tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064551706234116952.post9172756622322248911..comments2023-03-26T09:24:38.080-05:00Comments on Taken 4 Granted: The Scandal of TithingDavid Granthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14602374868453497065noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064551706234116952.post-42204733099865235542008-03-19T23:32:00.000-05:002008-03-19T23:32:00.000-05:00Those numbers were the ones I have been using from...Those numbers were the ones I have been using from personal experience. The fact that these numbers are normative throughout thousands of churches speaks volumes. <BR/><BR/>It's the equivalent of paying the New York Yankees payroll but then only letting them play 4 games during the season.David Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14602374868453497065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7064551706234116952.post-2719770699227853672008-03-19T14:28:00.000-05:002008-03-19T14:28:00.000-05:00So when are you goin to stop mincing words?Here ar...So when are you goin to stop mincing words?<BR/><BR/>Here are some interesting stats from a World Magazine article Oct 22, 2005: "Of every dollar given to a Protestant church, the average amount that goes to overseas missions is two cents." <BR/><BR/>Here is the link if you want to read more: http://www.worldmag.com/articles/11176<BR/><BR/>Another article in Christianity Today titled "Where Does The Church's Money Go?" had this to say:<BR/>"The biggest slice of the church budget is by far the payroll, which accounts for 42 percent of the average church spending"<BR/><BR/>"facilities are the second largest part of the average church budget" and while they had a much more generous accounting of the 'missions' budgets, I'm sure this catagory would include for their administration as well as the actual left overs for giving:<BR/><BR/>"The average percentage of church budgets utilized for missions has remained at a steady 15 percent for the past decade."<BR/><BR/>Here is the link:<BR/>http://www.christianitytoday.com/yc/2002/005/<BR/>27.136.html<BR/><BR/>I wonder what Paul meant in Acts 20:33-35?<BR/> <BR/>Act 20:33 "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. <BR/>Act 20:34 "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. <BR/>Act 20:35 "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" <BR/><BR/>Makes me think of a Mark Twain quote "It is not what I don't understand in the Bible that troubles me; it is what is perfectly clear that does"Robin Cecilehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11290457054559358459noreply@blogger.com