City Harvest's founder Kong Hee & 4 others arrested/charged

[Happy Mama]

jasmineong:

Yes some churches do that. It is more convenient than bringing huge amounts of cash. We do not carry around that much cash with us physically nowadays. It is a matter of making things more convenient for members.

:thankyou: jasmineong.

[Happy Mama]

Dreamaurora:

Tithe is a monthly thing for most churches; it's just that you can contribute it any time of the month. Most churches collect tithe by cash, cheque, or bank transfer and in the case of some churches, credit cards. Typically churches will only collect cash offerings during services. Cheque or bank transfer options are there, but normally will not be mentioned during service. Hope that answers your questions.

:thankyou: Dreamaurora.

[buds]

I've heard of and personally seen cheques for contributions from/for other faiths as well, not sure tithe or not.. likewise for bank transfer.. but credit cards, not yet. Something new to me. :idea:

[Happy Mama]

buds:

I've heard of and personally seen cheques for contributions from/for other faiths as well, not sure tithe or not.. likewise for bank transfer.. but credit cards, not yet. Something new to me. :idea:

Precisely, the entity must be big and rich enough to accept credit card transactions... Which in the case of CHC, there's no doubt about it that it's super rich.

[kbcharmaine]

jasmineong:

kbcharmaine:

But if the church do not financed that, the monthly rental from such big house come from where? Expenses and rest? Her husband's salary? All these of course can be conveniently comes under expenses due to crossover projects. All these crossover projects were they ever been approved by all the church goers or the donors ? All in the name of God? I am a Christian and I felt all these cases of Breach of trust , are actually trying tarnish God's name . Instead of spreading Christianity .

Not sure also could be from their business, their savings, but since the facts are not clear on this, for me I rather not judge. However, it is understandable to think like you. I see where you are coming from but since the facts on this are not out yet, I rather not say that it is def a breach of trust or that the money must have come from the church.

Of course, as a Christian , we should not judge. But looking through all the track records by CAD, most likely will be BOT. Moreover,this case has been brought out in the open by the CAD and they have done their investigations for two years before they decided to charge them .Moreover, their passports have been also impounded by the CAD.

In the bible, there is saying about a man with riches is difficult to go to kingdom of god than a thread going through a needle.

[jasmineong]

Maybe we can agree to disagree here:) They have been charged but not convicted and I believe in ‘innocent until proven guilty’ rather than ‘guilty until proven innocent’. And like I mentioned the main thing that is brought up is about the money is channelled to the crossover project. That in itself is something very subjective, who is to say how much is all right, how much is criminal?


But I think like what everyone is saying there are two sides to the story…so let’s have our two ways of seeing things and leave it at that:)

[kbcharmaine]

Of course, different persons have different views on things. But, for me, I can’ t take it when all these happen when people tried to use God as a shield. Jesus died for us so selflessly and in bible , they are so many teachings for us to learn to govern our life. But all these, are not what God wanted us to do.I really felt sorry for those church goers or donors who donated their hard earned money to the church/ God ,based on their beliefs . Now, a scandal like this , how do they felt? Betray? Or happy? Will they ever trust in Christianity again? Our life is a testimony to God. Sigh!!

[jasmineong]

Seems like we both cannot sleep yet, a singaporean thing…well I think one reason why the many of the donors and church goers are not unhappy is because many of them have known where their money has been going and they are supportive of it. That was what was reported when reporters asked the members about it. And they believe that the crossover project is a testimony to God, not in the traditional way that many think but in a way that can effectively reach out to the young, the hip, those in the entertainment world?

[blessed777]

What is prosperity gospel :


http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/churchandministry/Grady_Hagan_ProsperitY.ASPX

Brother Hagin’s exhortations about financial integrity, quoted of Plans, Purposes, & Pursuits (Copyright 1988):

Never put money first! The first time the Lord appeared to me, He told me, “Be careful about money. Many upon whom I’ve placed my Spirit and called to the ministry have become money-minded, and have lost the anointing.” We don’t want to become money-minded and lose the anointing of God on our lives! (page 13)

quote from The Midas Touch:

During my more than sixty-five years of ministry, I have often dealt with the issue of prosperity for believers, insistently emphasizing a balanced, scriptural approach. I have observed many teachings and practices that have both helped and hindered the Body of Christ. I have seen some faith men of God stay the course, and move accurately with the truth of the Word and the Spirit, resulting in great blessing for a host of believers. Unfortunately, I have also seen many others become side-tracked by extremism, ultimately shipwrecking their ministries and hurting and disillusioning many people in the process. (excerpt taken from the Introduction, page xiii, subsection Finding Balance Between Extremes)

_

The Midas Touch :

http://www.ekklesia.lt/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Kenneth-E-Hagin-The-Midas-Touch.pdf

[ponyo]

blessed777:

What is prosperity gospel :


http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/churchandministry/Grady_Hagan_ProsperitY.ASPX

Brother Hagin’s exhortations about financial integrity, quoted of Plans, Purposes, & Pursuits (Copyright 1988):

Never put money first! The first time the Lord appeared to me, He told me, “Be careful about money. Many upon whom I’ve placed my Spirit and called to the ministry have become money-minded, and have lost the anointing.” We don’t want to become money-minded and lose the anointing of God on our lives! (page 13)

Thanks blessed 777 for the interesting sharing. Indeed, there are many ways to be blessed and not necessarily in monetary terms! Cannot agree with those teachings that tout giving x times to receive nx times. Might as well pray to caishen. In any case, limiting the blessings to material blessings is really putting the Master in a box defined by our finite human understanding and limiting what HE can do in our lives and lives of all.

It is sad to see churches pushing such narrow doctrines and to focus on church numbers as a main kpi of success. Whilst it is important for the church to grow, it is vital that it recognises that sometimes we sow the seeds but others reap. For example, when the early missionaries started schools to help the poor learn a skill/trade or to rescue girls from being sold off as muizai, not all whom they helped ended up embracing the religion during the time they were in school but they helped improve the lives of many. and those they helped surely will remember the goodness they receive. This is what being the salt and light to the world means. You sow the seeds so that others may hear/learn but the harvesting may not be by you and sometimes not even in your lifetime. Glory belongs to Him.

If the heart is not right, whatever achievements will be futile.

May this case be a good study for us to re-examine our lives and to get our house in order if not...