The topic of money can prove to be pretty controversial in a church.
Unfortunately, there is an undeniable history of misuse of scripture and manipulation of people concerning money - all in the name of Jesus. Many have completely lost trust in the Church, and understandably so. Even those who want to be generous find it hard to give to an institution that has become increasingly known for its temptation to take from its supporters.
Nevertheless, the mission of God remains that His people would be a beacon of charity within a needy world.
In fact, the NT has much to say about money, and surprisingly, Jesus himself never shied away from the subject. But, ironically, His teachings about money carry a completely different focus than much of what has become the norm in modern churches. Such thoughts beg the questions:
How much should I give - really?
Should believers give more, or should the church spend less on ministry?
Should ministry be dictated by trends in the economy?
Does God *really* care about money - or is that just us?