collection plate

[AveMaria]

I was just wondering, for those in a home church, do you pass a collection plate or tithe, and if so, how is that money handled/distributed? Is there a committee, or do you take turns deciding on charities to support?

[meredithnz]

Hi Avemaria
I only know what our church does we do have a collection plate and we do tithe as it is instructed in the bible. Our contributions go toward our community ministries, salaries of staff, church upkeep, overseas missions etc...is that what you mean?

[meredithnz]

oh and i am assuming it would be the elders of the church and/or the pastors that decide where the money goes.....we do have the option of tithing to something particular also,..

[Wisdom's Child]

My home gathering doesn't pass a plate so to speak.
What happens is that any "Church" business is openly discussed, and any needs that arise are addressed. Those who feel the move of the Spirit to do so will step forward and provide for that specific need. We all contribute as we have the resources to do so. If necessary we will organize a fundraiser with volunteers to do a bake sale, car wash, etc... to meet that need.
As for paying the Pastor's Wages, I have a day job and do not believe in accepting payment for doing the Lords Work. I'm not a hireling.
As for building maintenance, we meet in eachothers living room, garage, or patio area. Often lately we meet in a local public park if the weather permits.
Only those who are addressing a particular need handle any money towards that need.

Also, we are Not a 501c3 charity by choice.
We do not believe that we require government tax exempt status, or government recognition, to Worship the Lord.

[lismore]

I only know what our church does we do have a collection plate and we do tithe as it is instructed in the bible.

You take your vegetables to Jerusalem and have a feast day?

:sorry:

In House Fellowships, there is no need for the manipulation. No buildings and no salaries to support. Each beliver can give where the Lord tells them. House groups are about relationship, not ritual.

Lismore:)

[Count]

...and we do tithe as it is instructed in the bible.

Instructed in the bible? Praise the Lord we have some people who interpret the bible for us the laymen, for us the illiterate people. Had it not been for such people, we would have been lost. Had it not been for such people, God would have not been able to do His work. Oh God, you are so so lucky that such people help You, because without them, you would be nothing.

[New_Wineskin]

I was just wondering, for those in a home church, do you pass a collection plate or tithe, and if so, how is that money handled/distributed? Is there a committee, or do you take turns deciding on charities to support?

No colletion plate or tithing . We give as individuals to whatever causes we are led to give . We don't have collective giving .

[AveMaria]

Thanks, that was very helpful!

[Bevlina]

Definitely no tithing or collection plate. We give to the poor and help the needy!

[lismore]

Hi Avemaria
I only know what our church does we do have a collection plate and we do tithe as it is instructed in the bible. Our contributions go toward our community ministries, salaries of staff, church upkeep, overseas missions etc...is that what you mean?

Having a collection plate is banned by our lord. Matthews Gospel, chapter 6:

Giving to the Needy



1"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.


usually church giving is a bit open plate with a cheerful song being played to encourage folks to dig deeper. trumpets anyone?

[GlobalNomad1960]

The Institutional Chuch I attend has Offering Boxes (a lot better than the old colletion plate!).

[GlobalNomad1960]

oh and i am assuming it would be the elders of the church and/or the pastors that decide where the money goes.....we do have the option of tithing to something particular also,..

I think meredithnz is having us on a bit. Right. meridithnz?

[New_Wineskin]

The Institutional Chuch I attend has Offering Boxes (a lot better than the old colletion plate!).

I do know of some groups that have a box or something in a place where people can't directly see who may be putting something in the box . But , these same groups *usually* still push for money in one way or another .

[SteelDisciple]

I was just wondering, for those in a home church, do you pass a collection plate or tithe, and if so, how is that money handled/distributed? Is there a committee, or do you take turns deciding on charities to support?


We don't pass a collection plate. There is a place in the back you can put your money if you want too. And many do.

[Count]

We don't pass a collection plate. There is a place in the back you can put your money if you want too. And many do.

The matter is not whether we pass a collection plate or we put money in a set place. The matter is whether tithing is scriptural or not. The matter is why we give money and where the money goes. The matter is who decides that the church should give money.

There is no scriptural basis for tithing. We give money according to the needs of people, be careful, not for buildings, por people and it is the church who decides where and when to give money, not any leader.

[lismore]

The matter is not whether we pass a collection plate or we put money in a set place. The matter is whether tithing is scriptural or not. The matter is why we give money and where the money goes. The matter is who decides that the church should give money.

There is no scriptural basis for tithing. We give money according to the needs of people, be careful, not for buildings, por people and it is the church who decides where and when to give money, not any leader.

:thumbsup:

[Count]

Let me give you an example from a church in Tirana, Albania.

Some sisters insisted that the church go for excursion to another city of Albania and spend time together. Everybody wanted this, but there was a financial problem. Money was needed to pay for a couch, and for a dinner in a restaurant at that city. So, the brothers, gathered together to discuss the problem and decided that they put a box there and tell anyone to put money in that box for about a month. After a month they would open the box and if they would have the money needed for that excursion, they would do that trip, if not, they wouldn't.

So, after they opened the box, the needed money wasn't gatherd, so they didn't go to that city. Instead they went to a nearby park, by the way a very beautiful park, in Tirana and the church spent time together there.

That was a tiny segment of the life of the church of Tirana, but it shows how the church can handle the problems without the help of pastors and one aspect of how She gathers money when needed. There were times when a brother was jobless and the church has helped accordingly.

[Bevlina]

That's a beautiful statement of faith. You see how God provided? And, I find in a Home Church, we can help one another wonderfully.