For those who struggle with giving....

[Motor City Christian]

I just read an interesting passage on tithing. Lately, I will admit I have not given very much money to my church at all. I realized how bad it has gotten recently. The passage is Malachai 3:8-18. It says some great things about the need for tithing and it benefits. It is robbing God if you do not tithe!!!! I am taking this from the NIV.

 

[Bruno]

You will only benefit if you spend your earnings to glorify God. You don't necessarily have to give money to your local church. You could buy food, clothes, blankets, etc for those who need it. Give to places that support God, such as radio stations, publications, web sites. Buy and give out Bibles, books and other gifts that glorify God.

Tithing is willingly giving of that which God gave you to others. The good news is that God is very gracious to those who honor Him, so the more you give, the more you will get in return.

 

[peaceful soul]

Tithes only go to where you get your spiritual food from. That means whomever teaches you in The Word. Tithes aren't charity either. It belongs to the Lord with no strings attached. It is your recognition that all you have belongs to the Lord. It's because of Him that you have anything at all.

Tithing is a princlipe and was made into a promise for us as a NT application of faith. It existed before the OT Mosiac Laws. Actually there is more that 1 tithe, but most churches only recognize one of them.

 

[desi]

Tithing has historically been used to help the Church deal with the poor. Since welfare does that via our taxes and many Churches are failing to hold the line on morality, titheing to glorify God becomes questionable.

 

[peaceful soul]

Tithing has historically been used to help the Church deal with the poor. Since welfare does that via our taxes and many Churches are failing to hold the line on morality, titheing to glorify God becomes questionable.

Please explain the bold print.

Maybe historically, but biblically, tithing was firstly not a law (explanation not know), secondly became part of Mosaic Law, and thirdly became a promise (Malachai 3:8-18). Tithing in NT is a promise of overflowing blessings upon those that act upon it in faith. The only charity that tithing mentions is in the 3rd tithe. The 1st & 2nd thithes are specifically concerning being good stewards of God's house.

 

[desi]

Please explain the bold print.

Maybe historically, but biblically, tithing was firstly not a law (explanation not know), secondly became part of Mosaic Law, and thirdly became a promise (Malachai 3:8-18). Tithing in NT is a promise of overflowing blessings upon those that act upon it in faith. The only charity that tithing mentions is in the 3rd tithe. The 1st & 2nd thithes are specifically concerning being good stewards of God's house.

Sure I'll explain it. When the Catholic Church uses tithe money to pay lawyers to defend homosexual pedophile priests it does not serve God's greater glory.

 

[peaceful soul]

Sure I'll explain it. When the Catholic Church uses tithe money to pay lawyers to defend homosexual pedophile priests it does not serve God's greater glory.

Once you pay it (your obligation to God), you have done your part; because you have put it where God has told you to. After that, the church leader decides on how it is to be used. It doesn't matter what He uses it for. He doesn't have to account to anyone else but God. In that context, you can't say that it doesn't serve God's greater purpose. I know that can seem to be unfair, but that's ultimately God's decision, not ours.