church treasurer, would you accept a donation from a non-member?
2007-10-01 01:48:22 · 24 answers · asked by Jed 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This whole matter of " Church Membership" ..I truly do not know how scriptural it is brother Jed. We are members of the Body of Christ. This truly the only real standing I believe.
Broadening our view to see and realize that when we give to the Lord we give to Him as the Head of the Body. Its difficult to say that you are giving something to the Head and it is not for the body as well. We give food to the mouth but this mouth is for the Body.
Our donation and tithing should be out of a heart of joyfulness and love toward the Lord. Over the many years donations given to various church groups or ministries have been abused. The Lord will judge this mismanagement of what is given to Him.
Personally I never became a member of the church where I meet with the Brothers and sisters. Quite frankly our membership is only of the Body of Christ. Its not of the denomination. We serve as members in a certain capacity.. be it to take care of the children or serve in offering or giving a message..its all a function not a position.
Our giving unto the Lord is truly something that we need to be before the Lord about. This matter of even passing around a donation plate is not scriptural. Our right hand should not even know what the left is doing when it comes to giving to the Lord. Where I meet there is an offering box that is private where you give according to what the Lord has laid on your heart. No one knows about it but the brothers or sisters serving to count. Some brothers and sisters tithe directly to a member in need or to a particular work in the church, be it local or international... the serving saints see about that matter in faithfulness before the Lord.
I do believe that we need to have the Lord remove some veils from our eyes when it comes to the matter of membership and giving to the Lord. We are not here for a sect or for a dogma or denomination.. These things are NOT Christ. He is not an organization but an ORGANISM made up of Himself as the head and we as His many members constituting and making up His Body.
May the Lord bless you brother Jed.
Your sister
sandy
2007-10-01 02:24:02 · answer #1 · answered by Broken Alabaster Flask 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm concerned about a church that you know "would not have you as a member." I would question WHY they won't have you as a member. Churches and Christians speak the truth in love, but should not judge (although I know many do). Is this church really doing God's will if they are rejecting God's people?
As for the second question, if I don't think there's anything wrong with accepting a donation from a non-member.
2007-10-01 01:55:15 · answer #2 · answered by mortgagelns 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is written in the Bible that everyone is to tithe (give money.) You are not "donating" money to the church. As you said, you are giving it to God by way of the church.
Yes, I would give to a church that would not accept me as a member because it's not about the church or the churches rules. Its about Gods rules.
Yes, if I were a treasurer, I would accept money from a non-member for the same reason as listed above.
Hope this helps.
2007-10-01 01:54:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Jed,
When Baptized as the first Century Christians of Acts, we become members of the LORD'S CHURCH. I am a member of that Church as is every other person. We can not discriminate against others who are HIS CHILDREN. Donations at our church are made anonymously so that others do not know what you or anyone else donates. It is used for the LORD'S WORK in that particular Church. Have a wonderful week.
Thanks,
Eds
PS... I would be glad to answer any other question confidentially by email if you wish.
EDIT:
Tithing is NOT Mentioned in the New Testament Church. We are told to "give as we have been prospered". The Old Testament were to "Tithe". Some of these folks are not reading and studying the New Testament as they are supposed to.
.
2007-10-01 06:46:07 · answer #4 · answered by Eds 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The money is not about you, nor is it the treasurer's job to judge the givers. It doesn't make sense to even be where you can't be a member, a part of the fellowship. What kind of church is that? I give where I am a member. I also give to other fellowships where I visit, or who visit our church......like a visiting choir. The gift goes to God. If you are reasonably sure the money will be used for God's purpose, I see no reason to withhold it, even if you are not allowed to be a member.
The treasurer's job is to count the money, keep accurate records, be responsible for distributing the money and keeping it safe. Who gives the money is not his concern.
2007-10-01 01:58:45 · answer #5 · answered by Joyful Noise 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I wouldn't give to a church that I knew wouldn't have me as a member. A church that wouldn't have me as a member is likely to support/condone things that I don't support/condone...thus, I wouldn't support them financially.
If I were a church treasurer, I would accept all donations that didn't have any strings attached (other than those we already acknowledge such as allowing people to specify that a particular donation is used to help an orphanage we support).
I would disagree that all churches would accept all donations from any source. I know of at least one church that wouldn't accept a donation of funds from a person's lottery winnings...because the church didn't condone gambling, they thought it was wrong to benefit from it. As a church treasurer, I wouldn't make this distinction.
2007-10-01 02:09:34 · answer #6 · answered by KAL 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our church does not take an offering. We have a box in the back so its between you and God. Passing the plate makes people give out of PRIDE, GUILT, sense of responsibility and those are not reasons to give. Keep your money.
God wants you to give out of a heart to him wanting to help the church spread the gospel (not pay to settle lawsuits).
If your church wont let you se a minister is it because of sin? Or a scriptural reason? then God is right, stop being so prideful and give to help others be saved. We take donations from non member if they want to help the ministry but we don't solicit any donations at all. So all we get hopefully comes from a heart inclined to serve God.
2007-10-01 01:54:37 · answer #7 · answered by jesussaves 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You should give to the church you belong to, and of course a treasurer would accept a donation from a non member.
2007-10-01 01:52:39 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Giving back to God is a command in the Bible.
Belonging to a church is a man-made concept. Being a member of your church shows a commitment and often enables you to serve in ways you otherwise would not be permitted.
However, giving and accepting money given to the Lord via the church should never depend upon membership. To restrict is akin to placing artificial restrictions on serving the Lord.
2007-10-01 02:07:30 · answer #9 · answered by BowtiePasta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I really don't think it should matter where you are a member and all of that. Since we can't hand God our tithes and offerings, we have to give them to somebody somewhere. I would prefer to donate to my own church, yes...but I would have no problem giving to a church to which I don't belong or accepting donations from someone who is not a member of my church. All that would matter to me is that people give from their hearts.
2007-10-01 01:56:00 · answer #10 · answered by MissDiva1228 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋