What share of Christian church's budgets goes towards helping the less fortunate?

Question

It seems like money going into Churches is spent mostly on payroll, politics, buildings and social events more than anything else.

Thank you for all the good charitable work that is being done, but I have to believe that the "mega Churches," the Vatican, etc. are not as efficient in their work

Answer 1

Which is why tax exempt status should be eliminated. If a church does charity work report it on taxes and you write it off like everyone else. I also don't see how spreading a religious message is charity. Want to spread your message fine spread it as much as you like as long as I'm not subsidizing it.

Pay your taxes. I don't see how any church can argue with it. If you're actually doing good then there should be no problem at all. And it would expose those who are making you and your religion look bad.

It's a win/win situation for everyone except those who are scamming their followers.

Answer 2

I can't speak for "most churches" - but 100% of our budget goes toward "helping the less fortunate." We don't have a building to maintain or paid staff and our social events are paid for out of our pockets, generally by the person/family hosting.
Having said that, unless you've examined the books, you have no idea how the money is being distributed. I know what it looks like - and have my own opinons about the way most churches operate - but even here, looks may be decieving

Answer 3

Well in actuality it is NOT the Church's business to go around giving money, food, gasoline, etc. to the less fortunate! The Scriptures of the New Testament clearly tell us just exactly WHO may be on the Church's "welfare roles:" Widows, who have been faithful Christians for many years, and are AT LEAST 60 years of age, having no adult children who can take care of them, and very young orphans.

THAT'S IT!

Beyond that, most churches are much more heavily involved in charitable works than other corporations, or the population at large, but that goes well BEYOND what the Scripture mandates.

The Church may not live up to your expectations, or your desires, but in the area of charity it certainly lives up to God's requirement, and well beyond!

Answer 4

Not enough. We should do more, but so should non-Christians.

We have an ongoing food bank collection for local poor; we take up a foreign charities collection every month at our church, and we have a collection box for a church-member's grandson, whose family serves on a foreign mission field.

We also combined with other churches, to repair homes for poor families in town.

Our family gives to foreign aid, and has for years. For Christmas we gave livestock to 3rd world families, in the names of our friends and relatives...and this year some of them will follow our example.

Our son and his wife are saving a large amount of money to fund a well in a dry, poor land overseas.

Still, we have money left, so we did not give enough!

Remember the scene at the end of "Shindler's List" when he cries that he has a gold ring, etc, with which he could have bribed for another Jew's freedom?!?

Answer 5

I want to answer this question with a question. Why are these questions like this so Judas Iscariot oriented? Judas asked the question why was the ointment used to annoint Jesus feet not sold and the money given to the poor. Most that are less fortunate are really not less fortunate at all.

All the less fortunate I see dropped out of school cause they were so smart they didnt need it. I just cant feel sorry for the poor. I do help those that have extreme bad luck.

Answer 6

It may be that way in huge mega-churches, but I know for a fact in my church, (because I help keep the minutes), that we try to help all those we can. Not to brag but we currently have 5 missions we are supporting, not to mention needy families that come and ask for our help.
Our church is small and doesn't have lots of money, but it's wonderful how God has always met our needs, and has helped us meet the needs of others.
Please don't assume that all churches are greedy because a few mega-churches are misusing thier money. They have thier reward.

Answer 7

That depends completely on the individual church, at least with Protestants. Some give shamefully little, and others are more biblical. The church I attend now is very generous and community minded, which is a big part of its attractiveness to me.

Answer 8

i think of your use of the word Christians is misguided. It leads non Christians into believing that maximum Christians act this way. To be a Christian it to be Christ-like. none of those human beings you defined are Christians, yet what you probably did and are doing is seen and act of a real Christian. permit's relate the identify of Christian some thing beneficial and not destructive.

Answer 9

Most of the help given the poor by church's is in the form of food and that is donated by companies and the USG and all Ministers or preachers by any other name make better money than you would think as in addition to their salary they usually get a place to live and sometimes food to eat paid for by the church and then charge to preform weddings , baptisms etc . all cash !

Answer 10

Almost half of our budget goes to missions, about 1/3 goes to slary (our annual budget is 130,000- so the pastor is not getting rich) the rest goes for programs and maintainance. We also take a special offereing every month for the needs of the poor in our community.