Confidentiality of Tithes

[shag]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

You are a good man Bro. Epley. I believe that and don't need any convincing. I also believe this to be true about my own pastor.

While I feel there should be more transparency and accountability to those who give, it is this fact that allows me to give freely and without remorse. There are many pastors who are trustworthy beyond reproach and would give their last penny for those God has placed in their care.

I believe you (and others) are like that and I think it should be said and not get lost in the greater debate.

Good post, and needed to be said. Thanks for the reminder...

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by shag

IMO, theres No reason a pastor alone should receive 10% of everybody else's annual income anyway, if we are to follow scripture, as "the ministry"(the term SOME pastors like to use)is NOT just pastors(mentioned one time in the NT bible, and zero times in the singular -NT KJV), but is teachers, evangelists etc. And if one attempts to make a case from the OT, they cannot do so without stealing from the poor and fatherless, and folks that minister in the body of Christ like evangelists , teachers etc.,as NT "priesthood" goes beyond the role of just a elder/pastor.

This is what I was attempting to deal with in my previous volley but the interjection of scripture in a conversation generally brings an abrupt end. It's like kryptonite.

[returnman]

I still can't grasp why the annual tithing should not be disclosed. In the eyes of the law, that is a church fund and tax exempt. My gut tells me that the majority churches bring in an amount that is fairly comfortable for a pastor to live off without having to hold down a job. I have seen in it in congregations significantly less then a 100. So, maybe there is a fear of what the response might be??? And what about the other ministers that get paid nothing? The typical apostolic/pentecostal church government is so out of line.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by returnman

I still can't grasp why the annual tithing should not be disclosed. In the eyes of the law, that is a church fund and tax exempt. My gut tells me that the majority churches bring in an amount that is fairly comfortable for a pastor to live off without having to hold down a job. I have seen in it in congregations significantly less then a 100. So, maybe there is a fear of what the response might be??? And what about the other ministers that get paid nothing? The typical apostolic/pentecostal church government is so out of line.

The annual tithing should ALWAYS be disclosed. Every penny that goes in and out of the church should be openly disclosed.

Anything less is just asking for trouble.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

The annual tithing should ALWAYS be disclosed. Every penny that goes in and out of the church should be openly disclosed.

Anything less is just asking for trouble.

And even if the congregation is too stupid, errrr, I mean "conditioned" to not care about the amount I can most assuredly say that IRS still does.

[returnman]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

The annual tithing should ALWAYS be disclosed. Every penny that goes in and out of the church should be openly disclosed.

Anything less is just asking for trouble.

Elder Epley, what is your reasoning and the same for others close to you for not disclosing?

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Jay

Bro. Epley, I have seen in the last two years much of what you described happen.

I would like to tell what happened, but I do not wish to vent or sound like I am.

I will say that there was a family that would not contribute when they were unhappy. They never went to a conference. They criticized the pastor for everything that he should/should not have done, said, contributed, spent, planned, etc. They were especially unhappy whenever he tried to make the parsonage nice for his wife. He would try to do some church repair (there is a lot of work to be done) and then do some parsonage work for his wife (she does have to live there, and it is an example of who they are). But they did not support it, and complained whenever actual work on the church ended (even when there was no more money to go forward). There is no pleasing some people.

Generally there are some in every church.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

If a pastor doesn't want to reveal how much tithes was received then should be ok if nsaint chooses not to revela how much tithe they pay.

I have never asked a tithepayer to verify what he pays in all my years of preaching. That is between him and God.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by shag

IMO, theres No reason a pastor alone should receive 10% of everybody else's annual income anyway, if we are to follow scripture, as "the ministry"(the term SOME pastors like to use)is NOT just pastors(mentioned one time in the NT bible, and zero times in the singular -NT KJV), but is teachers, evangelists etc. And if one attempts to make a case from the OT, they cannot do so without stealing from the poor and fatherless, and folks that minister in the body of Christ like evangelists , teachers etc.,as NT "priesthood" goes beyond the role of just a elder/pastor.

If w'd stick with scripture(not twisted), then elders/pastors likely wouldn't have any problem letting the people of God know exactly where there money is going.


What's wrong with paid salaries to each or ALL that minister in and to the body, IF the body decides they want to give toward that? And disclose all figures to who and where it goes?





I appreciate the fact that U said you'd atleast disclose it to the tithers if they asked individually, Bro. Epley, that is more than some would do no doubt.

What the majority of saints do not understand because pastors are not tooting their own horns the tithing is shared by the pastors to the other facets of the ministry. If the majority of evangelist only recieved what came in the offering for them there would be no evangelists they could not operate. The pastor out of the tithe makes up the difference. If missionaries recieved ONLY offerings taken for them many missionaries would have to come home again Pastors out of the tithe keep them in their field of labor. Men who are starting home missions are supported mainly by Pastors who out of the tithe help sustain new works. The average Pastor's tithing account is NOT like the Dead Sea where it is all intake and no outgo. THEN most pastors out of the tithe are the biggest by far contributor to the local assembly in maintaining the church property and functions.

[Aquila]

There is the Kingdom of God... and then there is the modern money making enterprise called Church.