Paying off debts & working on sundays

[evangelist6589]

Was listening to a GREAT sermon by Dr. Stanley today as I was exercising. Dr. Stanley definitely confronted those that think working on sundays on a regular basis and paying off debts are more important that tithing and worshipping the Lord have got their priorities completely backwards. Sadly there are many these days that disagree with this. The concept of the tithe seems to be a debatable subject among Christians so I am making the assumption that the tithe is a part of the NT teachings.

 

[annsni]

Can you show the Scripture where the tithe is a NT teaching?

 

[jbh28]

Can you show the Scripture where the tithe is a NT teaching?

I'll ditto the question.

 

[12strings]

Both the idea of the tithe being required of the Church, AND the idea that the OT restrictions on Sabbath now apply to Sunday...are VERY difficult to prove from the New testament. There is lots of tradition that this is the way things should be, but to say the NT requires such things is very difficult to prove from the texts.

He is correct that if you place work and establishing financial security at a higher priority than your worship and service to God, then you have your priorities mixed up. However, I would the specific application to a strict 10% & no work on sundays is highly debatable. We have some very godly men & women in our church who sometimes have to work on sundays (Doctors, pharmacists, Lowes employees who need that Job to support their families). They are very faithful when they are off work, sometimes more faithful than those who don't ever have to work on Sundays.

BTW, I lead a Worship team warm-up and a choir rehearsal most sundays...and get paid for it! Should I stop?

I would think that if one has the option between a job that makes him work EVERY sunday and one that doesn't...he should think long and hard about where his priorities are, if his employment will mean he has no contact with the greater body of Christ.

 

[convicted1]

I'll ditto the question.

same here...........

 

[annsni]

BTW, I lead a Worship team warm-up and a choir rehearsal most sundays...and get paid for it! Should I stop?

Heathen


Wait - I run the computer/projector and get paid for it

GASP!!! I'm a heathen too!!!

:tonofbricks:

 

[12strings]

Wait - I run the computer/projector and get paid for it

:tonofbricks:

Don't let my tech guys find this out... they might go on strike!

 

[annsni]

Don't let my tech guys find this out... they might go on strike!

But the question is this: Do they do it like this?

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e110/annsni/church/IMG_2238.jpg

That's the computers for three campuses. Yes, I'm working on them all at once PLUS getting the ladies' retreat ready - you didn't see my daughter's computer on the chair in front of me as well. LOL

 

[mont974x4]

This is one of the rare areas where I totally disagree with Stanley.

Pastors and preachers get paid to work on Sunday. Should we quit?

Besides the obvious that has already been pointed out....no tithe and no sabbath for the NT Church.


Sunday is not the only day of the week allowed for rest or corporate worship or fellowship. I know a couple of churches that have their main services on Wednesday. I know one that is SBC and meets on Saturday night.

 

[Grasshopper]

I am making the assumption that the tithe is a part of the NT teachings.

Evidently you will have to show us cause nobody seems to be able to find it.

 

[Squidward]

I work midnight shift on my job and that includes Saturday night into Sunday morning at 6am. I usually go home and get about 2-3 hours of sleep before church, but it's worth it to make it to church and I usually make up for lost sleep on Mondays.:sleep:

Oh, I do 10% because I want to. I've heard both sides of the argument and don't have a concrete opinion on either side as both sides make good points. I used to give much less but felt convicted at my crummy giving.

 

[12strings]

But the question is this: Do they do it like this?

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e110/annsni/church/IMG_2238.jpg

That's the computers for three campuses. Yes, I'm working on them all at once PLUS getting the ladies' retreat ready - you didn't see my daughter's computer on the chair in front of me as well. LOL

How does that work? different musicians but same pastor piped in? or something else?

 

[annsni]

How does that work? different musicians but same pastor piped in? or something else?

Originally it was different worship teams, different pastors. Now it's that way half the time and half the time we have the same message - a video of the senior pastor from the home campus but with live worship and the other things (announcements, prayer, communion) done by the campus pastor.

 

[Salty]

Going back to the OP, It seems as though the question is should a man work seven days a week to pay off bills.

If that is the basic question - I would say a resounding NO!

The Lord instructs us to take time off - our bodies require the rest. Now if he was to work, say one Sunday per month - might let that slide.

Salty

 

[Iconoclast]

Some look here....
Hebrews 7

1For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

4Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

6But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

 

[percho]

Some look here....
Hebrews 7

1For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

4Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

6But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Verse 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.

Is it the law of the tithe being spoken of in that verse? If So what does this mean? Does it mean the tithe should be paid to the priest after the order of Melchisedec instead of through Levi?


Since posting I noticed the word change could also be removing.

 

[evangelist6589]

Both the idea of the tithe being required of the Church, AND the idea that the OT restrictions on Sabbath now apply to Sunday...are VERY difficult to prove from the New testament. There is lots of tradition that this is the way things should be, but to say the NT requires such things is very difficult to prove from the texts.

He is correct that if you place work and establishing financial security at a higher priority than your worship and service to God, then you have your priorities mixed up. However, I would the specific application to a strict 10% & no work on sundays is highly debatable. We have some very godly men & women in our church who sometimes have to work on sundays (Doctors, pharmacists, Lowes employees who need that Job to support their families). They are very faithful when they are off work, sometimes more faithful than those who don't ever have to work on Sundays.

BTW, I lead a Worship team warm-up and a choir rehearsal most sundays...and get paid for it! Should I stop?

I would think that if one has the option between a job that makes him work EVERY sunday and one that doesn't...he should think long and hard about where his priorities are, if his employment will mean he has no contact with the greater body of Christ.

Oh I would agree with you. I understand we need emergency services, and many others to work sundays. However I would not do it on a regular basis. I am for rotating, and shared responsibilities when in occupations that require it. However as I have been in shipping for the last 5 or more years, sundays have not been required.

 

[evangelist6589]

Going back to the OP, It seems as though the question is should a man work seven days a week to pay off bills.

If that is the basic question - I would say a resounding NO!

The Lord instructs us to take time off - our bodies require the rest. Now if he was to work, say one Sunday per month - might let that slide.

Salty

I agree. However some work sundays every week which I find to be a problem.

 

[evangelist6589]

Evidently you will have to show us cause nobody seems to be able to find it.

I dont have time and this is not a thread to debate this issue. If you want more details check out sermons by Charles Stanley or Erwin Lutzer whom both have nailed the point on this issue in various sermons.

 

[evangelist6589]

Both the idea of the tithe being required of the Church, AND the idea that the OT restrictions on Sabbath now apply to Sunday...are VERY difficult to prove from the New testament. There is lots of tradition that this is the way things should be, but to say the NT requires such things is very difficult to prove from the texts.

He is correct that if you place work and establishing financial security at a higher priority than your worship and service to God, then you have your priorities mixed up. However, I would the specific application to a strict 10% & no work on sundays is highly debatable. We have some very godly men & women in our church who sometimes have to work on sundays (Doctors, pharmacists, Lowes employees who need that Job to support their families). They are very faithful when they are off work, sometimes more faithful than those who don't ever have to work on Sundays.

BTW, I lead a Worship team warm-up and a choir rehearsal most sundays...and get paid for it! Should I stop?

I would think that if one has the option between a job that makes him work EVERY sunday and one that doesn't...he should think long and hard about where his priorities are, if his employment will mean he has no contact with the greater body of Christ.

I cant say that the Sabbath is a requirement for the NT. However the day of worship and the Lord's Day is on sunday and there are numerous defenses for this that I do not have the time to get into with you as this was not the POINT of this thread.

Some books for more information on this subject

Disciplines of a Godly Man-Kent Hughes
Set Apart-Kent Hughes
Living with Confidence in a Chaotic World-David Jeremiah
Words from the Fire-Al Mohler