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| Charitable Giving - Individual or Corporate |
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When I see the 6 figure salaries of some of those who are in the Christian charity business, their reputation for private jets, fleets of stretch limos and exhorbitant speaking fees, then I wonder what percentage of my giving actually goes to those in need. If indeed there is a higher percentage going where it is supposed to, and actually more money will go there because of the organization, I might consider giving. However, I am not going to just take someone's word for it, nor am I going to be fooled by biblical labels like Micah this or Samaritan's that. Show me the numbers.
In fact when I look at the biblical instructions, there is little mention of corporate giving, except perhaps for examples like the 1 Corinthians 9 situation, where churches took up a collection for another church. Most of the encouragement to give seems to be on individual responsibility. What are your thoughts on this? |
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| To add a comment to "Charitable Giving - Individual or Corporate" |
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| September 05, 2008 |
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The Law of first mention is found in: 35:4 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This [is] the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, 35:5 Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever [is] of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass,
35:20 And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 35:21 And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, [and] they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, [and] brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered [offered] an offering of gold unto the LORD.
From this, I can see two main important aspects:
1) A God led and inspired "NEED" must be communicated.
2) Each individual, MOTIVATED BY HIS/HER OWN HEART-FELT leading were to respond.
So, from this, whether it's a individual, or corporate giving, is not the question, but if it was a God led thing to begin with, and then a "no-pressure" individual heart felt want to give in response to the call.
If it was a call to build a local, non-denominational meeting place, or a group of denominational churches building a new district office building, it doesn't matter in my opinion, as long as those two elements are true, and if those are true, you won't have to take someones word for it, you will be following your heart to give, or not to give. With no condemnation either way !
One of the problems with the church of today is that the "call" is so well trained that they are able to move the hearts of people who should not be giving, because they are behind in their house payments or other bills. If anyone is behind in their bills, and they still give to the church, they are giving away money that is not theirs to give, in my opinion. |
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| September 08, 2008 |
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| Grant, I don't have a biblical answer to this. But I wonder, have you considered the ECFA? There might be other such organizations too. Willingness to be held accountable to an independent organization of believers seems like a good way to restore confidence. |
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| September 08, 2008 |
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| Yes, Mike. There was a time when Christian charities only kept 4% administrative costs, and they were considered to be the best in the business. Nowadays, many keep 50-75% or more. Something has gone wrong I think. |
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