Myth: The church is out to get your money

Are churches out get your money?

Some are. As are some organizations which call themselves “Christian”

Any examples?

Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability was formed in 1979

ECFA is committed to helping Christ-centered organizations earn the public's trust through developing and maintaining standards of accountability that convey God-honoring ethical practices.

For organization to be part of ECFA, it must  meet 7 Standards

1)    They must identify themselves as Evangelical Christians and must run their organizations adhering to Biblical principles

2)    They must have a board of directors and audit committee made with people independent of the org in majority

3)    An independent CPA must audit the organization’s financial statements

4)    Use of the organization’s resources must comply with Federal and State laws

5)    Audited financial report must be available on request

6)    Conflicts of interest must be avoided.

7)    ECFA standards for fund raising must be followed

Details at  http://www.ecfa.org

            Reality: The true church teaches that its resources, and the resources of its people are the Lord’s

Most churches are not out to rob people.

If the Fragales are present, ask them how people gave offering at Four Winds

Boxes in auditorium  No one sees you give the offering. Therefore no one gets to “impress” others.

CBC approach different. Giving of offerings part of act of worship.

Pastor Bob doesn’t know how much people give – neither do the elders.  Church rules are in place as to how money is spent. – Trustees, Business Meetings, …

Wes or Pastor Bob please give summary of spending practices

So how much should we give?

Tithing

What is a “tithe?”

Old Englisth  term: tithe = a tenth or 10%. In the OT a tithe was 10% of your income/produce/livestock.

Leviticus 27:30-32

  " 'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.  If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth of the value to it.  The entire tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod—will be holy to the LORD.

Is a tithe still required today?

No. We have a different standard to follow in the NT

One is to give generously, spontaneously  and cheerfully.

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

Another example of cheerful giving …

2 Cor. 8:1-15

 1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. 6So we urged Titus, since he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 7But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us^[a]—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.

 8I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

 10And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

 13Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. 14At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, 15as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."^[b]

All that we have is God’s

Read the following passage. Does it say that we have to give God all of our money?

Matthew 19:16-26

 16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"

 17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

 18"Which ones?" the man inquired.

   Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,'^[d] and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'^[e]"

 20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"

 21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

 22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

 23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

 25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"

 26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Does this mean we should give All of our money to God?

The lesson is that all that we have belongs to the Lord. He has given us financial resources to give back to His service but also to survive on and enjoy. Yes enjoy. You can enjoy your wealth!!!

Ecclesiastes 5:19

19 Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work—this is a gift of God.

The key to remember is to remember that what we have has been given to us by God. We are to be good stewards with those resources

With all of this in mind, when you make out a budget, you shouldn’t  work out all your budget items and give God the rest. You need to start off in prayer to determine how much He wants you give and work your budget around the rest.

What would you tell the non-believer who says the church just wants his/her money?