Who Give Two Cents For Christ?

The facts are in: you give two cents for Christ; If you are a regular church-going American you can proudly boast you give two cents out of every dollar for Christ.

In America, prior to the Great Depression, churches were the main source of giving to families and persons in need. In other words funds given to churches through tithes, giving, etc were dispersed in evangelism, missions, aiding local people in need (often called ‘benevolences’) and in feeding the hungry around the world.

But, in 1935 the churches seemed to receive a small windfall through the proclamation of FDR’s New Deal, which encouraged the federal government to give financial and food aid to families in need, otherwise known as AFDC; this program probably provided a little extra money for steeple repairs or pew replacement. 1970 brought sweeping reform to the AFDC program, when the Supreme Court ruled that AFDC was now an entitlement to all Americans; this change allowed a flood of funding for the program, thus alleviating the churches in America of the large burden of caring for the widows, orphans and fatherless.

According to several online resources, 1965 began the trend of Church Building in America, spawned by the sudden popularity of Christianity among the younger generation, and a flow of new capital. The 1970's saw a rise in larger and larger church buildings to house these growing congregations. In the 1980's the idea of church ‘campuses’ began to take hold, with sprawling designs and extensive staffing.

In 2002, churches accounted for $21 billion of the $152 billion spent on nonresidential construction, according to McGraw-Hill, which analyzes the construction industry; and even as overall construction leveled off during the previous five years, church construction continued to rise. However, all of this building is despite church growth
stagnation, as average congregation membership has stayed around 45%. In other words, modern christendom in America loves it’s religion and buildings more that it’s people.

In 1968, 21¢ of every dollar donated was allocated to Benevolences, or helping local families or persons in need. By 2003, 15¢ of every dollar went to Benevolences. Of each additional inflation-adjusted dollar donated to the church between 1968 and 2003, 94¢ went to Congregational Finances.

So, what do churches do with their money? According to EmptyTomb.org: in 1920, the percentage of giving to missions from the total offering was 10.09 percent, just over a dime out of every dollar. In 2003, conservative and evangelical denominations gave 2.6 percent (about three cents per dollar), with the liberals giving only 0.9 percent (one cent). The combined average for overseas evangelical work is about two pennies per dollar.

According to an article by Gene Edward Veith, if church members today actually tithed just 10% of their income, there would be an additional $156 Billion dollars available for Benevolences (caring for families in need), and if just 60% percent of that went to overseas evangelical missions, the $94 Billion dollars would be enough to feed, clothe, medicate and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the entire underdeveloped world.

According to the Bible Jesus had no place to lay His head, however, He was 100% effective in His ministry, His Word, His death, burial and resurrection. In sharp contrast, today’s Christianity is bathed in royal excess. The reality of the situation is “it’s business as usual” at your local modern-church: there is a boast of "Christ’s love" but no real evidence of it; all they have to show for their efforts is corporations, buildings and plenty of cash.

They say: “Oh we give to the suffering church and the poor fatherless, widows and orphans and to the preaching of the Gospel...”; yeah, a whopping two pennies’ worth of giving, which is even less than the Pharisees gave.

In other words, the modern 'christian' church in America strains at a gnat and swallows a camel.

“5. Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.6.But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7.For we brought nothing into [this] world, [and it is] certain we can carry nothing out. 8. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10.For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” 1 Timothy 6:5-11

- Steven

We encourage you to email the author to prove or disprove, from the Scriptures, the intent, meaning, purpose or doctrine of this piece. email Steven