What real sacrifices look like

ByTheSpirit

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Just curious, how many actually sacrifice in a truly faith filled, biblical manner?

First off, I'm not a believer in Christians needing to tithe, but even if you did I do not see tithes on the same level as sacrifices.

Why? Well a sacrifice is meant to hurt to a degree. Thats why its called a sacrifice. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son. The woman at the altar gave her last bit of coinage. Those were sacrifices.

We hear in churches quite often how people sacrifice this and that. Its all well and good and Im not downplaying the things people do, even with selfish motives. As long as God gets the glory!

What I am curious (and I truly mean this more towards myself) is what would the Church look like if we sacrificed more?

I know the counter points: we need to be responsible with our time, money, etc. But what I'm talking about is being able to give the extra $6 to missions as opposed to having that mocha latte frappucino from the coffee store. Or volunteering an extra hour at the church instead of watching a movie.

I don't think God wants us to give so much we ignore our obligations to other necessities (bills, family, etc). But I do truly think people have a skewed idea of what true sacrificing really looks like.

What do you think? I'm curious what others have to say on the subject.

Late edit - I wonder if Jesus Big 3 Points recorded in Matthew 6 are the basis of all Christian sacrifices? Fasting, giving, prayer. And yes, prayer can most certainly be a sacrifice. A sacrifice of time, effort, forgiveness (praying for those who wrong you)...
 
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devin553344

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Just curious, how many actually sacrifice in a truly faith filled, biblical manner?

First off, I'm not a believer in Christians needing to tithe, but even if you did I do not see tithes on the same level as sacrifices.

Why? Well a sacrifice is meant to hurt to a degree. Thats why its called a sacrifice. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son. The woman at the altar gave her last bit of coinage. Those were sacrifices.

We hear in churches quite often how people sacrifice this and that. Its all well and good and Im not downplaying the things people do, even with selfish motives. As long as God gets the glory!

What I am curious (and I truly mean this more towards myself) is what would the Church look like if we sacrificed more?

I know the counter points: we need to be responsible with our time, money, etc. But what I'm talking about is being able to give the extra $6 to missions as opposed to having that mocha latte frappucino from the coffee store. Or volunteering an extra hour at the church instead of watching a movie.

I don't think God wants us to give so much we ignore our obligations to other necessities (bills, family, etc). But I do truly think people have a skewed idea of what true sacrificing really looks like.

What do you think? I'm curious what others have to say on the subject.

I think fasting is important from time to time. Matthew 17:21. I had a darkness cast out early in my life after a 3 day fast. And that started my journey of the heart towards God.
 
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GTW27

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Just curious, how many actually sacrifice in a truly faith filled, biblical manner?

First off, I'm not a believer in Christians needing to tithe, but even if you did I do not see tithes on the same level as sacrifices.

Why? Well a sacrifice is meant to hurt to a degree. Thats why its called a sacrifice. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son. The woman at the altar gave her last bit of coinage. Those were sacrifices.

We hear in churches quite often how people sacrifice this and that. Its all well and good and Im not downplaying the things people do, even with selfish motives. As long as God gets the glory!

What I am curious (and I truly mean this more towards myself) is what would the Church look like if we sacrificed more?

I know the counter points: we need to be responsible with our time, money, etc. But what I'm talking about is being able to give the extra $6 to missions as opposed to having that mocha latte frappucino from the coffee store. Or volunteering an extra hour at the church instead of watching a movie.

I don't think God wants us to give so much we ignore our obligations to other necessities (bills, family, etc). But I do truly think people have a skewed idea of what true sacrificing really looks like.

What do you think? I'm curious what others have to say on the subject.

"I desire mercy and not sacrifice." And what would the church look like if it heeded His Words? Perhaps like this, "For where I am, there my servant will be also."
 
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ilovejcsog

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Just curious, how many actually sacrifice in a truly faith filled, biblical manner?

First off, I'm not a believer in Christians needing to tithe, but even if you did I do not see tithes on the same level as sacrifices.

Why? Well a sacrifice is meant to hurt to a degree. Thats why its called a sacrifice. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son. The woman at the altar gave her last bit of coinage. Those were sacrifices.

We hear in churches quite often how people sacrifice this and that. Its all well and good and Im not downplaying the things people do, even with selfish motives. As long as God gets the glory!

What I am curious (and I truly mean this more towards myself) is what would the Church look like if we sacrificed more?

I know the counter points: we need to be responsible with our time, money, etc. But what I'm talking about is being able to give the extra $6 to missions as opposed to having that mocha latte frappucino from the coffee store. Or volunteering an extra hour at the church instead of watching a movie.

I don't think God wants us to give so much we ignore our obligations to other necessities (bills, family, etc). But I do truly think people have a skewed idea of what true sacrificing really looks like.

What do you think? I'm curious what others have to say on the subject.
Most of my life I wasn't a practicing Christian but I loved God. There were many times when I wouldn't be able to buy food or pay my bills if I tithed. I chose bills and food.
Much later in life I can now tithe easily and I do and I also am active in Christianity. It is easy for me to say that I would tithe rather than....but in truth I am not sure if I would deny myself I am ashamed to say.
May I ask you a few questions? Since you don't believe in tithing does that mean that you do not believe that the bible is truth in its entirety? The bible does specify that we tithe if for nothing else to support the church so Gods word can be spread.
I am asking how you justify not tithing? Does it mean that you are not willing to deny yourself to tithe to God and his church?

There would be no churches without the peoples support.
 
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What I am curious (and I truly mean this more towards myself) is what would the Church look like if we sacrificed more?
What would the Church look like if we sacrificed more? It would look like Acts 4:32-37.

"32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all 34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales 35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet."
 
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ByTheSpirit

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"I desire mercy and not sacrifice." And what would the church look like if it heeded His Words? Perhaps like this, "For where I am, there my servant will be also."
Didnt Yahweh say this to people who were sacrificing to cover their sinful lifestyles? I don't think the implication is God doesn't want sacrifices at all, because their are multiple passages that state what kind of sacrifices God wants and desires.
 
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ByTheSpirit

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Most of my life I wasn't a practicing Christian but I loved God. There were many times when I wouldn't be able to buy food or pay my bills if I tithed. I chose bills and food.
Much later in life I can now tithe easily and I do and I also am active in Christianity. It is easy for me to say that I would tithe rather than....but in truth I am not sure if I would deny myself I am ashamed to say.
May I ask you a few questions? Since you don't believe in tithing does that mean that you do not believe that the bible is truth in its entirety? The bible does specify that we tithe if for nothing else to support the church so Gods word can be spread.
I am asking how you justify not tithing? Does it mean that you are not willing to deny yourself to tithe to God and his church?

There would be no churches without the peoples support.

Would no churches be tithinga bad thing? Churches can be a cesspool of spiritual sickness to be honest. The church is made up of the universal body of believers that doesnt reside in a manmade structure but I digress, not my original topic.

I view tithing as a Temple obligation based off Old Covenant principles. Paul (to me) said pretty clearly if a Christian is to give, then they are to give as they felt led to, not out of obligation or anything. Hence, no "If you don't give 10%" tithing statements you hear in churches now.

I have been very active with how I give my financial support to ministries, but I don't think preachers need to tell congregations they have to give 10% or they are disobeying God.

Give as you felt led to do. If that's nothing then praise God. If it's 80% praise God.
 
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ByTheSpirit

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I think fasting is important from time to time. Matthew 17:21. I had a darkness cast out early in my life after a 3 day fast. And that started my journey of the heart towards God.

Fasting is a very difficult sacrifice to make. I used to fast quite regularly and I failed to hit my goals more often than I succeeded. Much respect for trying!
 
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ByTheSpirit

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I wonder if Jesus 3 Big Points recorded in Matthew 6 are the basis of all Christian sacrifices? Fasting, giving, prayer. And yes, prayer can most certainly be a sacrifice. A sacrifice of time, effort, forgiveness (praying for those who wrong you)...
 
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hislegacy

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Tithing is not a sacrifice, but an act of worship. It is a physical demonstration of our thankfulness to God.

Just like the very first tithe.

Sacrifice to the Christian is found several places in scripture.

Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

A very real sacrifice is walking in love.

Paul said:

Phil 4:18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Giving to others is an acceptable sacrifice also

Peter said:

1Peter 2: you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Peter speaks of spiritual sacrifices. That would be an interesting study.
 
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ilovejcsog

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I think the money we give to churches, especially the televangelists helps to reach people that normally wouldn't be reached. That is a benefit that I see clearly with tithing.
Blessings.
Happy 4th:)
 
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ByTheSpirit

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Tithing is not a sacrifice, but an act of worship. It is a physical demonstration of our thankfulness to God.

Just like the very first tithe.

Sacrifice to the Christian is found several places in scripture.

Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

A very real sacrifice is walking in love.

Paul said:

Phil 4:18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.

Giving to others is an acceptable sacrifice also

Peter said:

1Peter 2: you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

Peter speaks of spiritual sacrifices. That would be an interesting study.

interesting points. and I do find walking in love to be a very difficult sacrifice, but a necessary one if we are to be Christ like.

on a side note, I saw your thread the other day about discussing more in depth topics and leaving elemental messages, so hopefully this is such a discussion.
 
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mourningdove~

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interesting points. and I do find walking in love to be a very difficult sacrifice, but a necessary one if we are to be Christ like. …

I agree, and especially when we are needing to interact with persons we do not 'like' … or persons that have been, or are being, hurtful to us in some way. Hard stuff, only possible by the grace of God. And yet, it is a 'sacrifice' He calls us to. Agreed.
 
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Just curious, how many actually sacrifice in a truly faith filled, biblical manner?

First off, I'm not a believer in Christians needing to tithe, but even if you did I do not see tithes on the same level as sacrifices.

Why? Well a sacrifice is meant to hurt to a degree. Thats why its called a sacrifice. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son. The woman at the altar gave her last bit of coinage. Those were sacrifices.

We hear in churches quite often how people sacrifice this and that. Its all well and good and Im not downplaying the things people do, even with selfish motives. As long as God gets the glory!

What I am curious (and I truly mean this more towards myself) is what would the Church look like if we sacrificed more?

I know the counter points: we need to be responsible with our time, money, etc. But what I'm talking about is being able to give the extra $6 to missions as opposed to having that mocha latte frappucino from the coffee store. Or volunteering an extra hour at the church instead of watching a movie.

I don't think God wants us to give so much we ignore our obligations to other necessities (bills, family, etc). But I do truly think people have a skewed idea of what true sacrificing really looks like.

What do you think? I'm curious what others have to say on the subject.

Late edit - I wonder if Jesus Big 3 Points recorded in Matthew 6 are the basis of all Christian sacrifices? Fasting, giving, prayer. And yes, prayer can most certainly be a sacrifice. A sacrifice of time, effort, forgiveness (praying for those who wrong you)...
There are two distinct kinds of sacrifice
1 is an action of attempted atonement .
It proves guilt of sin .
I.e the works of the ordinances of the law which were only done in order to atone for Sin one was guilty of .
In otherwords it was better to obey then to make sacrifice because the very fact you were making sacrifice proved you were guilty of sin.

Then there is "self" sacrifice..this is where free will is always involved .this is where choice is made from a position of a clear conscience.
I.e ..i can sit and watch youtube clips...
Or .. I can go aside and spend time in prayer.
If i go to spend time in prayer to " make up for" time spent watching you tube.. Them im only spending time in prayer to atone... Im acting out of guilt from accusation.
So..dont do that.
Instead just say "lord iv been sitting here watching youtube clips.." ( not sinful ones if your doing that you dont love Jesus at all) and lord its not benificial to my or anyone elses soul.
I love you so im going to come aside and spend some time with you in prayer and the word.
Now..your just being open honest and free and your motive is just love ...
Do that ... :)
 
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Suffering persecution gracefully and in silence is sacrifice...
1 Peter 2
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
 
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