Tithe

I forgot to clarify something regards pastors and wages.

I completely support a pastor making a wage. I, personally, respect them more if they are working outside of ministry, but that's just my opinion.

The only thing that is problematic regarding that letter that was posted earlier is the fact that it is difficult to equate sustenance with income. The tithe was instituted because the Levites could not own property. Therefore, they couldn't raise their own food or livestock. That's where the tithe came in. It afforded the opportunity to live. Pastors on the other hand are not restricted in vocation or ownership. Therefore, just to clarify that is why you can't bring up tithe when it comes to salary or otherwise. The two just have nothing in common.

I hope I made that clear.

m.d.

Muffler,
Thanks. I agree that it is not law. I myself left a church because of the legalistic issues regarding tithing. I just hate to see people arguing about whether or not they should give. ALL should give, but not all need to give according to rules.
God Bless
In Him

A woman I know from another forum was driven away from a church for not providing paycheck stubs to prove how much she was giving.

inHisgrip said:

Muffler,
Thanks. I agree that it is not law. I myself left a church because of the legalistic issues regarding tithing. I just hate to see people arguing about whether or not they should give. ALL should give, but not all need to give according to rules.
God Bless
In Him

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Please forgive me for the confrontational attitude I displayed. I let my emotions get the best of me.

I understand completely where you are coming from. It's nice to know we have a similar story.

m.d.

seebs said:

A woman I know from another forum was driven away from a church for not providing paycheck stubs to prove how much she was giving.

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I had an assistant pastor one time tell me how much better the church would be going if everyone gave their tithe. He spoke of percentages and such, but I don't remember the exact number. But he did give me the impression that he was aware of most salaries.

The largest problem I ran into was when the pastors decided that they would have everyone walk their tithe up to the 'altar'. This showed who was 'obeying' and who wasn't. That was when the L-rd had me leave.

m.d.

To Ianridpath:

I apologize for my attitude with you earlier. I do hope that you'll take the time to evaluate this deeper tho.

m.d.

Bryan Lim said:

I did not check my thread anymore but yet today, someone messaged me regarding tithes and i decided to check back this thread. I am surprised to see this discussion has escalated into a war of words. I am disappointed.

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Dear Bryan:

Is that all that you have garnished from the five pages of discussion? While I may agree about the tone, the substance is unfettered.

m.d.

God won't get mad at you for not handing money over to some guy in a suit. This is Christianity, not the Mafia.

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Dang, I about blew coffee all over my desk. Pretty harsh analogy, but humorous non the less.....

A good friend of mine once said, "If you don't have time for God, quit your job." So, in other words, God is first and foremost. Nothing should go before him. Jesus came to rip families apart just as he knew that your parents would be against you "throwing" 50 bucks away. But think about it...you could be saving a soul from eternal burning. Doesn't that make you feel good that your money is going to good use? Not only that, but God provides for the little birds that fly over head, so why not provide for someone who is willing to give something up for Him? That money isn't even yours...God owns this whole earth and can do whatever he wants with everything. He is in control and you can win the lottery tomorrow if He wants you to...I'm not saying you will, but He will provide for you, things will work out. You may be on a tighter budget, maybe you won't be able to buy a few luxeries, but you will have food, shelter, and clothes and will be helping Him to save souls. And if you try to tithe 50 bucks, and it really doesn't work (try it for a month) go down to $40 (for two months). There are people out there who can live on a buck a day, surely you miss going to the movies and instead read your Bible. Maybe you'll have to give up TV, but it'll rot your brain any way. You will find something intensely relieving and amazing in the Word of God. You'll find that reading all those words are better entertainment than you would have thought. I know you can do it...go for it.