Tithe

[wyeast]

My minister had a sermon on tithing today. It is hard to tithe sometimes!! It is so much money!! To look at that check going out the door it sometimes makes me wonder if it is worth it. I know in my mind what I am doing is right and I have never been left in need. I have probably helped people with that money in a way I will never understand, but sometimes I just get caught up in the greed of money and think of not doing it!!!!
Anyone have this feeling or advice?
:whazzup:

[Musicman]

Not anymore, remember that what you do have was given to you, all he askeds is 10% back. I tithe with joy even if it leaves me short. My pastor told me one time that it's better to have 90% of blessed money than 100% cursed. My money touches every part of my life that I hold dear to me....wife, kids, extended family. I would surely want that money I do share to be blessed. Worry not... :dance:

[feisty's wife]

No place in your NT is tithing taught...it is from the OT....if you are going to keep part of The Law...let's also bring back all of the Law...the early Church liked to pick and choose, just as in today. My family need's the shekel's a lot more than Gawd. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:Let's not forget to bring bacl animal sacrifice and stoning while we are at it.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Fiesty :bigshock: :hoboy: Ever hear of the parable of the talents. Use them wisely for the Master and your reward will be greater. Hord them and there will be no reward. You must have missed that teaching. :laugh:

Giving 10% can be tough at times but God always provides what we need when we are obiediant to Him. My family has proven this over and over again and God always blesses us.

[Salmon Stryker]

If we are giving out of a sense of duty or obligation or rulekeeping than it is not christianity. It is something else. Remember that christianity is about freedom and about life and it is about the heart. It is about the heart from first to last. How you give is much more important to God than how much you give. And if we are truly living out of that whole heart for God...wouldn't you want to give back?

I'm not preaching at everyone like I'm perfect on this....in fact I'm pretty far from it most of the time :redface: but I just wanted to bring up the fact that we are missing something if we tithe based on obligation. :smirk:

[letsfish]

Good point SS!
Also I would like to point out a very good read is Randy Alcorn's The Treasure Principle. This book is excellent on how to live realizing you have temperal state we are in. But in view of the eternal place we are going.
We too often focus on the tithe but what about the other 90 percent? It too is God's, we are just stewards or money managers. Grasping this concept, that it is all God's, really makes giving joyfully more real.
Get the book- it is inexpensive, and loaded with great stuff!

[wyeast]

Thanks for the advice!!!

Feisty, I just don't know about you!!

[yooper]

Tithing is definately an old testament "law" and is not found in the new testament. I'm not sure why some churches still use the word "tithe" as it is not scriptural.. Feisty is right and it seems to me he pokes a little humor into this as well. In all seriousness, if you study the New Testament I think you'll find "God loves a cheerful giver" is more appropriate, but we are never commanded to part with our money as a law...

[fishnwHim]

If we are giving out of a sense of duty or obligation or rulekeeping than it is not christianity. It is something else. Remember that christianity is about freedom and about life and it is about the heart. It is about the heart from first to last. How you give is much more important to God than how much you give. And if we are truly living out of that whole heart for God...wouldn't you want to give back?

I'm not preaching at everyone like I'm perfect on this....in fact I'm pretty far from it most of the time :redface: but I just wanted to bring up the fact that we are missing something if we tithe based on obligation. :smirk:



Very Well said :wave: :wave:

[SKP]

Tithing is scriptural. If no one tithed, how do you suppose the church bills would be paid, the money store?

Excuse me, Mr. BankofAmerica, our people come to church freely, can our property payment be free also?

People that tithe, vote. People that do not tithe, also vote. Which group do you suppose votes the church doors to stay open, and which group votes to close the doors?

The Bible says, give and it shall be given to you, pressed, down, shaken together, and running over.

So, I suppose it could be said, don't give and it shall not be given to you, nor pressed down, nor shaken together, nor running over.

Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Those that don't give, don't have their heart there anyway, that's obvious. These type are the getters, not givers.

SKP

[12pulls]

The tithe is a Old Testament practice. 10% went to the temple. Now that we are under the New Testament Grace, we are not ordered to give 10%, but everything we have is his. 10% is just a start now. Some say give until it hurts and some of us have a low tolerance to pain. Be sure that what you give to is legitimite but do give. And be cheerful. If we truly give ourselves to Christ, he will help us to be obedient to his word, and we will be taken care of.

[Snakebite]

Good grief! Agnostic here. Give to your children and loved ones. Do NOT give to people who claim to have your best interests in mind. My dad and I quit the church when we found out that the money was going to south African rebels for guns and ammo! If you feel you must give, give it to folks who will better their lives personally, not kill others to get what they want. :angel:

Organised religion is for those who cannot organise themselves. If you feel you have to go to church every Wednseday night and Sunday to be absolved of your sins, consider the concept of not sinning in the first place. It will save you alot of time and money, and besides, you can go fishing on Sunday! That's where I worship my maker! If you're wondering why I'm upset about this, consider the fact that my ex-wife met and ran off with with one of the good men of the church she went to, and married a month after our divorce was final. Fine, go to chuch. But beware! :hoboy:

[happybrew]

Snakebite:

There will always be sinners going to church. It is a hospital for sinners. And where there are sinners, there will be sins. The perfect have no business there.

happybrew

[happybrew]

Getting back on topic,

1 Cor 16

1Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.

I don't think we are under obligation to give a specific percentage. It should be in keeping with one's income. Someone with a higher income may be under obligation to give greater than 10%. Someone with a lower income may not be required to give at all if it will take food out of their mouths. I find that it's easier to give right when I get my paycheck, otherwise it won't get done. Budget for it like you would anything else. If for some reason, as some posters here have suggested, you suspect your tithe might not be used well, there is always the option of giving to another worthy cause in keeping with Christian charity, such as Northwest Medical teams or a local food bank. While technically that would be alms, and not a tithe, that sort of practice can help counteract our normal human selfishness and desire to keep it for ourselves. I can't give 10% in my situation, but I gave more last year than I ever did, a specific percentage off the top of every paycheck, and my income actually went down this year. I didn't miss it, though, so I'm planning on increasing it this year. If you don't see it, you won't miss it, so pick a number ever so slightly above what you think you can do with no real problems, and see how it goes. Keep with it, and evaluate it in six months to a year. Be involved in your church, and you'll see where it goes too.

happybrew

[Snakebite]

Snakebite:

There will always be sinners going to church. It is a hospital for sinners. And where there are sinners, there will be sins. The perfect have no business there.

happybrew



I respect your point. However, admitting and repenting ones sins should be best left to the sinners themselves, without failed encouragement from the fray. I have seen folks "sympathise" with folks who admit their faults openly at the alter. They justify their own inequety by the level of sin others offer up.

Nobody's perfect! And I, as imperfect as Jesus, and everyone else, will rejoin with all of my best friends in Hell! Sounds Like Heaven to me! :smash: :angel: :applause: :smash: :grin: :applause:
Besides, I'm a "evoloution" guy, so all of this is just politics. :grin:

Sunday school and vacation bible school is good for kids to learn some morals and values, but beyond that, in my mind, there are better things to waste your time on. Take care of yourself first! :smile:

[lor]

My family tithes.

Yes, its a good deal of money.
Yes, there are some churchs which have bad people who misuse
the funds.
Yes, tithing is an old testament law, and in the new testament it is not explicitly commanded.
It all comes down to a heart issue.
Your tithe is not to the church, but unto God.
He will take care of the bad people.

[pathetic novice]

happybrew, that was well put. What is working well for my family is the following:
We rarely if ever give to the church's "general fund". Most other people in our church do, and the church spends it wisely. We look for specific ways to give, whether as a family or individually. My kids give money or time to their youth group for specific projects designed to help accomplish specific goals for shelters, food banks, or helping new groups get started in other churches. They get involved a bit, and before you know it, there's a whole pack of "unruly teenagers" who make a big difference in their little chunk of the world. My wife volunteers in the nursery and occasionally with an ongoing clothing drive. I am always available to help out men recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. We are not saints by any means; but we feel that if you're gonna be involved, then BE INVOLVED!!!
Not just with money; If you have funds to share, great. But the TIME, ENERGY, and HELPFULNESS are what I feel God wants most from me. Not just in the church either; as part of my AA deal, I ask God to make me useful for His means, the rest seems to take care of itself. Sorry if I'm too long-winded, I'll shut up now!

[yooper]

This post is getting interesting. I would love to give to a church if I knew where the money was going. If I knew that widows were being taken care of instead of Sr. Pastors or "music" Ministers getting their salary maybe I could budge on this. Try and find the word denomination in the bible. Try and find huge church buildings in the new testament. Find colleges in the bible that show you how to preach. The churches today are huge, institutionalized, and full of teachings to make us all sheep that don't think for ourselves. When I am at home doing my bible studies with my best friend I am able to read the bible for myself and not be told "how" to read it by somebody else. It's freeing to pick up something and see just how much all these churches in the world screw it up. Or make something more out of something than it really is. To me the bible points toward God in many ways. But it was still edited, published, and created by imperfect men. Which is fine with me because I can relate! But to make the bible a perfect book without error is so ludicrous I can't stand it. Men wrote it. Men canonized it. Men teach it. We all know that man has problems. Why can't we accept the bible as the best book we could ever have for knowing God, but leave it at that. We don't need apologetics to argue the bible. We don't need hermeneutics to show us how to study it. What we need is a healthy respect knowing that we still don't know anything. These collections of books and letters which have missing letters from Paul and others is the best thing we got, but it ain't perfect. Before joining the crowds and giving your money over to men. I ask that you "study" first and then see how compelled you are to give to an industry versus your family. One more thing, if the bible were perfect it seems to me calvinism would interpret it best. He seems to indicate predestination and election in the bible. Look at how many times the apostles write "elect". I can't refute his line of thinking. Seems to me God would always be in control anyway. Throwing big parades and spending lots of money to act like your saving people doesn't do anything. Either God chose you or he didn't. Personnally, I think none of us will ever know until were dead what God is really like. I can't wait to meet him though! :-)

[jokester]

My family tithes.

Yes, its a good deal of money.
Yes, there are some churchs which have bad people who misuse
the funds.
Yes, tithing is an old testament law, and in the new testament it is not explicitly commanded.
It all comes down to a heart issue.
Your tithe is not to the church, but unto God.
He will take care of the bad people.



Well put!! You hit the nail on the head there. :applause: :applause: :applause:

-jokester

[rimrock]

There has been a number of posts share here and I would ask as a brother to allow me to join in, even though as you see from my number of posts I’m still new to this forum.

First all, Snakebite I greatly appreciate your authenticity and frankness in this thread. God always meets us where we are in our joy and pain. I’m not here to debate you or even say I know how you feel, because I don’t. One of the tragic messages that is sometimes shared regarding Christianity is that once you’re a Christian life will go well for you. You will be blessed if you follow God’s commands and life on this earth is going to be abundantly wonderful. Sadly this is a myth. Jesus is clear in preparing us that we will have trouble no matter how faithful we are. Circumstances and people those within the church and those from without, friends, neighbors, and even members of our own households will in time let us down because of our self-centerness. In the end only Jesus won’t let you down, but until He returns you and I will have joy and heartache. The GREAT promise for something greater is only found in Christianity. Jesus will remove away the trouble and pain of this world to those who place their trust in Him. Not because of our obedience, tithes, or anything we bring only because He created all of us and loves us. This is not meant to be a sermon and I’m not trying to convince you of anything, simply pointing out where you place your focus that will determine your understanding and purpose. Focus on the things of this world and disappointment will follow. Focus on Jesus and one day we will share in wonders that we can never image. It is so easy to focus on the wrong things what we can see and touch. Faith is our lifeline to God. We all struggle and question God at times. He can take it, after all He is God.

Thanks for your time. I look forward to getting to know each of you better.

[fishonksm]

The only piont i can agree with here is that thiheing is from the heart, between you and God. To say that the old testiment was for then and not now is absurd. The OT is a picture book of the person Jesus. Some call it the book of laws. That it is, it sets the standard for righteous moral living. Jesus didnt come to replace the law, he came to fulfill the law thru the forgivness of sins.
if your in doubt about thithing do a study on the three feast the jews where to keep thru out the year. Pay attention to the "FEAST HARVEST" or the "firstfruits". It is a command of GOD not a law. Exd.23




Malachi 3
Robbing God
V6-7 While declaring His mercy, God asks for repentance, for from the day of your fathers you have gone away from my ordinances and have not kept them.
a. Repentance, in its most basic sense, is to turn away from sin and to turn to God. It isn't so much required if we will return to God; it is a description of what the very act of returning is.

V8-12 what they need to repent of: failing to give all what God had told them to give to Him. Yet you have robbed me. But you say, where have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
a. The Mosaic Law had a sophisticated system of giving based on the tithe (10%); but tithing predated the law (Genesis 14:18-20)

i. Tithes and offerings are a command of God, a tribute, free will offering not the law.

b. In their failure to give God all the tithes, they were in fact robbing Him

i. The tithe belonged to God, demonstrating that all belonged to Him; if you failed to pay your tithe, you were assessed a 20% penalty (Leviticus 5:14-16; 22:14; 27:31-32)

c. God promised that if they would fulfill their obligation to Him, they would not be losers!
d. The New Testament does not emphasize tithing; but it remains a good yardstick for giving the way the Apostle Paul told us to: regularly and proportionately (1 Corinthians 16:1-2)
i. God would have some give more than 10%; and in giving, both the amount and the attitude are important to God

Matthew 17-21
Keeping the tribute

V17 Tell us therefore, what thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
a. Here the Pharisees and the Herodians, working together in testimony of their hatred of Jesus

V18 but Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites.
a. Jesus perceived the true intent of their hearts, to trap him.

V19 Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
a. What is your tribute? Time, Money, Helping.

V20 and he saith unto them, who’s this image and superscription?

V21 they say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith Jesus unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's

[rimrock]

Tithes will always be debated amongst NT believers and won’t be settled in this thread. We say it is a heart thing. Yes it is, but what does that mean? Simply put it is one process of growing to trust God more than we trust in our own resources and strength. I like what Chuck Swindoll said once, “Give either 9% or 11%, just get out of the 10% rut.” For some Christians it has become a rut. What does God call for? In Romans it is clear, “offer yourselves as a living sacrifice...” This is a much greater purpose and calling and a great place for confession. It is 100% in all things not just in giving. How did Jesus summarize the entire Law, “Love the Lord your God will all your heart with all your soul and with all mind and with all your strength. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, Love your neighbor as yourself.” Ouch, failed again. Now if God only blessed me or called me His son because of the great obedience I offer. I am in big trouble. So what’s the point do I give up and do nothing? Of course not! Just don’t focus so much on religion, what I can do and offer, but your relationship with God. Time in His Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers there God will grow us in acts of love and service for one another. This will include giving of our time and money and on. Not out of compulsion or duty for that will not be of any benefit, but out of love for God growing in the likeness of Jesus by the power of His Spirit.

If again you wish to focus on tithes allow me to remind you of the widow’s offering in the Gospels. The rich were giving from their abundance (probably 10%), but the widow place in the offering mere pocket change. Jesus told His disciples that she had give more than all the rest for they gave from their wealth, but she gave ALL she had.

I’m not saying 10% or any percent for that matter is wrong. It is just the wrong focus.

[Get Bit]

Wyeast,

I don't know if your pastor mentioned this but a good reference book about tithing is found in Randy Alcorn's book "The Treasure Principle". Very quick read and you will be challenged!

Get Bit

[DAB]

Some Good post's and some that aint got a clue, I give to the church and do belive that tithing is the proper thing to do, whether it is specificly taught or not The PRINCIPAL of tithing is all over the N/T.
If you read the New Testament in context, contetext, context you can not come away without seeing that giving to the church is taught in it. As some have already said if you are giveing begrudgingly you might as well not give at all,giveing should be done with a happy heart and you will be blessed but that does not mean the you will be blessed with money because there are many ways to be blessed.
We are called to be good stewereds of what God gives us, be it money, toys, or anythig else, use it but don't abuse it.
DAB

[rimrock]

I have read Randy Alcorn’s book. It is good in general. Good six principals he has laid out but the motivation of giving to gain reward does miss the mark. I will not say wither a 10% tithe is correct or not. It’s not a main teaching in scripture so why make a fellow believer feel guilty or prideful for that matter in regard to it. The principle of giving is all over the NT, but I’m not blessed/rewarded by God for any amount of tithe. Can I place God in my debt? Does He own me because I did something for Him? Dangerous ground. Yes, there will be rewards in heaven which are given to those who serve but without the thought of reward. There is no merit we earn, for God gives out of grace, not debt. Please take an opportunity to read Matthew 25:31-46. Here Jesus points to our acts of service that show our relationship to Him. Rewarded because of a cup of cold water, feeding Him, clothing Him, visiting Him in prison,… How’s that? I’m sure we will be surprise at the “reasons” for our rewards. Remember God said, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” So if you feel 10% is what God desires; Great. If you are working towards this; Great. If your growing beyond 10%; Great. Don’t let it be a stumbling block to you or a fellow believer. The Law is good and right, but its greatest purpose is to be the taskmaster that drives us to the foot of the Cross. That is where God will bless you.

[Eric W.]

I am going to step into this from a different angle.

First of all let me say that I was a Minister with a Local church for many years. I preached many times on tithing. After voluntarily relinquishing my credentials due to what I saw as “God in a box religion”, I sought out on my own.

Me and my wife do not attend a “normal” church as you would see in the local yellow pages. Instead we are reaching out to those who do not fit into the local church. You would not believe how many people simple will not go to the church down the street, due to bad experiences with Christians in the past.

SOOOO…. We are finding ways to reach out to the lost within our community. For example….We host an alcoholics anonymous (AA) meeting in our home. Currently we have mostly single parents attending. While they are in their AA meeting we host a Children church for their kids. We also host bible studies and time of worship @ our house.

Where is this going??? When it comes to tithe. Since I do not have a local church that I attend, other than my own bible studies. We tithe in a different way. We use our tithe for our local church. That means mostly benevolent needs of the people that we know, or sometimes don’t know. We will buy school cloths for the single mom next door. Or pay the electric bill for the lady my wife met @ the bank. Snow tires for the guy down the street. Pay for a weekend getaway for a single mom, and watch her kids (Bath, massage, and a couple meals out). Fill the gas tank of a co-worker. Curriculum for bible classes. Goodies and snacks for a Christmas outreach for a little non-denominational church who could not afford them.

But tithe is to go to the church? Yes, but, this is my church. I am using it to reach people for the sake of Jesus Christ. Isn’t that where it would go if I mailed it into the local church. My Tithe does go to the church.

My mentor used to tell me, that when you are a pastor, or a Christian, you have two churches. #1 The church that surrounds you. Neighbors, Co-workers and family. #2 the Church you attend.

I know some will NOT agree with me. And I know I will be judged harder than other by God. I do trust God, even if I do send my tithe to the local TV evangelist and he buys an air-conditioned Dog house, God still honors it.

My heart is where Jesus’s heart was and still is. With the lost.

1 Corinthians 9:19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

[wyeast]

:ooo: :shocked: :bigshock:
I have sure learned a lot from this thread. I have been surprised at the reaction to this subject. I have been doing some reading and prayer over this. I agree that this must come from a open loving heart. The amount is not exactly a sticking point for me (10%). The Lord will know my heart on this. I think the Lord likes us to discuss things and then move on. We are a family and will have our own points of view on this. Take care, Dwight (Wyeast)

[Chukrchaser]

Once upon a time -- long, long ago -- ooops wrong story --

The biggest help for me in the "tithe" thing was a message that asked this question -- "Have you ever made Canons?"
That's the real question --

I have made "Xerox's" though -- you see language is always a slippery slope -- As time passes some words seem to stick but with new or multiple meanings. Forty(?) years ago we made Xerox's regardless of the brand of machine the copy was made on --

As has been pointed out in other posts, it's not about percentages, it is about God's direction and influence in our lives. Are we listening to that still small voice of the Lord -- guiding and directing our lives. Are we trusting the Lord to provide for us as we help provide funds for His work -- in the local church, missions or special needs.

So just as we can call a copy a xerox so a tithe can be any amount -- what ever amount the Lord has placed on my heart to give--

[SKP]

We should give 100% of our time, treasure, and talent to God, not just 10%. Time, treasure, and talent are just tools God loans to us. God owns everything, and we are tasked with being stewards of these tools (or God's assets).

The Biblical principle of tithing is just a portion of the Biblical principle of stewardship.

Even if someone tithes 10% to the church, we need to use the other 90% as tools for His service, by being faithful managers of the time, talents, and treasure we are tasked with.

The principle of stewardship is taught throughout both the Old and New Testament, and is in practice today even in the secular world. At any job, those that are better stewards, or managers of time, talents, and treasures, will be tasked with more and more responsibility of caring for more of their company's time, talent, and treasures. Those that that are slackers, and do not use the company's time, talent, and treasures wisely, get less and less responsibility of caring for less of their company's assets (time, talent, and treasures), or get fired.

God WILL reward those that are good stewards or managers of the time, talent, and treasure God has bestowed upon us.

The 10% is trivial once you have the Biblical principle of stewardship learned, and in practice. It really is a matter of the heart.

SKP

[HazMatt]

I am not necessarily the most religious person you will ever meet, however, I am a Christian and do believe Jesus died for me. I lurk on this section of Ifish and it is my first post with this, so please be gentle...
I feel I have a personal relationship with God and that I can go to church and be told I am forgiven, or I can drop to my knees and beg for forgiveness in the confines of my home which God so graciously provided for. I will do the latter every time.
After reading through this thread, I came to realize that at the church my family goes to, (my wife's religion, not mine), we give money (not a full tithing) when we go, but it is out of somewhat of a tradition if you want to call it that, but not necessarily from the heart - at least from me. I have many issues with the Church as a whole that we attend. I do not really agree with where our money goes to, and then we are asked to give more to protect the Church (my words, not theirs).
I give freely to those less fortunate than me, and would truly like to give more time to other charities, such as a homeless shelter, womens' shelter, mission, etc.
Finally to my question:
If I give a tithing to one of these organizations out of my true heart and in my own belief of God, would that be considered a tithing? Or does it HAVE to go to some sort of church, even if I don't agree with what is being done with it? If not, I feel like I should really find a church to go to that I feel the want to give. (Again, these are just my personal opinions, and maybe I am WAY off base with where the money goes, but I do have an issue with where I think it goes). I rambled on a bit, so I apologize, and I really like this thread BTW.

HazMatt

[yooper]

HazMatt and Eric both express the same concerns I have about where money goes in a church. From my studies in the Bible I see a Universal Church and then a local Church. The Universal Church is those who belong to Christ and see him as thier high pastor / confessor of thier faith. The local Church is one that consists of those in the Universal church who draw near at a personal level to support and build each other up. From the examples in the Bible each man / leader of the Church often had other jobs but lead actively in their local churches. They were not paid to do this... From the examples in the Bible it appears local churches were in houses and consisted of a very small body. See the relationship between Peter's house and Mark. The focus was on those who were already drawn by Christ and to help out however possible. Whether it was taking care of a widow or caring for the sick. Paul certainly showed many examples of how the local church should proceed along with showing us missionary work is somewhere in the picture. My concern today is that it seems most of the money goes towards missionaries or a huge church building to draw people, but once people are in the church I don't see enough local attention to those already in the church. I don't like the "lopsidedness" of how this is happening. I put more faith in Christ in that he'll do the "drawing" and I need to do more of the "caring". My hat goes off to Eric for stepping outside his Minister role and taking the approach he's doing. I believe HazMatt shows a very deep desire to understand how he can help out in anyway he can. I do think that giving to God doesn't mean giving to the church and let it make decisions for you. It's your money, blessed to you from God, to use for his Glory. I think taking ownership of that and putting the money where you think best fits is serving God absolutely....

Thanks for everyone who posts on these boards. It is truly an enrichening experience... :-)

[fishnwHim]

Give your money as God directs you, if it is truly from the heart and prayerfully given , it is from God ! Men can advise you, but direction should come from Jesus , He resides in us through His Holy Spirit and we need to listen to His directives and try to live our lives accordingly. :wave: :wave: :wave:

[rimrock]

Well said fishnwHim,

Everything, including giving, starts with your relationship with Jesus. It is soooo easy to focus on the wrong things what we can do, see, touch, offer to God, people in or from without the church, even godly pastors, where is the money going, events, programs,… Try this take a deep breath and say, “It’s not about me.” Try it! Really!

Now, enjoy the freedom that comes from that! God will love you because of you not because what you do. :angel:

HazMatt, I would encourage you to seek a church family that God would call you to be a consistent part of. Christianity knows no lone rangers; it is God’s incubator for our faith. CAUTION: You will not find perfect people, but in a health church you will find people that will walk with you as we turn our eyes to Him.

[fishonksm]

Did this thread get off track? i believe so. I think the question was weather to tithe or not.

My minister had a sermon on tithing today. It is hard to tithe sometimes!! It is so much money!! To look at that check going out the door it sometimes makes me wonder if it is worth it. I know in my mind what I am doing is right and I have never been left in need. I have probably helped people with that money in a way I will never understand, but sometimes I just get caught up in the greed of money and think of not doing it!!!!
Anyone have this feeling or advice?



The heart does play a part in giving. A hard heart gives nothing or little and gets the same in return. A generous heart gives much and gets much. This I do agree with. But the question still remains, do you have to tithe?
I have to answer my own question with a yes and no. No, we don’t have to give anything towards tithes, but what do we expect of God? Nothing! Don't we expect God to do as he says? If we trust in what his word tells us, he will give us the desires of our hearts, according to his will. His grace and gifts are not based on what we can give to him, but his blessings are based on his love for us.
It should be our love for him that we keep his statutes and commands. It is not a law to give tithes, but rather Gods command that we bring to him an offering of the "First fruits", an offering of thanks for the labor of our work and HIS blessing for providing an abundance. Check it out in Exodus. His command is an Old Testament truth for a New Testament church.

I know I’m not going to change minds or hearts on this matter. I'm just sharing what God has laid on my heart on this matter.

[rimrock]

His command is an Old Testament truth for a New Testament church.



As pointed out earlier there were three main festivals the Israelites kept in Jerusalem each year and brought their tithes (10%). You realize of course this means 30% in annual giving. So if you wish to follow the OT command for the NT church in order to completely obey God you’re only 20% behind. :depressed: When I discuss this point with my pastor friends they agree of course that this was the process in the Israelite theocratic system, but the ones that follow the rigid 10% tithe position say that it is just the principle or model of the 10% tithe that God commands for obedience not the total tithe. The final word I’ll have to share on this is simply it is a difficult thing to pick and choose when it comes to God’s commands or the Law for it only brings pride to those who at times succeed in it for we are the “faithful ones” and only guilt to those who struggle. The reality is we just don’t fully keep His commands. It is not because we don’t love Him it is just we are sinful by nature. The pin of the apostle Paul said it best, “For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, it is the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing...What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Rom 7).

I will not leave you with a percentage for that is too easy and too limiting of an approach to financial giving, but only ask that you start in prayer with Jesus for there you will find freedom to follow His leading step by step in each and every area of your walk. :angel:

Thanks for your time. :angel1: