Topic: Tithing

[Linda Woodward]

 

Linda

[Ann Doupont]

I still haven't read all 5 parts on tithing nor have I read any testimonies on the subject today. But, I did want to say why I love to tithe...and the more, the better.

When I give 10% of something, it means I have something to give. There have been times when I didn't have anything and 10% of nothing is still nothing.

So if I get $100 and give 10% of it (only $10, gee), that means that I get $90. Wow!! If I tithe $100, that means that I got $1000 and still have $900 left.

Yeah, tithing is great...and I've found that when I tithe by faith, the rest of my money goes farther...Now if I brought 10% to church with a bad attitude or to try and win favor with someone, well, God looks at my heart...I'd not then be in faith. I'd be a people pleaser.

 

 

Ann

[Linda Woodward]

Jackie and Ann: This is deja vu for me so I need to say this:  You both agree God is the reason for All giving -- you just both choose different ways to give to Him.  Isn't that how God would make sure ALL is given to??? 

Linda   

[Tim Russ]

I know I said I wasn't going to say any more on tithing, but I just read this man's testimony on tithing, and it really touched my heart.  I know not everyone reading will agree, but it is really very thought provoking, and you can really feel where this guy is coming from.  I must admit when I was tithing, I had the same kind of attitude as this man, and I thought I was really pleasing God and I kind of wanted to win favour with the Church leaders.  I don't think I ever did win favour with the Church leaders though   I win favour with my heavenly Father, and that's what counts.

Here's Bill's testimony on tithing:  http://www.tithing.christian-things.com/bill.html

That's a pretty negative article you've linked to there.  It attacks an entire denomination based on one man's opinion of one church leader in one situation who did provide for the person's needs.  There wasn't a single reference to scripture in the entire article.  Its foundation was that it was from a man who was prejudiced against the church in the first place because of money.  He even admitted to being legalistic about money.  His focus began, ran with, and ended on money.

23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Matt 23:22-23 (KJV)

Jesus himself stated that tithing was something the Jews should do. 

Whether we're talking about tithing or giving the point is very clear that some monetary denomination should be given to the church.  This concept is throughout the new testament.  The gentleman (Bill) in this article chose instead to leave the church and take his money with him.  I also noted that while he pointed to the need of Dave and Sherry he never said he gave money to them!

People get so focused on money that they lose the important focus, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Gal 5:25 (KJV)

[Jackie]

People get so focused on money that they lose the important focus, keeping in step with the Holy Spirit

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
Gal 5:25 (KJV)

Amen Tim!

[Jackie]

Jackie and Ann: This is deja vu for me so I need to say this:  You both agree God is the reason for All giving -- you just both choose different ways to give to Him.  Isn't that how God would make sure ALL is given to??? 

Linda   

Yeah Linda, and we're all different in our personalities; but what should keep us together in harmony is our love for Jesus, and what Tim has said about our focus is just so right.  I just want my focus to be on Him, and give as He says give, and we give when we see that need.  If a Christian has a financial need and I can't meet that person's need; at least I can pray about it, and even get others to pray, and God will raise up the right person who can meet that need.

I have had heaps of financial gifts given to me from Christians, and I've always known it's the Lord guiding them.

[Linda Woodward]

You know this whole thread got me to thinking about people's giving in general. How if we just let Him, God has it all covered by placing our individual giving on our hearts. That is why we shouldn't worry about what someone else is giving and to whom. It just boils down to following your heart (doesn't everything?)  The most obvious example of this is how people tend to give  according to what they have encountered in their own lives.   People who have lost someone to heart disease will no doubt be prompted to give to causes like the American Heart Asso.  People who have lost someone due to a drunk driver may feel led to give all to MADD.  and so on and so on from needs on the top floor to needs on the bottom floor so to speak.............or maybe more accurately, needs left to right......because each need is equally important ..........especially to God..........just another thought...

Linda

[Ann Doupont]

I dunno, Linda. I believe that the Bible speaks of giving to ministries and to/for the poor...so that's what I do, regardless of what I've gone thru.

I keep it simple when giving over and above the 10% to my local church, which is a "given." I ask Him how much to give to a cause. Sometimes He says "zero" and so I don't give there.

Ann

[Linda Woodward]

And that would be you following your heart as far as giving is concerned..............and that is exactly as He would have it......................and if we all do the exact same thing as you just said and ask Him what He would have us give to any given cause, I would imagine a lot of needs would be filled through a lot of different people............that is all I am saying...and I just thought that was a neat thought about the umbrella of giving in the world....

Linda

[Tim Russ]

Well, the problem with following one's heart is that the heart is deceitful.  It seems you're promoting following God's will for your life rather than following your heart.

(Jeremiah 17:9 NIV)  The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

(Hosea 10:2 NIV)  Their heart is deceitful, and now they must bear their guilt. The LORD will demolish their altars and destroy their sacred stones.

When we follow our heart, we're following the desires of an imperfect being.  When we follow the Lord's will for our life we're following the most perfect being.

[Linda Woodward]

When I say following "the heart" it is following the voice of God in one's heart and spirit ----as opposed to following ones own thoughts. The nudges God puts on your heart and spirit.  I agree with what you are saying.  We are both saying the same thing - I just worded it differently. God lives  deep in my heart - that's where I find Him.

Linda

[Jackie]

Our heart is in Jesus heart now, AND, wait for it....HIS heart is in our heart  because we are born again.  Jesus explains it so well in John chapter 17.  I can't read John 17 without sensing a powerful anointing of God; it is one of my favourite passages in the bible.

[Origen]

Where in the New Testament does it say that Christians are to tithe?

[Linda Woodward]

Hi Origen --- nice to see you back here.  I believe that question is answered by Ann and Tim earlier in this post if you look back a bit you should find what you are looking for.  I'm no good at verse by verse quoting -- I'm more a big picture quoter but I believe they answered that for us earlier. 


Linda

[Origen]

It seems that it isn't mentioned in the new testament. 

Since that's the case why do churches teach that we are to tithe?