Or is it OK to give directly to charities? My minister toldme that god needs to see my faith by giving the money to him, through my church. But i think I can spend the same amount of money doing good deeds on my own, and still spend enough to get into heaven.
128695
I would ignore what the minister says about giving him money - in fact i would be tempted to advise you to not give him anymore money to swell his own paycheck at the end of the month.\n\nGod judges your heart and actions from the inside out - it has little to do with what cash you put by your church.\n\nIf your minister still insists on 'tithing' then i would recommend you look up 'tithing' in the old testament and read what most churches and ministers would rather you didn't - how you are meant to take 10% and EAT IT IN FRONT OF THE PRIEST sharing with others who have less than you.  In other words - use that 10% to have a party - Nothing said about giving it away to the church or synagogue.\n\nAs regards getting into heaven - you accepting Jesus as your lord and saviour is enough to do that.  Anyone who says different is saying that Jesus didn't do enough basically.\n\nAs to doing good deeds on your own - i applaud you for wanting to make a difference in your community - keep up the good work!
450353
Dear taotemu,\n\n     During the church age (33 - 1988 A.D.) believers were to bring their firstfruits to the house of God.  "Tithe" means 10%.  The tithe was to be used to get the true Gospel out into the entire world, however, many "churches" used this money to buy beautiful baptistries or windows or all kinds of things that were not related to the Gospel.  However we read in Hebrews 12... that we are to present ourselves as living sacrifices unto the Lord..  This means that the true believer gives himself completely to the Lord.  \n     Now that the church age is ended, the true believers are to come out of the church (Matthew 24:15, 16; Revelation 18:4-).  You see satan has taken his seat in the local congregations and is ruling there.  There is absolutely NO POSSIBILITY of salvation in the local churhces today (2 Thessalonians 2).  In Ezekiel 9 we again read of the judgment of God upon the local churches.  I can give you more references but check out the ones I've listed.
643384
Yes you can donate an interest in land.  But the charity will probably study the value, future potential, etc. of the interest in the land, and depending on what they find, they may reject the gift.  \n\nI have heard of churches rejecting gifts of property, if the maintenance on it was greater than what they might get out of it.
568420
You are a critical thinker. DO NOT let anyone tell you you're demonic for being skeptical of the church. You're absolutely right. Honestly, do you think God would care if you went to a place every week to give money to people who are already rich? Doesn't God provide "daily bread" through the meals your parents provide?\n\nDo not feel guilty for doubting the church. It just means you're smart.
53078
Tithing was originally used, among other reasons, to collect money to take care of the poor. \nNow taxes and charitable giving do most of that, so I think that if you pay taxes, you are already tithing more than 10%.\nIf you want to give to the church to, that is totally voluntary. \nGod certainly doesn't need money, and IMHO churches spend to much money on fancy buildings.
172334
Yes, I am Christian and want to help people, but I know I am not the savior.  The true Savior will fix what's going wrong and the iniquities of our world when people start spreading the Gospel.  It is God who changes people's hearts.\n\nYes, you or anyone else can help people physically, and that can be classified as spreading the Gospel too.\n\nBut remember, there is a big difference in good works, and works by faith!\n\nHere is what I do to keep my self somewhat in check:\n\nI pray first\n\nRun what I believe to be the answer of that prayer, by someone I know and trust.\n\nThe I take action by creating a plan.\n\nYes, funding is most likely involved, so I check out opportunities to fund what ever it is that I feel I am called to do.\n\nThen I find other volunteers.\n\nAnd finally, I set up shop so to speak.\n\nWhen I follow this path, I find that people change!  ;)
392194
At this time of year I get a generous amount of requests for donations.  I use to donate to almost all of them, but after I started looking into the charities, I found that some of them were not registered with anything and I suspect the donation money was going to some greedy people in the name of Charity.  That is so disgusting. Now I only donate to organizations that can prove they are for real!  I know that so many many people need help and really deserve it-- I am willing to donate to as many charities as I can but only to those who are truly in need.
317
This is not a question. Be honest with yourself and us. \n\nBut if you want the truth, there is only one sin and one sin alone that keeps us from heaven, and that is not receiving God's free gift of salvation through His Son. You need to realize that good works do NOT get us to heaven. You cannot buy your way there, that is why Jesus had to pay the price for us. It is a debt we could not pay. But don't worry, if you want your companion more than God, He will not stand in the way of your decision, that is what free will is for. If you are willing to pay an eternal price for such a decision, it will be your choice and your choice alone. You might want to talk to God about it first.
426473
It is a documented fact that Christians give more to charities and help those who struggle than any other group.  How many atheists or agnostic groups do you see out there sending help in the form of money or physically being there.\n\nYou are such a hypocrite.  Why don't you stop complaining about how you aren't in a financial position to help or that you wish you could go to Africa and help.  If you really care, get up off of your a$$ and do something about it.  Stop hiding behind your excuses.\n\nNo, instead you just sit up in the gallery spewing out your condemnations on the very people who are the ones doing what you don't have the guts to do.  How pathetic.
573297
Very simple. If will get all those things your self it means you will spent all your money on those things. Church can't allow this since their ministeres want to get samething. THey need your money. So please keep asking Jesus but send money to church so they can negotiate for you and get a better deal\nTherefore GOD exists.
510931
God hears all prayers, he just doesn't answer those that aren't in harmony with His plan (If you're asking for $1,000,000 it's not going to happen by His hand because it's not part of His plan. If you're asking for help to scrape by one more day, He's going to help out.)\nMy experience: My husband and I were coming home from Church (We're JW's) and we stopped at a McD's on our way home (I was pregnant and craving food). A woman came up to us and asked for some help, she told us that her car broke down on her trip to FL.(where we lived at the time) and she lost all her money getting her car fixed and doesn't have enough to get home and asked for a few bucks to help her get home in GA. All we had left for the week was $19 (it was Tuesday, my hubby doesn't get paid until friday, and that $19 was just enough to get us through the week for gas and food (I didn't work at the time because of complications with my pregnancy, so it was just his paycheck that we were living off of) I offered the woman all we had and she offered to pay us back. We told her not to worry about it. My husband (who can be pessimistic) was a bit worried that we wouldn't have enough to make it through the week, I told him not to worry & that God provides (Matthew 6:26) for what we need. Needless to say our night didn't end there (there were a few more things that made the night interesting) Well, my husband went to work the next day and wanted to tell his co-workers of the night he had (without expecting anything from them, he told them) Graciously, his Manager gave us $40 as a friend giving money to a friend.\n\nI know it sounds upsetting..."Why give a strange woman money, she could be lying to you." or "That wasn't a very good choice, it was all you had."\n\nWe gave out of our hearts (whether the woman was lying to us or not, we gave the money to her with the thought that we were helping her get home) If she lied to us, then she'll get what she deserves.\nMy point is this: don't make yourself into poverty to see what God will do for you, but life comes along and makes things difficult. If you ask Him to help dealing with persecution, or making through the week because of an unforseen circumstance (Matthew 6:26) He will help you. But you must also be patient, keep you're mind open and remember that some prayers aren't answered for a reason (whatever it may be)\n\n(P.S. there are many prayers I have asked, not all of them have been answered (yet, I'm still waiting))
310239
It all depends on what is if for. Since I will be spending this dollar, I believe at least I need to know what is it for. I would usually do it if it's for a good cause (feeding kids, paying for a hospital bill, etc). If you're asking for this donation to buy liquor, drugs, etc, I would rather send you an advice that hopefully would make you think twice about these topics.
660210
The Bible says to tithe, I don't have a job but I still give God money because it's His in the first place. When I get a job I will pay my 10% and do what the Bible says. The Bible says that you will be blessed if you give. So I try to give to God. Yes God has given me more money to tithe back to Him. He supplies all my needs.
424731
"To whom much is given much will be expected."  Remember the story of the poor woman at the Temple who gave her last two pennies?  Her contribution counted far more than the huge donations of the wealthy men.  Also, we are told, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and decay destroy, and thieves break in and steal.  But store up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor decay destroys, nor thieves break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."  Finally, Jesus says "the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those that find it."  \n\nSo my take on it?  VERY hard for wealthy people to get into heaven.  My reasoning is that these people are unwilling to give away their wealth to those who need it.  When they have the means, they turn their back on the poor.  Yes, I know that frequently the wealthy give huge sums to Church or charity, but this is very little compared to what they posess.  Jesus told the wealthy man - who, remember, was a good Jew who kept the Commandments - to sell off everything he owned and give the proceeds to the poor.  People who cannot do that to the extent that they are still living in luxary are attempting to serve two masters, which is impossible.
548482
Dear Obsessed:  What you said, is fine.  I think if I were going to do an offering prayer, I might say something like this:\n\n"Father, through your divine Holy Spirit Who exists in the souls of each and everyone of us, I offer these partnership monies for Him to use where He knows it is best needed.  Because the Holy Spirit exists within us and knows each of us as Himself, I ask Him to bring these funds to where it will be used for the most good and its highest use.  Holy Spirit, You know who and You know where. . .into your hands I place this offering.  Amen.\n\nBest regards, Lana
289426
Just don't follow what others tell you is right.  Find what is right for you.  If Christianity is what you find to be true, follow it the way you think you should. The church is just a building after all.  I relate to what you are saying..I've seen it myself and yes, it was part of why I started searching for my own meaning.  Set yourself as an  example of your faith but remember, others have the right to believe or not believe.
66620
I have worked in the field of Not for Profit Organizations for several years, Just recently relocated to Central America.\n\nIn general most serious charities will not only allow you to post the nature of your donations on your own web site and printed materials but they will gladly promote your organization on their own site and in their publications.\n\nIn many cases it is customary to ask for a sponsor´s testimonial with regard to their pledge, donnations or just their personal convictions.\n\nDon´t be afraid to ask the organization you have selected for guidance and even send a proposal regarding any cross promotional ideas you may have