What Do You Think Churches Do with The Money They Collect
by I have observed that a common complaint about churches is that they are always asking for money. So I posed this question in the Triond forum: “I would like to know from people who do not attend church regularly – what do you think that the money is used for?
Image via Wikipedia
You have probably all heard the old joke about the three preachers who were discussing how much of the offering money they took for their own salary. The first reverend said, “I draw a line on the ground, and throw the money up. Whatever lands on my side is mine.” The second one said, “I draw a circle on the ground and throw the money up. Whatever lands inside the circle is mine.” The third preacher said, “I just throw the money up and whatever God wants He can keep.”
Sorry for that old groaner – back to my survey. The people who responded to my question surprised me a bit. There were only a few respondents who cited abuses in the church – money being spent on building lavish churches, or pastors who appear to be living extravagant lifestyles. Alistair Briggs told me, “Presumably it (the money) is for church repairs, electricity; general upkeep and the like. Of course there are always those that abuse the system.” He included this link to a news report in Scotland about some parishioners who are furious that their local bishop is living in relative luxury while their church building is in serious need of repairs. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2009/08/12/angry-parishioners-hit-out-at-controversial-bishop-over-state-of-their-churches-86908-21591222/
A couple of people pointed out the dedication and hard work done by clergy. There are at least three Scripture references that tell us that the clergy should be paid for their labour. “For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’” (1 Titus 5:18, see also Deut. 25:4 and 1 Cor. 9:9).
Triond author oldster gave me an unexpected answer. He said that he didn’t think church buildings are necessary at all – God is all around us. I can see his point. All of nature shows the glory of God, and no man-made structure can ever match the beauty of God’s creation. God meant for the church to be an organic, living thing – not an organization that needs head offices or grand cathedrals. Not that I have anything against grand cathedrals; they are beautiful and awe inspiring. I do agree, however, that God’s creation is also beautiful and awe inspiring.
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post CommentPR Mace
On August 17, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I love the thought that God is all around us and we need not a church house to worship him in. I once heard someone said, ” Look under a rock, at the lines in a leaf, the path a river is flowing and in these you will find God”. Now back to money. My favorite church was a Navy church on the base in Corpus Christi, Texas. The base paid for the upkeep of the church and the pastors pay as he was active duty. Every 3 months we had a meeting and the amount of money the church had taken in was put before us with a list of charities and how much should go to each one. We voted on it or add new ones. I loved the way God used my money in that church and I loved to give it.
Alistair Briggs
On August 17, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Another great write from a wonderful author
like the way you get your point across without pushing it to extremes. Keep it up
Daisy Peasblossom
On August 17, 2009 at 9:49 pm
Thoughtfully and warmly written. Churches are made up of and run by people, so how well donations are spent pretty much depends on the community.
Goodselfme
On August 18, 2009 at 1:22 am
I am so glad I read your posts. They always feed me just what I need. Yes, God wants our souls and not the money.
AngelicaRaene
On August 18, 2009 at 1:30 am
I commend you on a very informative and thought provoking article. I encourage you to keep writing articles like this, because though it is a somewhat controversial topic, you mold the words into a non-threatening form of getting your point across.
WriteEditSeek
On August 23, 2009 at 6:30 pm
I really enjoyed this article, Karen. What churches are doing with the money they collect has always been a big question of mine. My experience with this question, however, is pretty much limited to the LDS church. Mormons are required to give 10% of their earnings to the church. This raises a few red flags for me. 1) There is a specified amount that the faithful must give in order to remain in good standing in the church. 2) The church won’t disclose exactly what all the money is being used for. 3) The LDS church is one of the faster growing and more profitable churches in the world. The church is very active in for-profit activities. As an illustration of this, the church is heavily involved in real estate in Salt Lake City. The church even owns a street in the downtown heart of the city that used to be a public street. There has also been a huge controversy over the amount of money the LDS church has used to support its political agenda, especially as it relates to its opposition to gay marriage. However, I must also add that the LDS church is heavily involved in humanitarian efforts, so some of the money it collects is undoubtedly going towards that as well. It does worry me, though, that churches are not completely pure in their intentions and are not always using money for the best possible ends.
Homie
On September 18, 2009 at 2:48 pm
I like the episode of “The Simpsons” where Homer helps build a church. When it’s finished, he says “I don’t know much about God, but we sure built a nice cage for him!”
Jesus never mentioned going to a church, but he did talk a lot about how we treat the poor, the sick, the outcast. Money for that new youth building could be used to obey Jesus and help people. He said to go out into all the world. A church keeps people out of the world, focused on themselves and each other.
I think when Jesus comes back, he’ll see all these expensive buildings with crosses on them, feel how the people in them have been trying to crucify gays, atheists, non-believers etc. and show them for what they are – modern day manifestations of everything he preached against.
Karen Gross
On September 18, 2009 at 4:11 pm
Homie: thanks for the comment. I wonder if you read in the gospels about the woman who took an alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured the whole thing on Jesus’ feet. Judas reprimanded her for not selling the perfume and giving the money to the poor. Jesus said to leave her alone – she was preparing him for burial.
Did you notice where Jesus went every Sabbath day while he was on the earth? No matter what town he was in, he went to the local synagogue. A church building. The new youth building may be the place where local youth are introduced to Christ, not to mention that a youth building could prevent crime by giving young people a positive place to be.
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching” . We don’t need expensive buildings, but we do need a place to meet.
Jesus never preached tolerance, just love. He was quite clear about what sin is, and He said that He is the only way to the Father. The other side of mercy is justice – whoever does not accept mercy will be given judgement instead.
razumtina
On October 23, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I like your article….
Litesp33d
On November 20, 2009 at 10:12 pm
How come this all powerful, all knowing being always needs more money.No matter how much is given it is never enough. From what I can see it is the biggest money making scam ever. Most of the money goes to generate more mugs to give even more money.Very little goes on good works compared to what is used in the Churches themselves.
Why do these bogus businesses get tax exempt status? If any other business promised so much and delivered so little its owners would be in jail, but not the church.
As there is no god and jesus never existed (do your own research. stop being spoon fed nonsense like a child) what a con.