A question about tithing !

[Guest Thomas I believe]

Greetings Brothers and Sisters, We all have heard differant theorys on how much we should give at church when the plate is passed down. I have heard some say a percentage amount, I have heard some say give when you can. I have heard some say give the same amount every week. When I was a kid and still in the Catholic church , I would remember during Catholic appeal month the priests would shout with fire and brimstone give give give and remember my dad not being happy after a mass when they did that. One note( I left the catholic church 24 years ago). Is there a safe guidline to follow when tithing ? I give a certain amount monthly; but is it enough? is it to much ? How about when you also want to give to other ministrys, charitys etc, what do we do then? Any comments? I could use some guidance here !

[WayneB]

Thomas, how are you led to give?

There is the example given in Scripture of 1st Fruits but for me it is simple. I do as I am led by the Holy Spirit. I do NOT distinguish between tithing or offerings because I believe anything we give or offer to fulfill the Great Commission is one and the same.

Tithing? If it isn't given with an open heart, do not bother. If it is given with LOVE with nothing expected in return and a real desire to see it multiply and do Kingdom work... then give as you are led.

Be Blessed,

Wayne

postscript: I tithe to two different churches, one mission and my own jail ministry. I do not respond well to any church that induces guilt as a means to get me to give. Usually I ignore them and listen only to the Holy Spirit as HE leads me...and no other.

[Trinity]

I don't tithe to my church... Just because they abuse the money they are given. So i gave to the Church of bagdad, And i know they will not abuse it.

[Guest Thomas I believe]

Thomas, how are you led to give? 

There is the example given in Scripture of 1st Fruits but for me it is simple.  I do as I am led by the Holy Spirit.  I do NOT distinguish between tithing or offerings because I believe anything we give or offer to fulfill the Great Commission is one and the same.

Tithing?  If it isn't given with an open heart, do not bother.  If it is given with LOVE with nothing expected in return and a real desire to see it multiply and do Kingdom work... then give as you are led. 

Be Blessed,

Wayne

postscript:  I tithe to two different churches, one mission and my own jail ministry.  I do not respond well to any church that induces guilt as a means to get me to give.  Usually I ignore them and listen only to the Holy Spirit as HE leads me...and no other.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wayne, I give freely to my church as the Holy Spirit leads me too and I have never regretted what I did afterwards. I feel comfortable in the amount that I tithe but God is telling me to give to more than just my church now. I trust in what God is telling me to do and I will do it, which means I will be kind of splitting the money up and giving it to more than just my church now. Its just some times I have seen pastors get angry about this, when someone reduces the amount they give.

[WayneB]

Thomas, how are you led to give?

[gypc]

1 Corinthians 16:1Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.

Gal 2:20I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Have we been crucified with Christ? Then everything we own is God's. We are not under tithe law. Paul said for us to "set aside a sum of money" so that's what we should do.

God don't want your bill money and he don't want your borrowed money from a credit card. Take out what you can and give it with joy!!!

In his love,

Brian

[Guest Thomas I believe]

Thanks Wayne and Brian !!

[Guest Carly49]

Hi:

There is much controversy over tithing. Some say that because it was in the Old

Testament, we don't need to tithe any longer. However, I don't agree with that. I believe that we should tithe and I know but I know that if there is meat in the Lord's House, there will most certainly be meat in mine!

Carly

[O'Dannyboy]

Thomas.

I understand your fear. For you to understand it you must look at your life from the outside. Be objective. How blessed do you feel? In what measure are your needs taken care of? I must admit there is some degree of confusion equating money with tithes. Jesus told us what he thought.

Mark 12:15

[shammah]

There are rewards for giving;

but as unto the Lord, not with compulsion, but out of Love for the Lord , and as unto Him, and His people.

The Tithe given unto the Tribe of Levi and the Preists that serve the temple, was out of compulsion, as a law , because the Preists, or the tribe of Levi, could not work, so the other tribes by Law had to give to support the tenth tribe, a tenth of their earnings, produce, or whatever!

The Pastors Love to make themselves rich by quoting Malachi, and to also, out of putting a heavy burdon, and false promises, build their buildings, and empires!

The new testiment doesn't work that way, we are now blessed if we give according to God's will, and purpose, without compulsion , but with Love, and a willing heart!

Also those who have little, who don't have much, are to be helped by the people of the church; not promised that instead of feeding their family, or paying their bills, they should pay the wealthy pastor !

That 100 dollars (10%, of this poor mans earnings), is what most of these pastors may spend on one meal at their classy restaurant; and wouldn't give one thought about the poor man and his family, and wheather the promise of being blessed came about, because he gave out of his need !

Jesus said, I was hungry and you fed me, naked and you clothed me, in prison and you visited me ! Paul said he had suffered hunger, nakedness, and prison , for the Lord's sake, and that is not a prosperity message!

So God is concerned that those (especially His people) who really need help, get it , by those people who are called by His Name! Thats the type of giving the Lord blesses and He is most concerned with!

You take a man like Robert Sheuller who spent hundred's of millions of dollars for a crystal palace, who could care less about the hungry, and needy, and those in prison for their faith!

It's an abomination to God to build these palaces (as unto the glory of the Lord) when so many feel so poor that they would be stopped at the door!

Only the rich can be members of these clubs, it may not be writen on the door's but a poor person knows where he fits in, and the rich are not clothed in humility!

It's not unusual in this day and age for God's people to be poor, and in need, and persecuted !

James.2:5,6;

5Listen, my beloved brethren: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and in their position as believers and to inherit the kingdom which He has promised to those who love Him?

6But you [in contrast] have insulted (humiliated, dishonored, and shown your contempt for) the poor. Is it not the rich who domineer over you? Is it not they who drag you into the law courts!

Luke.12:21-23;

21So it is with the one who continues to lay up and hoard possessions for himself and is not rich [in his relation] to God [this is how he fares].

22And [Jesus] said to His disciples, Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious and troubled [with cares] about your life, as to what you will [have to] eat; or about your body, as to what you will [have to] wear.

23For life is more than food, and the body [more] than clothes.

1 Tim.6:5-19;

5And protracted wrangling and wearing discussion and perpetual friction among men who are corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, who imagine that godliness or righteousness is a [3] source of profit [a moneymaking business, a means of livelihood]. From such withdraw.

6[And it is, indeed, a source of immense profit, for] godliness accompanied with contentment (that contentment which is a sense of [4] inward sufficiency) is great and abundant gain.

7For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world;

8But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied).

9But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing.

10For the love of money is a root of all evils; it is through this craving that some have been led astray and have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves through with many [5] acute [mental] pangs.

11But as for you, O man of God, flee from all these things; aim at and pursue righteousness (right standing with God and true goodness), godliness (which is the loving fear of God and being Christlike), faith, love, steadfastness (patience), and gentleness of heart.

12Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses.

17As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment.

18[Charge them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share [with others],

19In this way laying up for themselves [the riches that endure forever as] a good foundation for the future, so that they may grasp that which is life indeed.

Matthew 6

1TAKE CARE not to do your good deeds publicly or before men, in order to be seen by them; otherwise you will have no reward [[1] reserved for and awaiting you] with and from your Father Who is in heaven.

2Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be [2] recognized and honored and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward [3] in full already.

3But when you give to charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

4So that your deeds of charity may be in secret; and your Father Who sees in secret will reward you openly.

The pastors want their sheep to give to them, because they feed the sheep, and it is true that one who labors in the word, should be able to be maintained by those who he is feeding.

But we are talking about many people to help out a pastor and his family, not make the Pastor rich , and build empires!

But the Pastor has become like God in pesuming he knows all the needs of the people, and without prejudice can decide who gets help, and how often (millions of dollars) given under compulsion, should be distributed !

I say the word teaches that each one must know Gods will, in where an abundance of money should go, who to help, and how to minister ! We are all ministers, each with gifts , more important than money, and the thoughts and intentions of our heart are more important than money!

God see's our hearts, and the cup of water to one who's thirsty, and to help or visit a brother in need, is often much more important than anything a rich man may do!

It's hard for a rich man to get into heaven, because he has to be willing to humble himself, as if he were poor, and be willing to give it all away, if it keeps him from the narrow path! We are called to be rich in good deeds! A poor mans path to heaven is easier, because he must depend on the Lord, not his own resources !

I hope that everyone who reads this is able to help someone, a brother or sister in need ! That a few may be helped, and you get noticed by the Lord for your good deeds, not by men, that you lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven!

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also!

Agape in Christ; Ephraim.

Edited November 24, 2004 by shammah