Tithing

The Portuguese Baptist said:

I agree with all these things you have said, but I still do not understand your point regarding giving money to the church. Do you think we should not give money to the church? What is your point?

As I have said earlier (though not to you, but to Charlie): ‘I believe that every Christian should give money to the church freely and as he feels led to do (2 Corinthians 9:7). I believe that the 10% tithe is a generally good principle, but one that does not need to be strictly and legalistically followed, much less imposed on other people. I believe that we should pray for wisdom to discern how much we should give to the church (which, in a way, is also indirectly giving to God).’ Do you agree with these things?

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No, I don't agree that 10% is good principle. God does not have legalistic „standard“ for His kids. One test of legalism would be: try giving 9% instead of 10% over a period of time (a month or two is sufficient) and see how you feel afterwards. If you feel a nagging discomfort about yourself: „Oh, I failed to meet God's standard“ - you will know for sure that you are not free from old covenant legalism!

You are church my brother! You don't have to be member of institutional church that meets, let's say, 2 times a week in a rented building (or buyed with the „church“ money). You can have church with one brother, 2 brothers, in your home, you actually do have church any time you have godly fellowship with brother(s) and sister(s) in the Lord!

The resources (money) is ment for the church to function ih its calling – to spread the Gospel and to show and share love and knowledge of God among the "church" and outside of it. It includes humility and a tendency to equality that Paul spoke about. If the money of the christians goes for such purposes – wonderful, if there is any distortion of it- not ok. The church is not supposed to look as another worldy organization, nor to reflect the ways of the world instead of ways of the Lord.

Your money (your earnings and your properties) are given to you by God, and you are responsible manager of it. God wants us to manage whatever we have in His Spirit that can lead us, without fears and pressures from inside or outside, to use it for His glory and to help others. Yes, if we pray for wisdom, God gives wisdom to the humble.

God bless you brother, this is my last post here, since I am older, and was not paying attention to age restrictions. I apologize.

God all in all said:

No, I don't agree that 10% is good principle. God does not have legalistic „standard“ for His kids. One test of legalism would be: try giving 9% instead of 10% over a period of time (a month or two is sufficient) and see how you feel afterwards. If you feel a nagging discomfort about yourself: „Oh, I failed to meet God's standard“ - you will know for sure that you are not free from old covenant legalism!

You are church my brother! You don't have to be member of institutional church that meets, let's say, 2 times a week in a rented building (or buyed with the „church“ money). You can have church with one brother, 2 brothers, in your home, you actually do have church any time you have godly fellowship with brother(s) and sister(s) in the Lord!

The resources (money) is ment for the church to function ih its calling – to spread the Gospel and to show and share love and knowledge of God among the "church" and outside of it. It includes humility and a tendency to equality that Paul spoke about. If the money of the christians goes for such purposes – wonderful, if there is any distortion of it- not ok. The church is not supposed to look as another worldy organization, nor to reflect the ways of the world instead of ways of the Lord.

Your money (your earnings and your properties) are given to you by God, and you are responsible manager of it. God wants us to manage whatever we have in His Spirit that can lead us, without fears and pressures from inside or outside, to use it for His glory and to help others. Yes, if we pray for wisdom, God gives wisdom to the humble.

God bless you brother, this is my last post here, since I am older, and was not paying attention to age restrictions. I apologize.

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I would not feel comfortable limiting my offer to God to 9%, because, personally, I have imposed on myself the principle of always giving a minimum of 10% (unless giving less becomes strictly necessary). Of course, at this age, this still means nothing, but I want to restrain nothing from my Lord.

If I were to try that experiment you have suggested, perhaps I would really feel a certain disappointment; however, I think it would not be the sort of, ‘I have failed to mean God's standard’, but rather, ‘I have failed to follow my principles’. It's all a matter of principle, not obligation.

About the age restrictions, do not worry about not noticing. It has happened to me too. Feel free to leave me a private message if you want to continue this conversation.

God bless you too, my brother!