In The Way

Discussion (12) ¬

1. 
   Bearman

   July 12, 2011 at 3:55 pm | # | Reply

   They need to take a lesson from some of the megachurches and make it more of a social gathering….j/k

   • 
     Jason

     July 12, 2011 at 9:31 pm | # | Reply

     A “coin” collection, so to speak?
2. 
   George

   July 12, 2011 at 4:40 pm | # | Reply

   I think that’s the way most teachers view students also.

   • 
     Jason

     July 12, 2011 at 9:33 pm | # | Reply

     At the universities even more so, unfortunately.
3. 
   Binky

   July 12, 2011 at 6:56 pm | # | Reply

   It’s unfortunate when the drive for money interferes with the real reason for going to church.

   • 
     Jason

     July 12, 2011 at 9:35 pm | # | Reply

     I agree. I don’t mind when they remind me to remember to tithe, but when it’s the basis of sermon after sermon, I get irritated.
4. 
   Tony McGurk

   July 13, 2011 at 1:55 pm | # | Reply

   I went to an Assemblies Of God church many many years ago & I the pastor would count the money straight after it was collected then reprimand the congregation if he felt it wasn’t enough then send the collection plate around again. That is so wrong on so many levels. I eventually left & went elsewhere. As soon as I saw this comic that’s the 1st thing I thought of.

   • 
     Jason

     July 13, 2011 at 3:36 pm | # | Reply

     Tony, that’s horrible but I believe it. Where’s the love in that?
5. 
   alecho

   July 17, 2011 at 1:37 pm | # | Reply

   I’m discouraged when those who donates more, gets more “attention.” It’s the giving heart that matters, not the amount of giving. Of course, I left that church afterwards.

   • 
     Jason

     July 18, 2011 at 6:13 am | # | Reply

     Money changes people’s attitudes and even church folk aren’t immune. Nor am I so I have to be careful too.
6. 
   Reb Benzi

   July 29, 2011 at 7:30 am | # | Reply

   Seeing this horrific image and the jump on the band wagon insulting commentaries really saddens me to the core.

   There’s alot more to it than you are considering. You are tired of “Give” sermons. Yet the people don’t give. They give more for a tip to a taxi driver than to their congregation. They certainly don’t give a tithe (ten percent) faithfully, with the exception of a blessed few.

   I lead a congregation, and try with all my heart to serve G-d by serving the people He sends my way. The ministry work of a Congregation Leader doesn’t begin and end at a once a week service! There are great costs involved such as renting the building (or paying a mortgage) where the congregation meets, liability / indemnity insurance payments, costs for everything from the weekly coffee hour noshes to the website casts to the printed materials used i.e. bulletins, pamphlets, class materials and the like.

   If everyone had the attitude of – lets just make it a social gathering and not “give” anything, then “where” would you gather? Because the church/Shul/Synagogue won’t be there anymore because YOU wouldn’t support the Holy Work of G-d. That’s makes you a user, a taker, and a free loader. Everything we have comes from G-d, so when He asks us in Malachi 3 to bring the whole tithe (ten percent) to His storehouse, where do you think that is? Its the place where you are being fed Holy, Spiritually Edifying Food (Manna) from Heaven! Why on earth would any TRUE Disciple of Yeshua elect Not to Tithe?

   May Abba not hold it against those who do not support the congregations of Messiah where they feed.

   I have seen too many of this type of sinful cartoon on the net, and I for one am not pleased. If you think it is easy to start a congregation, build it pour your life savings into it and all in the hope that you may reach the lost and serve, minister to those in need while sharing the truth of Torah and Messiah Yeshua, and then to see ads like this is like getting spit in your face. Its hurtful.

   I do agree that there are those who have turned churches into a money mill and yes they often treat the big givers with more attention and respect. But that is NOT THE NORM, it is the rare exception. 99.999 percent of the Ekklessia is barely holding on, trying their very best to be DOERS of the Word and not Hearers only.

   Well, theres another perspective. Stick that in your pipe and smoke it for a while.

   I’m right here in the open it anyone would like to ask questions or take further pot shots at a servant of the Most High.

   B’rachot,

   Reb Benzion HaLevi
   Kehilath HaDerekh
   Congregation of the way

   • 
     Jason

     July 31, 2011 at 10:19 pm | # | Reply

     Reb Benzi

     Thanks for visiting and thank you for sharing your thoughts. I agree with that the image is disturbing – it is meant to be.

     By no means do I discount your efforts as a congregational leader. I cannot say that I know the sacrifice of starting and continuing a congregation and I give you credit for that.

     The image, of course, is how not to see the congregation (with the emphasis on “not”). Tithing and offerings on top of tithes are good and necessary. The congregation should support leadership. Yet as I myself have taken on extra responsibilities in the congregation, I find that the mindset that people=money is an ever-present temptation that must be confronted and dealt with. The question is not “Should the congregation tithe?” but rather “Would I lead if the congregation didn’t tithe as much as I want it to?” The answer to the first question is a resounding “Yes.” The answer to the second question lies within each person’s heart.

     Digging a bit deeper, leaders and members alike must ask a more difficult question: “Why do people not give?” People give where their heart is. And while folks, by default, give according to societal pressures (tips to taxi drivers, wedding presents, etc.), many do feel compelled to fund work (e.g., ministries, charities, etc.) that they believe in. If the money isn’t coming in (or the people for that matter), there’s a disconnect somewhere. I’m working to find answers to this question as well as other questions regarding congregational dynamics.

     My goal for this comic is not to demonize all congregational leaders but rather to A) reveal a concern from the congregation’s point of view, and B) ask leaders to look inwardly to make sure this is not how they view their flock.

     Do I tithe? Yep. Do I give until it hurts? That’s something I have to look deep inside to answer. When I tithe 10% of my income, I’m well within my comfort zone. That’s not enough. We all need to give more than that – more money but also more of ourselves. We need to give our time, our energy, our sweat, our ideas, our hearts, and everything else to the congregation. That’s truly where the rubber hits the road. Sadly, most folks don’t even give the 10% of their income let alone any additional time and effort, I’ll give you that. But there are those who do go above and beyond to make up the difference. We all benefit from their sacrifice.

     Is this comic sinful? Obviously I don’t think so but let the Father be the judge. In addition, may the Father judge us all for what we give or do not give. And may He not limit His judgment to money but include love or the lack thereof in the decision.