Money Matters

[followerofjesus]

The health & prosperity message on TBN is garbage.

[RGR]

Sometimes I wonder when things go so wrong has God forsaken and left me alone

Then I remember through trials of distress

He's always with me I'm most richly blessed

I asked for strength that I might achieve

I was given weakness that I might learn humbly to obey

I asked for health that I might do great things

I was given informity that I might do better things

I asked for riches that I might be happy I was given poverty that I might be wise

I asked for power that I might have the praise of men

I was made weak that I might feel the need of God

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life I was given life that I might enjoy all things

I got nothing that I asked for but everything that I hoped for

And almost despite myself I among men am most richly blessed

He's always with me I am most richly blessed

[Nevin]

10% of your income needs to go to the church this is a biblical law. Whatever else you give is part of your offering....

No. Its an Old Testament law for the sake of the Levitical Priesthood. Which was not supposd to have an inheritance, and was not supposed to do menial labor. If you want to obey OT law, that is your business, but the Word "Tithe" never appears in New Testament instruction. The only time it appears is in reference to OT teaching, and when Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees. Also, if you want to obey that OT law, you also need to cut 10% of the lumber on your property every third year and give it to the pastor as well.

In fact, the New Testament says NOT to give of necessity, i.e. not to give "because someone tells you to", but to give of a willing heart.

Prosperity preachers take the example of the widow's two mites and say, "Aha, see there, she gave everything she had! You ought to give every spare cent you have to support the gospel". And that really is what they mean when they tell you to send "love gifts". I italicized "gospel" because, while it may be their gospel, it certainly isn't the gospel of the Bible.

But that is not the lesson Jesus was actually teaching. Jesus said her 2 cents was better than all the money the rich people put in because it meant something to her, whereas the others were just following religion.

The prosperity message is really nothing of the sort. It is really a message of oppression and poverty, because the only people who ever get "wealthy" and "blessed" are the pastor and his family. Everyone else becomes their free labor.

You talk about the Bible mentioning money more than anything else. Well. Sadly, for you, the Bible mentions money only a few times for the sake of money itself. Other than a few mentions of giving in the epistles, and the afformentioned exampels concerning Jesus rebuking the pharisees and teh widow, every mention of "money" in the New Testament is actually within a parable in which the "Money" is a symbol representing something else. Jesus used the example of money because its something common people understand. Also, as stated elsewhere, the parable of the sower, and the parable of the prodigal son have nothing whatsoever to do with money. The words "money" and "wealth" do not even appear in the same chapter as the parable of the sower. An honest reading of Matthew chapter 13 completely dispells the prosperity message's use of this parable.

From Nevin

Please note that i will maintain my standpoint that 10% of my earnings go to the church...THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO......it seems blattantly obvious that those of you who will not agree on my standing are those that do not tithe and are guilty about it!!!!! All of my income belongs to the church ...but my tithing helps protect the other 90% of my income.....the offering is for my blessings. When did we stop ignoring the old testament....Creation was discussed under Genesis so lets rather ignore that too hey...because it is old testament....

[sweetycakes]

When it comes to tithing, offering, and the benfits thereof...many people will turn a blind eye. Below are a few comments about my position about money and wealth....comment if you will

God has plans to prosper us...there are more verses in the Bible relating to money than i can count. There are numerous scriptures relating to the blessings that God has in store for us. I am currently reading a book by Brian Houston.....Hill Song Pastor - Australia - Titled "you need more money"....too many overly religious Christians view money and the benefits of it has sinful this is not true. The question we need to ask ourself iis are we a Hoarder, A Spender or a user....read the scriptures about the Prodigal son again with this revelation....you will clearly see who belongs in which catogeory. The reason why it takes longer for some people to get the finer things in life is because the fundamental principles of giving is not adhered to. Give and it shall be given unto you pressed down shaken together ...running over. The bible also gives us a clear choice...behold i place before you blessings and cursings...so do not feel guilty in what you have rather use it to benefit those that do not have and be a generous giver. I pray that you receive more as you give more.....IN THE MEASURE YOU GIVE IT SHALL BE GIVEN UNTO YOU.

This reminds me of an old quote I remember from years ago. I don't remember who said it though, but it shows accurately and eloquently, I think, what becomes of 'our money', whatever we choose to do with it, bearing in mind that we are told to store up treasures in heaven.

It went like this:

What I saved, I lost;

What I spent, I had;

What I gave, I have

[Nevin]

10% of your income needs to go to the church this is a biblical law. Whatever else you give is part of your offering....

No. Its an Old Testament law for the sake of the Levitical Priesthood. Which was not supposd to have an inheritance, and was not supposed to do menial labor. If you want to obey OT law, that is your business, but the Word "Tithe" never appears in New Testament instruction. The only time it appears is in reference to OT teaching, and when Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees. Also, if you want to obey that OT law, you also need to cut 10% of the lumber on your property every third year and give it to the pastor as well.

In fact, the New Testament says NOT to give of necessity, i.e. not to give "because someone tells you to", but to give of a willing heart.

Prosperity preachers take the example of the widow's two mites and say, "Aha, see there, she gave everything she had! You ought to give every spare cent you have to support the gospel". And that really is what they mean when they tell you to send "love gifts". I italicized "gospel" because, while it may be their gospel, it certainly isn't the gospel of the Bible.

But that is not the lesson Jesus was actually teaching. Jesus said her 2 cents was better than all the money the rich people put in because it meant something to her, whereas the others were just following religion.

The prosperity message is really nothing of the sort. It is really a message of oppression and poverty, because the only people who ever get "wealthy" and "blessed" are the pastor and his family. Everyone else becomes their free labor.

You talk about the Bible mentioning money more than anything else. Well. Sadly, for you, the Bible mentions money only a few times for the sake of money itself. Other than a few mentions of giving in the epistles, and the afformentioned exampels concerning Jesus rebuking the pharisees and teh widow, every mention of "money" in the New Testament is actually within a parable in which the "Money" is a symbol representing something else. Jesus used the example of money because its something common people understand. Also, as stated elsewhere, the parable of the sower, and the parable of the prodigal son have nothing whatsoever to do with money. The words "money" and "wealth" do not even appear in the same chapter as the parable of the sower. An honest reading of Matthew chapter 13 completely dispells the prosperity message's use of this parable.

From Nevin

Please note that i will maintain my standpoint that 10% of my earnings go to the church...THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO......it seems blattantly obvious that those of you who will not agree on my standing are those that do not tithe and are guilty about it!!!!! All of my income belongs to the church ...but my tithing helps protect the other 90% of my income.....the offering is for my blessings. When did we stop ignoring the old testament....Creation was discussed under Genesis so lets rather ignore that too hey...because it is old testament.. if you also understood clearly what i said about the parable of the Prodigal Son...the father was a user of money.....the Prodigal son a spender...the other son a horder.....see BRIAN HOUSTON....THE PASTOR AT HILLSONG...AUSTRAILIA...he makes clear refference of this. Or maybe you want to correct a man of God also that has numerous best sellers...and a flourishing church operating under Gods will.

[RGR]

Or maybe you want to correct a man of God also that has numerous best sellers...and a flourishing church operating under Gods will.

Just simply because someone has "numerous best sellers...and a flourishing church" does not automatically equate them with Godliness and holiness! And, yes, if the aforementioned gentleman needed a rebuke, we're commanded by the Bible to do so. God bless!

[refugepsa91]

From Nevin

Please note that i will maintain my standpoint that 10% of my earnings go to the church...THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO......it seems blattantly obvious that those of you who will not agree on my standing are those that do not tithe and are guilty about it!!!!!

With respect Nevin...you have no idea how much I or any other person here gives to our church...I have no problem giving to my church or another good cause...no problem at all...

The difference we are speaking of is this...if I give my church 100.00...I don't sit there afterward and say Ok Lord bless me with more money....the difference of opinion here is when we give money we don't expect that the Lord is obligated to give us more money...

Again, yes the Lord will bless a cheerful giver....but blessings does not equal money.

Love and Blessings,

Angel

[RGR]

:41::41::41:

[Nevin]

From Nevin

Please note that i will maintain my standpoint that 10% of my earnings go to the church...THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO......it seems blattantly obvious that those of you who will not agree on my standing are those that do not tithe and are guilty about it!!!!!

With respect Nevin...you have no idea how much I or any other person here gives to our church...I have no problem giving to my church or another good cause...no problem at all...

The difference we are speaking of is this...if I give my church 100.00...I don't sit there afterward and say Ok Lord bless me with more money....the difference of opinion here is when we give money we don't expect that the Lord is obligated to give us more money...

Again, yes the Lord will bless a cheerful giver....but blessings does not equal money.

Love and Blessings,

Angel

With respect Angel i am not questioning you as an individual but i have a dislike when people do not understand that without money you can not exist . Blessings is more then money. Frnakly i would rather have the one blessing than all the money in the world but God has plans to prosper us. He does not want Christians to be in want all the time. We need to be a living advertisement for Christ and His abundance.

[refugepsa91]

He does not want Christians to be in want all the time. We need to be a living advertisement for Christ and His abundance.

Before I comment, I would like to hear your definition of abundance, how you define it in your life, how do you meassure "abundance"? Cuz sorry I keep feeling like its all coming back to money. I could be wrong...hence the above question.

Love and Blessings,

Angel