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I've been reading over your responces to restornu, and I'm confused over your objections to his belief in tithing.

I think you have a couple of issues, but I'm just going to deal with the ones about tithing. In post #55 you equate tithing to throwing away your money. In post #51 you define tithing as based on how people feel about their church.

Both statements illustrate where your faith ultimately lies...in the here and now. Not in the Word of God. The Bible says in Matthew...

Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Mat 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

My point is not against giving to your church, or the giving to help out others in need. New Testament churchs gave up alot, so that everyone in their church would have the same. (See Acts 2:44,45) You shouldn't give to a church if they are being irresponcible with the finances. However, if the church is following the Bible, you should want to give to help spread the good news.

There are people and churches that get fixated on the 10% that they miss the forest for the trees. Jesus says in Matthew...

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Notice verse 29 says to take the yoke of Jesus upon us. A yoke is used to control and guide oxen so that their labors are beneficial to the farmer. Our yoke as Christians involves controling our finances so that we can be beneficial to Jesus. Notice also a promise that faith in Jesus (taking on His yoke) will provide rest for you soul.

I believe restornu has found rest in their soul because they placed their faith in God. One way that they have demonstrated to God their faith is through the action of tithing. I believe the key component is faith in giving and not the 10% (tithe) number.

Sincerely

I think for many of us if we did not have the Lord life would be worrisome.

He is 25, an in some ways I felt the same way around that age, about the tax thing it was not fair if you were a low wage earner and worked extra hours only to have progressive tax take more than if you had not work those hours!

In my day you did not equal pay for women!

but inspite it all the Lord gave great comfort and way always there even when we do not notices!