How much are we to give?
The thing is, if tithing is an obligation then it's not an act of generosity. As I read it, Christians are not under the law, but under grace. Generosity is an act of grace. Note how it is described in 2Cor 9:7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."How much are we to give?
It really comes down to one's conscience. There are good [Old Testament] Biblical reasons for the 10% tithe, but it isn't a New Testament mandate.How much are we to give?
Are you able to produce any verse from the New Testament which gives any instruction as to how much?
If your belief is 10% what is it based upon, the Old Testament Law which was only given to the Jews?
Therefore are we required to give anything?
The process of giving 10% is in the spirit of "first fruits."How much are we to give?
Are you able to produce any verse from the New Testament which gives any instruction as to how much?
If your belief is 10% what is it based upon, the Old Testament Law which was only given to the Jews?
Therefore are we required to give anything?
I always talk it over with the Lord. On top of my financial assistance, I spend several hours every Monday at the church doing maintenance chores, and frequently go up to the church other days of the church to do more.How much are we to give?
I always talk it over with the Lord. On top of my financial assistance, I spend several hours every Monday at the church doing maintenance chores, and frequently go up to the church other days of the church to do more.
The Jews were consider God's chosen people and that was a model for all believers as God's chosen people.
People who do not agree with tithing must consider why they give less (if they do) ... and who they choose to give it to.
Eh, you'd be surprised. God may well send someone to pay your rent should you step out in steps of faith (whether it's money or anything else).I give less than 10% because i can't afford to give 10%. God is not going to pay my rent if i give him my rent money. As a Christian you have to be ecomonically responsible.
Of course we are to give since Jesus tells us so. How much I think depends on how much we have. If we are really poor, it can be practically impossible to give any money. If we are rich I believe we are to give a bigger percentage. The more we have been given the more we are to give. I know there is no law for Christians to give 10%, but I think the 10% is a good base to work from, but we can give more or less depending on our situation.
What Paul says about being a cheerful giver has been an excuse for not giving. Of course we are to give even we may not be cheerful about it. But if we come to the understanding that everything we have has been given us from God, it's easier giving cheerfully. Also when we remind ourselves that all we give to others we give to Christ.
You know what's worse? Handing over the primary portion to one's religious organization where most of it is absorbed into the support of the facility, utilities and materials. That is nothing more than the people reaping direct benefit from their so-called "giving".
Look, when we give to the poor and needy to meet their needs, we reap nothing in return on this earth, but rather store up treasure in Heaven. Much of what one gives to a church organization where they attend, that portion is not giving at all, but rather paying their dues. Buildings, parking lots, carpeting, Sunday school wings, offices, et al, those are luxuries, not necessities.
I have no problem with a group of people having a communal facility and all its various trappings and horrendous expenses. Just don't call that "Giving to God." That is a false claim when one considers that the building and everything around it will burn with this earth. It's literal hay, wood, stone and stubble. The early Church had no such practice, and yet people the world over continue trying to build institutionalism upon the framework of the Bible.
Give the primary, largest portion of your "giving" to meet real needs, and THEN hand over what's left to support that dead building and its expenditures. It is then that we better align ourselves with the Bible rather than to fool ourselves into a false sense of having done what is pleasing to the Lord what clearly contradicts the very book most claim to believe and follow.
Jr
Just make sure you do what Christ asks you, and that is to give