On Thursday, October 10, in what was billed as CNN’s Equality Town Hall, then-presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke suggested churches and other nonprofit organizations ought to lose their tax-exempt status if they opposed same-sex marriage. Though O’Rourke has withdrawn his candidacy, his statement broached a subject that’s been garnering increasing attention: Should the tax-exempt status of religious groups be revoked? Atheists have long called for it. Adding fuel to the flame of debate is the Equality Act, which many traditional religious groups oppose.
In arguing the 2015 Obergefell decision legalizing same-sex marriage, Solicitor General Donald B. Verrilli, Jr., conceded in questioning before the Supreme Court that colleges and universities that oppose same-sex marriage could lose their tax-exempt status. “It is going to be an issue,” he acknowledged. Judging the winds of political change as now favorable, Beto O’Rourke made the revoking of tax-exempt status for churches and other religious organizations a part of his campaign.
If the Equality Act passes, the contest between the sexual revolution and religious liberty that’s run since the 60s will be over. The sexual revolution will have won, and religious liberty will be a thing of the past in the United States.
This won’t be the first time Christians are marginalized in the society in which they live. Historically speaking, the freedoms believers have enjoyed in the United States for the past couple hundred years is an anomaly. Even during the centuries in Europe when Church and State were joined hip and thigh, it was only a preferred sect that was accepted. Other groups were persona non grata. Religious liberty was something only enjoyed by those who towed the party (denominational) line.
Excuse me for getting personal, but a challenge we must address is this: If churches lose their tax-exempt status, will you continue to give? It’s best to ponder this question now.
Let’s be honest. Some give because of the tax break it yields. If that break were to disappear, they’d no longer give. Others give with dual motives. They know they ought to give to support the work of the church but also because of the handy deduction it provides. These may continue to give if that tax advantage were to go away, but not as much or as often. Still, others give with little thought to the deduction it affords. They may claim it on their returns; they may not. It’s a moot point to them. They give as an act of worship and will continue to do so whatever the IRS does.
Pondering what we’ll do if the tax-exempt status of our church is revoked due to its faithfulness to a Biblical morality of sex is an important consideration because it helps sort out the motive of our current giving. Knowing why we give now is important. We ought to give as an act of worship and obedience, obedience shaped by love for the One Who gave all for us. That we are able to write off donations to nonprofit organizations is a plus. It ought not to factor into when, where or how much we give.
Lance is the founding and lead pastor of Calvary Chapel Oxnard where he has served since 1982. Lance & David Guzik co-pastored the church for six years before David planted a church in a nearby community.
Lance & his wife Lynn were married in 1980 and have three adult children and five grandchildren. Lance loves teaching the Bible, History, and Leadership. He holds Masters-of-Arts in Biblical Studies and Ministry.
Lance serves as a chaplain for both the Oxnard and Port Hueneme Police Departments and enjoys backpacking, wood-working, working out, gardening, home improvement projects, reading, and graphic design.
The popular Communio Sanctorum: History of the Christian Church podcast can be found in both audio and video at the Into His Image website along with a growing inventory of Lances teaching.
I give to the church even though tithing is not required. The bible says “decide in your heart what you will give.
no matter if we give in money or time we should give knowing are rewards are in heaven.
New tax laws which went into effect in 2018 created a new paradigm for donors to non-profits. There are now fewer opportunities to use your gift as a tax deduction. But the reality is, most donors do not give because of tax right-offs, they give out of a love and respect for an organization. Certainly those of us who love Jesus Christ, will not miss a beat in sharing what we have with our Church even if the Church is no longer a 501-C3.
I come from a background of house churches. We don’t have a paid ministry, we don’t have a building, we don’t collect tithes–there is a box somewhere in the room for those who choose to give. When we came to this group originally it was a Non-Profit organization. We voted to disband and not be tied to government in any way. Our giving to the Lord doesn’t go directly into the treasury of the group. Whether it be cards or flowers for the sick or isolated (our fellowship is worldwide), missionary type work, website, newsletters, conventions, witnessing–we generally do that out of our own pockets and are beholden only to the Lord. Each member of the group has in their own way, their own ministries. If we do something as a group, then it comes out of the treasury, but otherwise we follow as the Lord leads.
I would think that if you are taking advantage of a government service or whatever you call it, you kind of are tied to their rules.
I live in Australia. Churches do have tax exemptions but our gifts and tithes do not. Just as in the USA the church and Christian schools are under attack from those who don’t agree with our Biblical stand on marriage.
Whatever happens in the USA flows down to us and most of the world. We must pray for one another.
I give to church because I honor God with what He provides me with