I was talking to Liz tonight about the "tithe". We both feel to tithe is a good thing as it supports our church, our pastor, and our community. We also feel that it is another way in which to worship the Lord.
However, I don't see where it is a legal obligation or a thing that we are commanded to do. I'm not talking about "giving" . . .I do see where we are told to give. So, why tithe?
For me tithing kind of sets the bar on how little I should give 10%. I'm confident that our tithe where I worship is stewarded well. The monies we give provides for our pastor to live comfortably (not richly) and needs are being addressed in the community as the church is made aware of it.
Once I was tempted to call the shots on my tithe and give it to folks and things as I decided rather than the church. . .after thinking about it tho I felt that for me it would be a self glorifying thing and a control issue.
At any rate . . .I thought it would be something to talk about.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
It's been too long since I've studied up on thithing. Christ told us to "give as you have been prospered"--very few, if any really do that. I know I don't.
As I understand it, biblicaltithing wasn't just giving 10% of your income--it was giving 10% ofeverything you owned. I haven't heard of anyone doing that.
Chad
__________________
"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
As I understand it, biblical tithing wasn't just giving 10% of your income--it was giving 10% of everything you owned. I haven't heard of anyone doing that.
Your right Chad, biblically that would seem to be the first fruits of all increase. Times have sure changed tho, I've heard of folk trying to do that . . .I'm not sure that if I were a pastor I would want folks bringing me peas and butterbeans to shell or corn to shuck.
The subject of tithing can be pretty well argued pro and con. I don't see much in the way of clear cut, blatent Scripture, yea or nay. Looking at it from the perspective of part of the law isn't entirely satisfying to me tho as there are examples of tithing before the law.
I guess when it's all said and done if tithing isn't a thing we can do willingly then it's a defeated purpose.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
I agree--that's why I lean toward "give as you have been prospered". Instead an amount that's been set for you, you give from the heart.
Chad
__________________
"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
I agree--that's why I lean toward "give as you have been prospered". Instead an amount that's been set for you, you give from the heart.
That's Scriptural . . .but what does it actually mean to "give as you have been prospered"? That phrase to me seems to be measuring an amount. I guess if one were to wrestle with that he would have to come up with a standard.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
The Bible also teaches the Lord Loveth a Cheerful Giver. This giving is of our TIME, TALENTS, and MONEY. Preacher I have heard teach the Jew's give 10% and we have a Better Law their is nothing wrong with giving More than 10% if we want too. The Lord will never be pleased with Leftovers.
I heard a preacher say once when he started preaching he had sermon's that would embarrace anyone if they didn't give ATLEAST 10% and the contubution would go down. He asked himself, what was wrong? He said he was dealing with Symtoms, not Causes. He said to our loved one we give all we can and wish we had more to give. WHY, Because we love them. He said he had his Wife's Ring on loanbefore he could possiable pay for it. WHY, Becaused he loved her. He said he was in a mission field andthey had a roped off area where people were coming and putting in what they could give to the work. And he said they was one man their who was crying because he nothing to give. He said after a little while the carwledover the Rope and Stood in the Ring and said I give Myself to the Lord. He said that whats the Lord is talking about. "We Seek not yours but You" I'll share more with you it was a great lesson!
Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, unto God what is God's.. Funny thing, some of us render unto Caesar ( the government) about 50 % of our income, why do we hesitate about 10 %.... Just a point to ponder! With all that said, we are supposed to live on 40 % of what we actually earn.
I don't know about you guys but this time of the year is dampend by the taxes I have to pay the first of the year. It's way more than I used to live on 10 years ago.
That's Scriptural . . .but what does it actually mean to "give as you have been prospered"? That phrase to me seems to be measuring an amount. I guess if one were to wrestle with that he would have to come up with a standard.
I think it's a test, just to see where you heart really lies. Truth be known, I'm sure 99% of us could live on way less than we do. We like our big house, big cars and trucks (plural--most folks have more than one), nice clothes, vacation trips, hunting gear, etc. etc. etc.
How many here wouldn't blink at laying down a thousand dollars or more for a new bow or rifle, but would choke at putting that sum in the collection plate at one time? How many pay more in taxes than we offer for the work of the Church? Sure, we all pay too much in taxes--but if you are paying that much, you got a lot coming in and/or have a lot of property to pay taxes on.
Like I said, I know I'm guilty--I could do more, and that's something I'm working on.
Chad
__________________
"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
How many here wouldn't blink at laying down a thousand dollars or more for a new bow or rifle, but would choke at putting that sum in the collection plate at one time? How many pay more in taxes than we offer for the work of the Church? Sure, we all pay too much in taxes--but if you are paying that much, you got a lot coming in and/or have a lot of property to pay taxes on.
Chad
Not me brother, I will not lay down that kind of money on my hobby. Yep, I have a big house, a fancy job that flies me around the world, but I've earned it, and if I gave to the church what I pay in taxes, I would have nothing, and I mean nothing.
Yep I have the big new house, but thank God I pay less for my house than most people do for an average sized house. Remember God gave us common sense about investing out money and using it wisely.
Tithing
Your right Chad, biblically that would seem to be the first fruits of all increase. Times have sure changed tho, I've heard of folk trying to do that . . .I'm not sure that if I were a pastor I would want folks bringing me peas and butterbeans to shell or corn to shuck.
