Tithing

[Tamara224]

One is too many.

 

[smacarena]

We should probably use this scripture: He who sows sparingly will reap sparingly. I will admit that it's hard in this day & age to tithe, since we unwittingly lock ourselves into so many financial obligations (ie car, student loans, credit cards, etc.) before we understand how to properly use our money. Jesus said we should tithe, but he doesn't say we must. But if Jesus says we should do something, shouldn't we?

It's interesting that the only place in scripture where God says we can test him in is tithing. Perhaps we should take baby steps into it and see what happens.

 

[Tamara224]

One of my biggest pet peeves is the way people conflate giving and tithing.

Just because a person says he/she doesn't tithe, doesn't mean that person isn't generous or doesn't give.

 

[Blank123]

we should be careful of assuming all pastors who tell their people to donate or be cursed are guilty of pure greed. Pastors are just as capable of being decieved as laypeople are and we cannot judge their hearts. All we can do is judge their doctrine to see how it lines up with Scripture.

 

[sister4mercy]

This is an interesting thread. From where I stand..many aren't even in a position to tithe. If one is in any kind of debt..they technically are required to pay their debts first. What kind of God expects his servant to give him 10% when his servant already owes someone else more than that? Then there are a bunch of FALSE teachers making people think if they dont 'sow' seeds..they are doomed. The Holy Spirit always tells me what to give. God doesnt need my money. He owns everything in this world. The love of money is the root of evil. If someone teaches a gospel of giving money to reap treasures in THIS WORLD, then who do you think is powering that gospel? Jesus told us to build our treasures in HEAVEN. God tells each of us what to do with our money. Anytime I give an offering..I ask the Lord what he wants. Remember that our God is meek and humble in heart. Peace.

 

[Sketcher]

I believe in tithing.

Though the New Testament does not specify 10%, it explicitly gives us other commands. We are commanded to be generous and to help provide for others. We are also told to avoid greed and the love of money. Furthermore, we are commanded to practice self-discipline. Tithing helps us do all of that.

While I don't mean to sound legalistic here, I believe that it's real hard to really be generous if we're giving less than 10% of our income. We can get that new HDTV, but we can only give 5% or 3% or nothing this month. Christians on the far side of the world will give you the shirt off their backs, but 10% seems like too much here in the prosperous West. I can't justify that, personally. I know that Jesus is watching me.

They say that a great way to combat greed is to give. If we are in the habit of giving a decent amount to the Lord, then we're going to have to rein in our greed and practice self-discipline. When we're concentrating on loving the Lord and loving our neighbors, which in part is exercised by giving to his church (both to provide for the needs of the church itself and to finance its outreach to those in need), then the love for money has to go away, for we cannot serve both God and Money.

Now, if this is going to work in practice, you need to draw a line in the sand as to the minimum amount you will give. I choose 10%. I don't see how too low a number such as 2% or 5% would be very effective in helping us as I have described. For the rich, 10% may be too little. But if Jesus is going to be Lord of our finances, we need to regularly commit to giving a generous amount. It's all his, but regular giving helps us not to forget it.

Furthermore, I believe giving pays us back. I've winced as I paid the rent and utilities, and after food and tithing there really wasn't much left. And then came the unexpected bill. God provided for me that time. And there have been countless stories of God providing for believers who were also in dire straits, even those more dire than mine. To my knowledge, these people were faithful givers. On the other hand, there have also been stories about believers whose eyes were focused on the nice things this world has to offer - and wound up losing it all. We can talk about being in the age of grace, but remember that in this age, Ananias and Sapphira met their end. The point being that God can still be very stern at times. And we must recall the second part of 1 Timothy 6:10, where Paul says that several people had gotten greedy and "pierced themselves with many griefs." As my late grandfather used to say, "If you can't live on 90%, 100% will never be enough." Why live so close to the edge? Why not give 10%, as a hard standard, and keep a budget to insulate us from the traps this world has for us?

 

[Sketcher]

This is an interesting thread. From where I stand..many aren't even in a position to tithe. If one is in any kind of debt..they technically are required to pay their debts first. What kind of God expects his servant to give him 10% when his servant already owes someone else more than that?

What my church teaches is that you should give something, even if you have to work your way up to a full tithe over time, and pay off your debts as fast as you can, smallest debt first, working up to the largest. The same God that commands us to be generous and wise is also a God who provides for our needs.

 

[sister4mercy]

What my church teaches is that you should give something, even if you have to work your way up to a full tithe over time, and pay off your debts as fast as you can, smallest debt first, working up to the largest. The same God that commands us to be generous and wise is also a God who provides for our needs.

Tithing is good. Most people just dont do it properly. Alot are not disiplined. I know people who are in financial ruins due to the 'prosperity' doctrine. God knows each of our hearts and financial capabilities. He knows all.

 

[soccerdad66]

I find it interesting that people will use the abuses of prosperity teachers as a reason not to tithe (correct if I mis-understood your statement). There are abuses at every level, Christian or Secular. Always has, always will.

I believe in tithing, regardless of financial situation. I don't believe God will curse you for not tithing, that's plain foolishness to me, but I know God will honor your faithfulness in tithing. I don't believe that always it's always in monetarily though, and there's no where the bible that says it is.

Plus, tithing is still commanded. From a practical standpoint, churches need that money to run, pay salaries, etc. It's VERY difficult to run a church from a school, I have friend and family that are currently doing it, and it takes a lot out of you.

That being said, it's not clearly defined how you give your tithes, just that you do. It can be your church, but also charities, etc.

 

[Sketcher]

Tithing is good. Most people just dont do it properly. Alot are not disiplined. I know people who are in financial ruins due to the 'prosperity' doctrine. God knows each of our hearts and financial capabilities. He knows all.

Oh, I am not a "prosperity 'gospel'" person at all. It makes me angry that professing Christians would twist good truths into such a cruel and exploitative lie.

 

[Tamara224]

I find it interesting that people will use the abuses of prosperity teachers as a reason not to tithe (correct if I mis-understood your statement). There are abuses at every level, Christian or Secular. Always has, always will.

My reason for not tithing is what I said it is. I don't believe it's Biblical. I believe that the doctrine of Christians being obligated or required to tithe is a false teaching.

Some of the people who teach it take it to more extremes than others. And I don't judge people who teach it as being non-Christian or anything like that. I attend a church that believes in tithing.

But I still think that Scripture is the ultimate authority and it doesn't say that Christians should tithe.