With more emphasis on so-called morals and religion and giving government money to churches these days, it's appropriate to take a closer look at what churches actually do with the money they rake in.
It's tough to find some objective studies and information on the matter. About all I could find is an article here by some church consultants in 1998 that estimated that less than 3 percent of the average church's budget goes towards programs that help either poor members or the needy in the community. And I doubt that figure has changed much in eight years.
And this one
here from the 7th Day Adventist's gives a suggested budget with
only 5 percent going to the needy - it doesn't even include capital funds to pay for building costs.
Rather than giving money to another bureaucracy that spends most of it on buildings, administrative costs and operations, perhaps Americans should consider giving money to the needy they directly come in contact with, such as the needy they know in their neighborhoods, homeless on the street and people standing in line at local food banks.
Has anyone out there seen any updated studies on this topic?