Do you love to give?

[evangelist6589]

While I believe the tithe is not for today no do I find it appropriate to beat people over the head or make them feel guilty about the subject, I do believe its vital to give freely and cheerfully to the Lord's work. One church in the NT gave in their extreme poverty, and gave beyond their means and they are an example of a cheerful giving church. The book Radical encouraged me to give more and to give cheerfully. When someone is tight on finances, and or have CC bills to pay I do not consider it wise to give 10% when the person is not spending his unemployment check on luxuries, but it is wise to give something.

 

[JonC]

I’m undecided about the tithe being for today. Revmitchell made some good points awhile back regarding the subject (I can’t remember the thread). I lean towards everything we are and everything we have belongs to God (not a mandated 10%). But I don’t know that it is inappropriate preach on the topic (even to the point of convicting members of their unfaithfulness). Even if you don’t believe in the tithe for today, it is still sacrificial giving (not, “well, we’ll have chicken today instead of steak and give twenty bucks in the plate”). Regardless of one’s opinion of tithing, giving is still a reflection of our reliance on God’s provision as well as a reflection of our priorities.

 

[plain_n_simple]

How are we mandated by 10%?

 

[JonC]

How are we mandated by 10%?

I don’t think that we are – however I have attended churches that presented a 10% tithe as belonging to God with anything over than amount an offering out of our abundance (cheerfulness didn’t matter on the tithe – it wasn’t yours in the first place, but the offering was anything above 10%).



I had viewed this as a type of legalism and adherence to the Jewish Law, but Revmitchell correctly pointed out that the tithe predated both Israel and the Law.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I don’t think that we are – however I have attended churches that presented a 10% tithe as belonging to God with anything over than amount an offering out of our abundance (cheerfulness didn’t matter on the tithe – it wasn’t yours in the first place, but the offering was anything above 10%).



I had viewed this as a type of legalism and adherence to the Jewish Law, but Revmitchell correctly pointed out that the tithe predated both Israel and the Law.

OK Jon, check this video out....its 13 minutes.

http://vimeo.com/895557

 

[JonC]

OK Jon, check this video out....its 13 minutes.

http://vimeo.com/895557

He makes a good point about the tithe of Abraham.

 

[padredurand]

Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:7 NAS77


It's not the amount. It is the attitude. I've never met a cheerful miser.

 

[annsni]

I'm happy to give my 10% but what really brings my heart joy is when I can bless someone personally out of an abundance of what we have. To be able to give a struggling mom $100 for groceries or to bring a new coat to a child who needs one - MAN, that brings such joy to my heart!!

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I'm happy to give my 10% but what really brings my heart joy is when I can bless someone personally out of an abundance of what we have. To be able to give a struggling mom $100 for groceries or to bring a new coat to a child who needs one - MAN, that brings such joy to my heart!!

God bless you!

 

[annsni]

God bless you!

I wish I had the ability to do it more often. Fortunately, I do stuff online (Swagbucks, Bing Rewards, MyPoints) to earn money and it's kind of "free" money, IMO even though I work hard for it and I've been able to use that often.

Man, I wish I were independently wealthy. I'd have a BALL!!!!

 

[SolaSaint]

I wish I had the ability to do it more often. Fortunately, I do stuff online (Swagbucks, Bing Rewards, MyPoints) to earn money and it's kind of "free" money, IMO even though I work hard for it and I've been able to use that often.

Man, I wish I were independently wealthy. I'd have a BALL!!!!

Ann, I feel the same. I would love to be able to just walk down a street and hand out money to people who need it. Talk about JOY. But what is even greater JOY is to give without anyone knowing who it came from. Ever try that? :thumbs:

 

[go2church]

Is it a sacrifice if you can afford it? Jesus said no.

 

[annsni]

Ann, I feel the same. I would love to be able to just walk down a street and hand out money to people who need it. Talk about JOY. But what is even greater JOY is to give without anyone knowing who it came from. Ever try that? :thumbs:

Many times! I was the person who handed a very needy mom a card with a large sum of money in it and .... oh man, the joy that ensued!! Since then, I've been able to be a part of being the giver and secretly giving it to someone and it's the BEST!

 

[HungryInherit]

The only people I've met (in person) that didn't "hold to the tithe" were reformed and gave MUCH less than 10% of what they earned. It's easy to not want to tithe when you can't afford it.

 

[HungryInherit]

Many times! I was the person who handed a very needy mom a card with a large sum of money in it and .... oh man, the joy that ensued!! Since then, I've been able to be a part of being the giver and secretly giving it to someone and it's the BEST!

But is it a secret when it is announced to a messageboard?

 

[thisnumbersdisconnected]

But is it a secret when it is announced to a messageboard?

I think the subject matter calls for examples. Her disclosure is appropriate from that standpoint.

 

[nodak]

I don't believe the tithe is for NT believers, but yes we do give.

Bear in mind I live in a poverty area. Telling folks that if they get saved they should join a church--with the tithe expected--makes too many reject Christ. They think Christians are telling them to take food out of their babies mouths.

Nah, if everyone gives the amount they can cheerfully give, it works out. May work out differently than what we are used to doing, but it works out.

 

[padredurand]

Many times! I was the person who handed a very needy mom a card with a large sum of money in it and .... oh man, the joy that ensued!! Since then, I've been able to be a part of being the giver and secretly giving it to someone and it's the BEST!

We had our Hurricane Sandy moment! :thumbsup: Ann's area was hit pretty hard a couple of years ago. Folks in my church wanted to do something but didn't want to send money not knowing where it was going. Ann and I exchanged emails, her and her husband found a woman in need and agreed to pass along whatever my folks were able to give. We didn't get enough to rebuild a house but were able to collect a fairly significant sum for a church our size.

Here's the long and short of it. Nobody here knows the woman that received the gift. We do not know her name, address or anything about her except she had a need. They were of one mind that God knew the need and used us to fill it. We passed a coffee can for a couple of weeks and sent what was raised. The gift was to God and was given with great joy.

 

[annsni]

We had our Hurricane Sandy moment! :thumbsup: Ann's area was hit pretty hard a couple of years ago. Folks in my church wanted to do something but didn't want to send money not knowing where it was going. Ann and I exchanged emails, her and her husband found a woman in need and agreed to pass along whatever my folks were able to give. We didn't get enough to rebuild a house but were able to collect a fairly significant sum for a church our size.

Here's the long and short of it. Nobody here knows the woman that received the gift. We do not know her name, address or anything about her except she had a need. They were of one mind that God knew the need and used us to fill it. We passed a coffee can for a couple of weeks and sent what was raised. The gift was to God and was given with great joy.

And it was a great blessing to the person who received the money and it was fun to play the middle man.

 

[annsni]

But is it a secret when it is announced to a messageboard?

No one will know who either party is and if my example encourages someone to do this as well, then great!