Christians, Church and Money

Christians are not obligated by law to give money but they are to give freely. In the New Testament, we see the words "give" or "giving" or "cheerful giver" because they are related to grace. (see Mark 12:41-44, Romans 12:8). Christian's submission to God is to be accepted by God, and must be sincere from the heart. Whatever is done out of habit is not approved. "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17). Financial quality is measured by the Christ-like living of those who submits and give to their local church because they love Jesus Christ spiritually. Every pastors should make enough money to live in a decent home, comfortable life so he can study and serve the congregation, money for his family like every other families in this world. Medical coverages including dental and vision as well as disability insurance. Sometimes if the church can afford, vehicle for him when he is serving the church. Reading Paul's thoughts on the gifts (money) he received in Philippians 4:10-20 helped alittle. Paul wrote many references regarding a pastor's pay. No healing ministries, nor any ministries require a price for a person seeking help. No church should obligate anyone receiving God's blessings with money. God's blessings are to be offered FREE. Titus 1:11 (NLT) They must be silenced. By their wrong teaching, they have already turned whole families away from the truth. Such teachers only want your money. 2 Peter 2:3 (NLT) In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction is on the way. In 1 Corinthians 9:17-19 Paul said "If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make use of my rights in preaching it. Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible." In terms of transactions of paying the bills and making the deposits, managing the accounts and so on. We all are doing that on daily basis. When we work and pay our bills, Church pay bills and collect money. Everyone does does those kinds of transactions and we all are business people regardless what kind of transactions we do on a daily basis. In definition of the word "BUSINESS", it means an immediate task or objective as a mission. We all have a mission which usually means commercial or mercantile activity engaged in as a means of livelihood in terms of commercial or sometimes an industrial enterprise in transactions especially of an economic nature. There are profit-making businesses and there are non-profit businesses, but a business is a business in the eyes of government. An incorporated church simply cannot deny the fact that it has requested permission of the State to operate as a business. Not only does it have its charter and articles of incorporation on file with the Secretary of State, but it is also required to list a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. I remember when helped a local church became a charter and have to be registered in the State of Ohio's Secretary of State. Churches still must file an annual report on unrelated business income (IRS Form 990-T) and IRS Form 5578 for private and/or religious schools, bookstores, concerts and as well as payroll tax, Social Security tax, and any other applicable tax not directly related to the business of operating a church. According to the Internal Revenue Code, "a church, its integrated auxiliaries, and conventions and associations of the church are excluded from taxation." United States Code, Title 26, § 508(c)(1)(A). Section 508(c) of the Internal Revenue Code provides that churches are not required to apply for recognition of Section 501(c)(3) status in order to be exempt from federal taxation or to receive tax deductible contributions. Churches are automatically exempt from Federal income tax, and contributions to churches are deductible by donors under section 170. The primary advantages that tax-exemption gives churches are that: (1) as tax-exempt entities, they can attract and collect deductible charitable contributions from individuals, businesses, and corporations; and (2) churches are generally exempt from federal tax liability and, in some states, from local and state tax as well (although under certain circumstances there are exceptions to these benefits). Is the Church business' mission is to make a profit or to spread the Gospel?