If everyone shared your view there would be no churches or pastors to lead them and help those in need. God loves a cheerful giver, so I don’t think he really wants your money anyway...at least not right now.
One should give with cheer (the word in Greek is actually hilaros, which root has been borrowed into English words like “hilarity” and “exhilaration”), and I think a lot of that is the hope that God will use it to do good things with, in which things you can then take joy along with God. You might not see them on earth, but you will certainly see them from heaven.
Where did I say one shouldn’t give to support churches or pastors? I thought my post was clear. I do not feel led to donate to build pretty buildings, but others may. Also, it’s clear that servants of Christ, i.e. pastors and missionaries, need support. That doesn’t mean that I’m under some legal, scriptural obligation to donate exactly 10% of my income to those specific causes. Pastors who obligate their flocks under Old Testament 10% tithe laws might as well compel them be circumcised, too.
“If everyone shared your view there would be no churches or pastors to lead them and help those in need. God loves a cheerful giver, so I don’t think he really wants your money anyway...at least not right now.”
Well said, and I might add, God doesn’t NEED their money either. God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and His kingdom will be advanced whether any given individual chooses to participate or not.
That said, as a Bible-believing Christian, it seems to me that tithing was practiced even before the Mosaic law. Look at Abraham, who gave 10% to the high priest Melchizidek. Although not commanded in the New Testament, the idea of giving generously verses sparingly is certainly supported.
In my experience, tithing is the best financial decision my wife and I ever made. When we finally decided to do it regularly about 12 years ago, our finances turned around dramatically. Our income today is actually less than it was 15 years ago, but somehow God has seen us through it and at the end of the day, we still have more than enough money to meet our needs.
I think tithing is an expression of faith and submission to God that God will reward. Many Christians don’t practice it cause they obviously don’t see it that way. They only look at the momentary monetary sacrifice, and not at the fact that God is in control of ALL circumstances and can works things out so that you have fewer expenses/more income in the future if you’re faithful in this practice.
Bottom line-I guess it really comes down to faith in God. Either a person has it or they don’t. Tithing is just one of the ways to show you truly do trust in Him.
“If everyone shared your view there would be no churches or pastors to lead them “
You are aware that Mormons don’t pay their pastors, right?