Will this be okay? A couple in their thirties with two children want to go to the G A but they figure it will cost $ 1,500.00. Their question is; can we use tithe money to make the trip? Based on their income it will take about three months of their tithe for four days at the assembly.
No they can’t afford it
Yes because it is ministry.
Don’t churches send their pastor?
Tithe should not be used. It is the pastor’s salary
Is this couple in the ministry? Or trying to get in?
I think from a Biblical perspective this would be a misuse of tithe. If they pastor the church should send them. When I served as an evangelist I budgeted for the GA. Often times the State Office would help with GA and CM.
Most small church pastors have to make up the difference because they just don’t have the funds. But, that’s the norm & worth it because it is ministry.
My friend pastored a church of 40 and they fund raised for a year to send him and his wife and they raised far above $1,500.00 that was 16 years ago. I still think the main question is in play concerning tithe. If we considered this acceptable we are on a slippery slope.
The Bro. I referred to in the O P goes to a nearby church and he knows that I have been a pastor so he ran the idea by me. Acts 5:4 came to mind: ” Was it not in thine own power ” but I never quoted it to him as these things can get touchy. Based on his dedication to the church and his potential for the future it would seem to be a good investment no matter how the money was allocated. but then I was reminded of another verse; while in rome etc.. In this world so many things are counter productive. Yet a detailed study of the O T shows that the priest placed his hook in the pot and got to eat what was on the hook when he pulled it out. Still none of this answers the O P question.