They keep asking for money! It never stops!

It goes to people higher up, just like with all of our taxes. Most of it isn't even used for what they say it is.

Hi blue65packer Our church has an annual budget that we, the congregation, votes on. Our mission leaders submit budget requests. We have several missionaries that we send support some, some multi-generational. We have salaries, insurance, utilities. We have cell groups that do studies. I have absolute trust in the administration of finances in my church. I think it is important to have trust in your church, pastor, leaders, etc. We have an excellent treasurer who knows how to pinch a penny. Need I say more? Prosperous mylotting

This is why I like MY Church. The congregation is asked for money, but we're not shoved into paying it, nor frowned upon if we don't, nor are we blindly asked to give. All our expenses are known to anyone, just for the asking. Often, it's (beyond the usual bills for Church upkeep, which are kept minimal) given to a selected family (not necessarily a member) who has some sort of financial crisis, due to circumstances beyond their control. I'm thrilled that we do this, which is part of the reason pockets & wallets always empty out when it happens. And of course our priests, monks & nuns are paid. Some of them also hold down jobs to make ends meet. They have the right to be paid for their work, although, many times in history, they've had to beg for help in truly hard times. "The laborer is worthy of his hire," says the Bible, & you may not realize just how much & how difficult that work is! Anyway, they have all taken vows of poverty, & they keep them. The clergy is never pushy, in the way you describe! I have no problem them giving money when I can; I consider it a small sacrifice for the benefits received! Just find a better church, & don't feel guilty if you haven't got the money! Maggiepie “We must not lose our faculty to dare, especially in dark days.” ~ Churchill in March, 1942

I believe you should be able to look around in your church and see where the money is going. I believe now in giving the ten percent of what I earn to the Church where I am going. Before this I was able to go to the church and see an Easter Musical, on that day I was asked not to donate money because that service was a gift to me and others. I and my daughter got a book on Jesus and a free cd about Jesus, with refreshments and cookies. When I accepted Jesus Christ I got a free Bible and this other book where I learned Bible verses and was able to use my bible with it, and to help me become a better Christian, I get a free ride to Church and from Church to home, I also would add that my daughter got a free Bible even tho she accepted Jesus in her heart later on. I can see the blessing of going to Church in my life and the life of my daughter, for the first time in her life she loves going to church, I see what little I give to the Church working miracles in others as it has worked miracles in me because I can see what God has done for me and for others because the Church I go to lets God work miracles in it. So I hope and pray that every dollar I give to my Church multiplies so that others can hear God's word and be as blessed as I am.