Posted on 08/19/2008 7:34:48 PM PDT by Alex Murphy
In my experience as a former church treasurer, I found that those who made less gave more and more faithfully than those whose incomes were higher. I always thought that sad. That’s just my own experience though.
Good point.
10 tithing adults support the pastor
20 tithing adults support the pastor and the building
30 tithing adults support the pastor the building the mission
Does anyone here think that $80,000 is a high salary?
Couldn’t buy much of a house in the coastal states on it.
It is kinda funny that here on Free Republic we frown on people begrudging other people for the money they make. It is the politics of envy. Yet if by some chance a Pastor, who works 24/7/365.25 happens to make more than a hamburger flipper then he is looked upon with suspicion.
Ah, the religion of envy.
Every Christian should look at his job as a ministry. He is working to provide for his family and to be a witness to non-believers in his ethics and to provide offerings for the furtherance of the Gospel. The Pastor is merely a partner with his congregants and what they pay him is nobody's business except those who pay it, and even then it is probably better that they don't know. I don't know what my pastor makes and I don't care. I only pray that he makes more than I do since he has a much greater responsibility than I do. I suspect, however, that he makes much less than me. If that is the case, then he celearly deserves more.
That would be close. We do have some attendees though that tithe like most Christians tip their waitress. You know the kind, a dollar no matter how big the bill.
Bravo.
We as Christians we are all in the ministry.
We all have our roles.
The pastor or lead elder has their role and it is good that they are well paid for it.
Waitresses are like Elephants. They remember. If you are a regular at a restaurant and you are a lousy tipper, then the chances are you have eaten a loogie or two in your lifetime.
There is no worse witness than a man who publicly prays over his food and then leaves the restaurant without giving a generous tip. The absolute worst witness is the guy who leaves a tract instead of a tip. There is a special place in hell reserved for that guy.
My guess is that the average pastor is FAR below this figure. At least, that's the case for all the pastors I have known (in two dissimilar denominations, and while serving on church council and as treasurer at two churches).
Managed restaurants for 8 years, half of them before I was a Christian. Seen 'em all.
As far as the 20k vs 200k topic, we do have some unsaved in the crowd too. But we have seen big improvements in that area this past year.
I used to work with an attorney who worked 10 hours a day 5 days a week as an attorney and then worked 6 hours a day seven days a week as a senior pastor of a growing church. He never took a salary from the Church.
The church has grown and he now pastors the largest church in his city and as far as I know he is still working at least 30 hours a week as an attorney to feed his family and not taking a salary from the church. But then, unlike most pastors, he doesn't need a salary from his church. But if he were making $200,000 a year as a pastor, I would certainly not begrudge him. He's clearly worth more than that to his congregation.
LOL "senior", we only have one. We have less than 45 people as attendees. Parsonage is church owned. Pastor teaches one course at a local Christian school.
Why do I have the feeling that when they passed the plate you never gave anything?
Yes - I am being a little sarcastic but not too much.
Me too.
Are you not willing to give until it hurts? Where is the sacrifice in giving less than that which causes you some pain?
Or having an associate pastor stand up and talk out of Malichi about who's robing God.
Do you have a problem with a pastor reading God's word?
I got sick of this dog and pony show years ago.
You gave up giving?
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. (Malachi 3:8 KJV)
Why was the tithe put into place? Because the Levitt's were with out an inheritance. Is your pastor or priest without an inheritance?
Please show me where it says to give a tithe of a sacrifice? Where does it say that giving must cause a pain in the new testament it says God loves a cheerfully giver not a painful giver.
You show me where the tithe was carried out in the NT and I will believe you.
You show me where the tithe was carried out in the NT and I will believe you.
Actually in the early church they gave 100% to the church for distribution.
The law of Tithing is older than the law of Moses.
And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. (Genesis 28:22 KJV)
It is an honor and not a duty
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: (Proverbs 3:9 KJV)
I suppose you are not required to give a dime. You are saved (if you are saved) by grace and not by works. However if you love the Lord I would think that you would honor him with your substance and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.
However, since you have such a bad attitude towards giving to God, I would be inclined to advise you not to give anything. God does not need your money. OTOH, as an act of honor, you really ought to give it to him.
But don't.... Unless you really want to honor God by your giving.
I do give but I will not be beaten and pastors do not beat the sheep. If you want to go back to Gen for the tithe then what did Abraham give? Was it not the spoils of war? so how does this have any bearing on the NT saint? Let me ask you this what was the tithe for?
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