Quote:
Originally Posted by TLFisher
That is what makes local churches more like ministry churches. Financial support is solely for a singular ministry and not plural ministries. If they did offer support to multiple ministries or even non-profit organizations they bear no entity affiliation with, I would not have much of an argument.
Having said all this, I don't recall if local churches actively invest in rental properties for their less fortunate members or even a fund to assist their members in need.
If it happened, I didn't see it. Rather more likely is the case as we see in James:
"If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?"
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I know of one in Spokane, which is I think two houses directly behind the Spokane meeting hall. But when I was there they used those houses for hosting speaking brothers and like young people who would come to that locality to blend or possibly consider going full time in the area. And those young people would need to be shining examples and burning for God and consecrated before they could be housed there. At least that's what it seemed like, it could be it's just an extra home for anyone who is visiting, I don't know for sure. But I am fairly certain that they were not at all used for helping the needy saints
I am not sure at all what the actual church gives but as far as I know the decisions of the finances (from local member donations) is solely up to the leading brothers in whatever locality. Meaning it's a local decision what to do with the church's donated funds. But that's just what I've heard from one leading brother. Actually I heard the exact opposite from another older brother who said that the money donated is NOT up to the local administration. So I don't know for sure, but I'm leaning towards the former, the decision is up to the local administration on how to distribute the funds. But I'd also bet that the money they get from selling books and morning revivals etc. goes back to LSM
So ultimately who knows how much they give and to whom and in what way. I know saints who have received donations from other members. When that happens the member who is donating essentially just gives money to the finance dept of whatever local church he is attending and they add a note which says "please give this money to such and such person." Then the administration writes a check from their locality and gives that check to the member in need. I've only seen this happen, I have never seen the administration just give to a needy member from out of the local donations. So I have no idea if they do or do not. But from what I've heard and experienced they are not at all readily giving to members who ask for help