SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY:
This is a very SINCERE question, and I--as a Muslim--want to hear your honest opinions...I have respect for the Christian religion, and know there are many sincere Christians who do great things..
Honestly--What is your PERSONAL OPINION about today's mega-church Ministers, Preachers, and Pastors who are millionares who drive luxury cars, fly in private jets, and live in multi-million dollar homes?
Not saying that God doesnt want us to have wealth--because even I want wealth--but is it OK to use the church to build personal wealth?...
Also: How do you feel about the "Tiding" and the requirement that 10 percent of your income be given to The Church--as opposed to giving 10% of your income to feed the homeless, build schools in Africa, etc.?
How do you feel about all of this?
2007-10-21 07:25:26 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Tithing is something I practice and I find it good. It reminds me that all I have came from God and I know (since I work for the Church) that my mite is helping the poor of my parish.
As for millionaire preachers, I'm afraid I put them in the same category as Simon Magus who wanted to know the "secret" of Peter's powers so he could make miracles as well and when Peter told him it didn't work that way, Simon offered to BUY the secret and make Peter a rich man. (See Acts). It's called the sin of simony, that is, using one's calling for profit, selling holiness. Tsk,tsk,tsk!
BTW, Peter refused him.
2007-10-21 07:35:11 · answer #1 · answered by Granny Annie 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's actually "tithing" - a "tithe" means 10%. It comes from the Old Testament of the Bible, and was a law for the ancient Israelites, to show their faithfulness to God by taking part of their earnings and giving it back to God. After Jesus came to be the sacrifice for our sins, those old laws were no longer required, because his blood paid for our sins, so that we could be forgiven. Now, truly respectable churches don't actually require tithing, but they encourage giving 10%, as a general guideline, and the purpose of the money is supposed to be for church ministries, including ministry to poor people, NOT to make the pastor wealthy. If the pastor is using the 10% to build his own wealth, then he is a hypocrite. However, there are some sincere pastors who became wealthy by other means, such as real estate investments, stock, etc. and there's nothing wrong with a pastor earning money from other income sources. A sincere Christian pastor would NOT use the 10% tithing money to fill his own pockets, but he should use the money for ministry programs that help people and teach them about God. Also, some people mis-quote the Bible by saying that money is evil, but what the Bible actually says is that the LOVE of money is evil, so it's not evil to HAVE money, but only to LOVE money. Jesus also said that it's "easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" (the "eye of the needle" refers to a certain narrow doorway in Jerusalem) so this means that it's difficult, but not impossible for a rich man to enter heaven, presumably because he may love money more than God. There are some celebrity pastors on T.V. who teach the "wealth gospel" which many sincere Christians don't agree with. Those types of preachers might not be sincere and many true Christians don't buy into their emphasis on wealth.
2007-10-21 16:05:34 · answer #2 · answered by tita5567 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If they are making their money outside the Church then fine. If they are making themselves rich at the expense of the Church then I have some issues. At many of those mega churches etc.the minister draws a salary that is controlled by a board or the churches organizational groups but even then a reasonable wage is not seen all the time. They deserve to earn a good living but the Bible calls for feeding the poor not making the minister rich!
There are many Christians that give far more than the 10% though, Rick Warren for example is making tons of money with the Purpose Driven life books etc. BUT he donates 90% of his income and lives on the remaining 10%.
http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/rickwarren.aspx
As for me I donate regularly to supporting the local church and besides that to organizations such as Compassion or World Vision.
2007-10-21 07:41:25 · answer #3 · answered by Pilgrim in the land of the lost 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First tithing is optional. If they are getting rich off their church there is something wrong. There are probably a lot of scammers doing so. There is nothing wrong with a pastor or minister being well off. That is if the wealth does not come directly from a church or the selling of their religion. In example my brother in law is a pastor of a church and is very well off. He runs a business profitably and has for a long time. It has nothing to do with the church. This is proper it does not demean the church by selling it for profit.
2007-10-21 08:09:09 · answer #4 · answered by timbugtiny 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that not all Christians represent Christianity, The Catholic Church is the original Christian Church Started by Jesus. Non-Catholics are Christians, but they are not under Papal authority. Most of these mega churches with pastors who are millionaires are Protestant. Christians are to give 10% of their income to the Church. I used to be a Protestant, but I am becoming a Catholic, I am taking classes called "Rite to Christian Initiation"
I would encourage you to learn about the three different types of Christians Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant. It is similar to the different Muslims Sunni and Shi'ite. Are there more types of Muslims?
I think that these pastors should do charitable deeds as well as all the preaching that they do. It is good to preach the Gospel(good news of Jesus Christ) but you cant force others to believe, you share Jesus with them, but they have to decide weather or not they believe. I also think that these pastors will have to answer to God, so their hearts better be right with God
2007-10-21 07:38:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have often wondered the same thing, Lady Luck. I'm not a Christian either, but I can't see what difference wearing an Armani suit makes to preaching the word of God. Or needing the big house, fancy cars (plural), and private jet. I'll let the fancy halls go without comment, considering the cathedrals and churches that are just as ornate, but I firmly believe that these mega-churches are more along the lines of using God as a corporation, and they should be taxed as such.
As for what I'm given to understand about a good portion of their congregation, it seems to me that a lot of them have simply substituted one form of addiction for another that is just as costly. There is my "2 cents", for what it's worth.
2007-10-21 07:36:21 · answer #6 · answered by prnigel 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that when someone gives money to a church, it should go to the church. Preachers should not be putting that money in their pockets, and buying fancy cars or homes. . The money should go for the up keep of the church. Preachers should not be paid to do the work of god. They should feel honored and privileged to have that opportunity.
2007-10-21 13:01:57 · answer #7 · answered by dynamicsue 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
GOD made King Solomon Rich!
Know Why? Cause King Solomom always wanted to Know "What GOD Said" and when you Know What GOD Said, Especially in Finances--guess what? Your Finances WORK!
I cannot Judge AnyOne as GOD Judges.
I leave all of The Judging up to GOD.
(I don't have to Give AnyBody any Money if I decide not too!)
My Life goes alot better when I Tithe!
10 percent!
If you don't have a church, give it to the Poor (help the Poor, but do it Wisely!)
and you will be Giving it to GOD (it is In The Bible), GOD will Remember you in your Hard Times too!
p.s. Solomon got away from GOD later on and broke most of the Proverbs he had written while Inspired of GOD to write them!
Were Human Beings!
We Fail SomeTimes!
GOD will Always forgive ya!
2007-10-21 07:36:42 · answer #8 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well..some of them are scam artists. but not all of them. when i become a lawyer..I'm going to drive a nice car, get a nice house and take care of my family. why does a preacher have to live in poverty when CEO business owners are doing the same thing scam artist are doing?
some of the pastors are humble and sincere while the other ones arnt. i say that God will deal with them in due time. when it comes to other pastors who have money but did it the right way...then i say let them be blessed.
2007-10-21 07:36:29 · answer #9 · answered by Ms. Lady 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Preachers should not make millions by preaching. They instead should preach freely, and live towards the wealth ahead. There is a greater treasure than money can ever compare waiting for those who utilize integrity, and work for it.
2007-10-21 14:45:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋