Comments on: To Tithe Or Not To Tithe?

Sunday Morning: A Spirited Debate Over The Power Of Giving In The Lives Of Believers

[honestabe8]

tbweb: well, as an atheist, the biblical quotes have only so much effectiveness on me. it just seems like a hook to me. a claimed debt when no debt exists.

[upsidedown12]

To all of you who have had such bad experiences with churches and church leaders, I apologize. I''m sorry that whatever was done to you was done in the name of God. True Christianity is not about religion. Its about having a relationship with Jesus, in the same way that you would have a relationship with your best friend.

In our church its not about HOW MUCH you give, its about how obedient you are to God. God does lay out some basic guidelines in the Bible, but we pray and talk to God and He tells us how much to tithe. (I know that probably sounds crazy; its not a boobing voice from heaven, it doesn''t come from a flaming bush in my front yard, it comes as something pulling on my heart, it comes as a peace of mind).(Philp 4:7)

In our church its not about "equal giving" or "equal sacrifice" its about equal obedience to what has been layed on your heart. We should also be cheerful givers, and not giving out of obligation or even with selfish motives. We don''t help our best friend move because we know that they''ll buy us dinner after we''re done, we help them move because we love them and want to be there for them. This is similar to the way tithing works. We should give to God, not expecting things in return, not expecting blessings in return. We should give because we want to be obedient to our "Best Friend" (Jesus Christ).

[upsidedown12]

To all of you who have had such bad experiences with churches and church leaders, I apologize. I''m sorry that whatever was done to you was done in the name of God. True Christianity is not about religion. Its about having a relationship with Jesus, in the same way that you would have a relationship with your best friend.

In our church its not about HOW MUCH you give, its about how obedient you are to God. God does lay out some basic guidelines in the Bible, but we pray and talk to God and He tells us how much to tithe. (I know that probably sounds crazy; its not a boobing voice from heaven, it doesn''t come from a flaming bush in my front yard, it comes as something pulling on my heart, it comes as a peace of mind).(Philp 4:7)

In our church its not about "equal giving" or "equal sacrifice" its about equal obedience to what has been layed on your heart. We should also be cheerful givers, and not giving out of obligation or even with selfish motives. We don''t help our best friend move because we know that they''ll buy us dinner after we''re done, we help them move because we love them and want to be there for them. This is similar to the way tithing works. We should give to God, not expecting things in return, not expecting blessings in return. We should give because we want to be obedient to our "Best Friend" (Jesus Christ).

If anyone would like more information on how to start a relationship with Jesus Christ, please email me at [e-mail]

[upsidedown12]

To all of you who have had such bad experiences with churches and church leaders, I apologize. I''m sorry that whatever was done to you was done in the name of God. True Christianity is not about religion. Its about having a relationship with Jesus, in the same way that you would have a relationship with your best friend.

In our church its not about HOW MUCH you give, its about how obedient you are to God. God does lay out some basic guidelines in the Bible, but we pray and talk to God and He tells us how much to tithe. (I know that probably sounds crazy; its not a boobing voice from heaven, it doesn''t come from a flaming bush in my front yard, it comes as something pulling on my heart, it comes as a peace of mind).(Philp 4:7)

In our church its not about "equal giving" or "equal sacrifice" its about equal obedience to what has been layed on your heart. We should also be cheerful givers, and not giving out of obligation or even with selfish motives. We don''t help our best friend move because we know that they''ll buy us dinner after we''re done, we help them move because we love them and want to be there for them. This is similar to the way tithing works. We should give to God, not expecting things in return, not expecting blessings in return. We should give because we want to be obedient to our "Best Friend" (Jesus Christ).

If anyone would like more information on how to start a relationship with Jesus Christ, please email me at [e-mail]

[upsidedown12]

To all of you who have had such bad experiences with churches and church leaders, I apologize. I''m sorry that whatever was done to you was done in the name of God. True Christianity is not about religion. Its about having a relationship with Jesus, in the same way that you would have a relationship with your best friend.

In our church its not about HOW MUCH you give, its about how obedient you are to God. God does lay out some basic guidelines in the Bible, but we pray and talk to God and He tells us how much to tithe. (I know that probably sounds crazy; its not a boobing voice from heaven, it doesn''t come from a flaming bush in my front yard, it comes as something pulling on my heart, it comes as a peace of mind).(Philp 4:7)

In our church its not about "equal giving" or "equal sacrifice" its about equal obedience to what has been layed on your heart. We should also be cheerful givers, and not giving out of obligation or even with selfish motives. We don''t help our best friend move because we know that they''ll buy us dinner after we''re done, we help them move because we love them and want to be there for them. This is similar to the way tithing works. We should give to God, not expecting things in return, not expecting blessings in return. We should give because we want to be obedient to our "Best Friend" (Jesus Christ).

If anyone would like more information on how to start a relationship with Jesus Christ, please email me at [e-mail]

[tbweb]

tbweb: why is the flesh sinful by default? and christianity is NOT a vessel for conveying guilt?

Posted by honestabe8 at 08:09 AM : Mar 04, 2008,,,

Jesus did not trust human nature, for "He Himself knew what was in man" (John 2:25). Paul said he had no confidence in the flesh(human nature) (Philippians 3:3). Further he said he did not want to know people according to the laws of human nature (2 Corinthians 5:16). I must pattern my relationships to people as Jesus did. I must never relate to anyone without including Jesus in the relationship.

[honestabe8]

tbweb: why is the flesh sinful by default? and christianity is NOT a vessel for conveying guilt?

[grammawhamma]

At one point in my life when the lust for material things outweighed my faith in God I quit tithing and soon afterwards found myself heavily in debt. I have been faithfully tithing since and now all my need is met. I%u2019m debt free and have a substantial amount in savings.

Since starting the Good News Church here in Thailand I have begun tithing to it. I also am teaching the children to tithe so that they also will have all their need met and so that eventually we can support others to preach the gospel full-time.

Posted by goyeharry at 03:15 AM : Mar 04, 2008

Ahhhh yes I get it...you have now "become" the middleman and are now debt free. Well, I guess you caught on to the system and are now reaping your rewards. No further comment other than POINT PROVED!

[goyeharry]

The tithe was instituted before the law of Moses. Abraham gave Melchisedek, who was a form of Jesus, a tithe of all(Heb5.6,Gen14.20). Jesus stated that the tithe ought not to be left undone(Mt23.23,Lk 11.42). God instituted the tithe that there may be meat in His house so that the gospel may be fully preached(Mal3.10,Mt24.14). It is for our own good as well as the good of mankind that they might believe on Jesus Christ and be saved(Jn 3.16). I have tested God on the tithe and found Him to be faithful. It is impossible for Him to lie(Tit1.2,Heb6.18). At one point in my life when the lust for material things outweighed my faith in God I quit tithing and soon afterwards found myself heavily in debt. I have been faithfully tithing since and now all my need is met. I%u2019m debt free and have a substantial amount in savings. He has opened the windows of heaven and poured out a blessing that I don%u2019t have room enough to receive(Mal 3.10).
Since starting the Good News Church here in Thailand I have begun tithing to it. I also am teaching the children to tithe so that they also will have all their need met and so that eventually we can support others to preach the gospel full-time. Without faith it is impossible to please God. He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek him(Heb 11.6).
To the gainsayers and atheists,%u201CRepent and Believe the Gospel(Mk1.15).%u201D%u201CYour wisdom is foolishness in the eyes of God (1Cor1.20&21).%u201D

[grammawhamma]

goyeharry: Go for it if it makes you happy. Others might see it as buying your way into heaven.

You can give 10% or more of your income to help your neighbor in need, the elderly, the poor, the homeless etc. You do not need a "church" to be the middleman. But just try telling the "church" that and you will be told it doesn''t work that way. Whatever....

[goyeharry]

I tithe because of the blessing I receive. God, who cannot lie (1 Titus 1.2, Heb 6.18,) promises to open the windows of heaven and pour me out a blessing that I will not have room enough to contain if I return His tithe for the furtherance of the gospel that others might believe on Jesus Christ and be saved (John 3.16). On the other hand God promises a curse on those who rob Him of His tithe (Mal 3.8-9). God tests us in the tithe. If we will not give up ten percent of our income to further His kingdom then it could be that money and possessions are our God. Remember, %u201CWe shall have no other gods before Him for He is a jealous God (Ex 20. 3&5).%u201D Remember also that "Without faith it is impossible to please God and that He rewards them who diligently seek Him (Heb 11.6)." Paying God''s tithe is one way of seeking the kingdom God and His righteousness (Mt 6.33). Preaching the gospel is another. In so doing all our need is met. He multiplies the 90 percent to become more than the 100% we tightly hold for ourselves. Which would you rather have, ninety percent with God%u2019s blessing on it or 100% with His curse?

[grammawhamma]

Posted by lovesamerica at 10:53 PM : Mar 03, 2008

That was an excellent post!

[grammawhamma]

My elderly mother constantly gets "junk mail" from numerous Catholic organizations to leave her entire estate to them when she dies.

Her parish sends out monthly news letters to the members of the congregation that contain two lists. One list gives the names of those who donated the most that month and the amount they gave. The second list gives the names those that are delinquent in their monetary support of the church.

I escaped from the Catholic church when I turned 18. I now belong to a church where you are never badgered for money. You are asked to bring in food goods for the food pantry it runs...but only if you can spare it. The pastor drives an older model economy car and lives in a small home.

[jankebenz]

Ill tithe alright, BEND OVER pastor, cause here ''''it'''' comes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by newster1 at 10:37 PM : Mar 03, 2008

LMAO -- Couldn''''t have said it better myself. Keep your damm meals on wheels!

Posted by Candide777 at 11:39 PM : Mar 03, 2008


you two would make a "fine" couple as both of you are christian hating bigots, who are delusional to the truth and know beans about Jesus and christianity. Nor do either of you two hate mongers, very obviously know anything about the salvation army,world vision or other christian help organisations. But you two are the best sewage slingers I,ve ever come across, what a pair!

[judykalu]

Any church that cares more about their finances than their member''s needs have their priorities wrong. Janice Kelly''s paster should have said something such as, "I don''t want you to have to try to choose between giving back to God or medicine. You give your tithe and let the chuch help you with the medicine. Please tell me what else we can do to help you through this difficult time."

[candide777]

if you want to give 10% it is ok, but not necessary.
Posted by pokito at 11:02 PM : Mar 03, 2008

Actually, if you want to give 10% to me, it''s okay also, but not necessary. Please make your checks payable to "One Born Every Minute" and send them to:

Church Of The Bleeding Heart
60023 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 94563

And you too can know the wealth and riches of Jesus Christ!

Thanks ya''ll!

[candide777]

a few ''''meals on wheels'''' soup lines and habitat for humanity houses dont hardly even come close to making up for the CENTURIES of death, murder, torture, jailings, beheadings, hanging, burnings, subversions, biggotry, hate, bloodshed, child molestation, forcing money out of people in the old days, blackmail; pay X dollars as a fine/penance for crime against nature, sunday blue laws used against NON believers and others

LMAO -- Couldn''t have said it better myself. Keep your damm meals on wheels!

[tbweb]

i don''t understand why the default setting is that man is "sinful"...

Posted by honestabe8 at 03:00 PM : Mar 03, 2008,,,

The answer is because God sees man as "flesh" and "spirit". The "flesh" is sinful by default and always! Man needs Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and God to tame the "flesh" and keep the "flesh" in check. Many can''t see Christ, the Holy Spirit or God because they only live in the "flesh", they do not know their "spirit-self" and are not in touch with it. Without activating your "spirit-self" there is no way to control the sinful "flesh" or to understand or see God! You can not see God in the flesh you! Jesus Christ will elevate the "spirit" you over the "flesh" you.

[pokito-2009]

Tithing was commanded in the Old Testament under Mosiac Law to take care of the Levites, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, which were the Preist, we no longer live under Mosiac Law, but under grace, 2 Corinthians 9, verses 6-8 explains how we are to give today, if you want to give 10% it is ok, but not necessary.

[cfin5]

Adam was not made to be mortal and nor was the dominion (Earth) that God gave him to rule. He disobeyed God''s rule through Eve''s deception by eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The Earth, which was ruled by Adam, now ceded to Satan, was cursed because of what Adam did knowingly (he was not deceived). Here after is the start of some animals being made unclean. It wasn''t their fault.......However, that designation of "unclean" in the New Testament towards an animal is no more. It took three of the same visions from God to Peter to convince him of this dual meaning. Gentiles were considered like unclean animals too you see.