Posted: 5/8/2007 11:05:19 AM EDT
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Why do so many people have a problem with tithing? I will admit I had a bit of a hard time with it at first - on its face - but when I delved more deeply into the reasons why, and began reaping the benefits of it, I felt better about it. For starters, God blesses us with life and entrusts us with talents we use to earn money. So essentially, it's His money to begin with but we only have to give 10% back. Second of all, when I became Born Again and started tithing, I noticed my income rising at a very good clip. And when my wife and I truly needed something, it always found its way to us. We're not rich by any stretch but we try to count our blessings rather than the sleights against us.  I guess it bothers me all the bashers talking about how we Believer-drones mindlessly give up our hard earned money to the "greedy" church. The argument doesn't hold water from my point of view. |
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My experience as well. It irritates me when Pastors and such talked about money 'apologetically'. This kind of speech only indicates to me that they have allowed the 'world' and its PC'ness to influence them. For some time now I have been considering writing a letter to my Pastor telling him that by not talking about money the way God talks about it, that he is in fact stealing the blessing from the church members. Example: If a Pastor talked about it the way God talks about the benefit tithing and offering produces he would be super wealthy. "Give 10% and your income will increase" (hence the Pastors income will increase as well, HELLOOOOO!). If the Pastor did not talk about it the way God talks about it his income would drop like a rock. "Give money because it says so in the Book." God ALWAYS mentions the blessing when he talks about giving AND IN ADDITION he mentions that the blessing/the return will ALWAYS be bigger and better! |
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A very strong case can be made for not applying the tithe to Christians. In fact, there are many pastors that do not preach the tithe, as it is said to apply to the old Jewish world, which no longer exists. The tenth went to support the Levites and 10% of that went to the priests. We clearly do not support an entire tribe with our tithe today. By the way the grain and livestock tithe was on the increase in the flock or grain, not 10% of the income. Today, the giving is supposed to be from the heart. cujet |
I've always had mixed feelings on tithing. On the one hand, I don't think it is strictly required. Like a lot of Old Testament laws, tithing was part social institution for ancient Israel and part moral obligation. Tithing, for instance, was how the Israelites paid for their welfare and charity organizations. Today, a lot of those functions are paid for with taxes. On the other hand, we have been blessed with great material wealth in this country, and every person has to ask himself, I think, whether he cannot do more given how much we have.
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I believe you should tithe to those who teach you the word of God. 10% is not a lot to give back to God. The word strengthens our faith. Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Just my $0.02 |
Who would you give it to if not your church? 
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Since you asked me specificly, "I" would tithe to a ministry or organization that I felt was preaching/teaching the word to those who were without faith. Usually your gut feeling is pretty correct about it. However, if you happen to tithe to a ministry who does not use your tithes correctly they will be held accountable. |
Maybe an organization that actually helps people. St. Jude's children's hosp. comes to mind. Food distribution centers for the needy. Maybe a specific individual who helped you understand some spiritual concept. There are lots of choices for those of us not so focused on only one possibility.
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I was a tither & giver for many yrs. I no longer tithe. If you want to give 10% then by all means do! It's just not scriptual & those who ask it or preach it to their congragations are wrong in doing so. Here is a link to my post that will explain it much better than I can. I know it's a long read, but pretend it's a daily devotion & read it. What's the worst that can happen? you might dissagree. If so do so with scripture to back upyour belief. ar15.com/forums/topic.html?b=1&f=135&t=576637 |
Your snide remarks about Christianity are getting a bit old.  Take your annoying self to GD if you can't stop. 
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Huh, I missed that before. Bullsi, I regularly give to the Salvation Army and they're proven to be one of the best charities to give to. A better proportion of your money and goods is given to the needy than most if not all of the large charities I've read about. |
Which ones? will you provide me a list so I can work on that for you? |
It was just a " " for a "", for fun . I was only making the point that church is not the only worthwhile place to give, and for someone like myself who doesn't go to church and would prefer to help people without a hidden agenda it's not an option. Me thinks bear2th has an awfully thin skin for someone with that big grizz for an avatar. Perhaps it was the truth that hurt.
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I repeat. Go back to GD and stop with the nonsense attacks about people of faith in the religion forum. Thin skin? No. Tired of lies being propagated by the ilk of you, yep. I suppose Salvation army is too 'Christian' for you. As is the red cross, as are most food banks in any given city, or ST Jude (notice the Saint part of that). So if I say Athiests are useless members of society, but put an " " by it, it's ok then? If you don't want to give to a Church, religious, or quasi-religious organization, then don't. It's your freedom. Just knock off the ripping on organizations that do, and the people that donate to them. What TRUTH hurt me, exactly? YOU certainly haven't said one yet...  So now we're ripping on Avatars, are we?
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Here's a quote from another forum, since your memory is a bit lacking...
You put the parts in blue. All coming together for you now? |
That's pretty weak, I've made a lot more snyde remarks than that. I just call 'em like I see 'em. If you are going to present something as "fact" when it is not it should be prefaced with "I believe" , very few christians that post here will do that, probably because they feel it weakens their position. When I point that out it seems to upset people. Believe what you want, just don't try and pass it of as fact. As for the comments, none were directed at you and they weren't mean spirited(or I'd be moderated) , maybe you should move on over to GD. |
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Tithing has nothing to do with money. It is a principle of faith. Faith is a princple of power. All the miracles in the scriptures were wrought by faith. Taking the experiment in faith of paying tithing will produce results. They may be financial. They may be in health. They may be in greater spirituality. They may be in the benefits to others as we use our secular income to help God's kingdom grow on the earth. In all cases, we grow. We see how the Lord works in our lives in small, daily ways. We come to know Him, and we come to know the Savior better. We become acquainted with His tender mercies in our times of need. And our faith grows as we live this principle. As our faith grows, we can then use it in even greater ways, to bless the lives of those around us. If our blessings are financial, we are better able to serve Him, and our fellow man. When our plate overflows, so much easier it is to share. grommet |
From the forum rules:
If calling the whole Christian religion inaccurate, and mocking churches where people give money to isn't trolling, then I'll move out of this forum and hope that rules are followed better in others. Feel free to mock away. I'll just take things you say with a grain of salt. In any forum. |
I would actually respectfully disagree with that statement. The more money I've made, the harder it is to give it away. I think that's true for more than just me. When Jesus makes the comment that it's harder for a rich man to get to heaven, than to get a camel through the eye of a needle, I think He's referring to that. Having more money or things CAN make one a slave to them. Some people can handle money and give much of it away, others can't. I would actually say that MOST can't. |