tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post374459886346003137..comments2023-08-13T04:25:27.199-06:00Comments on Spoiled for the Ordinary: Smart GivingJasonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18363518142334125056noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post-2977327247620145612012-04-10T17:28:15.712-06:002012-04-10T17:28:15.712-06:00Thanks for the great reply Jason. Here are my thou...Thanks for the great reply Jason. Here are my thoughts. :)<br /><br />I support my church (which supports local and foreign charity) but see my membership there more like being a part of a club where I meet others' needs and others meet some of my needs. <br /><br />I don't however feel that my tax-deductible contributions to the church are charitable in nature. Hence I find other giving venues to meet the needs of the poor. Unfortunately most pastors think that gifts to these charitable groups should be subservient to gifts to their churches.kc bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post-47714261853352675642012-04-10T16:45:44.420-06:002012-04-10T16:45:44.420-06:00Well Bob, I'll leave it to you to ask the hard...Well Bob, I'll leave it to you to ask the hard questions!<br /><br />I would say the answer goes beyond a comment reply, as I'm sure you know, but to throw out a couple of thoughts:<br /><br />1. It is seen as an investment in what is going on locally. It benefits those who give the gifts, and it feels like it is spiritual (I'm thinking of pews with plaques on them saying they're donated in memory of Aunt Bertha).<br />2. Churches lose sight of what is important. My church has been looking at replanting grass in a large field on our property after water rights were changed and the grass died. Will the grass help us meet the needs of the community better? Will it be a positive draw? Maybe we're losing perspective if we pour thousands into sprinkler systems, wells, and other costs.<br />3. Protestant work ethic for the salary part. The workman is worthy of his wage. <br /><br />We don't have a terribly elaborate building and my church supports denominational missions as well as a missionary directly. We do pretty good with our giving, but I'm sure we can do better.<br /><br />What do you think?Jasonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18363518142334125056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26401815.post-47267922329356074682012-04-10T07:09:45.786-06:002012-04-10T07:09:45.786-06:00Sometimes wonder why so much giving is directed to...Sometimes wonder why so much giving is directed towards religion instead of charity. Any idea why Christians favor buildings and salaries over charity?kc bobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17440862813109808755noreply@blogger.com