Charity?

Sometimes you have to ask why, to make sure their not pan handlers.

That was very thought provoking!

 

Does the Bible even mention the Church being a charity organization?

 

The church that Annanias and Saphira were a part of obviously was.

 

...but where was the money going to?

 

The members of the church who had need of it, the widows, and probably non members who needed help also. Annianias and Saphira's money may not all have been in the right, but there was many other members in that church who were selling their belongings and property so that the church could help those in need. They didn't just keep the money to buy a new building, if they even had one.

 

That's my point. The money was spent in house, amongst needs of the Church family, and I'm sure to spread the Gospel. Spending money like this, and to further the Gospel are responsible, being a "charity" to the outside world only looking for assistance is not the responsibility of the Church. They should go to the salvation army or united way for this.

 

Well of course a church should help some family who were in need of food. If someone just came and ask for a donation I would have to know why for too many times that money goes straight to the nearest bar. The church is not blind and not led by people who have not lived in the real world.

 

It isn't the churches responsiblity to take care of them and help them out, but it is the churches responsibility to reach them with the gospel of Christ. We should be charitable, because remember what Christ said, I don't remember where this is so I'm just quoting from memory.. "I was hungry and you fed me not, I was naked and you clothed me not...." When we give "charity" to a lost person, that is an excellent way for us to witness to them, to show to them were not a bunch of holier than thous that don't care about them. I believe that Christ truly wants us to help those that we can. Many churches don't help the lost, poor needy people because they take the same attitude you do, that "Well it's not our responsibility! Somone else will help them, we have more imortant things to do." More important things? Like what? What could be more important than reaching others for Christ?

 

Thats why you shouldn't give them money, give them what they need, food clothes, a JOB..........

 

Depends on whether you personally know them. I live in an urban area so I know almost everyone but I keep forgetting some of you live in the city where you sometimes don't even know your next door neighbor. Yes, I would be more careful if I didn't know them.

 

lol menageriekeeper;
Gotta get rid of that stuff somehow.

 

As a church, I feel we have a responsibility to help others when we can.

We don't keep a food pantry at our church. We do budget a certain amount of $$ each year for benevolent needs, but we get many more calls for assistance than we are capable of meeting.

If someone calls for food, especially if they have children, if we're able, we give them a voucher for the local grocery store (with the stipulation that there's no alcohol or tobacco on the tab). The store then bills us. For gas, we have a plan worked out with the local station - we call them and tell them how much gas to give the person and they bill us.

We like to help! But we do have those who make their living off of churches. It's not that they can't do better or take care of themselves, they choose not to. Many times, to be able to help those who really need the help, we tell the others no. There's no way we can afford to help everyone who calls.

Now, if you have an extra $10,000 or so laying around, we'll be glad to use it to feed the hungry in our area!

 

In a way, yes, I guess we do treat church members differently. If we had to similiar calls, one a church member and one not, and only the funds to help one, we'd help the church member. I guess we feel that our main responsibility is to "our own." Is this worng?

 

Definatly not, the church is to take care of it's people. But if I was in that situation I would split the money in half and try and help both.

 

I don't think it's wrong, as the Church is for the believer.