My sister is a baptist. A good one from all appearences. She gives a percentage of her income to the church to help ..umm..something I guess. My brother is disabled, very poor and getting housing assistance. He usually does not ask the family for help, but one only needs to see how he lives to know how badly he is hurting. (not that anyone bothers to check up on him mind you.. What do the baptists say about giving (is it tilthing?) to the unknown poor and having your own family suffer?
2008-06-14T16:45:22Z
I am hte only one in the family who IS helping my brother. Im not downing anyone or anything but one should practice what one preaches no?
victor 77072008-06-14T16:15:32Z
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The Bible says to take care of your own first as a matter of fact, 1st Timothy 5:8, But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. This is the way the baptist church that I go to feels, some maybe different, but the Bible is clear, giving when you can get nothing in return is when you really show the love of God in your heart and when you get the most blessings. I am disabled myself but I can say that my family helps me all the time. Some of my neighbours even help me, I am very fortunate I guess and I thank God for it, Pray for your brother and help him all you can, I am sure he will appreciate it and never forget it.
How much are YOU giving to help him out? Why aren't YOU checking up on him? If your sister's church is aware of her brother's problem they might be able to help. Maybe you could encourage her to approach them. A church can't help if they are unaware of a need. For example, a family in our church spent 2 winters using electric heaters because their furnace wasn't working. They were afraid they'd have to buy a new one and could not afford it. They said nothing. Finally, their daughter let it slip about the furnace problem, because the heater for her room died and a new one had to be purchased. When someone heard about it, one of our men who owns a heating/air conditioning company volunteered to take a look at the furnace. It was a part that cost a little over $40. He bought the part himself and installed it. He charged them nothing for his labor or the part. That was part of his giving. Giving and tithing are two different things. A tithe is a percentage of your gross income. How much is between the tither and God. Giving is above your tithe amount. I, for one, do not leave a trail as to how much I give. I don't use the church envelope that is given each year with a number tied to my name. I place my tithe/giving in a pew envelope. I've heard too many people talk about being able to claim their church giving on their income tax. That's not why I give. I don't keep track nor do I report it. A lot of the money (tithing or giving), unless a certain need is specified, is used in running the church: electricity, heating/cooling, church supplies, upkeep, maintenance, etc. Many churches have programs set up in their budget to help those in need as the need arises or specific organizations that receive a monetary gift from the church each month. I get the impression you're trying to find fault with Baptists (or is it churches in general?).
Our local Baptist Church helps the poor by Missions and building Churches in Mexico. They are very involved in helping the poor with their spiritual needs.
Not sure about what your sister does or does not believe. Do you know for sure that she doesn't help your brother? Do you help him, or are you just downing Baptists in general? What gives you the right to judge anyone in such matters if you aren't helping support your brother?