Churches helping the needy??????
- Thread starter RAIDER
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RAIDER said:
Helping the needy is as an important function of the church as winning the lost. All churches should give a significant portion of their offering to the relief of the poor. Evangelism is vital, but we should not "leave one done and the other undone."
The "litmus" test Jesus mentions at the judgment seat are not how people we baptized or our conversion numbers. He wanted to make sure we fed the hungry, gave water to the thirsty, clothed the naked, and cared for the outcasts.
Our church averages around 50 people a week, but last month we gave $800 to 4 local groups for food distribution, a charity health clinic, a Community Help Center, and a home for homeless men.
The harder question is do we give to everyone who comes to the church asking for money. Of course, this is extremely hard to do. We know that many of them are scammers or just simply lazy folks who could make their own way but won't do what is necessary to be self sufficient. Of course, Jesus said to give to everyone who asks of us.....
RAIDER said:
I used to think I paid for the poor with my tithe and my taxes. I've learned there are people who fall through the cracks, especially when I became one of them.
I've also learned that rich folks and poor folks mix like oil and water.
At the same time, I have a vivid memory of seeing the same people asking for money every week at an IFB church. The pastor used his own discretion and had a kind heart, but it was getting out of hand. I believe every church should have the deacons involved and policies in place to help people budget and/or find jobs or resources.....and yes, they should be helping.
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In my experience people who approach the church for help are not interested in counseling, training in home finance and money management or advice on government programs. Most just want enough gas to get home, enough food to feed their family for a few days, or enough cash to pay their over due utility bill.Jo said:
I believe the Bible is clear about our responsibility to help the poor, I also think we have a responsibility to be good stewards of Gods money. Not sure what the right balance is exactly.
We are rightfully concerned about not giving to the "wrong people." Unfortunately, this often times keep us from giving to the "right people."
I think it is better to give to much than not enough. I would rather be taken advantage of than to not give liberally to those in need. Let us choose charity over caution. God knows my heart and accepts my gift to him even if the recipient is a fraud.
I think it is better to give to much than not enough. I would rather be taken advantage of than to not give liberally to those in need. Let us choose charity over caution. God knows my heart and accepts my gift to him even if the recipient is a fraud.
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cpizzle said:
Our church has a policy on this. If someone calls asking for financial help we ask them to attend a church service of their choice . After the service we make sure they have a gift cart to the local grocery store. The gift card states that no alcohol or smokes can be purchased. One in every 20 actually show up.
This policy is great because it:RAIDER said:
1. Provides an opportunity to have the plan of salvation shared with them
2. Allows them to be greeted and to feel welcome in your church
3. Allows them to experience a regular church service
4. Allow them to learn of additional church ministries that may be of help to them.
5. Forces them to show some initiative by attending a service.
RAIDER said:
Good policy; interesting statistic - 5%. A ponderable.
RAIDER said:
One in every 20? That's interesting. My gut reaction is that they wanted money for cigarettes or alcohol, so moved on to another organization. It's easy to judge, especially when they don't show up for a church service, but from my own personal experience I've learned that things are not always what they seem. You never know. They may have thought they wouldn't fit in if they went to a church service.
If you live in a large city, there are possibly other churches that offer a food pantry, which is a wonderful thing; however, there are folks that need money for other things like their medical needs or their electricity.
I volunteered at an organization sponsored by several churches. I screened people to see if they had needs other than food. I kept a list on the end of my desk of jobs in the area. Many people took the list. I think most people truly want to work, but there are others. It always made me sad when a young person came in and was homeless. The organization let the homeless come in more often for food. Lots of folks. Lots of needs.
We have a food pantry and every month have an offering for a benevolent fund. I don't know how they are distributed but I am almost sure the benevolent fund is on a case by case basis that is overseen by some group.
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Most churches help the needy in some way. We regularly help people in our church family who are in financial need.
There are guidelines and a process for this and all of our other 'benevolence ministries".
We have a weekly food pantry, serving about 125 families per week on average. We also have a 'furniture ministry'...we provide furniture to those in great need due to fire or lack of funds. We have furniture and warehouse space donated to us and our church family volunteer the labor. We also go into a local low income housing project weekly with a tutoring program, Bible studies and activities. We run a lunch program for school age children during the summer months.
We have seen many come to Christ and we have many, many people who are in our church now because they were drawn to us after hearing of our ministries.
Jesus said men would see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.
There are guidelines and a process for this and all of our other 'benevolence ministries".
We have a weekly food pantry, serving about 125 families per week on average. We also have a 'furniture ministry'...we provide furniture to those in great need due to fire or lack of funds. We have furniture and warehouse space donated to us and our church family volunteer the labor. We also go into a local low income housing project weekly with a tutoring program, Bible studies and activities. We run a lunch program for school age children during the summer months.
We have seen many come to Christ and we have many, many people who are in our church now because they were drawn to us after hearing of our ministries.
Jesus said men would see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.
Many churches help the needy, but the vast majority of what we take in is used for ourselves.
We do a few token "ministries" to assuage our conscience, but the relief of the poor is rarely a priority.
For instance, I mentioned that we gave $800 last month to help those in need. However, we also spent $8,000 on a new sound system and projectors. We spent $5,000 on new paint for the church. We paid a singing group $700 on homecoming. We paid $550 to fly in a guest preacher for the same day.
The church was established to do the work of God which includes charity. Instead, we oftentimes take up $1000's of dollars just to ensure our own existence.
I'm not judging others. Benevolence and non-judgemental aid is emphasized, but I don't believe our church does nearly enough.
My ultimate goal is that 50% of our budget eventually goes to missions and care for the needy. For every dollar we spend on ourselves (or my salary...), we should spend a dollar on others.
We do a few token "ministries" to assuage our conscience, but the relief of the poor is rarely a priority.
For instance, I mentioned that we gave $800 last month to help those in need. However, we also spent $8,000 on a new sound system and projectors. We spent $5,000 on new paint for the church. We paid a singing group $700 on homecoming. We paid $550 to fly in a guest preacher for the same day.
The church was established to do the work of God which includes charity. Instead, we oftentimes take up $1000's of dollars just to ensure our own existence.
I'm not judging others. Benevolence and non-judgemental aid is emphasized, but I don't believe our church does nearly enough.
My ultimate goal is that 50% of our budget eventually goes to missions and care for the needy. For every dollar we spend on ourselves (or my salary...), we should spend a dollar on others.
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cpizzle said:
Our experience has been that when you begin to be more outwardly focused, the Lord provides the $. I have been surprised by people in the congregation who are motivated to give more because of these type ministries. And people outside of the church will also give toward these projects. Last week we had a gift for $10K to help with our benevolence.
Can you name any IFB churches that have taken offerings to help sister churches in south Texas because of Harvey hitting that area?
My pastor just now got on social media & requested of everyone who attends church this next Sunday to buy a Home Depot gift card of any amount & take it to services. Then they can be sent to help folks in need through other churches where the hurricanes are affecting people's lives.fishinnut said:
I am guessing that cards for groceries would help also for immediate needs of families.
Churches give to Harvey and Irma but not to Homeless Joe down the street.