Should Churches Help??? Topic of the Week 07-09-2006

[nessalynn77]

You make some very good points, B.  I think most churches will help, the extent of the help they can provide is a different story. 

[B_XALTED]

You make some very good points, B.  I think most churches will help, the extent of the help they can provide is a different story. 

X_ACTLY... lol... I think that a lot of smaller churches here in the country would love to help their members more, but they just cant afford it. I always try to help fols out at church where I can... That's why there are so many of us working for Circuit City...lol... But on a serious note, that ends up being a touchy topic for most. I like VT's church's policy... But I can say my church for one doesn't offer those programs. I wish they did though. We have soooo many struggling drug abusers.. One thing will do with the drinkers and druggers, we will PAY the bill rather than handing them a check.

[Wayne Webb]

Here is the topic of the week.  Remember this is a "serious" discussion.  Any sarcastic comments will be deleted.



Recently, two people I know fell on hard times.  They were dedicated that attended Church and Bible Study and they also paid there tithes.

Both of them went to there churches for help and both were told by there home church that the church couldn't help them out.

My question is:  Should today's church help out there members in financial need??

I would not go to a church like that.
Yes, absolutely, churches should help members in financial need.

1 JOHN 3:14-18
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

We usually take up an offering.

[gtrdave]

I know both my past church and my current church have an assistance program set up for folks in the church who are having a rough go at life.
Also the people in the church would give as they could to help out above and beyond the church program.

I could see that some churches maybe can't help out due to their own financial situation and maybe other churches just don't want to help out for whatever reason.

[preachaman16]

How are we to teach them Kingdom principles (tithing) if we cant shoe enough love to help them when they are in need.

Love is the basic principle...............if we fail to show that as a church, we can forget about bringing them into the kingdom much less teaching them about tithing

i said we should help them and teach them and brng them into the kingdom

[keptbyJesus]

Ok, as for my church, we help members and non-members.  There is a special form, that is approved by pastor, chairman of deacon board, and chairman of the trustee board, and there is a certian amount for members and a certain about for non-members, (both pretty generous I must say) that we will pay, we request the bill, will pay it in full not give money or check to person, and to limit to abusers, you can only request assistance once maybe twice within one year of the last assistance request.  We too have a scholarship fund in place which pays for books, and we have a food bank and give a way food twice a month, and to people who request it. 

[catty]

I agree on the most part that the church should be able to help those in need with stipulations,  because there are some who will try to take advantage.  Our church takes up a collection for the needy NOT THE GREEDY!!! 

[baggettcindy]

I think depending on the size/finances of the church...they should help.  Of course I would include the stipulations mentioned by previous posters.  There is a church, if I am not mistaken, located in Chicago, that gives classes concerning debt and finances.  They pay ALL the debts of a church member...I can't remember is often this is done.  This is something we lack in OUR churches....lessons on investing, finances, etc.

[Vangelist]

I believe the church should help anyone, but use wisdom when doing so. If the person is a member then tithing should be at the top of the list along with their lifestyle. By lifestyle I mean don't come to the church asking for help with bills when you just got a raise and a bonus at you job that already pays good money while driving a brand new 2006 Lexus with you perfectly good 2005 Honda in your drive- way. 

Now if a non-member (unsaved) comes to the church, you can't expect them to follow by those same rules because they probably don't know. The church still has an obligation to help them. This is also a great opportunity to help them spiritually too. It does no good if the flesh is healthy and taken care of, but the spirit is sick and dying.

Lastly, I don't agree with the way my church handles these situations. We have a benevolence fund. If a member who is faithful, pays tithes, and is considerate with offerings recieves help from this fund, they are required to pay back the money. I don't understand it. I really hope there is a legitimate reason for this. What do you think? --PEACE--

[4hisglory]

Lastly, I don't agree with the way my church handles these situations. We have a benevolence fund. If a member who is faithful, pays tithes, and is considerate with offerings recieves help from this fund, they are required to pay back the money. I don't understand it. I really hope there is a legitimate reason for this. What do you think? --PEACE--

 Wow...I NEVER heard of this one before.

[princeoftheb3]

These are our help ministries, for both members and non-members we have a food pantry and a clothing ministry, we rarely hand out money because there is a high number of people on the streets in that neighborhood that we are trying to get down, but we will if its a member and we know they'll be legite with it, we also have an annual block party on good friday, everything is free the food the rides everything, you register for we can send you a a letter and it really works to bring people in, we also have a back to school program where we, the members of the church, go out buy backpacks and all other kinds of supplies, give it to the church, they stuff the backpacks, then on the Sunday before school starts, we have a service and when I say it be full it be full, oh they also give free haircuts and braids and food, the stipulation is, you have to come to service before the Pastor gets up, and fill out the card so we'll know how many you need and all that kind of stuff.

[lumbebear1]

Lastly, I don't agree with the way my church handles these situations. We have a benevolence fund. If a member who is faithful, pays tithes, and is considerate with offerings recieves help from this fund, they are required to pay back the money. I don't understand it. I really hope there is a legitimate reason for this. What do you think? --PEACE--

We have a benovelence fund also. We have a seperate offering for that fund. During the Major holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter) we provide Food Baskets (enough groceryto last for at least 7 days plus Turkeys/Hams) to Low/No Income families in the community. During Christmas we have an Angel Tree we get our list from the Local Shelters and provide food, clothing and toys to entire familes. We have a group of volunteers that deliver the food baskets and Christmas gifts directly to the familes (these are usually non members)

I believe there are times we need to meet the social, economic and financial needs of others, I also believe that once we have met some of those basic needs they are more receptive to receive the Good News of the Gospel. Its hard to convince an individual that Jesus loves them and He will supply there need when they are broke, homeless, and hungry.

[jonesl78]

That's very interesting that you are a CPA because our executive administrator (1st Lady) is a CPA who decided that the children of God needed to be taught correctly how to budget, which is why the stipulations at our church are so strong when it comes to asking for money

 “Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime”—Author unknown

The church should assist those in need but it should also educate its saints

[temejo1]

Yes, I believe churches should help, if they are in a position to.  My church helps out both members and non-members.  And, like mostly everyone else's church, we have a verification process.  I do believe requiring the receiving person to complete a budgeting class of some sort is a great idea.  I will have to pass that idea along.

[cherryebess]

My church ALWAYS helps i's members with whatever.  Rent, Lights, Transportation, scholarship, whatever.  But You must be a member in need.  Other members verify and all members who can help.  We have no problem with that.  You never know when your tiem will come.  Fortunately, and unseemingly, not many people ask for help from our church.  Everybody pretends to be all that rich! 

[saxandkeys]

HMMMM...If these people were to address their brothers and sisters in the church individually, I would think they would receive some help.  That being said, why is getting help coporately any different.

It is my opinion that tithing is a personal responsibility, and should be audited only by God.  Should we only show love and charity only to those who tithe?  Maybe it's just me but I don't want to start thinking FOR God....I would rather try to think like God, and let Him handle the audits.

just an opinion.

[4hisglory]

Nice points SaxandKeys.

[saxandkeys]

Nice points SaxandKeys.

Thanks 4his....on an off topic sidenote on tithing, I ran into some musicians in N. Va. who said that their church automatically takes a tithe out of their perfomance pay????
Whatcha think about that?

[Divinecalling1]

I think churches should help any who might need help if they are able...however I also think anything borrowed should be payed back by as many as are able.  Payback could be at a moderate rate but if possible it should be paid back to keep the lending pot (benevolent fund) replenished for others.

[praizeHim]

Thanks 4his....on an off topic sidenote on tithing, I ran into some musicians in N. Va. who said that their church automatically takes a tithe out of their perfomance pay????
Whatcha think about that?

Tithes are given.... not taken