Financial obligation

Financial obligation

Your editorial “Will Negative News Impact Church Giving?” in the Dec. 13 issue involving the issues and problems in giving to charitable nonprofit organizations hit a sore spot. As a Christian, if one wants to be a member of a congregation, he or she is obligated to support that congregation financially. If one is not presently in a church home, a tithe to assist a reputable Christian organization is still required.

A quick audit of my church’s finances indicates that 20 percent of the membership supports 80 percent of the budget and 30 percent provide the remaining 20 percent of the budgetary needs. This, of course, means that 50 percent of the membership gives nothing. Absolutely nothing! This is certainly not unique to Southern Baptist congregations. It is the template for other church conventions of which I have been a member.

Before the Mosaic Law, Abraham gave a tenth. After the law, God demanded a tenth of what He has given to His children. God did not stipulate giving would be based on tax exemptions or financial conditions. 

Unless your income is zero, He expects a tithe. Come Judgment Day, I would not want to be in the shoes of the “believer” who pleads ignorance or lack of funds for his failure to help support God’s work financially. 

For the lazy servant who buried his talent, the result was being cast into outer darkness. I do not think the one who hoards or spends the talent without giving God His due will have any better of an ending.

Lon Pearson
Decatur, Ala.