Churches still have to pay wages, file state and federal taxes, pay electric & water, and all the zillions of costs of running anything. But what you give is between you and God. He does expect a tithe at the very least.
In my job, I see the folks who tithe and those that don’t. It’s never a matter of if they are rich or not. Virtually EVERYONE who tithes always has plenty (they may not be rich, but God always provides everything they need and they have enough to give to others on top of their tithe.) Those that don’t tithe usually struggle, or they have constant issues they are dealing with. Look up all the Bible verses on giving and see what it says and see what happens when you give. God says to test Him on it.
Also, what the church does with the tithe is not yours to worry about. They are required to have annual financial meetings with the church members and discuss it. And you can talk to your pastor if you have concerns. But the church will be judged by God as to how they used the gifts. Just as you and I will be judged by how we used ours.
My point was only that its wrong to bash every church that is 501(c)3 because they are considered such by their very status as churches....
It sounded like some were demanding that everybody should abandon their churches....
As an independent Baptist I'm confident that we aren't getting anything from the Feds. There's nothing wrong with PAYING taxes that are required...."render unto Caesar..."
Churches still have to pay wages, file state and federal taxes, pay electric & water, and all the zillions of costs of running anything. But what you give is between you and God. He does expect a tithe at the very least.
In my job, I see the folks who tithe and those that don’t. It’s never a matter of if they are rich or not. Virtually EVERYONE who tithes always has plenty (they may not be rich, but God always provides everything they need and they have enough to give to others on top of their tithe.) Those that don’t tithe usually struggle, or they have constant issues they are dealing with. Look up all the Bible verses on giving and see what it says and see what happens when you give. God says to test Him on it.
Also, what the church does with the tithe is not yours to worry about. They are required to have annual financial meetings with the church members and discuss it. And you can talk to your pastor if you have concerns. But the church will be judged by God as to how they used the gifts. Just as you and I will be judged by how we used ours.
My point was only that its wrong to bash every church that is 501(c)3 because they are considered such by their very status as churches....
It sounded like some were demanding that everybody should abandon their churches....
As an independent Baptist I'm confident that we aren't getting anything from the Feds. There's nothing wrong with PAYING taxes that are required...."render unto Caesar..."