The Collection Plate

that's an interesting take on Busiswe's story, Mister Al. i guess i never looked at it that way, because it was the Holy Spirit who urged Busiswe to give her all, not the church. (but i do understand what you are saying about the prosperity ministers who are popping out of the woodwork these days). but that's not what was going on in Busiswe's story. i think it's because God knew the most important thing to Busiswe was that money--it was her lifeline, rather, her son's lifeline, so He wanted her to step out in faith and trust Him. God didn't need her 13 cents, of course. but He wanted to bless her with more than she could have hoped for, and He did. would He have given her the means to save her little boy otherwise? i don't know, i won't pretend to know the mind of the Lord, but i know she followed the Holy Spirit's prompting and was not grieved for doing so. i know out of reading her story, i followed the Holy Spirit's leading, and was likewise not grieved, but rewarded .

God's blessings on you, brother.

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John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Church tradition holds to 10% of everything. Its not just about the money. But 10% of your time, talent, etc.

All I have to offer is 2 Corinthians 9:6-8;

6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

The principle I follow in tithing is based on 2 Corinthians 9:7, where it states that God loves a cheerful giver. I only give what is in my heart to give, whether it be 2 or 20 dollars

You have no obligation to give to a church you know little about. Imagine going to a secret club and being asked to pay dues, then finding the club terrorized the neighborhood once a week. Do this sensibly.

When I visit a new church, I rarely give the first week unless it looks like they could use the help. I do tithe though, and have since I was little.

Once you get into the practice of tithing, it is not as painful -- just a determination to live with the recognition that society needs support, and churches need support, and if everyone gets involved, things can get done. And of course it relates to obedience to God.

I do not give my entire tithe to one church. There are also homeless shelters and missionaries and special things that come up. Sometimes an individual who is struggling, who could use an anonymous gift.

The tithe went into the storehouse -- it was a collection area for grain and other objects, which the priests dispensed to poor people as they came for assistance. The tithes and offerings had several categories, but generally the donations went toward paying priests, keeping up the temple, feeding the poor, religious festivals ... and some offering were even eaten by the people making the offering. The donations helped keep a lot of these systems going.

It is important to support the practical aspects of systems set up to promote God's purposes. But I think it is completely acceptable to discern for yourself what appears to be God's work and what doesn't. The sign on the door isn't always the evidence.

Wait a second, you're supposed to put money in?

Uh oh.

I'm just surprised no one's said it yet:

one MILLION dollars! Muhahaha!

Seriously, you're supporting the work of Christ's family. The offering plate? That's one place. Give of your time and love and effort and you will be a relief and encouragement for so many other things.

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"... not an unconcerned sitting of God in heaven, from which He merely observes the things that are done in the world; but that all-active and all-concerned seatedness on His throne above, by which He governs the world which He Himself hath made." John Calvin

To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you.

My brother I do agree with you that as a New Testament Christian we are not under the old Mosiac Law and to such are not required to tithe. However when it comes to giving I don't think that it is wise to say if you don't want to give, then don't. Every Christian should give, if not for once purpose, and that is for the ministry of the Church.

2 Cor 9:6-8
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

Giving is sowing spiritually in the Work of the Lord and if you don't sow spiritually don't expect to reap physically or spiritually. We who attend church receive from the Pastor what God has enlightened him with from the Holy Spirit. The Pastor is a laborer of God, preaching the gospel is his profession just like we have our profession that we receive wages for.

1 Timothy 5:18 "Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn."

The purpose of our giving in the church that, we are a members of, serve many purposes and when you don't give you don't help to fulfill that purpose. So according to the Word of God don't give grudgingly but by all means do give.

I've always kind of wondered if I've been "blocking" (for lack of a better word) certain blessings in my life because I don't tithe. I do put a monetary offering in the plate and I'm very active in my church; volunteering my time and such. Of course, they're more than just acts of service for me...I do truly have a heart to serve! But I always wonder if I've blown it with God for not actually tithing.

I believe that you are just fine giving what you have purposed in your heart to give. Tithing was under the Mosaic Law and served a particular purpose during that time. There is no requirement for New Testament Children of God to continue along that path because we are under the New Covenant through Jesus Christ. The time that you have given, to our Lord service, is precious to the Gospel in every way. Just continue to give unto the Lord according to how He has blessed you and do it in the spirit of giving. In turn you will be blessed accordingly.

Your Brother in Christ