A video of 20/20 having an interview with Ministrywatch. Ministrywatch researches many large organizations that solicit donations. They rank the ministries according to different factors of integrity. This video highlights TV evangelists and their lack of transparency with their finances. You can visit MinistryWatch’s website at http://ministrywatcWah.com/
News & Events About Tithing
News is always changing and updating when it comes to tithing or stewardship topics within the church. Tithing can be controversial in many circles so we are helping you stay on top of the most recent headings and current events surrounding topics such as tithing, giving, stewardship, and church finances.
Rich Pastors Not Common, But Not Endangered
Associated Baptist Press – Matt Kennedy
Rich pastors not common, but not endangered species
What a life to live. The luxurious lifestyle of being a pastor! Rich pastors will never be endangered. They will always exist. Why? I don’t know? Why do you think? Is it ok that some pastors are walking around with expensive watches, and suits? If one’s earned it, don’t you think that it’s okay for them to keep what they’ve earned? Why should everyone bash on TD Jakes, Joel Osteen, and Creflo Dollar? I mean, God’s given that to them, hasn’t he? They have a right to choose to keep that which God has given them. Why should we make them feel guilty about taking so much, when we’ve taken so much in our own lives. Of course not as much as them in the amount, but proportionately, we have. At least I feel that I have.
I wish sometimes that there was no such thing as “things”. I wish it was just all dirt to me. What if they look at that stuff as dirt? Do you think that some of those pastors that live in mansions could actually be right? Do you think there’s anyone that can be justified for what they’ve got? Do you think it’s okay for any Christian to live in any mansion? How much do you think is the right amount for all pastors to make?
This article does talk about tithing. but it mainly is referring to pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church. He lives off of a reverse tithe. That means he lives off of 10% of what he makes and gives 90%. You’ve gotta hand it to the guy for doing this. Do you think Rick Warren is challenging other rich pastors by giving a reverse tithe? I would think Rick Warren would have more authority in finances just because he’s shown that he’s handled the grip of money so well. On the other hand, when other rich pastors are preaching tithing, it’s hard to listen.
Church Turns Gopher Holes into Golden Harvest
Argus Leader News Article: Church Turns Gopher Holes into Golden Harvest
Now, this is what I call practical. A church decides to turn a field that is deemed useless because of all the gopher’s holes, into something useful. They turned an empty field into an acre full of corn crops. The church is planning on donating a tithe of the whole crop to the community and neighbors. What’s the point of telling people that we have everlasting food when we have a hard time providing them the temporary food? It’s good to see that many of the churches have something to hand out instead of ask for at the end of the day. I’m all for giving our money to foreign missionaries, but if our neighbors don’t see our generosity, then we might as well move our location to where our generosity is going.
I think this is a good use of resources. It really doesn’t take much TLC to plant some crops. There are basically two big tasks – planting and reaping.
What do you think the benefits will be from doing something like this? How do you think the community will react? Do you think your church is capable of a task like this?
Baptist Press News: Generous Stewardship
I read an article today in the Baptist Press by Kenneth Hemphill titled, “Generous Stewardship“. Ken, makes a statement that is very true and consistent among individuals today. He says that the average couple is spending more than they earn, and are getting themselves into dangerous debt. He was pinpointing that personally, we are spending more on ourselves and that our church finances are struggling because of it. I agree with Mr. Hemphill, but what I am disappointed in is his lack of foresight on the issue.
Let’s take a look at the church as a whole. After all, it is an example to the believers as well as the unbelievers of how we should serve Christ. Let’s look at the debt that our churches are in. Let’s see how much we are spending on ourselves, our facilities, our programs, and entertainment! I think in every individual’s case, we only follow the leadership that is set before us. In that case, our debt is in direct correlation to the debt we see our churches getting into. Whose fault is it? Well, of course, every individual is responsible, so we’ll answer for how our own choices have affected others.
Our churches and leaders keep making excuses that we need to collect ministry debt to continue our pursuit of God’s calling. But on the flip side, why aren’t individuals allowed to make the same excuse for our own family? Instead, my things and possessions are considered to be purchased in light of a self-centered heart and poor stewardship. If my vision and goals are the same as my local church then what’s the difference between my debt and the church’s debt?
Helping the local church out with debt seems to be acceptable, but helping individual finances tends to be a bit more taboo. Is it concerning that many leaders feel the Spirit calling the church in a financial direction, but the followers are blocked from spiritual discernment to financial support?
Let’s look at the scriptures and Israel for an example. Israel was required to give a tithe by the commands of the law because their calling came from the law. Can you also see how our giving is commanded by the Spirit because our calling comes from the Spirit? A pastor should not receive instruction from the Spirit and yet use the law to support it financially. It would be hypocritical for the Holy Spirit not to empower financial discernment upon individuals whom he’s asked to perform a task.
I could go on with example after example, illustration after illustration, verse after verse, but this is just food for thought.
Challenging First Fruit Tithing
As I was going over some news about tithing and offerings in the church, I noticed how more and more churches are allowing debit and credit card payments for the tithe and offerings. In the back of my mind, I’m wondering what the pastors think about the financial fees that the church pays for using a visa or master card. I’m wondering if they are going to start telling their people to pay 11% of a tithe just to cover the fees. Obviously, the credit card fees are deducted from what the churches receive so that they won’t be receiving a full tenth.
Also, the churches who tithe to other charities from what they receive; I’m wondering whether or not they will be willing to give a tithe from their first fruits (before the finance charges). It would be interesting if they could justify giving a tenth from after the finance charges are taken out, and not justify the congregation from giving a tenth on their net income.
My logic and questioning here sound so bizarre and almost funny, but I guarantee many of the churches have pondered these questions. It blows my mind when tithe teachers say that “we shouldn’t follow the exact law of the old testament tithing, but follow the general rule of giving 10% to the Lord’s work”. It blows my mind because we say that the tithe is a “general” rule but we’ve gotta ask questions about, finance charges, should I do this on net or gross, what about profits, increase, first fruits, at the beginning at the end of the week, how should I, when should I, where should i . .. . in front of the church, behind the church, at the info desk, should I give cash, checks, or credit cards, what about my retirement money, what about my pension, what about my disability, can I give to the church, can I give to my pastor, what about charities, what about my bills, what about my debt workman’s comp, insurance payouts, food stamps, unemployment income, tax returns, rebates, . . . and bla bla bla, and on and on the questions come. Tithing is not a “general” rule or principle for that matter, when you’ve gotta hire a financial guide just to figure out how, when, and where you should tithe.
Even though our leaders have substituted Spiritually empowered giving with an Old Testament law, they still expect the Holy Spirit to intervene.
Church Gives Reverse Tithe
The article is about a religious organization that gave $10 to those who attended the Sunday service. I don’t know if you can call it a ‘reverse tithe’, but it’s interesting that they gave money away. All that they asked from the receivers, was for them to give that money to someone or something other than that church, that they feel they are spiritually fed from. I really don’t know anything about the “unity church”, so what are your thoughts on their giving? should other churches follow? Maybe you just have something you want to say about the “unity church”