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Tithing while in debt

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  • #61
    Originally posted by tabbycat31 View Post
    I have a quick question to those of you who do tithe?

    How is giving to your church different from giving to say the American Cancer Society, United Way, or the SPCA.

    Just curious.
    I know where the money is going to - I see the budgets and the direct impact of the programs we are funding.

    A lot of times when there is immediate need for funds we still pay through our church and then they send a larger check into UMCOR - United Methodist Committee on Relief - because 100% of donations go to victims. We do a once of year donation that pays for their administration fees.

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    • #62
      Originally posted by tabbycat31 View Post
      I have a quick question to those of you who do tithe?

      How is giving to your church different from giving to say the American Cancer Society, United Way, or the SPCA.

      Just curious.

      For me is an act of worship. I do it because God says so (bible).. I do it because I believe in the teaching of the bible and that is how I want to live my life. God is the center of my life when it comes to making decisions about anything I do and I have no qualms over it and very content. My tithe also supports the growth of God's teaching and missionaries.

      Charities to me are empathy towards others where I want to give.

      I remember when Katrina came, it was the churches (i.e. Salvation Army) that came for help first since fema was not prepared....

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      • #63
        i can understand about keeping it local........ I know that with my local SPCA, we know exactly where the funds go (most likely for medical care, as pet food is donated)

        However I thought that Christianity taught to help out the needy. I've seen many cases where tithes were abused (the televangelists of the 80s come to mind) and they help out the exact opposite of the needy.

        I guess the way I look at is that everyone has a cause they will support...... for me it's animal welfare. For others it's religion. Others it may be health, etc.

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        • #64
          Good point tabbycat....yes,some relief agencies have mismanaged charity funds at some point as have many churches (I personally know two pastors who got caught up in the internet investment bubble using church funds and then had to step down). I agree with what most people are saying keep it local and make sure that you are involved enough in the church structure or charity to take affirmative steps if the money is being mismanaged....

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          • #65
            I look at the Catholic church as an example with the child molestation scandal. A lot of donations were used to cover legal fees defending the priests in question. I know that I would not want my donation being used to cover such an expense.

            Charities can be mismanaged at all levels. I read one story of a church that spent 400K to build a marble cross.

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            • #66
              Tappycat, you made an excellent point! Churches are not immune to scandal or misapporiating funds. As a church member, you need to make sure you KNOW how your church is using the money are you giving. A church should freely give its financial reports out down to the salary of the pastor. My church has a business meeting every year to discuss the new year's budget and answer questions about the previous year. My Pastor is NOT allowed to sign checks. He has NOTHING to do with the money. That is totally up the deacon board. My pastor can of course make decisions but the deacon board can vote him down. My husband is a deacon so we have a good idea of how the money is spent throughout the year. However, any church member can obtain any information at any time. They have taken these steps to prevent rumor or mishandling. So, I am secure that my tithes are going to the right place. Also, I can make offerings to any area of the church that I wish such as missions or the building funds. If one disagrees with how money is being used or finds mishandling...it needs to be addresssed. Also, you are not bound by blood to any church..lol. If there is a problem you need to find another church....if the problem cannot be solved.

              Tithing is a spiritual issue. There is nothing wrong with donating money to a charity you feel strongly about. However, if you are a church goer, you need to tithe first and donate second. That is just the biblical way of doing things. Biblically, we are asked for a tithe. Tithes keep the heat on in the church. Tithes help widows who are in need of money for a new furnance or new roof. Tithes pay for food baskets and ministries. Yes, they are also used to pay the pastor. I don't mind that! I love my pastor, he deserves very penny God allots to him. Without the tithes the gospel cannot be spread. So, as Christians it is important that we give to our church. The how much....that can be touchy. I can tell you that NO ONE at my church has ever been kicked out for not tithing. In fact, a nontither has all the same privleges as a tither. If you don't tithe but you are in need the church will give you what you need. However, without those of us who do tithe that couldn't happen.

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              • #67
                Our church is the same. Our pastor has a "discretionary funds" account with a small amount of money in it that he can spend to help others that need it to be kept private - utilities, food, clothing, etc. He has no input/control over church finances. That is handled through our Administrative Council/Finance Chair & Treasurer.

                We also have a Charge Conference twice a year and our budgets are in the office in plain view and available via e-mail to anyone who wants them.

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