I don't feel better!

I'm getting increasingly upset with whole topic of church & money.
There is nothing more I can't stand than feeling like you're being preached at from the pulpit about giving the church money and the whole guilt trip that goes with it.

We are not told in the Bible to tithe to the Church, we are told to give to God. That means we can give to any work of God right? It can be a church, ministry, charity, soup kitchen or crisis pregnancy center. The money can go anywhere that God will use it.

My opinion is that if the Holy Spirit is moving mightily in a church and God's presence is with out a doubt there, than money will not be an issue. Maybe that is too simplistic, but I believe it!

Another interesting thought is that nowhere in the New Testament are we taught that Pastors are to be paid 40k a year, that the choir needs fancy robes and that the church needs cushy chairs! Where do we see that example in the first church?

Recently in my town we are gearing up to have our annual fair. Well our church usually volunteers to be "gatekeepers" in return for a hefty donation from the town. It's a pretty nice deal really. So the treasurer calls me up yesterday and asks me if I'll work from 5-8 on this coming Saturday night. I politely decline. I feel a little miffed that I'm not given more notice after all we have known when this would be happening for sometime. Why not give me a couple weeks notice? And, to top it off I've been working major hours this summer and this is my first weekend where I have two whole days off! So I plan on staying home, with my family! So what do I get from this person in "leadership"? A guilt trip! He says, "Hmph! If this doesn't work out, than I don't know how the Pastor will get paid next week!"

I then had a real bad attitude! (but politely kept it to myself) My response?
"I'm sorry." (While thinking, gee he can get a job like the rest of us)

Now, I need to humble myself, lose the cynicism and ask forgiveness. I don't need cynicism affecting my faith or my love!

~Ev