Astounded (moved from Christian Philosophy and Ethics)

[paige_w]

I am SHOCKED and DISGUSTED that some churches TITHE !!!

Is there any purpose for that at all? Unless than for a cult to earn money?
Any justification?

 

[tansy]

Can't figure out whether you're asking a serious question or not. However, many, if not most Christians believe tithing is Biblical. Normally, whether strictly tithing, giving gift offerings, whatever, the money goes towards things like paying the Minister(s), building upkeep, giving to charities, mission work, helping people out sometimes who need some financial or other assistance etc.
In churches I have attended there is a treasurer who produces accounts for all the church members to see...so that everything is kept above board. Nothing cultish about it....just people practising generosity as the Bible commands

 

[Jase]

I don't think the original purpose of tithing was anything sinister, as if it is used honestly it pays for improvements/repairs to the church, or other outreach efforts to charity. However, with the creation of megachurches with multi-million dollar front doors, and ministers buying private jets and multiple mansions with the money they make from the church, I'm very skeptical about tithing and it seems to have become a means of padding the ministers pocket more so than providing outreach.

 

[Bullseye4grace]

Yeah tithing is sooooo ridiculous!!! How about instead let's just divide up all the expenses for building upkeep, utilities, salaries, community and mission outreaches and bill the members their individual portion weekly? Thats such a totally selfish and greedy unholy mindset. God so loved the world that He GAVE. Be ye imitators of God as dear children. God is LOVE and love always gives. The world is full of self centered takers, christians are supposed to be different. Churches don't mint their own money to cover expenses, they rely on pious christians to be generous, obedient, and support something important: The work of God and the advancement of His kingdom. Where a mans heart is, there his money (treasure)is also.(invested implied)

 

[wannabeadesigirl]

Originally the tithe was used by the Hebrew priests to provide for them since they were not allowed to work outside of the priesthood. Within the church those who could give would give in order to provide for the poor within the congregation. It's based on Biblical principles.

 

[ebia]

I am SHOCKED and DISGUSTED that some churches TITHE !!!

Is there any purpose for that at all? Unless than for a cult to earn money?
Any justification?

Churches don't tithe, people tithe. (Well, churches can and should give some of their money away, but I'm not sure that's what you are talking about).

So how could you possibly object to people giving 10% of their money back to God?

 

[paige_w]

A donation is different. If one has extra money and chooses to donate it to help the church keep going, then that is different. But a church like LDS..
Those "temples" look like palaces. And higher-ups in the church make millions. How is that a gift to God?

 

[ebia]

Not really giving it to God though are they?

Aren't "they" (for what value of "they"?)?

 

[Mathetes the kerux]

I am SHOCKED and DISGUSTED that some churches TITHE !!!

Is there any purpose for that at all? Unless than for a cult to earn money?
Any justification?

Sure . . . how does the minister live? Paul says that the worker is worthy of his reward . . . people should give
1. as a reflection of worship (see abraham and Jacob)
2. to support the work of the ministry

 

[ebia]

A donation is different. If one has extra money and chooses to donate it to help the church keep going,

We're called to recognise all that we have is God's gift and put it all at his disposal, not to donate a little bit from what we can spare.

 

[paige_w]

But you can't tell people that they have to pay to be part of a faith. That God won't love them unless they pay money.

 

[ebia]

But you can't tell people that they have to pay to be part of a faith. That God won't love them unless they pay money.

I agree.

If we are to have a sensible discussion we need to distinguish between the people's act of giving (for which tithe may sometimes be an appropriate term) and certain churches' methods of teaching about giving. To condemn tithing is to condemn the act of giving, not misplaced teaching about it.

Having got that out of the way we then need to be careful and considered in the way we talk about how churches should and should not teach about giving. Being generous with all that you have is not optional, for both ministry and alms purposes, and neither Jesus nor Paul shied away from speaking forthrightly on the matter. On the other hand there are churches that are clearly operating in a consumer and business model, and that does need to be spoken out against, but to do so effectively needs a little more care than is often taken.

 

[singpeace]

I am SHOCKED and DISGUSTED that some churches TITHE !!!

Is there any purpose for that at all? Unless than for a cult to earn money?
Any justification?

Paige,

God gives us breath to breathe and the chests to breathe it. He gives us rain and sun and every living thing on earth. He gave us his Son Who died that horrible death to save us.

Then, he asks for only a tenth of our income be given to him. Yes, it goes to God. God uses people. People who are seeking God and are servants of God will try to put that money to use feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, helping widows and orphans, and paying the bills for the building where the church congregates every Sunday. It also goes toward a salary for the Pastor who is on-call 24/7.

 

[Greenling]

Except for what goes towards the private jets and mansions of course!

I agree with Jase:

I don't think the original purpose of tithing was anything sinister, as if it is used honestly it pays for improvements/repairs to the church, or other outreach efforts to charity. However, with the creation of megachurches with multi-million dollar front doors, and ministers buying private jets and multiple mansions with the money they make from the church, I'm very skeptical about tithing and it seems to have become a means of padding the ministers pocket more so than providing outreach.

Sadly there are many gullible people very easily parted from their money by those smilingly asking in the name of God or Jesus. Especially in the USA.

 

[chingchang]

But you can't tell people that they have to pay to be part of a faith. That God won't love them unless they pay money.

This is exactly why we didn't join a particular Church about two years ago. We loved the people...the focus...the music...the mission...but the Pastor expected members to tithe. Well...I understand the bills have to get paid. BUT...tithing is no more valid in the New Covenant than circumcision. It was an OT Israel thing and used in very specific ways (not to pay for a shiny basketball court and an awesome sound system). So...we did not join the Church. I think the answer to this is what we call "sacrificial giving". There are several NT examples that involve Yeshua to build a strong case for "sacrificial giving". So...now we don't go to Church...but we contribute regularly to several missions. We undertake Bible studies on our own and we attempt to obey the commands of Yeshua.

CC

 

[Phinehas2]

I basically agree with ebia, though I would say we on give the first 10% of God's money back to Him. Yes churches often then tithe back the first 10% by giving it away.
As to church buildings, thats no problem, there are many buildlings put up by man to the glory of man, shopping mals, government buildings, business towers etc.
And many Christians also give love offerings. Many Christians simply live by faith, they seek the Kingdom and God provides.

 

[Phinehas2]

In fact tithing is rooted in Abraham, in the order of Melchizedek. not the law given throiugh Moses.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

One difficulty is how to figure the tithe. In ancient Israel there was no 'Caesar' to render unto, so all of one's 'increase' was subject to the tithe. Jesus indicated that one's first duty regarding money was to the one who actually owned/printed it (when living under the rule of another). One could say that in America our taxes come back to us as social programs and benefits, but this is hard to determine. I was in a church that figured on the tithe on one's gross income. There was even a move afoot to regard additional benefits one received like health insurance and company paid pension funds as tithable income. God loves a 'cheerful' giver. If one isn't too cheerful about giving a full tithe perhaps they should reduce the amount to the 'cheerful' level. owg

 

[Jase]

But you can't tell people that they have to pay to be part of a faith. That God won't love them unless they pay money.

Hey, at least Christians don't have to pay to have a seat in Synagogue

 

[ivebeenshown]

I am a Christian, so I am a priest, and in my opinion we shouldn't tithe to large fancy buildings, but rather be generous with our money to help others. Spare bus change, buy someone unfortunate a meal, etc. Just hold 'church service' at your house, do bible studies, etc.

Just IMO.