Posted on 03/24/2005 5:20:31 AM PST by RMrattlesnake
Tithe and offerings
MARK 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called [unto him] his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all [they] did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, [even] all her living. Tithe means ten percent but as Christians we need to do more than ten percent. Jesus wants all of us and all we have. Do you have a car then Jesus says that you need to use your car to give rides to members or folks who have no transportation. You should share your food with those around you who are hungry. There is a great hymn that comes to mind it is “I surrender all”.
Tithing was a part in the Old Testament law and I believe needs to be carried in the New Testament Church. DEUTERONOMY 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. We should give of our increase ten percent. It is a way to show faith and to support your church.
We ought to give above the tithe so that we can sow into GOD’s kingdom, support missionaries and outreaches of your church. This is commonly called an offering. MALACHI 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. If we hold back our money then we are robbing GOD.
Why a Local New Testament Church is important concerning Tithes and offerings is that the money is used by the very church you attend none is sent to any central headquarters or mission board. You know that Shepard GOD has entrusted over you. To put it bluntly you know were the money is going and who is accountable.
I personally believe it is wrong to give to a Para-Ministry, Your Church needs to be the one that uses your money for the good. Not Reverend Joe Shmuck from some Radio outreach, Navigators, Focus on the Family or any other such Para-ministry. Saying all that I have to admit I am a hypocrite of some sort I do give my change when I leave the store to The Salvation Army. I can say in my defense I know no other Baptist or Christian group that does or can do what the Salvation Army does. Plus there was a time in my youth when I was in need and down on my luck and the Salvation Army helped me.
We need to Give to GOD all we have and that includes our time. Not just the time we are in church and we ought to be in church every time the church door is open but also when we are at home or at work. We need to be always ready to give and answer 1 Peter 3:15. Time is perhaps the most valuable thing we have and one third of that we use to get our much needed rest so we have perhaps 16 hours a day, not including eating going to the restroom getting dressed and bathing we have even less time so I say to all use what every time you have wisely.
Tithing is key to a complete relationship with Christ, as it's a step in faith.
God blesses those steps richly - but it always pains me to hear "we cant afford it", while they have cable tv, cell phones and a wireless network at home, & indicates to me that there is still room for growth.
I agree with your sentiments on TV ministry - but would modify an acceptable tithe to include a well run missions outreach that minimizes overhead costs.
would you agree?
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/didache.html
But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there's a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet. And when the apostle goes away, let him take nothing but bread until he lodges. If he asks for money, he is a false prophet.
So much whining and moaning about unanswered prayers--put some cold, hard cash on God's table before the prayer, then talk to us about God "not listening to me."
some might dispute that for the common 10%, as an easily attainable goal - but lacking decent finances - God appreciates a donation of ourselves as well - Both are essential to the continued health of the Bride
A Church full of 10% tithers unwilling to drag a vaccuum across the floor, expectant of a warm fuzzy sermon each week tells me there is room for growth - and in fact, we jokingly measure our corporate health by how many people offer to pick up after a pot luck
That said - it takes ten tithing families @ 10% to support one full time Pastor. If the means are available, why limit Gods bride.
Imo, giving should be painful & remind us of more eternal sacrifices made on our behalf
Unfortunately - 10% tithing appears to be the oddity rather than the norm.
I am not saying that 10% is a bad number. I am saying that it is not a requirement upon Christians. The two verses I listed are pretty clear that there is no certain perentage requirement. However, it is very clear that giving is very important.
This is an Old Testament covenant that is never applied to the church. When it is repeated in the NT, it is spoken to Jews under the law, never the church.
For those who want to be justified by their tithes, they need to review OT scriptures on tithing. The majority went to celebrations and to the poor, not to church coffes. If you give to get, then that's a sign of your love of worldly things.
exactly - it enables ministry
have a blessed Easter jk
With all due respect that sounds like liberal rhetoric. You give to get more back--THEN you have yet MORE to give, expecting yet more, and on and on it goes.
Your vision of God is a pyramid scheme.
God does not choose to prosper all His children in worldly wealth. We are to focus on building up treasure in heaven.
Tithing was part and parcel of the OT sacrificial system. Since the destruction of the temple in AD 70 (and in reality since the establishment of the New Covenant by Christ) there is no longer any place for a "tithe".
We are to give generously to the ministry, but not under compulsion. The Lord no longer compels a certain percentage from us, but expects us to give as we may with a joyous heart.
Can cut and paste scripture after scripture... sayin' you better ride over that trail again, Tex!
"We are to focus on building up treasure in heaven."
Exactly!!! You got it! Don't need treasure in Heaven, do you?
Put that treasure to work here on earth. Gravity is a physical law that works every time, giving is a spiritual law, a science, with rules.
Like the widow and those mites, writing those HUGH checks takes a real gut check, series!
Our heavenly treasure is not made of worldly wealth, nor does it reflect it, nor is it secured by it. Scripture explicitly teaches that worldly wealth will pass away utterly and be of no account before God. On the other hand, heavenly treasure is the reward that Christ will give for our good works of love and service done in His name. "Giving to get" hardly qualifies as a work of service. It seems more like an opportunity for boastfulness.
Adios, Amigo!
I agree with jboot. I would also like to see the Scriptures you are using to support your ideas.
Good piont
If you believe in Tithing, here's God's way:
Celebration:
Deu.12:17-19 "You may not eat within your gates the TITHE of your grain or your new wine... But YOU MUST EAT THEM before the Lord your God... and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God..."
More celebration;
Deu.14:24-26 "But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the TITHE... then you shall exchange it for money. And YOU SHALL SPEND THAT MONEY for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; YOU SHALL EAT there before the Lord your God and you shall rejoice,
To religious leaders AND the poor;
Deu.26:12 "When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase IN THE THIRD YEAR - THE YEAR OF TITHING - and have given it to the LEVITE, the STRANGER, the FATHERLESS and the WIDOW, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled..."
If you are just giving 10% to the church, then you are not doing it God's way.
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