tithing

[toddlermom]

Toddlermom,

To answer your questions,

If you haven't been to church in a while, then you really have no right to criticize them. Obviously you went to the wrong church. Preachers do alot more than just preach a sermon....do you preach?

I'm aware of the situation at that church and your not. One has to be ignorant to tithe in any church, assuming that your tithe is doing God's work, and not looking at the churches financial statement.

I no longer preach but have in the seventies in a christian/military fellowship in Munich Germany...and never became a minister because I do not agree with the theology or doctrine of any one church. I serve in the way and capacity that I believe is best. Everybody needs a ministry to serve the way they see and feel led.

This particular church was a foursquare church that was meeting in a school. They supposedly were saving to build a church and when I saw they had nothing in savings and were giving everything to the Pastor who lived in a mansion...I left.

do you know the prayer and tears that go into preparing a sermon only to get to church and God makes you change it at the last minute? Being a pastor is a full time job in itself..and if the preacher was self imployed, how do you know he's not busting it to "live it large".

He probably was busting it to live it large. That's why he was taking sermons out of his file to preach. He certainly wasn't busting it with his church and that was obvious. He payed no attention to those people who were hurting within the church.

I am self employed and i work very hard! It's not the church's responsibility to help you pay your bills. What would like them to do? stand at the door and hand out 100 dollar bills on your way out? It really drives me crazy when people wine and complain that the church is not helping them, yet they have done nothing to help the church. you say the preacher just comes in and gives his sermon, but there are people who come in and just take it. Yes, time and talents are important to God, but they dont pay the bill...there still has to be money from somewhere.

Obviously, you know nothing about what a new testament church should be like.

Many people avoid church like the plague because all they see in church is a bunch of hypocrites. And I have to agree. Often that's what I see.

I don't promote church in my ministry. I don't want newfound christians to get turned off. I promote bible, prayer, and fellowship and avoid going to church with a bunch of judgemental people in gowns and three piece suits. I have left over a dozen churches for legitimate reasons.

I like going to my Catholic church because it's doors are open during the day even when nothing is going on. But...since I find Catholic's less judgemental than Protestants, I think I'll start going back to the church of my youth.

Tithing money is optional in the new testament. Service is not.

Reverend Turmoil

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

i never claimed to know the situation at his church...i simply said that he was going to the wrong church...which by your reply..i was right. anyway, and no it is not ignorant to tithe to any church.. obviously you do not know the situation at my church either. My church is NOTHING like the churches that you are describing. yes, this church and others that you spoke of may have been bad. BUT DONT STEROTYPE ALL OF THEM. I sing in the praise team, do you know what i wore last sunday? Jeans and a T-shirt! If you are going to church with people that judge you, have you ever thought that maybe there is something in your life thats not right? We are called as christians brothers and sisters to call out sin, and bring that person back from there sin. i know that people judge wrongly too though. but you are going to find that everywhere, not just at church brother.

i think that it is humerous to say that you dont go to church because of hypocites being there. Thats what the church is for...sinners! Im not saying that you should claim to be christian and live your life sinfully, but yes, there are many hypocrites in church, and church is a place to help you get right!

Why would new found christians get turned off by going to church? Thats where most people find God! I hate that you feel so abused by the church, but i will pray for you that God helps you find a church that is loving and supportive.

you like going to church at your catholic church, because nothing is going on? whats the point then? The fact is, is you give where you get your blessing! If you would read all of the post, then you would see that any of the arguments, or discussions ended a few weeks before your post and everything was resolved. i took back alot of my statements that i made, because my loving brothers and sisters here, helped me to see things in a different light... i still tithe but i see now that i doesnt have to be as legalistic as i had previously made it out to be. you give with a loving spririt, and the blessing will return to you.

Edited May 1, 2005 by toddlermom

[amazingrace]

If we have to get out a calculator before making an offering to the church, we might as well not bother giving anything at all. God doesnt need our money... its already all His.. the real question is not how much of our money should we give to God, but rather.. how much of God's blessings do we need to keep for ourselves ? ... the Bible says God loves a cheerful giver. If giving to the Lord is more of grim duty than a cheerful service ... dont bother. Any church that the Lord is blessing will grow and prosper without any help from those who lack the heart to share.

[toddlermom]

Thanks for your meaningful reply.  Not many on this board have reached the heart of this somewhat hardened heart of a man.  I wish I could hear you sing.  I bet it would bring tears (of joy) to my heart.   

Im so glad to hear what you said..you had me scared their for a minute.

if you will either give me your email, or give your mailing address and i will send you my CD, or email you a song. my email is myjesus@cableone.net.

Love through Jesus

[Guest Bro David™]

Thanks for your meaningful reply.

[toddlermom]

[quote name='Bro David

[Guest shecaniah]

i tithe off of my gross income, but was wondering how others view this subject. do you tithe off gross or net income and why?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I would tithe off the GROSS and not NET because I want a GROSS financial blessing return, not a NET financial blessing return.

LUKE 6:38 - Give and it shall be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give unto your bosom. WITH THE SAME MEASURE YOU METE, IT SHALL BE MEASURED BACK TO YOU AGAIN.

Just another quick thought on the subject of tithing, if you work, the government takes its so called TITHES, whether we like it or not, so why not tithe to the church you belong to so God can replace that what the government has taken, in 'GOOD MEASURE, PRESSED DOWN AND SHAKEN TOGETHER'. The responsibility is now on God to bless you - it is a spiritual principal that always work.

[dgolvach]

My pastor always warns us a week in advance when he is going to preach on tithing. I'm not so sure that is fiscally responsible.

Dan