The reason Baptist preachers teach tithing

[rlvaughn]

The reason Baptist preachers teach tithing ...

They want your money!

They need your money to support their extravagant lifestyles!

(Playing devil's advocate here.)

What is your response to this line of reasoning?

The reason Baptist preachers teach tithing varies from Baptist preacher to Baptist preacher. I have no doubt, from experience, that there are some who teach it because they want to benefit from it themselves (more money to consume on their own lusts; building projects, fine homes, fine cars, etc.), and some teach it because it is their honest and sincerely held belief. Hopefully the latter far outnumber the former. Some of us, on the other hand, do not teach tithing.

Historically, I think the rise of the teaching of tithing in Baptist churches coincided with the two things, the rise of the missionary movement and the move from a more agricultural-based society to a more industrial society. This would be different in different areas and among different Baptists. For example, in our area the Southern Baptists were solidly teaching tithing in the earlier parts of the 1900s, while with the Missionary Baptists that were not part of the SBC it did not become very commonly taught until after World War II. At least part of this distinction would be the SBC having more city churches and the Missionary Baptists having more rural churches.

 

[Yeshua1]

Those "programs" are where I hang up. Building "program" being the one I have the most problems with. Most local churches are extremely self consuming of their finances. Buildings, salaries, and related expenses consume most of the budget. A lot of what is considered outreach in budgeting, is in actuality not outreach at all.
I see missionaries I support win 10x the people per year with $30,000 than our church wins with $1 million.

I have a lot of problems when many of us know of churches that go into Hugh expansions or brand new buildings, and yet do little in outreach into local community, much less missions!
Think much of this also caused by the material driven theology of prosperity, health and wealth, as they love to point to their big buildings and claim sign of their theology being of God!

Think balance is needed here, as we should not be in the Vatican for money spent on buildings, but not living in huts and shacks either....

 

[Revmitchell]

I have a lot of problems when many of us know of churches that go into Hugh expansions or brand new buildings, and yet do little in outreach into local community, much less missions!

If the church is not growing then there is neither the need nor the resources for any expansion. Your statement doesn't make sense. When a church's seating and parking lot are at 80% capacity the church needs to either go to multiple services or expand the facilities.

 

[Yeshua1]

If the church is not growing then there is neither the need nor the resources for any expansion. Your statement doesn't make sense. When a church's seating and parking lot are at 80% capacity the church needs to either go to multiple services or expand the facilities.

yes, within limits, for we are called to be stewards of the money God blesses us with, do would rather have modest expansion and much more monies for missions or other outreach than going from a 500 to 50000 seats building!
Just a question of balance and priorities....

 

[Reynolds]

I have a lot of problems when many of us know of churches that go into Hugh expansions or brand new buildings, and yet do little in outreach into local community, much less missions!
Think much of this also caused by the material driven theology of prosperity, health and wealth, as they love to point to their big buildings and claim sign of their theology being of God!

Think balance is needed here, as we should not be in the Vatican for money spent on buildings, but not living in huts and shacks either....

I am talking about Baptist Churches who condemn prosperity theology.

 

[Revmitchell]

yes, within limits, for we are called to be stewards of the money God blesses us with, do would rather have modest expansion and much more monies for missions or other outreach than going from a 500 to 50000 seats building!
Just a question of balance and priorities....

You are divorcing the two for reasons beyond me. I am saying a church that needs expansion must necessarily be reaching the community. You cannot have one without the other.

 

[Reynolds]

If the church is not growing then there is neither the need nor the resources for any expansion. Your statement doesn't make sense. When a church's seating and parking lot are at 80% capacity the church needs to either go to multiple services or expand the facilities.

I agree. Many preachers want to build instead of going to multiple services. They have a long list of bogus excuses for why they dont want multiple services.

 

[Yeshua1]

I am talking about Baptist Churches who condemn prosperity theology.

Sometimes I wonder if we forget the admonition of Jesus in revelation to the churches to not boast about their material wealth at the neglect of their spiritual wealth!

 

[Revmitchell]

I agree. Many preachers want to build instead of going to multiple services. They have a long list of bogus excuses for why they dont want multiple services.

I am willing to go to multiple services but I would prefer not to. You also have to have people not just to come and sit in the pew but for everything else that goes on. The logistics becomes difficult even in a growing church. Further, preaching two three times a day can take its toll on the ole voice box.

 

[Yeshua1]

You are divorcing the two for reasons beyond me. I am saying a church that needs expansion must necessarily be reaching the community. You cannot have one without the other.

I am not disagreeing with you, but just saying that we must be building in an appropriate manner, as God will not get glory from how big our buildings are, but in how we used those monies for the work of his Kingdom. For example, instead of making our building far larger than needed, why not support a building being raised up overseas, where they were gathering in dirt floors and grass roofs?

 

[Revmitchell]

I am not disagreeing with you, but just saying that we must be building in an appropriate manner, as God will not get glory from how big our buildings are, but in how we used those monies for the work of his Kingdom. For example, instead of making our building far larger than needed, why not support a building being raised up overseas, where they were gathering in dirt floors and grass roofs?

We need to take care of the home flock first.

 

[Yeshua1]

I am willing to go to multiple services but I would prefer not to. You also have to have people not just to come and sit in the pew but for everything else that goes on. The logistics becomes difficult even in a growing church. Further, preaching two three times a day can take its toll on the ole voice box.

Both Charles Stanley and Dr Macarthur when younger preached 7 services each Sunday, they must have had commercial strength throat drops!

 

[Yeshua1]

We need to take care of the home flock first.

Yes, but just saying at times God will have us shift our money and priorities to others, correct?

 

[Revmitchell]

Both Charles Stanley and Dr Macarthur when younger preached 7 services each Sunday, they must have had commercial strength throat drops!

yea, they are not known for their passionate preaching.

 

[Revmitchell]

Yes, but just saying at times God will have us shift our money and priorities to others, correct?

Uh no, its all a proper balance. We need not believe that missions is more important than the church we pastor. The church comes first, then we go out from their.

 

[Yeshua1]

yea, they are not known for their passionate preaching.

true, but preach as "good Baptists!"

 

[MB]

The vast majority of Baptist pastors who preach the biblical doctrine of the tithe make little to no money and often find themselves in retirement with zero nest egg.

This argument in the op sounds like someone who has a rebellious heart and is angry when someone tells them the truth.

I look at it this way a man doesn't have to give a cent and I refuse to judge anyone who doesn't give. What they give should be between them and God. There may be a good reason someone doesn't give. There is always someone looking for a free ride we all know that. I'm a firm believer that what we put in to the Church is what we will get out of it. Whether it's work or just plain giving. My favorite thing is to help when ever I can.
MB

 

[Yeshua1]

Uh no, its all a proper balance. We need not believe that missions is more important than the church we pastor. The church comes first, then we go out from their.

I believe thatwe are in agreement, just trying to geta balance between what we think we should spend for buildings and what God sees it as needed being!

 

[Reynolds]

I am willing to go to multiple services but I would prefer not to. You also have to have people not just to come and sit in the pew but for everything else that goes on. The logistics becomes difficult even in a growing church. Further, preaching two three times a day can take its toll on the ole voice box.

The logistics are not that bad. If you are big enough for two services, you are big enough for two choirs, praise teams, bands, or whatever you use. A preacher one county over preaches a Saturday night sermon and 4 Sunday Sermons. (Same sermon 5 times) The best sermon is always the last Sunday sermon. He cuts loose

 

[Revmitchell]

The logistics are not that bad. If you are big enough for two services, you are big enough for two choirs, praise teams, bands, or whatever you use.

That is not always necessarily true.