Jesus flipped the tables over at the temple and drove away the money changers and said they had made the house of God a den of thieves. My question is, dont churches now a days do they same thing when they go around collecting money, or am I missing something. thanks!
2007-11-15 03:56:13 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I would suspect what you're missing is church. You don't understand what churches do with the money they collect. When you go to church this week, ask any member of the church to explain some of the church's outreach programs or mission work, and then you'll have some idea where the money goes.
Money changers were outside the Temple, and had nothing to do with the business of the Temple.
Godspeed.
2007-11-15 04:04:24 · answer #1 · answered by jimmeisnerjr 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Umm, yes and no.
When our church "passes the plate" it is indeed the time to put our tithes into the basket. They have someone play some music while this is done. But tithing is between us and God, the church just passes the plate. And yes, churches do require money to run, that's just a plain fact. Who better to pay for it than those who regularly attend?
But also yes, when church organizations step out of the realm of it's members tithing, they step onto a line that is easily crossed. Selling ornaments and icons, like they do on TBN, is offensive to the House of God I'm sure. Selling a tape to help someone grow is not exactly the same, but if it's done for profit then yeah, that's bad too.
We are supposed to be careful of that, you are right, it is a line easily crossed.
2007-11-15 12:07:37 · answer #2 · answered by arewethereyet 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You are right on target. Now days churches are into everything they can do to rake in cash. Using their tax exempt status, they own many businesses. Others sign over property to the church to get tax free property. It is one thing for a person to will his property to a church after death. It is quite another to do it in the middle of life to seek tax exemptions.
Public humiliation by shoving a collection plate in front of the people is not a Christ-like practice. I know of one preacher who doesn't like a light plate. From the pulpit he tells his congregation he is upset and where the nearest ATMs are located.
What use does God have for money? Last time I checked, spirit creatures have no pockets or wallets. Could and would an all-powerful God provide for His people doing His work?
With Jehovah's Witnesses there is NEVER a collection plate passed. There is a contribution box placed in the rear unmanned. No one knows who or how much anyone puts in. Strangely enough, all expenses are always covered? We never charge anything for our ministry. All the door to door ministry, free home Bible studies, meeting attendance is all done at our own expense.
Jesus set the example at Matthew ch. 10. After a long list of things they would be able to do with power from God, Jesus said how much they were to charge. In vs.8, "You received free, give free." Now we of today do not have those powers. How much more free we should be? ("Bang for the buck" and all that.)
2007-11-15 12:39:27 · answer #3 · answered by grnlow 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The money changers were not the church people - they used the church to sell thier wares. They loaned money to people and charged huge interest on it- making the poor people even more poor. They had no business in the temple taking the peoples money like that so Jesus sent them packing.
Sometimes tho' it does seem like you are right. Television preachers offering "miracle handkerchiefs" for every $1000 donation, churches where the ministers dog lives in air conditioned luxury, millions of dollars on buildings while people go hungry.
2007-11-15 12:03:19 · answer #4 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I agree with elaeblue's answer.
Normally the offering in a church is taken and used to run the church. When Jesus turned the tables over He was upset at what they were doing in the house of God because they were there to make money for themselves not for the good of the congregation.
2007-11-15 12:09:39 · answer #5 · answered by redeemed 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the church is doing it to help the needy great, if it's only to profit themselves that's a sin.
2007-11-15 12:13:12 · answer #6 · answered by B"Quotes 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when they are clecting money no but when they are selling things maybe.
2007-11-15 12:01:43 · answer #7 · answered by Mim 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You`ve got it he will be less than pleased and may even throw another temper tantrom..!!
2007-11-15 12:01:48 · answer #8 · answered by Terry M 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
YES you are missing something...
2007-11-15 12:00:31 · answer #9 · answered by ARIZONA 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋