tithing

[Guest dove2]

To me, it doesn't matter why a preacher teaches tithes. I believe they should tell the people how free they are in Jesus. I do believe that if a preacher is preaching the true word of God then we should be giving some to the church. I don't believe we should give all to the church unless there is an outreach for the needy at the church. If we are being fed at a church by the pastor then by all means give because they are worthy of their hire.

If they are not teaching the true word of God including telling the truth about tithing then they need to listen to the truth. If they will hear it Praise the Lord, if not then they are narrow minded and don't want to know the truth. I know there is no pastor that is going to be 100% correct on every thing. If they were correct on everything then they would not need teaching also. No single person or preacher, pastor has the whole answer. That is why we are a body to help each other. I am ambidextrous so I hesitate on saying this but what right hand doesn't need the left hand also? I use both feet to walk but without a big toe I would be way off balance. We all need each other and that includes pastors willing to teach the truth and be willing to listen to truth if backed up with scripture also. All in all we should listen to the Holy Spirit on where to give and who to give to.

[Guest dove2]

Boy, this is a hard question for me. Lately, I've felt that money is just wasted at church and I'd rather see it go to the poor and needy.

We have increased charitable giving in place of tithing..either to the immediate needs of brothers, to our child sponsorship in Kenya and to the Leprosy Mission and sometimes to David Wilkerson's ministry at Times Square, (he has a special mission to help widows and orphans).

I want to see the money go to relieve suffering rather than buy bigger, fancier buildings, fatter salaries for pastors or fancier "programs" .....

I'd much rather see Christian love in action...

James

[Faith1]

Dove - I was wondering when you were going to chime in on this discussion you have a lot of wisdom to offer here sis I know I have the written proof

Love Ya

F1

[Guest Shaman]

One might wonder why Jesus instructed the young ruler to give his wealth directly to the poor. Why not give it to the temple priests, so they could distribute it among the needy? or for that matter to Judas, who was responsible for the ministry's treasury. Was Jesus alluding to the fact that the money might not get to the poor? perhaps. In the Book of Malachai, God did berate the sons of Levi for misappropriating the offering. The priests were using that which was intended for God's ministry to advance their own financial portfolios. Like the sons of Levi, many of today's clergy are abusing the funds that are given for the poor. God's words are the same for today's priests as they were in Malachai's time: "Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me. . . . "

Jesus didn't ask this young ruler to give to the temple above what God required. He told him to help the needy. Give to the poor. And, he would have treasure in heaven, then follow him. See, Jesus wanted this young man to be free from that which held him captive and would keep him from gaining eternal life. That's why we must freely give up all attachments that bind us from demonstrating a pure love for God and others. Only when we are truly free of our hangups can we worship God in spirit and truth. "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." This is an elemental concept of Christianity. We can choose to love, give and live, or hate, take and die.

Neither did Jesus ask this young ruler to give to his ministry, for he is not a beggar. Jesus' Father is sole owner and provider of all things that exist. Without him nothing exists that exist. God does not need for us to become beggars of money in order for his Son's ministry to flourish in the earth. There is simply no lack in God's abundance. He will always provide for his Son's ministry. However, we must provide for our own. If there is lack, it is due to our own misconceptions, interference, or misconduct. So, my suggestion is this: Why don't we just work in God's ministry and give up our own feeble attempts at recreating the wheel? "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give."

Our Father is totally rich, so money is not the issue of giving spiritually. It is our life. We are taught that the greatest gift is to lay down one's life for a friend. Since the World Trade Center tragedy, I have come to realize more than ever before, for a select group of people it is their destined reality. However, most of us are not warriors, or protectors, or saviors. So, for us, sacrificing one's life for another is usually not even expressed as a figment of our imagination. Perhaps, Brother Paul summed it up best when he said: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

Now, after saying all that I think we should give money or otherwise according to how the Spirit leads us.

Peace, Love and Blessings,

Shaman

[Guest dove2]

Dove - I was wondering when you were going to chime in on this discussion you have a lot of wisdom to offer here sis  I know I have the written proof 

Love Ya 

F1

Thanks Faith, I didn't know you still had my writings. I may have them also. I will have to check.

I have been so busy I didn't know this subject was on the board and you didn't tell me.

Shaman, I wholeheartedly agree with you.

[endure4salvation]

Not arguing but take a look at what Abraham tithed. Abraham was a very rich man.

D2, you know a whole lot more about it than me!

[Catsmeow]

One might wonder why Jesus instructed the young ruler to give his wealth directly to the poor.

The priests were using that which was intended for God's ministry to advance their own financial portfolios. Like the sons of Levi, many of today's clergy are abusing the funds that are given for the poor

There's too much to quote here but in essense, your post covers a lot of truth.

I like your thinking and it says it very directly.

I certainly believe it's right and good that God blesses His children because He says that by the measure we measure, it'll be measured back to us...

I also see the dangers of that, however....

I was given the gift of "giving" and it's an area of annointing in my life. Over time, God positioned me for considerable blessing.

What's a bit scary, though...is once He blesses us with abundance, it becomes a temptation to want to hold on to that blessing rather than turn loose of it.

That's a challenge I think we all have to go through when we are positioned for great financial blessing...but also one we can overcome.

I have made it over every single "hurdle" or test God's put in front of me on the "giving" aspect....giving everything as He asks me and doing it with the right motive.

The hard part is when you're married to someone who isn't on the "same page"....then it becomes a real problem.

I am also learning that giving doesn't appear to be limited to just tithing to a church. I used to be pretty dogmatic but recently I've seen how churches and even missions seem to squander precious funds when they could be well used to a much greater purpose.

I agree with several of you who've said we need to be walking in the Spirit and allow HIM to move our hearts to give according to HIS wishes...rather than by some formula.

[Snowdoove]

Blessings & Greetings

RE: Tithing

Tithing is a word found in the Old Testament. Tithing is for the Jewish folks.

Giving is a word found in the New Testament and is for the Christian.

Not all folks live in the same money bracket. Some folks find it easier to give of themselves, then from their pocket book.

I give money sometimes and other times I donate my time.

Snowdoove

[Guest dove2]

I agree snoowdove, we can give of ourselves especially if we have nothing fiancially to give.

I looked tithing up for the New Testament in Strong's concordance and when followed to its root tithing means to "owe a debt." We know longer owe a debt because Jesus paid it all. When Jesus walked this earth He had to follow the law and that included tithing. He tithed for us and then died for us.

[Faith1]

Dove - I was wondering when you were going to chime in on this discussion you have a lot of wisdom to offer here sis