Churches, government money, and the coming tax fight
More than 10,000 religious organizations received over $3 billion in PPP funds, including nine groups that got $5-10 million and Jimmy Swaggart's ministry with $2-5 million. The hosts argue some churches will die in the pandemic and that might be all right; churches should not overextend, should save yearly for the day their tax exemption goes away, and should turn each exemption-free year into a Jubilee-style community outreach with the money saved.
More on Stewardship
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Dear LFTP: the inheritance and the controlling husband
- Should a mother leave an inheritance to a daughter whose controlling husband will control it?
The second letter comes from a mother whose daughter married a controlling, rude husband; she wonders whether to leave a sizable inheritance knowing he will control it.
From No. 584 · When Vanek Was Here | Cambodia Testimony, Church Mission, Josiah Queen
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Twelve stumbling blocks, part one: money
- Do the twelve stumbling blocks line up with what we are seeing in the church?
A host introduces an op-ed listing twelve stumbling blocks to the gospel for millennials (born 1981–1996 — 'that's Mike and I') and the hosts begin working through them.
From No. 444 · Fake Persecution and Tripping Millennials
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Survey top ten: success, sex, sin, and wealth
- How should success be defined?
The hosts run through the survey's top ten spiritually inclusive beliefs. They debate how to define success (happy? comfortable? good? fulfilled potential?) and why comfort-driven measures cannot motivate communal or sacrificial action.
From No. 442 · Christians Don’t Understand Christianity
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Dear LFTP: first communion on a tight budget
- Dear LFTP: With no budget for a first-communion party, how do I tell extended family they are welcome at the church but there will be no party?
A mother writes that her son's first communion is coming, the family cannot afford even an inexpensive party, and she wants to limit the celebration to parents and grandparents — but feels guilty about the godparents and extended family.
From No. 339 · Kenny Got A Plane