Tithing

[Deacon]

Personally I don't consider this issue a game. I find it incredibly serious when you have pastors leading a flock in such legalistic teaching. Especially when it involves people who can't afford to pay a tithe. Pastors can exclaim that people are robbing God, but who is really doing the robbing? I find this to be a serious lack of studing what a Tithe even is, why it was used, and who it was for, and when it was given. They can cry that people who don't tithe lacks faith in God, but in reality it is them who lacks the faith in that they have to rely on an misused law to get paid.

Can't disagree. On the other hand, as stewards of God’s mercy and grace, the flock is failing too. I’ve heard it said that we live in the Information age but more correctly we live in the Consumption age. Many Christians allow debt to pile up and it robs them of the ability to give to God appropriately. Debt is a MAJOR inhibitor of proper giving.

 

[John3v36]

Originally posted by Pastor Larry:
Has anyone here ever stopped to think that the Malachi passage is referring to tithing under the Law? It was for OT Israel, not for the church. I could see where a covenant theologian would use this (although I have never heard it). The distressing part is the only people I have ever heard preach it for the church are dispensationalists. Tithing is great ... if you are an OT Israelite under the Law. Then you better give the 23% that was required. If you are a NT Christian, just give. Don't get hung up on the tithe. Giving generously, proportionally, and cheerfully to the local church (1 Cor 9).

That's right!

2 cor 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Tithing is "of necessity".

 

[Chet]

Abiyah

You said

Chet -- Then we disagree, but I will not try to condemn you for that. I do believe that we all have a lot of right ideas, and we all have a lot of wrong ideas; we will find out which is which when we see our
Lord.

Thank you for your kindness in this discourse. You post with a spirit of love. One thing I would add is that we can know the truth by further study in the Word of God. But the Bible is true, isn't' it when it says:

Prov 21:2
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.

Lets just not forget that we should strive to become one mind in the truth, and remember that:

Prov 27:17
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

God Bless

 

[Abiyah]

8o) Thank you, Chet.

 

[Jim Ellis]

I just started going back to church last Feb. I just started tithing back in June. I'm a pizza delivery driver, and not only do I make hourly, I also make tips and a delivery commission of $.75 for every stop I make. My tips keeps me in gas, and maintenance, and spending money for food annd the like and my paycheck pays the bills and the rent. I give 10% off my increace of my paycheck, that means after taxes and what not. This week my check was $151.00 so I gave $15.00 plus every week I pick up foster kids and take them to church and then back home every Sunday. I pay the gas which I'm driving and extra 35 miles a week for this, I also consider this to be a part of my giving. I can tell you this is I am being blessed when I bless the church with my giving!

 

[Ernie Brazee]

The key is not asking how much to give, but ask "Lord how much can I keep." We are stewards, nothing belongs to us it is all God's.

We rob God on a regular basis, claiming God's blessing, when in reality we are theives. When there is a choice between a need in the church or a major personal choice, which choice do you make. Or, you have need, the Lord impresses you to give to a special project, which do you do. If we truly believe God we will give to the church project, trusting God to provide for the need. Seen this happen often. Depends on whehter one trusts God or self.

Giving and trusting the Lord can be exciting and very rewarding. The tithe isn't even giving, it is just the beginning!

 

[susanpet]

What is expected of a housewife to give that has no income and her husband goes to another church(denomination)?

Susan

 

[GrannyGumbo]

Giving and trusting the Lord can be exciting and very rewarding. The tithe isn't even giving, it is just the beginning![Ernie Brazee]

"What a truth this is, Bro.Ernie! Thanks

Susanpet~If hubby won't give you anything to put in the offering...well, the Lord knows the situation; but I think I'd try to hold out a little from my grocery $$ if at all possible.

 

[blackbird]

Amen, Brother Ernie!

Tithing is where beginners get in! We who have been saved 10, 15, 20 years supposedly are spiritually grown up and should be well beyond the tithe(as some would define it--10%)

Blackbird

 

[ChristianCynic]

Originally posted by blackbird:
Tithing is where beginners get in! We who have been saved 10, 15, 20 years supposedly are spiritually grown up and should be well beyond the tithe(as some would define it--10%)

`Then answer the question: How many years before one reaches 100%, and have you reached it yet? If not, how long do you have to go?

 

[blackbird]

Brother Cynic! We meet again! I've been staying away from foolish jesting over on the alcohol threads lately! I know now that I can expect "gunfire" from your direction behind any of these threads--alcohol & tithing!! Obviously both of us have a problem with both issues! I don't--you do! I do--you don't! I believe I'm right! You believe you're right! I know you're wrong! You know I'm wrong! I mean, whats it gonna be!!??

I haven't reached 100% yet--but bless God--my kite is still flappin' in the wind way up there were you can't tell if its a kite up there or a big bird! Last I looked at your concept of tithing--uhhh!!--you need to add a few yards of tail to your kite to get it up next to mine!!

I'm your friend,
Blackbird!!!

 

[mountainrun]

susanpet, I would advise against embezzling from your grocery fund to "please" the Lord in the matter of giving.
Tell your husband that you feel God wants you to give a small amount of money in the offering at your church and ask him for something to put in the plate.
If he says no, your conscience is clear. If you have no income, you can certainly not be held accountable for not giving.

God can make do quite well with your services in various capacities in the church.
Most people would rather give money than time, though.
It requires less sacrifice on their part.

MR

 

[GrannyGumbo]

Well, I certainly wasn't implying embezzlement... Sorry.

 

[mountainrun]

I'm sure you weren't, Granny.
However, if her husband declines to give her money for her church and she takes it from other monies that he gives her for other purposes, it amounts to the same thing if you think about it.

MR

 

[Rev. Sam]

Bring the tithe to the storehouse!!!

 

[lilcrush]

Originally posted by ChristianCynic:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by blackbird:
Tithing is where beginners get in! We who have been saved 10, 15, 20 years supposedly are spiritually grown up and should be well beyond the tithe(as some would define it--10%)

`Then answer the question: How many years before one reaches 100%, and have you reached it yet? If not, how long do you have to go?</font>[/QUOTE]Why do we place so much emphasis on how much we give rather than how we give? Remember the woman who gave out of her poverty? It was not the fact she gave all she had, but she did not let her circumstances hinder the expression of her faith. The Lord looks at our heart, not at our 10%, 20%, or even 100%.

 

[weeping prophet]

Originally posted by lilcrush:
[ go?[/qb]

Why do we place so much emphasis on how much we give rather than how we give? Remember the woman who gave out of her poverty? It was not the fact she gave all she had, but she did not let her circumstances hinder the expression of her faith. The Lord looks at our heart, not at our 10%, 20%, or even 100%.[/QB][/QUOTE]
I agree, giving our money to the Lord is a matter of the heart. Everything we do in this relationship with the Lord Jesus is a matter of the heart. The widow in the temple showed great faith, in the Lord, to provide her needs.The fact that she gave ALL is also important in that it teaches us not to hold back anything in regard to Jesus, but to fully trust in Him with our last cent. Trust Him with the money we give, trust Him with the money we keep! Truth is, that I find new beleivers are more in line with giving from the heart, than those who have been able to come to a comfortable level of giving. To those I would say from experience
,"Stir up the heart." Never get too complacent, give lavshly at times. Trust much in Jesus. Nothing more thrilling than to lay our dependance on Him out in our finances. Remember always, it's a relationship with God not a dry following of some rules.

 

[Ben W]

Rev Sam, If you want to bring the whole tithe into the storehouse ensure it is the full 30% Old Testament tithe.

 

[Daniel David]

Tithing is middle-class Americas way of robbing God.

 

[eric_b]

All I know is that God wants me to tithe, because I've asked Him and He's very clearly answered. I'm not making that much to tithe right now (working part time because I was laid off almost a year ago and I can't find a full-time job), actually much less than what I need to live on, but I'm trusting God to work things out.

Maybe instead of arguing about what is strictly required of believers, we should each ask God, "what should I be giving?" in a sincere and obedient spirit... It's not like God has it in for us, if He asks us to give up something we can trust Him to supply for our needs.

Eric

[ October 07, 2002, 02:54 PM: Message edited by: eric_b ]