[KramitDreams]

Amen🤎

[Shadow526]

WHEN I JOINED MY CHURCH IN 2005, WE HAD TO GO TO A CLASS & THEY MADE US SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP THE CHURCH OUT. I DIDN’T MIND SO I SIGNED. THEN, ONE SUNDAY DURING SERVICE, THE PASTOR SAID THAT IF WE TITHED BEYOND THE 10%, WE’D BE IN BETTER FAVOR WITH GOD. ANOTHER TIME, I NEEDED SURGERY. I WAS A SINGLE MOM WITH A 16 YR OLD SON…WORKING TWO JOBS JUST TO MAKE IT. I HAD INSURANCE BUT THE HOSPITAL REQUIRED $1600 UP FRONT FIRST. OF COURSE, I DIDN’T HAVE IT. I REACHED OUT TO MY CHURCH (WHICH WASN’T A SMALL ONE). I ASKED FOR A LOAN…NOT A HANDOUT. THE RESPONCE (VIA A DECON….WEREN’T ALLOWED TO TALK TO THE PASTOR) I WAS TOLD, “HAVE YOU CONSIDERED A CREDIT CARD? WELL, THAT’S WHEN I LEFT. I WAS THERE TO VOLUNTEER BUT WHEN I NEEDED THEM….& JUST THE YEAR BEFORE, ON MOTHER’S DAY, ALL THE SINGLE MOM’S WERE GIVEN GIFTS. ONE A SEWING MACHINE TO HELP HER BUSINESS, ONE GOT A WASHER AND DRYER, ANOTHER A CAR!!! ME? THOUGH SINGLE, I MISSED OUT BECAUSE I WAS OUTSIDE DIRECTING TRAFFIC FOR THE CHURCH!!

[potpourri_of_life]

Keep your faith strong. We have been to a few churches and have experienced unkind treatment. Regardless of what they say, in that church is for sinners (which is true) it is not an excuse to be a hypocrite.

No questions asked, they should have helped you.

First, no church should be saying you should give more to receive more in heaven. That is complete nonsense. We do not live in the old testament. but rather the New. That being said, tithing is not just financial yet also that of service, and not always necessary to be a church body.

Today pastors make so much money, they are no longer humble, they no longer understand the struggles in which many have.

In some cases it is a matter of who you know, other cases it is a result of their thinking that if you are poor and in need, or single, you are basically reaping what you sow. NOT TRUE!! This is why judgment is that of the Lords, not of man.

We stopped going to church for various reasons, but our faith is probably stronger than ever. We still treat others with kindness and love with giving of our resources as we are able. I want to go to church, but until we find one that is not about all the glitz and entertainment, we choose to worship at home.

Yet, there are many good churches out there, just not in our area, and we have visited quite a few.

I know, it sounds like I am bitter. Nope, just deciding to serve the Lord in other means that fill my heart with more love vs feeling left alone.

[MartHale7]

I have come to believe that a building is not the church. The church is those that work together to follow Jesus, if they are following money then they are not following Jesus.

One of the qualifications for leadership is they are not to be lovers of money…

1 Ti 3

<sup data-fn=”#fen-ISV-29729c” data-link=”[c]”>]</sup> ³He must not drink excessively or be a violent person, but instead be gentle. He must not be argumentative or love money

Sadly there has come a term that is very accurate today, “Pulpit Pimps”…. pastors who use their authority to fleece the flock. Discernment is required when choosing a fellowship….

[potpourri_of_life]

🙏 God knows each of our hearts. Being convicted to worship, whether at a church, at home, on the mountain top, is entirely a result of one’s relationship to He who holds us in His arms.
I’ve become such a rebel about anything one tells me “I have to do…”

• This reply was modified 1 year ago by  potpourri_of_life.