How To Get To Heaven When You Die

[Wickabee]

If you choose not to believe the facts, I can't help you. Every church I have ever attended or even visited (mostly of the Southern Baptist denomination) provides envelopes for you to put your money or check in so that you can keep people from seeing how much you give, if you choose to do so. The overwhelming majority of people use the envelopes. I would also state that I have never been to a church that requires you to stand up to donate to the church. That is certainly not a Southern Baptist practice.

Fair enough, I have little experience with Baptists, and if they give the envelope that's fine. One thing though, and never forget this, just because you tell me it's so does NOT make it fact and doesn't prove a single thing either way. Just sayin'.

Also, churches don't demand tithes. God does.

Really? Really? God needs my money? For what? Please tell me, what does God have to buy that he needs 10% of my income?

Better yet, tell me where he shops.

[AUTaxMan]

Fair enough, I have little experience with Baptists, and if they give the envelope that's fine. One thing though, and never forget this, just because you tell me it's so does NOT make it fact and doesn't prove a single thing either way. Just sayin'.

I understand that, but I would hope that we could reach a level of conversation where I could represent a fact to you, and you would take my word for it, and I would do likewise for you. Like Reagan said, trust, but verify if you feel the need to do so.

Really? Really? God needs my money? For what? Please tell me, what does God have to buy that he needs 10% of my income?

Better yet, tell me where he shops.

God commands us to give to the church. The church is not a business and can only financially survive on the charity of its members.

[shrewsbury]

God commands us to give to the church

i, respectfully, do not agree

The church is not a business and can only financially survive on the charity of its members.

this, i do agree with

[Paddington]

actually you were referring to the church being called a business

Technically, I was responding to Religion being called a business. My actual point was that Salvation cannot be purchased with money. Religion isn't going to save you either. Church cannot save you. Baptism cannot save you. Good deeds cannot save you. Only trusting in Jesus Christ can save you. That was the point.

[Paddington]

What about churches who "shame" people into giving money by passing the collection plate around for all to see?

There's nothing wrong with passing the plate, however, I see your point. I would rather that they had an anonymous box, but that's not the way that it's done. I don't put money in it most of the time, because my wife usually has it anyway, so if they are watching me, they are going to be very disappointed. You have to have the attitude that your giving is between you and God and it's nonone's business anyway. I give the money to God, not to the church.

[Paddington]

Yeah, I don't believe that for a second. If that were the case, they wouldn't publicly pass the plate around for everyone to see how much you put in.

But let's say that is the (highly unlikely) case. How about churches that demand tithes?

Honestly, there are churches who are focused on money. Those churches are in it for the wrong reasons. I can't stop them from doing that, but they aren't doing what the bible says to do and we know that God is going to judge all men according to His word, the bible. No one is going to get away with anything.

[Paddington]

I know most churches in the south make you stand up walk to the front of the church to give thides. If you are sitting down everyone can see that you are not giving anything that week.

As I have said, I would rather that it were as private as possible. I don't agree with that, however, that doesn't mean that we shouldn't be in church.

[shrewsbury]

My actual point was that Salvation cannot be purchased with money. Religion isn't going to save you either. Church cannot save you. Baptism cannot save you. Good deeds cannot save you. Only trusting in Jesus Christ can save you. That was the point.

well then, that's a good point

[Paddington]

i, respectfully, do not agree



this, i do agree with

Yes, we are supposed to give to support the work of God. Do you have a problem supporting feeding starving children? That's a charity as well. People don't seem to have a problem with that. Somehow they think that the church can operate without money. Could God do it without money? many times He does, but He also expects His people to give in support of the ministry. The churches job is to send out missionaries, save lost souls, lift each other up and encourage one another and feed God's people with spiritual food, the word of God.


1Co 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

[PDawson21]

I didn't read all 12 pages, but theres more to salvation than a simple prayer. Anyone can say it and do something completely different the next day. It's a good start to realize those things, but saying a simple prayer isn't cutting it.