So what does the Bible say about you paying tithes and offerings? Is it optional or a requirement? There is much discussion about this topic and I was asking myself, why are we so confused about money? Could it be that the church has mishandled money and the body doesn't trust the leaders to do the right thing? Or... is it that we want to find every excuse NOT to give in the offering plate?
I would say it's a little of both. It has been proven time and time again that there have been church leaders who have misused funds and there are probably some that are sitting under the radar. But what exactly is a misuse of funds... buying prostitutes, funding drug lords, paying whoever we like whenever we like and hiding it behind the ministry... Those are obvious offenses, but are our church leaders doing that? Or are they surviving while doing the work of the ministry?
Let's look at this in perspective... the state of the economy today is poor (getting better); isn't the reason we are in the shape we are in because someone, somewhere misused MONEY? Hmmm... There was a time when we were seeing government leaders, CEOs, Bank Presidents, etc. who were abusing their power in the area of finances. So it's fair to say that this problem isn't reserved for church leaders.
I've heard the question many times about if a person should pay their tithes and watch the preacher make off with the money. I'm sure it can happen, but I guess I don't worry about that as much. I think many believers (if you can call them that) are just looking for an excuse to control their financial situation. I say, do as you please and if that makes you feel better, then it makes me feel great because I know you aren't toiling with your decisions, or are you?
I'm rooted in my belief and I can tell you story after story about how God has taken care of me in my time of need and I know it is because of my obedience to Him, especially in my finances. You see, I have purposed in my heart to give and everything I give goes into the kingdom of God. I get to choose (with God's direction) what ground I'm going to sow my seed. I use criteria when deciding and it isn't much... I just need to know that what I'm giving is going to a ministry that is going to minister to those in need of a Savior. But my tithes - well they don't belong to me anyway and I'm required to give those in my storehouse (church). I wouldn't want to be in a church that wasn't reaching souls for the kingdom.
It would be foolish to think that ministry happens WITHOUT people. Someone has to carry the message - and the one who carries it should be rewarded for answering the call of God and for delivering His Word to the people. "How can they hear without a preacher." [Romans 10:15] Oh, we are all gung ho about getting the word out and evangelizing, but we forget that someone has to tell them, someone has to do the work. It's funny to me how we will give to Cancer Research and United Way and we don't question the leadership in those organizations and they get millions of dollars to help so many people. Yet, we will grill the man or woman of God if they buy anything for themselves.
I guess my question for this blog is why is the church held at a different standard than other entities and why is giving generously to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ such a debated subject? I have so many more questions, but I would love to hear your take on the subject. This one just came up in my spirit today and I love discussion.
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2 comments:
I know that the tithe does not belong to me and I pay my tithe but like many, I used to say, why am I paying my tithes to the church when on the way home the money is used for everything other than winning souls to the Kingdom. I had to pray and get an understanding that I am doing the right thing when I tithe and cannot answer for anyone other than myself.
As far the church being held at a different standard than the world, I think the church should be an example and not be confotming to the ways of the world. You expect that unsaved people will do anything but saved people are suppose to be different, at least that is what we think. I feel if the church leadership steals the money, they are no different than the world. But once again they must answer for that, not me. It is also difficult to see the man or woman of God driving Bentleys and I don't even own a car. What's up with this? Now this is not all men and women of God but these are the ones the enemy would have us look at.
God is sovereign, knows what he's doing, and is fully in control. With that said, I give to HIM what already belongs to HIM, and if someone missuses HIS money than GOD will handle it and deal with them accordingly. I do believe you should align yourself with a ministry that has a vision you agree with and therefore don't mind contributing financially. But ultimately it's in God's hands and so are the people who administer the funds received. As for the standard ????? the Bible its self holds believers to a different and seemingly higher standard.
As for the high price car reference made by Anonymous, I understand where you are coming from, however we never complain when the CEO or supervisor or even co-workers pull up in those cars; and this has nothing to do with standards. I do however believe that God's representatives need to be ever so sensitive to the congregants and what might be perceived with the purchase of such high dollar items. God himself has an assignment specifically for you at this point while you don't have a car. Consider it training for where God is taking you. Obviously you are able to handle it because he would not have placed you in that situation if he didn't think you could take it and if He had not given you the wherewithal to deal with it. God Bless You.
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