Should you go to church if you can't afford to give 10%?

[RDKirk]

With Government offering to pay taxes, we should all be aware that our Church needs our support. A 1/10 is a tithe. If the government doesnt want to be apart of the Church, the Church should seperate from the govenment and pay its due, and with 1/10, it will be able to do so. Owe no man, except love. Render unto ceasar what is due ceasar.

Wait. What?

What country are you writing from?

 

[Godisgood12]

Wait. What?

What country are you writing from?

Eh. Are not the United States churches tax exempt?

That isnt the topic, but proper in the proper hands.

The church should recieve the tithe.

 

[Frogster]

Good point. And that sheds a whole 'nother light on the subject.

But don't forget the poor Macedonian's generosity in 2 Cor. 8.1-5.

Hi jim, they did give out of a little bit that they had, and that is fine, but what is important, is that Paul did not extract it from them, and was reticent to take it, and can easily be proved in the text in chapter 8. As you know, many use the macedonians to guilt people out, to tithe, all while 2 cor was about a gift to the POOR of Jerusalem, not Paul's ministry, it was a one time event, that the tithe teachers turn into a lifelong event..and Paul told the Corinthians, don't give, if you don't have in 2 cor 8, don't be burdened..

 

[lismore]

Give what you can, God can use it.


God said to Moses “What is that in your hand?”

Use what you have in your hand. If it's time to help others, use that. Money, then use that. Everyone has been given some gift, ability or resource that can be used.

 

[JimB]

Hi jim, they did give out of a little bit that they had, and that is fine, but what is important, is that Paul did not extract it from them, and was reticent to take it, and can easily be proved in the text in chapter 8. As you know, many use the macedonians to guilt people out, to tithe, all while 2 cor was about a gift to the POOR of Jerusalem, not Paul's ministry, it was a one time event, that the tithe teachers turn into a lifelong event..and Paul told the Corinthians, don't give, if you don't have in 2 cor 8, don't be burdened..

I am just as much against extortion as you are. No one should ever be guilted into giving to the church. That is inexcusable. Still, IMO, both the widow with the two mighty mites and the poor Macedonians stand as examples of how to give out of our need. When our needs become paramount, above the poor and/or the kingdom, then we have missed the whole spirit of Christianity—giving ourselves away.

I have abounded (thank God) but I have also been abased and early in my ministry pastored churches so tiny that they had to give me a weekly grocery “pounding” just to supplement what little they gave me in “salary,” but it never once occurred to me, even at my poorest, that I should not give generously. I have even given to those who, looking back, actually made more than I did. I just never saw myself as poor—broke, maybe, but never poor. Poverty is a state of mind and those who see themselves in poverty excuse themselves from giving.

It is possible to poor, yet rich—the church at Smyrna proves that (Rev. 2.9), and it is possible “as having nothing yet possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6.10).

 

[Godisgood12]

Outside from schemes. Sorry scammers. God is all, it is true. We yearn for it.

God is just. God is aware of all.

 

[Frogster]

I am just as much against extortion as you are. No one should ever be guilted into giving to the church. That is inexcusable. Still, IMO, both the widow with the two mighty mites and the poor Macedonians stand as examples of how to give out of our need. When our needs become paramount, above the poor and/or the kingdom, then we have missed the whole spirit of Christianity—giving ourselves away.

I have abounded (thank God) but I have also been abased and early in my ministry pastored churches so tiny that they had to give me a weekly grocery “pounding” just to supplement what little they gave me in “salary,” but it never once occurred to me, even at my poorest, that I should not give generously. I have even given to those who, looking back, actually made more than I did. I just never saw myself as poor—broke, maybe, but never poor. Poverty is a state of mind and those who see themselves in poverty excuse themselves from giving.

It is possible to poor, yet rich—the church at Smyrna proves that (Rev. 2.9), and it is possible “as having nothing yet possessing all things” (2 Cor. 6.10).

well, as far as our needs, paul said not to give, if one does not have in 2 cor 8, and he talked about people not being burdened in several verses about money and giving, so he took our needs into consdiersation.

 

[JimB]

well, as far as our needs, paul said not to give, if one does not have in 2 cor 8, and he talked about people not being burdened in several verses about money and giving, so he took our needs into consdiersation.

Maybe if you would post those scriptures, we could discuss them.

 

[Frogster]

Maybe if you would post those scriptures, we could discuss them.

ok..

First, in 1 Cor, he did not say to give until it hurts, or give everything, or the last two coins, he understood working people, he said give out of extra, in the NRSV in keeping with your income as Per the NIV, or as ye prosper, KJV. Not at all a text that says not to think about ourselves too. He was very understanding and courteous.

1 Cor 16:2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put aside and save whatever extra you earn, so that collections need not be taken when I come.



He says in 2 Cor 8:12, not according to what we don't have, understanding people don't have, then don't give. Consideration was gven of the giver's finances, and no doubt feelings.



12 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.


In 13, he says he did not want them burdened, which he told those in both Thess letters, the same thing, where he worked, not to burden, and he wanted fairness, again consideration for the giver in mind also.

8:13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness

In 2 Cor 8:14, he says to give out of abundance, not lack, that is considerate, of their needs, as the givers.

14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness.

And needless to say, for the most Part, Paul worked not to burden, or put obstacles in front of the Gospel, Timothy worked, Silas, Titus, Barnabas, Priscilla and Aquila, he showed the elders in Acts 20, they should work too, as he did.

Alrighty....

 

[Frogster]

Also, this was a one time event, yet some teachers, not saying you, turn it into a lifelong, every Sunday event, using 2 Cor 8-9, which was a one time event, not by command either, 2 Cor 8:8.

Not to mention, this money was not for Paul's ministry, or Paul's needs, but for the poor of Jerusalem, yet preachers use it to get money for themselves, when they say faith seeds, the seeds do not go to poor people, but to them.

 

[Svt4Him]

1/10 of your income was not a tithe based on the OT.

 

[sunlover1]

With Government offering to pay taxes, we should all be aware that our Church needs our support. A 1/10 is a tithe. If the government doesnt want to be apart of the Church, the Church should seperate from the govenment and pay its due, and with 1/10, it will be able to do so. Owe no man, except love. Render unto ceasar what is due ceasar.

this is a great point.
BTW, the government is or will soon be
taking away the tax exemption iirc.

In response to the OP, I've found (through experience)
is that all you have to do is seek God and He will lead you
right to that place you should be. Then just stay there until
He moves ya. (Church wise)
Sometimes there will be disagreements, that doesn't mean
we run to another church family UNLESS God says to.
IMO.

How, when, why, where and how much to give?
Ask God.
He makes Himself heard if someone's seeking Him.
It's HIS program, and giving (as we read about in
2 Corinthians) causes SO much glory and blessing to
God, to the receivers, to the givers and even further
I'm guessing.

IMO.