What is your view on giving, tithing, etc.?

[moneybags]

Does the 'feeling' come into play when giving? I will say that when I have gave to someone, it did 'feel' good. I am trying to figure out what makes people give, tithe, etc. The core reason.

I give because we have we have money, so I think we should donate some of it. I honestly do not get a "feel good" from giving. There are certain charities I feel connected to that get annual donations and some that just pop up during the year that strike me.

[simpleyme]

I will admit I often give because i am expected to

my opinion is a little scewed as I deal with the public I manage a small store, the locals rarely shop here but come flooding in when they need funding for trips and events and causes i often donate but it does not make me feel good it actually makes me feel bitter

I give to several small groups and I feel great about that , but they were my choices to give and it is anonymous so nobody expects me to do it, I like that

[ActYourWage]

"But the tithe is not about return-on-investment (ie. I give tithe to God, He MUST bless me!), but rather, I give due to my relationship with God."

I have the same view. I give to the Lord because I trust Him.

[sweeps]

But your tithe isn't going to God. It's going to your pastor's fancy car, fancy house, nice clothes, jewelry and vacations. Oh and 6- and 7-figure audio/video systems too if you go to a megachurch.

If you really want to "give to God", you'd give your money directly to food pantries, homeless people, struggling single parents, hospitals that tend to sick children, etc.

[ActYourWage]

But your tithe isn't going to God. It's going to your pastor's fancy car, fancy house, nice clothes, jewelry and vacations. Oh and 6- and 7-figure audio/video systems too if you go to a megachurch.

My tithe is to the Lord. I trust Him. I have a relationship with Him.

"If you really want to "give to God", you'd give your money directly to food pantries, homeless people, struggling single parents, hospitals that tend to sick children, etc."

Our church sends missionaries around the world for something more important than money, food, etc., that is lost, hurting, and searching souls.

[sweeps]

Our church sends missionaries around the world for something more important than money, food, etc., that is lost, hurting, and searching souls.

Where does the line get drawn between a church and a cult? Serious question.

[ActYourWage]

Where does the line get drawn between a church and a cult? Serious question.

I am not saying we don't help the less fortunate, If I cam across that way. We definitely do.

To answer you question, we share the gospel but it is up to the person to decide what they what to do. I think the line gets drawn depending on who or what you serve that defines a church or a cult.

[moneybags]

From my understanding, only less than 10%-20% of the churches misuse the funds.

Wow, 10-20% misuse of the funds is an acceptable amout?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Um, a close friend of mine is becoming a minister and the church will provide for him. However he is going to work in a very small congregation, but even he doesn't tithe.

He gives 10% to charities because most churches spend way to much on pastor's salaries, cars, etc.

Every wonder why the Pope has a popemobile? Or the Aga Khan a private jet with AK747 initials? It's from all the tithing.

My roommate is a muslim and according to him only a portion of tithe they are preached should go to the church, 2.5% and 10% to charities. Because the church gets A LOT.

I wonder don't those who give to organized religion where all the money goes? Or do you get to see your church's books?

[ActYourWage]

Or do you get to see your church's books?

Yes!

It is much more than giving to a church or a organization. It is to my Lord, Christ Jesus.

[ActYourWage]

Wow, 10-20% misuse of the funds is an acceptable amout?

If I was a betting man, I would venture to say the Government misuses much much more than 10-20% of OUR money.

[disneysteve]

I wonder don't those who give to organized religion where all the money goes? Or do you get to see your church's books?

I'm on the board of trustees of our synagogue. I know exactly where the money goes. And we do donate to the synagogue regularly, sometimes earmarking our donations for particular funds and sometimes just going toward the general fund. Somebody has to pay the electric bill and buy copy paper and pay the landscaper and such.

[maat55]

Wow, 10-20% misuse of the funds is an acceptable amout?

Unfortunatly, imperfect humans handle money given to the church, as does any other charital organization. I would argue that less greedy hands handle church money than other groups. I would have more respect for God's money than my own.

As to whether it is better put to use, by a church, is questionable.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Actyourwage, I don't think the lord is seeing it. The church is for rent/mortgage, utilities, but what else?

God certainly isn't there taking it in and getting on his own jet with the pope or aga khan. And he certainly isn't riding around in a popemobile.

I noticed you ignored the fact that many religious leaders lead very extravagent lives. Above and beyond. Must be because their followers give a lot to them.

How else is Rome so palatial?

[ActYourWage]

Actyourwage, I don't think the lord is seeing it. The church is for rent/mortgage, utilities, but what else?

God certainly isn't there taking it in and getting on his own jet with the pope or aga khan. And he certainly isn't riding around in a popemobile.

I noticed you ignored the fact that many religious leaders lead very extravagent lives. Above and beyond. Must be because their followers give a lot to them.

How else is Rome so palatial?

The Lord sees every thing I give. The church is to spread the good news of Jesus, to help others in need, etc.

I haven't ignored anything. My pastor lives in a modest house and lives on a budget, hardly extravagent.

What does Rome have to do with anything?

BTW, when you buy something, someone somewhere is living extravagent lives.