Here's an issue for all to discuss and respond to.....

I have seen what good some churches do with their offerings; whether it's by having breakfast for needy children, groceries for families who can't afford it, after-school classes...supplies for the poor, etc. But is there an obligation for people who belong to these churches to give these offerings to the church? Because we all know of churches where pastors use the money for personal gain, but what about those who actually use it to help others? Should we give directly to those in need or should we give them to churches/charities who we know will use them to support the community?

Those previous questions, may very well be rhetorical...as I was merely setting the mood of the topic at hand. My real questions are as follows:

Is it required for believers of God and the bible, to offer tithes ?

If not, then why do some people do it?

If yes, why don't all believers do it?

If one believes in God, and the bible, but doesn't attend a "church"...then how should they offer tithes? (for those who think that tithing is required by God).

If someone believes in God and the bible, but rather than make tithe offerings they give donations directly to the needy...is that person still required to tithe? (for those who think tithing is required by God).

Tell me what you think....


Cool?....cool.... :walk:

Hmm...strange...I thought I would have had a few replies to this by now....

There was a quote I remember learning that said "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's". People have an obligation to relinquish a percentage of what they own to whoever gave them the opportunity to attain their status. In Christianity, God is the creator of all things. Therefore, Christians have an obligation to 'give back' - sort of a form of taxation by God (since Caesar would have been the form of government to whom people paid taxes). To tithe would be to give up a tenth of whatever you have. It may not be money; it could be an animal, a portion of property, or even just a tenth of your time for devotion.

Also, tithing was more or less a guideline - I can't remember the story quite accurately, but I believe it was a parable that Jesus told his disciples of a wealthy merchant and a poor man (I don't remember what his profession was, if any). The merchant gave more than 10% of his earnings to God and bragged about it. The pauper, on the other hand, gave what he could - it may not have been a tenth, but it was all he could manage given his circumstance, and he gave in humility. God saw the two men, and blessed the pauper rather than the merchant. The merchant, whose intentions may have seemed honorable, made a spectacle of it, and his heart was not in it (evidenced by the fact that he blasphemed the pauper for receiving blessings for apparently giving less). God corrected the merchant by telling him that the pauper gave in love and devotion, and not for bragging rights. Had the merchant done the same, perhaps he may have been blessed as well.

I guess my point is, tithing is not as strictly followed as, say, taxation in that we don't necessarily owe God money to say "thank you". Rather, show God that we appreciate everything He has provided for us from the beginning by sharing the fruits of our labour with others. It may not be money (because Lord knows, we don't all have money to begin with!). Offering a little time of the day to acknowledge His presence would suffice. Perhaps offering a meal to a person who's hungry would suffice. And yes, if you can spare it, a tithing of your income would be handy too (as Rizzo pointed out) in order to help those less fortunate than ourselves. As for the so-called pastors who use tithing for personal gain - not to sound cliche, but what goes around comes around, and it will bite them in the @$$ pretty hard in the end. Peace,

George

Nice response, my feelings are similar to yours on the matter.....


Cool?....cool.... :cool:

Here's an issue for all to discuss and respond to.....

I have seen what good some churches do with their offerings; whether it's by having breakfast for needy children, groceries for families who can't afford it, after-school classes...supplies for the poor, etc. But is there an obligation for people who belong to these churches to give these offerings to the church? Because we all know of churches where pastors use the money for personal gain, but what about those who actually use it to help others? Should we give directly to those in need or should we give them to churches/charities who we know will use them to support the community?

Those previous questions, may very well be rhetorical...as I was merely setting the mood of the topic at hand. My real questions are as follows:

Is it required for believers of God and the bible, to offer tithes ?

If not, then why do some people do it?

If yes, why don't all believers do it?

If one believes in God, and the bible, but doesn't attend a "church"...then how should they offer tithes? (for those who think that tithing is required by God).

If someone believes in God and the bible, but rather than make tithe offerings they give donations directly to the needy...is that person still required to tithe? (for those who think tithing is required by God).

Tell me what you think....


Cool?....cool.... :walk:


It is so simple
The Creator has no need of money, none what so ever. It all belongs to the Creator anyway.
But Christ taught, "To the least of these you do you do unto me.
Christ also taught, "do unto other as you would have them do unto you.
If we were to live by this there would not be one hungry homeless or needy person in the Bahamas. Not unless they wanted to be like that.
I am going to say this in all humility but try to show you an example ofr how I think about giving.
I saw my friend who I give whenever I see him. I went to give him money and my wife said we had a very slow week and that is all we had for groceries. Anyway I thought about it and gave him my $10.00 I had set aside for a phone card. I could not touch the food money it was not enough anyway. But I had $10.00 for a phone card. Now I needed my cell phone to keep in touch with me Dad who is very sick. It’s like an emergency pager so I can get to him fast. I can give my friend the ten dollars and just stay close to my Dad until another $10.00 comes in. That is what I did. You see this man has no income that I know of. I had income and the possibility to work and earn more. It was just slow in coming that week.

I knew he was more needy than I and I shared with him what I could. I simply put my self in his shoes and said what would I want him to do for me???
Let me say this if I did not have the $10.00 for the phone card he was going to get $10.00 anyway. M wife had already separated it from the grocery money and was bringing it to me. As I say my wife knows me and knows me well.

I do not do this with any hope of reward I do it because I see someone in need.

If the church gives back to the community I say yes people should give.
If the church has 1 candlestick holder that is bought with that money then the church is hypocrisy. That is of course unless there are no needy people in the community.

I simply prefer to give directly to the needy.

I don't attend church much because I don't like the formalness of church - sit down, stand up, repeat after me, sing 10 songs, etc ...

If the churches actually make a difference in the community, and I am certain that they are not saving up the tides on their bank account, then sure tithing in church is the way to go.

I feel like there is nothing wrong with the church publishing how they used the tithes within the community, it will only strenghten the tithing concept, as long as it only made known to church members like using a bulletin board.

I don't agree with the big ceremonies where they need a camera crew and all that, that is not bringing glory to GOD in my opinion.

If the leader of the church were to simply state they are collecting tithes for project A or project B and post a record to a bulletin board or in the weekly booklets some use on sundays to say how the tithes have been used it would make a lot of sense.

as long as they don't make a big deal of everyone knowing i.e. make it available, but don't read it off every service, just put the info where it can be found.

I feel like to many tithes just seem to disappear, and nobody ever writes in thanking for the donation they received from the church - regardless of the amount. Just saying there should be some kind of proof, if only a simple thank you card.

as i am finding more everyday...christianity is the only religion that requires you to tithe.... :shaky:
hahahhahaha...dont mind me i een really know what the bhudists and jews do, but i know our God requires it!

and for me,i tithe becasue he commanded me to make a sacrifce for him...
a sacrifice 2000 years ago would have been a goat or lamb...today its paper money!
same thing!!!

Tithing was a Jewish law therefore it does not apply to christians or anyone else. Jesus commented on tithe and showed us that it was a part of the law.
"Woe unto you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted more weightier matters of the law: judgement, mercy, and faith: these you ought to have done, and not to leave the other undone." matt 23:23
Here Jesus labels tithing as Law. A law that the jews followed strictly while leaving out the important stuff like love. It was law and according to the law Tithe was plant and offering was animals sacrificed on an alter. Tithe was not money. you would take 10% of what you got from the harvest and take it to jerusalem once a year you would have a feast and eat it there in jerusalem. Some were given to support the temple and priest who were not allowed to do personal business or amass personal wealth. If your journey to jerusalem was to long and food could not last the journey then you would sell the goods and upon reaching jerusalem you would change the money back to the tithe and offering. That is what the money changers outside the temple were doing when jesus turned over their tables. They commercialized the process.
The early church did not practice tithing. Tithing did not come back until the catholic church needed a way to find their growing evil empire.
Paul spoke this of giving.
"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver...as it is written, he has dispersed abroad; he have GIVEN TO THE POOR: his righteousness remaineth forever.
Jesus never preached giving to no building, organization, church. He said you Give to me by giving to the poor. Solomon said the same thing.
Tithe is another evil brought back by the catholics. I was in the church almost all my life but I never tithed. I always saw something wrong with it. But I choose to do my part and personally give to those around me that are in need. I will not give it to another man to to for me. And I will not give to no rich pastor. Solomon said it is an abomination to give to the rich.

The early church did not tithe

like i said before i tithe becasue the lord asked me to tithe, so i tithe not for me but becasue i
1. support the church
2. i like my blessings
3. JESUS ALWAYS ASKED YOU TO SACRIFICE!

whether it be your time, or money and sometime my sacrifice is my money...others it is my time!
and you are exactly right lincoln...give out of the goodness of your heart, give til it hurts!
give and give some more....give your tithes, give the church your support!
:cheers:

when you give, you have nothing to do with what it was given for, or to what the person does with your money, you have given, so if it goes to a building or a pastor really should not be an issue...BECASUE YOU HAVE GIVEN OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF YOUR HEART...RIGHT???

Perhaps ...

But I prefer to give it directly to those in need. There are too many corrupt pastors/priests that use the money on themselves or their ever evolving church building.

Personally I feel that churches should keep records of what they do with the tithe money - it should be available to the members of the church. ANd perhaps publish who benefitted from their donations on a bulletin board.

It would certainly speak volumes about accountability and people will actually tithe when they can see something other than the preacher getting rich.

God is not mocked and they won't get away forever.

For every crooked pastor, their should be an 'honest accountant'. :D :hammer: :hammer:

For every crooked pastor, their should be an 'honest accountant'. :D :hammer: :hammer:



for every athiest there should be a lawyer!!

well, I'm not sure if its "reguired". but giving a tithe is a sign to prove to God that you don't need money. You need him. afterall it's his money not yours how do you think you got the money. Personally i don't think it matters if it's required. I give him a tithe (when i have money) even if it's a dollar. You live better when you tithe i think. Because God rewards you for what you give. And if you don't think you have enough money to give (lets say 10% of what you have) w/o making it through the week w/o staving... who cares God will provide.

like i said before i tithe becasue the lord asked me to tithe, so i tithe not for me but becasue i
1. support the church
2. i like my blessings
3. JESUS ALWAYS ASKED YOU TO SACRIFICE!

whether it be your time, or money and sometime my sacrifice is my money...others it is my time!
and you are exactly right lincoln...give out of the goodness of your heart, give til it hurts!
give and give some more....give your tithes, give the church your support!
:cheers:

when you give, you have nothing to do with what it was given for, or to what the person does with your money, you have given, so if it goes to a building or a pastor really should not be an issue...BECASUE YOU HAVE GIVEN OUT OF THE KINDNESS OF YOUR HEART...RIGHT???


Would you give your money to someone who you know will drink it away??
Would you give it to a pastor,rev who is driving a BMW. But who drives past bare foot children on his way to the church to collect some more money???

Sorry you are responsable for the use of the money you give. What would you do if the money you gave bought a bomb and it was set off in a night club. (heck a gay night club) and 400 people were killed??

Here's an issue for all to discuss and respond to.....

I have seen what good some churches do with their offerings; whether it's by having breakfast for needy children, groceries for families who can't afford it, after-school classes...supplies for the poor, etc. But is there an obligation for people who belong to these churches to give these offerings to the church? Because we all know of churches where pastors use the money for personal gain, but what about those who actually use it to help others? Should we give directly to those in need or should we give them to churches/charities who we know will use them to support the community?

Those previous questions, may very well be rhetorical...as I was merely setting the mood of the topic at hand. My real questions are as follows:

Is it required for believers of God and the bible, to offer tithes ?

If not, then why do some people do it?

If yes, why don't all believers do it?

If one believes in God, and the bible, but doesn't attend a "church"...then how should they offer tithes? (for those who think that tithing is required by God).

If someone believes in God and the bible, but rather than make tithe offerings they give donations directly to the needy...is that person still required to tithe? (for those who think tithing is required by God).

Tell me what you think....


Cool?....cool.... :walk:



well honestly I dont have anything to give as far as money is concerned...Jesus knows my heart and he knows my pockets are empty!

I give words or inspiration and encouragement, Its so sad but Im one of these people that like to solve the problems of everyone I meet in five minutes.