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Should he refrain from voting?

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Salty, Sep 13, 2009.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Suppose a man is making a small amount of income, and is actually unable to give any money to church.

    Should he vote on items of financial interests in a church business meeting?

    Would you support his decision, if he felt he should not vote on $$ issues?

    Salty

    NOTE: This is NOT a debate on weather he should give an offering or - that if he gives, it will be returned 10 fold - ect
    PLEASE stick to the OP
     
  2. pocadots1990

    pocadots1990 Member

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    He should be able to vote on financial matters if he is a member of the church. If he chooses not to vote on the matter, then that is his option.

    Every member of our church votes on financial matters no matter the amount they contribute to the church.
     
  3. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Uh.......in two churches I have connection with, one only votes one time a year on financial matters, and that is for the approval of the budget. If he shows up for that meeting, sure, let him vote.

    At the other, the budget is put together by a lead team and isn't voted on in church forum.
     
  4. preachinjesus

    preachinjesus Well-Known Member
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    If we determined which members could vote based on giving...we'd see significantly reduced the voting pool.

    We don't make that distinction. We believe stewardship is a whole life practice that involved treasure, talents, and time. We would neer say someone can't participate because of financial situations. :)
     
  5. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    any church member should be able to vote in anything, and some may omit children from such votes.
     
  6. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    Yes, of course he should refrain. It should be a self-imposed restraint, but we all know that if a man is not giving regardless of his income, then his say in the disbursement of funds, which in God's eyes is the patrimony of the poor, is hypocrisy.

    I said it should be a self-imposed restraint, but I need to emphasize that because of the tendency of some to overlook that caveat.
     
  7. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    A voting member is a voting member. That person should be allowed to vote.
     
  8. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    My thought is that he is being honest with that question. Some of my worst experiences about money decisions in churches has come from people who refuse to give.

    If he chooses not to vote, that's his choice. If he believes he shouldn't vote, then he shouldn't.

    Personally, I think there are some people who give who ought not to be allowed to vote. :smilewinkgrin:
     
  9. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    It's the responsibility of every member to show up at business meetings and vote. Now some want to say how much of a member you are and can you participate in God's church that your a member of based on money. how ridiculous.
     
  10. abcgrad94

    abcgrad94 Active Member

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    I disagree. If this is true then the opposite should also be true, that a person who gives more should have MORE say over the church's finances. We all know what that boils down to: the rich controlling the church. Besides, it is no one's business how much other people give. It's between them and God.
     
  11. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    The question was, "Should he refrain from voting," not "should he be barred from voting." Nothing in the question had anything to do with overseeing this individual, violating his privacy, or whether or not it was the business of anyone else.

    I simply answered the question.
     
  12. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    :applause::thumbsup::thumbs:
     
  13. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    Most likely the pastor receives more from the church than he gives. Should he be excluded from voting?
     
  14. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    duplicate post
     
  15. Trotter

    Trotter <img src =/6412.jpg>

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    I know of churches who operate like this. One of them will come knocking on your door if you "forget" to put in your tithes check or cash in a tithe enevelope. >.<

    Should the person not vote? That is between he and God. As long as he is a member of the church in good standing there is no reason for him to refrain, but if God convicts him because he has not given then he should not vote.
     
  16. Dale-c

    Dale-c Active Member

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    Trotter, I just noticed your signature line.

    I am sorry to hear about your father.
     
  17. Lux et veritas

    Lux et veritas New Member

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    I think you have missed the focus on the OP. The question is not about churches banning a non-giver from voting, but whether a person who does not give, should refrain from voting on financial matter.

    Personally, I agree that would be the ethical and honest thing to do.

    Another category of membership that I think ought to put a self-restraint on voting on financial matters, and that is those who know they are going to be leaving a congregation (job transfer, etc.), and know they won't be around to help out with the financial commitments that are up for vote.
     
  18. donnA

    donnA Active Member

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    No matter where you go, people's value is always based on money. It's being demonstrated right here.
    As a church member there are responsibilites, which are never based on how much money you've got. What people are suggesting is this man should throw out his responsibility, when this is part of service to God, he's being told his service is not wanted.
     
  19. Aaron

    Aaron Member
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    A man who is not giving is the one who's "value is based on money" and is demonstrating an unbiblical attitude concerning it. His judgment on financial matters in the business of the church will be worldly.

    But you need to be reminded that no one suggested he should be barred, or that anyone should be poking around in his business. We simply shined the light on the act as described in the OP.
     
  20. TC

    TC Active Member
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    I think it depends on the situation. If he is being responsible and meeting his obligations then I do not see a reason for him not to vote.
     
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