by Jim Gordon
One big sore spot with me within the christian religion is listening to big-named evangelists and preachers tell us we need to give them our money so they can go forth and proclaim the gospel.
They will pile up big bank accounts, nice houses, huge buildings, expensive jets, cars and who knows what else, all under the guise of being able to proclaim to gospel to more people.
Many times the money they raise is coming from people who can barely afford to meet living expenses day to day. They will give money to these people because they are told it will help them better spread the gospel around the world. They are also told they are robbing from God if they do not give.
If I understand what I read in the bible, Jesus and his twelve disciples turned the world upside down with their love and by teaching the good news that God loves them. I do not remember reading about how much money they had, or how many luxuries they had that helped them spread the gospel.
It really bothers me that the money spent buying these people some of the luxuries of life could be used to help many starving, homeless, jobless people across our country or around the world.
As christians, we are all called to proclaim the gospel. We do so in the way we live. We are to show love to all people and help those in need with the means we have been given.
We are not under the old covenant law that said bring ten percent into the storehouse. We should give to help others, but not out of obligation. We are to give out of love and that amount we have determined without our own heart to give.
No person, man or woman, should be looked upon as more important or more spiritually holy than anyone else. We are to be a priesthood of all believers with no one more important than another.
Rather than focus on those who are demanding we give them our money to support the kingdom of God, let us follow after the example of Jesus by loving all people and using the money, gifts and talents he has given us to help those we can directly.
Done with Religion 
I’m with you Carol. Good comment. Thanks for the support.
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Glad there are places to check for legitimate organizations. Thanks for listing some. So many out there that are only getting rich from the generosity of others. Thanks for your comment.
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i learned a long time ago that the biggest “missions”/”charities” invariably have the most bloated budgets… i found sites like CharityWatch and CharityNavigator as well as published tax & income releases very useful tools in identifying small independent groups that spend little on advertising and pay its leaders only small stipends in order to more fully distribute contributions to those in need
the osteens, grahams & falwells of this world (to name a few) hardly need my small pittance added to their overflowing pockets. nor do the SmileTrains or Curetivities – religious institutions hold no monopoly on charitable corruption. but the rampant Greedy Theft of Kindness must surely grieve Creator most of all when its being justified with His Name!
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Nothing blesses me more than to give directly to someone that I see has a need. If I had placed this money in an offering plate at what’s called a church building, this person I gave directly to would never have received it.
So many support their pastors and their buildings. What gets me is the members feel the pastor must drive a Mercedes or Bentley, but some members are taking the bus to get to church or they don’t have the money to pay a light bill because they are told they must pay their tithe. I have been one of these people in the past. There is no storehouse. There is no Levitical Priesthood. I feel it’s almost illegal to tithe. I use to be afraid not to tithe for fear of God punishing me. No one is more highly anointed than another. There is one Holy Spirit dwelling in all of us that have received the Holy Spirit.
I think about how all of this money can be spent helping homeless people or paying a bill for someone. Some pastors say they must have a plane to spread the gospel, but not one member can ride on that plane. Love and help the people around you….in your own city. I can’t pay my mortgage and the church building’s mortgage and the pastor’s mortgage.
Thanks for writing this. Sadly, people will continue to give from an Old Covenant mindset.
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