The poor tithe

[Smalcald]

I agree.

But the needs of the poor are vast and complex indeed. If a Church wants to do this they must be serious and must do it consistently and professionally, which is why I would much rather my congregation and my money fund Christian missions and Christian human service agencies such as the Salvation Army or Catholic Charities or Lutheran Social Services or rescue missions and homeless shelters who do this day in and day out and understand the issues, than try to do it all ourselves.

For example often lay congregation members are simply not qualified to do this. I belonged to a congregation where we did a food pantry. But, right away we had problems with our volunteer workers thinking that some people deserved the food more than others, or some were trying to rip us off, or some were drunk and obnoxious etc. When I was working I would notice because this is a small community, that some would say well I know that family and they are drunks, why should we give them food when they are spending their money on booze? All of this comes into play, it is not simple. I also witnessed people giving more to their friends or people they knew personally than to strangers.

Now I am not saying this to discourage doing it, not at all in fact it must be done, but we should not be deluded about how hard it is to do effectively and safely.

[Natt]

I have been devastated at times by the emphasis put on "titheing" by some. It's as though their job is to put others into a guilt trip to support which often are creature comforts not the spreading of the word or the feeding and care of widows and orphans. Tithing is a good thing but I really believe God has set us free from the LAW and put us under GRACE. I can actually give more than the tithe - or less - bottom line..."Am I being obedient to the Spirit of God within me." Personally, I like to think that all I am and all I have is His and He is able to show me what He wants, how much and when.

It's easy to throw $$$$$ in the plate it's a lot harder to put yourself and your time in His service. As has been said about "christians" today (to paraphrase) "Me I go to church , the preacher preaches, I put in my tithe, the preacher does the work of the Lord and I go home...That's what "christians" do now."

The Lord wants obedience not sacrifice.

Again, I do not mean to sound angry or upset - it just seems that with the command to spread the "good news of salvation" and to show His love to a dying world much of the "tithe" is spent on making bigger buildings and providing more and more and more "seeker friendly" programs to get more money to build bigger buildings and provide more comfort for the "felt needs" defined by the "church" marketing survey".

Lord, Help me to do what you desire - to give you the glory - to bring your message with love and a compassionate roar to a dying and sinful generation. PLEASE

Am I alone in these thoughts? Am I being to dogmatic? I truely feel that somehow the average "christian and church" in america today is missing the boat.

What does God really want???? YOU and YOU and YOU and YOU

Nuf Sed

I agree with you here. I don't believe in the tithing that is preached in many of today's churches but I just wonder why the same amount of zeal is not put in to gathering resources to help the needy and not themselves.

[jbbaab44]

it's a shame that the poor are neglected so much with what is given with the tithe. I was looking at some statistics lately and i noticed the billions of dollars that churches generated last year. my jaw just about dropped to the ground. What are we going to do? I am hearing that people are giving less and less lately to churches and they preach that dilemma. But when i saw how much we bring in. i realize then that the dilemma is really that we havn't seen much of an impact of what we do have. we have a mortgage and a great sound system to show for it. that's about it. Now, don't get on me for that, i do know that there are some effective ministries out there.

[peaceafire]

thank you jbbaab for the link on tithing very informative and perfect timing.

[Floatingaxe]

thank you jbbaab for the link on tithing very informative and perfect timing.

That link is one-sided.

[jbbaab44]

That link is one-sided.

Even neither of us have said to give less but to give more, then whose side are we on then?

[Floatingaxe]

That link is one-sided.

Even neither of us have said to give less but to give more, then whose side are we on then?

Huh?

[jbbaab44]

Huh?

Neither of us have encouraged others to give less than they are capable of, both of us have encouraged others to give sacrificially. So, if that link promotes the same sacrificial giving as you promote, than it cannot be one sided. Either way -wouldn't your view points be considered one-sided as well, or do you straddle the fence on the issue, and take both sides?

[Floatingaxe]

Huh?

Neither of us have encouraged others to give less than they are capable of, both of us have encouraged others to give sacrificially. So, if that link promotes the same sacrificial giving as you promote, than it cannot be one sided. Either way -wouldn't your view points be considered one-sided as well, or do you straddle the fence on the issue, and take both sides?

If you read my posts on the issue, you will determine my beliefs.

[jbbaab44]

wouldn't your view points be considered one-sided as well, or do you straddle the fence on the issue, and take both sides?

If you read my posts on the issue, you will determine my beliefs.

You are very good at avoiding the questions. Yep, read your posts as well. I havn't seen any signs of schizophrenia, so you must be one sided.