Would Jesus approve of paying off a church mortgage while children are starving?
Mar 04, 2010
in
Church Loan Program
Keep in mind this was the same guy who beat up tax collectors in the temple.
An incredibly small percentage of church offerings ever make it outside of the membership and church finances. In effect people giving money to the church are in fact paying for member services like mortgage and utility payments and donuts in the lobby.
Do you think the evolved christian tradition of buying real estate instead of helping people would sit well if jesus were alive today?
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20 comments
maltesedingus on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
The woman at the well in Samaria: "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our forefathers worshiped here in this mountain, but you people worship in Jerusalem."
"Truly I say to you, the hour is coming and it is now when neither here nor in Jerusalem will people worship. For the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth." Or words to that effect.
Now you’re getting to the crux of the matter.
Martin (atheist) on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
That is why I give donations straight to the people or to organizations with low overhead, unlike churches.
Rachel D on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
I don’t think jesus would approve of this. You can make a "church" anywhere. Gather around outside, you do not need a special building to feel close to god and praise/rejoice. Material things are nothing. Unless that Church is letting homeless people sleep in it, it is not a necessary structure. So feed the hungry children first. That is more important.
Praire Crone on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Modern Christianity is nothing but a glorified business of sorts. They preach their "salvation" to get more members who in turn are encouraged to go out and find more. These members represent money in the bank to the Churches. Even feeding the poor is a way to make more converts who will turn into "tithers" in the future. It reminds me of a centuries old pyramid scheme.
It is all about power and money.
Live Music Fan on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Spiritually speaking, it’s because the church is a business, and businesses have business plans, which do not include a great deal of "assistance" to others.
Merry Christmas! God is Good! on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Yes – debt isnt the answer to hunger either.
As to your accusations about church offerings, I have weighed all of the evidence you provide about giving and I can only conclude that you are incorrect.
Merry Christmas!
Rod on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Jesus would never have had a church mortgage to pay off, nor would he have had a church.
Phi Ratio on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
A lot of churches exist with a primary purpose of serving their leaders, and only do anything decent as is required to keep up appearances and keep the donations coming. But let’s remember that not all churches work that way. Mine for example, never passes a plate in any church meeting, and speaks less of tithing than any other church I have attended. Yet I understand that they collect a greater percentage of members’ income than any other church. I give about 11% of my income to the church for one reason – I have every reason to trust that it will be spent wisely and efficiently for good purposes. No building is ever purchased on debt in my church as a matter of policy. However, a portion of tithes do go toward the debt-free purchase of real estate. It is an asset that is necessary for the work we do. We wouldn’t accomplish much without places to gather.
Those buildings are highly utilized though. Every day of the week, people are doing something in them. In the average building, three seperate congregations meet at different times on Sundays. Every effort is made for efficiency so that more money can go toward the needy, disaster assistance, and spiritually uplifting the discouraged.
Sim - plicimus on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Then you should put your money where your mouth is and cancel your internet connection and use that money to feed the poor. Lead by example!
Just another Guy on the block on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
I see nothing wrong with Churches having a base of Operations from which to operate out of, You are just making a Complaint and trying to find a way to justify Closing down Churches to silence the Christian Voice Like Saith the Lord had mentioned, That is all.
The Churches main Goal is to spread the Gospel, Poor and needy people will always be with us as one answerer had mentioned, Lightning brought up a good point, But I believe that point is lost on you.
and why since you are so concerend about the needy and Hungry starving, wasting your time here complaining about it if you care so much ? Go out and purchase a Box of food and deliver it to a needy familiy.
Ohhh I forgot,You are using it to pay for internet or something, so much for setting an example.
Linz on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Dude, your church had donuts in the lobby? Now I’m pissed, mine never did, lol.
To answer your question, no, he wouldn’t approve.
Suspended_23 on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Xian children who starve to death for the glory of god go directly to heaven, it is a win win situation.
What proper child would not willingly starve for the greater good of the Church, only a child of Satan would prefer food over eternal life at God’s side in Heaven.
End of sarcasm.
Tardacus on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
yes he probably would,
this brings to mind the parable of the women who used expensive perfume to wash jesus feet. an apostle was outraged and asked shouldnt she have sold the perfume and give the money to the poor?
jesus responded no, you will always have the poor with you but i am only here for a short time.
there will still be plenty of poor people around to give money to after the church is paid off.
Thus saith The Lord on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
it is also written "owe no one"
Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Lightning is correct, we must have a Facility to work out of, Fortunately ours is paid off, all these other answers are simply idiotic way’s Non-belivers are using to find a way to shut down all churches so as to silence our voices so as to have thei Atheist Utopia.
News for ya, It’s not going to happen, accept it and get over it.
Lightning From the East on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Ahh You missed it, we need the facilities to accomodate those Homeless and needy Children, so How should we accomplish that Himm ?
If we have no facility to work out of the feed the needy and starving Children then they don’t ever get fed, so How do we accomplish this is we have no facility, and the Doughnuts in the Lobby are brought in by Individule Church members on their own accord.
Now last Saturday, we through the Angle Food Ministries http://www.angelfoodministries.com/
Delivered Box’s of Food and fruit enough to feed a family of 4 for a week to 125 Families, I myself delievered to 4 families, all in need, One man who was rasing His two young Children alone cause his wife has deserted him and left him alon with the Children was in tears as he had no idea we were coming, and we left Him with a packet and some information and asked him how our Church can help him more.
Now We used our Gym / Basketball Building to stage this, Now if we didn’t pay off what is owed on the Building, how are we to Stage this ? Hmm ? answer that
swancrazydot on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
even a fully fledged bible bashing preacher if reading the bible as is would say no way, i say if he was then i say it also!
Crazy Pirate's Ghost {zilla} on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
jesus would not have approved of getting the mortgage in the first place
but i do need to say that the donuts are an essential!
Instant Star has better tastes. on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
You know, it’s amusing to think about. I realize churches must expand to accommodate an expanding congregation, but they don’t have to have top of the line things to make it "church" in my opinion. This money could be much better spent helping those in need rather than spending it on a 5 million dollar building, yes? Yes.
rac on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
Remember also that Jesus chastised Judas for criticizing Mary’s use of fine ointments on Jesus’ feet. There is a time for extravagance and a time for charitable donations. All things are in balance in their proper place and time.
cutetrio2002 on March 4, 2010 at 4:51 pm
I can only speak about my church which was established in the 1800’s. The fact of the matter is you are supposed to support your church; it is your place of worship, the place you get married, the place your children are baptized in and most importantly it is God’s house. And have you ever tried "standing outside to have church" up North in the middle of January? Get a grip!