Comments on: What is your reaction: poor person tithes and his pastor goes on a extravagant Hawaii vacation?

By: Katie

Katie — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:27:59 +0000

I would be upset too, but I don’t think that is a reason to stop going to church period. I doubt if your brother stops contributing10% and gives 0% that it is going to put a strain on the pastor’s vacations too. But if your brother can’t pay bills, maybe he should contribute less like 4%. Tithing can also be time and talents. Time spent doing volunteer work or fund raisers; and talent such as singing in the choir.
We have a similar pastor in my town. He is a member of 4 or 5 different country clubs, drives a Mercedes, lives in a $500,000 home, and takes his family on extravagant vacations every year. (I don’t go to that church though.)

You would think that those that "preach the word of God" would live modestly. I mean Jesus told his followers to leave everything behind and follow him and spread the word. They lived off nothing, had nothing, but put their faith and trust in God and Jesus.

I don’t think your brother should give up on going to church because of this one “rotten egg” but maybe he should find a new church home.
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By: DRAKE

DRAKE — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:07:59 +0000

The only thing that matters here as far as God is concerned is that the "intent" of giving, by faith, even if it doesn’t get to where it’s suppose to go, is the only thing that counts in God’s eyes. God searches the heart, and by this, it is already known to God his faithfulness and his intentions concerning Gods work here on earth…. God will always bless the joyful giver no matter what!…….So, your brother should not loose faith in this way by his Pastor’s actions, but still rejoice in the Lord, while knowing all the while that by giving to the Lord, his treasures in heaven that awaits him will be far more rewarding than he could ever dream.
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By: pwwatson8888

pwwatson8888 — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:21:59 +0000

Did the church require him to tithe? The answer will determine the action he should take.
Do the elders and deacons and the pastor know of your brother’s situation? If not why not? If so, why would they let him give more than he can afford? Your Pastor needs a vacation at times too – but did the cost of this vacation come from the church? If so how much? All of it? Or ten percent?
He has forgotten the fact that the Lord loves a cheerful giver – if he gave for the wrong reason (keeping the Law of tithing – let’s not get into this right now) – instead of the right reason (love) then he has to look at his own spirit for the answer.
Giving means giving – if they use the money wrongly he could always go to a different church. There are other places where he could tithe to. Hope this helps – he needs to ask if he was a cheerful giver or not.

2 Corinthians 9
6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
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By: pure&simple

pure&simple — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:47:59 +0000

He most definately has a point!! This is why I do not attend a church. I am christian and believe. What I have a problem with is "organized religion". In my life, I have went to many churches. They were all the same. Not for me.
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By: Soul Shaper

Soul Shaper — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:39:59 +0000

A pastor is paid a set salary. Tithes do go into the general fund to pay the pastor. However, you don’t know if the pastor’s extended family or someone in the church paid for his vacation. The pastor could have inherited this money.

You’re brother is making too many assumptions. It sounds to me that your brother may be looking for an excuse not to go to church. Perhaps, the seats are not comfortable for him to sit in.
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By: answer man

answer man — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:30:59 +0000

Churches are comprised of men and as such are subject to the frailties of men.
Men are sinners.
Churches are full of sinners.
This includes pastors.
Don’t give up on God.
Find a new church.
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By: crrllpm

crrllpm — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 19:20:59 +0000

I don't think your brother should stop going to church because of one man's insensitivity. And going to Hawaii when others in the parish are having to do without any respite was very insensitive. However I think he should stop going to this church and look around for some other one that has a more socially responsible pastor. But on the other hand he shouldn't begrudge the guy having a holiday. Pastors need a break away from the troubles of others so they can do their job refreshed and with out being too oppressed by those troubles. And maybe he should rethink about tithing. How about just giving what he can afford until better circumstances come his way. Giving to the Lord's work should be a joy, not a struggle.
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By: spankanshar

spankanshar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:54:59 +0000

First, the pastors vacation is not directly tied to donations.
Second, why cant your brother go on vacation now that he is not tithing?

Hawaii vacations are not as expensive as they once were. about the same as florida ( in off season)

Sounds like your brother needs to reavaluate his living expenses.
I was disabled for 2 years( accident) and we went places, not florida or hawaii but we did take vacations.

tithing is not meant to detriment its donor. perhaps 10% is too much. There is a difference between suffering for the church and supporting it.

When is it Christian to judge so completely?
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By: annarkeymagic

annarkeymagic — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:08:59 +0000

I agree that it gets down to "Was that the Pastor’s own money or the fund your brother tithed to?"
If it was the fund your brother tithed to he has every right to be disgusted with that church and go elsewhere for inspiration.
But I can’t act shocked.
The PTL scandal was not that long ago.
Nor was the Ted Haggert fiasco.
We live in a day and age where the oldest richest Christian church has been engaging in covering for known pedophiles in it’s midst.
We live in a day and age when an Oxford professor writes a book and the Atheist population increases.
But the reason, the best reason, the only reason to keep having Faith is…
Gotta go I’ll finish this later!
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By: Starfall

Starfall — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:50:59 +0000

Maybe he should quit going to THAT church if he believes the pastor is inappropraitely using the tithes and offerings of the parishioners, but not all pastors are like that. Surely he could find some church with a pastor that he feels comfortable with.

Now, just trying to see from the pastor’s point of view (and yes, Hawaii is QUITE a vacation)–how often does the pastor go on such vacations? Could it be that he and his family saved up for a long time for this vacation, as I know some people do? For instance, my one friend and her husband have been married for 10 years, but they have never gone on a real vacation; they have been putting money back for a 2 week cruise for their 10th anniversary. So did the pastor and family do this, or are extravagant vacations a commonplace?
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