[triumphant1]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

be nice if everyone got a housing and car allowance separate from their paycheck.

In fact there are many occupations that give "non-taxable" and "above salary" benefits to the employees who hold positions in the company that warrant it.

Many have the privilege of driving company cars...including police officers who in most cases are allowed to take their police car home...no one is complaining though...

College presidents...and upper level coaching staffs...get housing and car allowances many time while working at STATE OWNED UNIVERSITIES being supplemented by YOUR TAX DOLLARS...which ends up being more annually then your tithe and offerings combined...no one is complaining though..

The congressman (as well as governor, state reps, mayors, on and on gov. leaders) who started the probe of the 5 ministries....subsidised living expenses are common as well as travel expenses including cars and drivers as to not make the dear congressman have to drive himself...all paid by you being in a tax bracket and having your paycheck fleeced every week....no one is complaining though...

Funny thing too, we have NO CHOICE but to pay for the govs and the universities perks through taxes...but NO ONE is going to JAIL if they don't give to the church!!!! It is a willful choice!!! And no one is complaining about or even noticing that?

Most small business owners are allowed a car or multiple cars purchased through the business for their use....not complaining...

Oh...lets not leave out the car dealership employees that drive news cars for a year and then turn them back in as "certified"...to get a new one...who's complaining about that...

The fact of the matter is most churches appreciate their pastor enough to give him the same treatment he'd get if he were the CEO or CFO or President of a secular business...and the IRS allows the church...just like the universities and other businesses...to give the pastor a salary package that includes acceptable non-taxable compensation.

Look at it this way:

If you are the pastor of said church...you will get x number of dollars...but instead of them giving it to the pastor all in taxable cash...the IRS allows the church to reserve a portion of that income as "housing" and a portion as "car allowance" because traditionally the church would provide a "parsonage" owned by the church and some form of transportation. The car allowances are the same for the pastor as they are for any of the rest out there who drive a company car.

All of this is completely legal and above board....

But the truth is there are many jobs out there that hire the best employees and leaders by offering company perks above salary...but it is only the pastor that gets criticized for it....shameful.