Should Christians Give to Their Local Church?

[GoldenEagle]

Should Christians Give to Their Local Church? If so, why? If not, why?

[OneLight]

We should give as we are led to give by the Holy Spirit. Who are we to question Him? If He leads one to give to a church, and another to give directly to a person, who are we to say one is right and the other is wrong, when both are right, if led by Him?

[Guest]

We should give as we are led to give by the Holy Spirit. Who are we to question Him? If He leads one to give to a church, and another to give directly to a person, who are we to say one is right and the other is wrong, when both are right, if led by Him?

Amen~!

[georgedrw81]

We should give as we are led to give by the Holy Spirit. Who are we to question Him? If He leads one to give to a church, and another to give directly to a person, who are we to say one is right and the other is wrong, when both are right, if led by Him?

Right

[TrackerJack]

Is your pastor entitled to a days wage?

Do you like having a place to meet outside of your home?

Do you like running water in the rest rooms?

Does your church support missionaries?

How do you propose the church pay for these things?

Edited October 11, 2012 by TrackerJack

[stevethewriter]

Is your pastor entitled to a days wage?

Do you like having a place to meet outside of your home?

Do you like running water in the rest rooms?

Does your church support missionaries?

How do you propose the church pay for these things?

Usually these things are paid by way of tithing by Church members. I think the OP was talking about giving in addition to tithing.

[Steve_S]

We should give as we are led to give by the Holy Spirit. Who are we to question Him? If He leads one to give to a church, and another to give directly to a person, who are we to say one is right and the other is wrong, when both are right, if led by Him?

Yes sir!

2Co 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.

[GoldenEagle]

Is your pastor entitled to a days wage?

Do you like having a place to meet outside of your home?

Do you like running water in the rest rooms?

Does your church support missionaries?

How do you propose the church pay for these things?

Usually these things are paid by way of tithing by Church members. I think the OP was talking about giving in addition to tithing.

Those are great questions Tracker Jack. I was wondering if you would mind answering them from a Biblical perspective…?

To clarify the question:

A. I believe giving encompasses all aspects of gifts towards God’s work including the Church (some might call this a tithe or 10%), our brothers & sisters in Christ, the poor, the widow, and the fatherless. (Matt 25:37-40)

Matthew 25:37-403

³⁹Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

B. The tithe (or suggested one tenth of our income given to the local church) is part of giving. But not all giving is limited to the tithe. We are called as Christians to give cheerfully (joyfully/hilariously?) as one purposes in our heart. (2 Cor. 9:7)

2 Corinthians 9:7

“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. “

C. Christians are free to give as little or as much in Christ. (Gal. 5:1 and Rom. 8:2)

Galatians 5:1

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

Romans 8:2

“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”

D. However, we do know that we are to store up treasures in Heaven. (Matt 6:19-20)

Matthew 6:19-20

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.”

E. Yet all things are permissible, but not all things are helpful. (1 Cor. 6:12)

1 Corinthians 6:12

All things are permissible for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are permissible for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

F. As Christians our bodies are God’s temple where the Holy Spirit resides. We are not our own. (1 Cor. 6:19)

1 Corinthians 6:19

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?

In Christ,

Eagle

Edited October 11, 2012 by GoldenEagle

[Fez]

Is your pastor entitled to a days wage?

Yes, 7 days worth!

Do you like having a place to meet outside of your home?

Yep

Do you like running water in the rest rooms?

Yep, especially if its not running from burst pipes....

Does your church support missionaries?

Outreaches and local pastors and churches

How do you propose the church pay for these things?

By it's members giving with their heart and soul!

Call it a tithe, or a gift, or a donation, or a blessing, anyway one looks at it it is a good thing.

[GoldenEagle]

Is your pastor entitled to a days wage?

Yes, 7 days worth!

Do you like having a place to meet outside of your home?

Yep

Do you like running water in the rest rooms?

Yep, especially if its not running from burst pipes....

Does your church support missionaries?

Outreaches and local pastors and churches

How do you propose the church pay for these things?

By it's members giving with their heart and soul!

Call it a tithe, or a gift, or a donation, or a blessing, anyway one looks at it it is a good thing.

I agree with all of the above. As always very balanced view Fez.