Tithing or giving

My church simply tells us to pray about our giving, and to give as God leads us. The attitude of our giving is more important than the amount.

 

We don't typically mention giving, other than of ourselves.

Some people are able to give in terms of money. Some people are able to give in terms of help around the church or visiting the sick.

As long as each person is helping the church in some way, who are we to sy they are not doing what God wants them to do?

When we have our quarterly business meetings, each member present that day receives a copy of the financial report. It lists the total amount of gifts received for the quarter, and an itemized account of monies paid in the same time period. People can judge for themselves whether they are giving enough monetarily to keep the church afloat, so any "hammering home" by the preacher or anyone else would do nothing more than to upset people.

We should give according as He hath given us. That does not always mean money.

 

Bro. James:

You are right. Our church is in the process of building a new church. My husband and I are not able to contribute as much money as some, but my husband is very handy at carpentry work and has donated hundreds of hours to the project. It's a talent that God has blessed him with, and he enjoys giving back.

 

I believe giving of our time and talents count as much as giving of our tithes.

However, if we are not cheerful givers, I don't think any blessings will be recieved because we are not doing it from our hearts.

 

One thing that I have observed in all these conversations about tithes and giving is that of other charities.

I have no set percentage to give to keep up the expenses of the church building, but give at least my fair share among the families that belong. But I also give from time to time to the local food bank, which has no church ties. I helped building our fellowship hall, with two other men of the church. No pay, we went and bought what we needed when we needed it, no expense account turned in. I have no clue how much time or money I put in that building, but it got done.

I work with habitat for humanity building houses for those who might not otherwise be able to afford one. I own my house outright, don't need one, don't expect to need one, but I do spend the time for the community.

I do volunteer work with the local museum as well. No clue how much money or time invested there.

Bottom line to me is do what needs doing, in the church AND community, and don;'t worry about it. If it is 5% that is fine if it is 50% that is fine too.

 

I agree Jeff. You just demonstrated the time and talent I was talking about.

 

Sue

I didn't intend for you to think I was responding directly to your post,I agree with what you said. I do object who folks who believe it is a hard and fast rule of 10% to the church organization,.

Some churches, including many Baptist ones, are not worth a plug nickle, and won't get one from me. If however, a church, takes care of the community's poor, widows and orpahns, then they get my support. If it is secular group, like for example, our local food bank, and they help people, I'll contrubute from time to time, with money or stuff, or both.

 

mmm ...

So what is the OT tithe? Anyone look up the passages?

In Him

 

I understand them to be a tax to support the theocrazy -- the Levitcal priesthood. Since we aren't Jewish, we have no Levitcal priesthood to support.

 

"Theocrazy" That wouldn't be a Freudian slip, would it ?

 

Leviticus 27:30-- Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S; it is holy to the LORD.

Leviticus 27:32-- For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the LORD.

Numbers 18:21-- To the sons of Levi, behold, I have given all the tithe in Israel for an inheritance, in return for their service which they perform, the service of the tent of meeting.

Numbers 18:26-- Moreover, you shall speak to the Levites and say to them, 'When you take from the sons of Israel the tithe which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present an offering from it to the LORD, a tithe of the tithe.

Deuteronomy 12:17-- You are not allowed to eat within your gates the tithe of your grain or new wine or oil, or the firstborn of your herd or flock, or any of your votive offerings which you vow, or your freewill offerings, or the contribution of your hand.

Deuteronomy 14:28-- At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and shall deposit it in your town.

Deuteronomy 26:12-- When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied

These are the passage which explain what the tithe is according to OT law. Why did you ask?

 

So, those who believe in tithing, do you tithe according to the Bible?

If so, you must give 10% of your food.

That is what Biblical tithing is.

You do not tithe on the 7th year or the 50th year(Jubilee), and one other that I can not remember, so for those years, including the 2 year stretch at the 49th and 50th year, you will give the church or anyone else nothing.

Ses how many churches will teach that true biblical tithing.

 

Alcott,

Why?

Curiousity about what God says about the tithe got to me one time ...

 

Bro. James Reed

Is there something we are missing about the tithe?

 

I don't know. What do you think biblical tithing is?

Read the scriptures quoted just above my last post to see what the tithe was the children of Israel were to give, and to whom.

 

What is Storehouse Tithing?