Posts Tagged ‘contributions’
Should the Elders know what each person gives?
Question: We have three elders at our local congregation, and one of them handles the banking, pays the bills, etc. Is it wrong for the other two elders to want to know more about the congregation’s financial situation and individual members’ contributions? We are expected to give of our means or first fruits. I’m not…
Read MoreCan non-believers contribute to the church?
Question: We recently discussed donations in the church, and I was wondering if you could provide any scriptural basis for them. Can a non-member or unbeliever donate money to the church? Can the church use that donation from him or her? Thanks! Answer: While the topic is not specifically addressed in the Scriptures, we can…
Read MoreCan a person withdraw his gift to the church?
Question: Hello Brother Jeffrey, I trust you have been doing well lately. I want to express my appreciation of your unwavering commitment to the work of God, and all the scriptural answers you’ve provided to solve challenges confronting the Christian faith. During our weekly Bible studies, we happened to talk about the brethren’s contributions to…
Read MoreWhat do you think about accepting donations for teaching on the Internet?
Question: Hi, I’m a student and also preach the gospel when given the opportunity. I read your site often and I trust you to give the truth in a time when I sometimes feel that many congregations are straying from the original New Testament form. That is why I am contacting you. I graduated with…
Read MoreHow do I give if I’m a student and not making any money?
Question: Good evening, I attend graduate school. I just came across your website when I did a Google search about the collection if you’re unemployed. I wanted to ask a question based on the response that was given. I used to be employed last year, but now I am not. Because of my previous employment,…
Read MoreI benefited greatly from the lessons about the collection for the saints
Question: I benefited greatly from the lessons about the collection for the saints (I Corinthians16:1-2). This has helped me prepare for Sunday school teaching! Thanks, Jeffrey. Answer: I’m glad they were useful to you in your studies.
Read MoreAre automatic withdrawals for contributions biblical?
Question: Would you help me understand if automatic withdrawals from your bank account for the first day of the week collection are biblical? Seeing people place money in the tray that is passed around, I think, incites others, especially children. I love seeing a child place some money in the tray. When I am attending…
Read MoreFreedom in Christ: A Biblical Look at Tithing
by Ajayi Samuel Ojeva “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1). Men cherish freedom in every way. However, man is often led from freedom to bondage unaware. Men have been under various yokes of bondage at…
Read MoreWere collections taken before and after the collection for the needy in Judea?
Question: Dear Jeffrey, I have a question: did the church at Corinth collect offering every first day of the week before Paul wrote to them. After Paul and his team picked what the Corinthian church donated, did they continue to take collection every first day of the week? If so, how do we know? Does…
Read MoreWhy were the tithes taken to Jerusalem in the New Testament?
Question: I use your site so much for lessons and study and appreciate the articles and answered questions. I have a question that I wondered about after doing a “giving” study. I asked in a ladies’ group, too. On a study of giving under the New Law vs. Old Law. Tithes were taken to Jerusalem,…
Read MoreDoes God require giving everything you have to the church?
Question: Sir, My question stems from a statement made by a minister regarding how we ought to give to God. He said that if we give all the money in our bank account, we will not starve, God will find a way to provide for us. This statement troubled my heart because, in this part…
Read MoreIs it a sin not to give each Sunday?
Question: Since giving is an act of worship. Do we sin on the Sundays we do not give? For example, from my understanding, we are to give as we prosper, so if I only get paid twice a month, don’t I only give on the Sunday following when I got paid? I got paid on…
Read MoreGiving to the Lord’s Work
by Matthew Bassford Of all of the spiritual topics that we might address, one of the most sensitive is giving. First of all, it’s about money, which always has been very important to people. Second, though, the Holy Spirit’s words on this subject have been misrepresented and abused for 2000 years. In 1 Timothy 6,…
Read MoreIs there liberty in how we give?
Question: I have a question concerning worship. Is there liberty when it comes to some parts of worship? For example when it comes to giving, does one have to give during worship service or can someone give any time just long as it’s on a Sunday. Can a congregation decide to just give at the…
Read MoreWas the collection in I Corinthians 16:1-2 really worship?
Question: The church I attend teaches that the collection in I Corinthians 16:1-2 is not part of the worship service. They say Paul commanded that to help the church in Jerusalem, not to worship by giving. What is your comment about that? Answer: The same giving is discussed in II Corinthians 8 and 9, where…
Read MoreGiving to God
by Dan R. Owen, Ph.D. via The Gospel Advocate, June 2017 Since the time of Abraham, dedicated followers of God have given of their wealth to the One who provides all wealth. God blessed Abraham with much and Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek, priest of God Most High (Genesis 14:20). Jacob, an heir to the…
Read MoreWhat should we do since we learned the elders are misspending the Lord’s money?
Question: Hi! I have read and searched through your question and answer section to make sure this question hasn’t been asked before, so I hope it has not. My husband is a preacher for the church for many years. Recently, he has learned certain information in regard to how our elders are spending the Lord’s…
Read MoreI couldn’t make my pledge this month and the pastor wants God to afflict me. What do I do?
Question: I am a young lady of 26 years. I attend a church and during a fundraising, the pastor asked me to pay 2000 in our currency. I got 500 to pay him and promised to pay the rest later. He mentioned we should not cross the end of the month without paying our balance.…
Read MoreCan contributions be done through pledges?
Question: Is pledging wrong, as a way of giving? That is, asking members how much they are willing to put forward for a certain project. They specify an amount, which is then collected at the right time. We must give on the first day of the week, that is set, but is that the only…
Read MoreHow do I handle my contributions when I rotate between three congregations?
Question: Greetings, I have a question regarding the weekly contribution (I Corinthians 16:1-2). In my city, there are three local churches of Christ that I attend regularly. Normally I’ll attend one on a certain week, the next on the following week, and the third the week after that. And then I repeat the whole process.…
Read MoreIs it wrong to clap when giving?
Question: I have been reviewing the wealth of information that you have on your website regarding a wide array of subjects. We have several members who desire to express themselves by clapping when giving to the Lord. Is this practice okay in the Lord’s Church if it does not interfere with anything else? So far,…
Read MoreYour article on tithing was precise and referred to Scriptures to prove its point. Thank you
Question: Just read your article on tithing and it was very precise in breaking down and referring to scripture to get the point across. I thank you and wish many more churches would stop taking scripture out of context, misinterpreting, and abusing the members just to get what they want. I love sound doctrine! May God…
Read MoreMy husband left me and I’m barely making my income last each month. Is it wrong if I don’t give as much?
Question: Dear Brother in Christ: I cannot first say how thankful to God I am for blessing you with the spiritual wisdom and knowledge to provide biblical answers for our questions, and for rightly dividing the word of truth. First, I am a member of the body of Christ, and I am recently separated (not…
Read MoreIs it right for a pastor to collect the tithes and spend the money on things he personally uses?
Question: Dear Minister, We have been attending a church for the last 10 years. My entire family’s tithe or offering is given to the pastor. The pastor never reveals any facts to church leaders about how much tithe was given by members and how much was used for which purpose. We learned recently that he…
Read MoreCan a church rent a part of its property to a phone company?
Question: Dear Sir, A phone company just approached the local congregation where we attend with an offer to install a cell tower on the church’s property. They would pay the church a significant amount each month for the ability to use a portion of the property in order to build and maintain the cell tower.…
Read MoreHow do we decide how much to give once we are married?
Question: I am a member of the church of Christ. I’m a firm believer in giving 10% even if we aren’t commanded. My fiancé gives less since she doesn’t make as much as I do. My question is: Once we get married should we continue giving individual offerings? Another question is: When the Jews gave…
Read MoreDid I do wrong bringing up an issue about when the collection should be counted?
Question: My wife and I moved to this community several years ago. We’ve been attending the church and have grown increasingly active through the years. I now teach both on Sunday morning and Wednesday night and we help where we can. Our church has a normal weekly attendance under 100, but we do not have…
Read MoreHow can I support your work?
Question: I am a fellow Christian myself and a casual reader of your website. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks for the wonderful ministry (website), especially the Q&A section. The sound doctrine has helped me build up some basic theology foundation, as well as learning more about God. I am really interested in…
Read MoreIn giving, what exactly is a profit?
Question: I know tithing is not applicable under the New Covenant, but I was wondering what your view is on what exactly is gain or profit if one only receives wages. Is it only the amount by which they receive a raise on their paycheck each year? If so one could argue that it is…
Read MoreCan a church register as a charitable organization to get grants from the government?
Question: Is it scriptural for a church of Christ to register as a charitable organization? By charitable organization, I mean being exempted from tax and duties, and receiving financial grants from the government in order to fund missionary projects, etc.? Is it good for a church of Christ to venture into this system? If not,…
Read MoreAre special contributions scriptural?
Question: Concerning collections: is it a good practice supported by Scripture to set aside “Special Giving Days” for specific purposes on the first day of the week in addition to the regular collection? This practice seems to contradict what a treasury is for in the work of the church. I respect your knowledge and work…
Read MoreShould I attend services elsewhere while traveling?
Question: I am a member of the Lord’s church in one state and will be traveling to another. While away is it acceptable to attend worship service at another meeting house? And for my offering, should this be given to them or held until my return to our home congregation? Answer: The requirement to attend…
Read MoreThe New Testament Pattern of Giving
by Wayne Jackson It is a strange phenomenon in today’s church. It is recognized widely that there are rules regulating worship. This is acknowledged in virtually every area of church activity—except in one’s “giving.” Many know how the music portion of the worship is to be conducted (with a cappella singing). Not a few understand the proper…
Read MoreDidn’t Jesus say we should tithe?
Question: I’d advise you to change your stance toward tithing. I think there is a passage in the New Testament where Jesus says, you tithe your mint, rue, and spices but you don’t practice justice. You should as you do the latter and you shouldn’t forget the former. Be blessed, man of God, and if…
Read MoreDoes I Corinthians 16:1-2 Apply to Us Today?
by Clem Thurman via Gospel Minutes, Vol. 57, No. 25, June 20, 2008. Let us first note what the passage says: “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I gave order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by…
Read MoreYou make no attempt to understand the Salvation Army
Question: I just read with much displeasure the article, “Can Christians Help Support the Salvation Army?” I am admittedly somewhat biased as a third-generation Salvationist, but I found your posting quite misleading. It makes no attempt to understand the Salvation Army doctrines and looks simply to highlight doctrinal differences with other denominations. A few points…
Read MoreIs it wrong to sell food, books, candy, drinks, etc. in God’s house to raise money?
Question: Is it wrong to sell food, books, candy, drinks, etc. in God’s house to raise money to go on trips or to help buy the things the church needs? Answer: Your question is actually backward. You should be asking if it is right to do those things. Since God told us that “as His…
Read MoreCan a church receive funds from non-believers or an organization?
Question: Thank you very much for your web site. I find it both educative and encouraging. Can I trouble you, my beloved brother, with some questions? Can a faithful congregation receive aid for the needy in the congregation from a non-believer or an organization? Can a faithful brother solicit relief aid for a church from…
Read MoreQuestions about the use of funds given to the church
Question: Having read your articles and also was a member of the conservative church for 24 years I have some questions. The conservatives say it is ok to use the Lord’s money for a $20,000 yard but wrong to give a sinner some food from the treasury. Really? It is ok to rent a place to…
Read MoreDoes the Bible say the church worshiped on Sunday?
Question: I have a few questions and comments concerning the texts given as proof of Sunday worship outlined in the article: “Is sex on the Sabbath a sin?” The verses are Acts 20:7 and I Corinthians 16:1-2. Acts 20:7 speaks of an act that is done on any day and nowhere does it say that…
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