Tithing question

As long as it is with a cheerful heart.

I can sympathize about the job thing. I know it is hard, but TOTALLY trust in the Lord. I find that when I am going through my hardest struggles is that when I am growing my "faith muscles".

God will NEVER,EVER let you down. I will be praying for your situation. We just went through it ourselves and I have faith muscles to prove it. LOL

 

When our income was much lower then that we still gave. Our money still met our needs. Cut some cornors somewhere, buy off brands, used clothes, if that doesn't do it cut off the internet, cable tv if you have it.

 

What you're going through is very difficult, but the Lord expects and honors our obedience and perseverance. Cut back where possible -- and keep in mind that tithing also includes our time and talents. I've always felt that the three T's are equally as important.

The Lord is so faithful, and He wants us to count on Him completely. Hang in there, Psalm116!

PJ

[ November 23, 2004, 11:22 AM: Message edited by: PJ ]

 

Psalm 116,

Let me come along side those who have encouraged you to give the 10%. I would say that God would still want you to give this amount. And like someone else said He wants you to give it with the right heart and attitude. Give in faith that He will take care of you, becuase that is what He has promised.

But let me share that 10% is just the starting point. God doesn't want us to give 10% and just stay at that amount forever. Tithing is a growing process as well and as God leads you to increase your tithe we must be willing to be obedient in the increase as well. But to start 10% would be the right place to start.

I can personally testify to this (God taking care of you in your need). If anyone wants the full story, which is a rather long one you are more than welcome to email me at jjump @ 1-heart.com (without the spaces) and I will be glad to share with you in more detail.

God is good all the time and all the time God is good. It is so wonderful to know that God is still at work in the hearts and lives of His people!!

God bless you and keep you!

 

You should always give your 10% to the Lord. He expects it of you. Me and the hubby have many medical bills (still trying to pay Vanderbilt) and we always give our tithe + offering + Faith Promise missions giving every month.

It all belongs to the Lord and He prospers us for our faithful giving. We have learned that we can do more on 90% than on 100% and if I'm lying, I'm dying!!!

I will be praying for your situation.

 

FBCPW, my wife and I have found this to be true. When we tithe like we should, the money does seem to be stretched, or the Lord provides in other ways that we never could have dreamed of. The Lord is good to His promise, and he promises to supply our needs if we are doing what His Word commands. For a short time we stopped tithing, and we were increasingly accruing debt. But, when we started tithing again, the Lord really beat those bills to death! I would recommend that the OP tithe if she takes the job.

 

when we are faithful in little, we will be faithful in much!!!

 

The church is supposed to help YOU.

 

How do I put this nicely?

You have no business tithing anything. Can you rely on just one text anywhere in the N.T. that would lead you to believe you must tithe?

I will go ahead and answer: it isn't there.

The Lord does NOT require you to tithe. Those who say that the Lord does require it are ignorant, not knowing the Scripture.

 

I am in agreement with both Gershom and Daniel here. The teaching on tithing in most New Testament Churches has more to do with the tradition of that church rather than what the Bible teaches concerning the church. Giving--yes. Giving sacraficially--yes. Giving out of what God has blessed you---yes. Tithing--No. Psalm 116 your church does need to come along side you and your family, help get you back on your feet so you can give as the Lord leads you.

Bro Tony

 

DD, Gershom, and Br Tony, you're presuming that when the word "tithing" is used, that it is being presented as a scriptural requirement. There is certainly no scriptural requirement to tithe, but that does not mean we shouldn't. Indeed, we should. Not out of obedience, but out of gratitude.

I agree that those who say that tithing is mandatory would be wrong. However, those who say that tithing is unnessary are also wrong.

Scripture aside, if we're taking from the church, we need to be putting into the church. There are so many people who will spend $8 on a movie ticket on Sunday afternoon, but put nothing in the offering place on Sunday morning. This is due to improper priorities, and often a "what can I get for free" mentality.

Now, in the OP, the poster said that he had a $7/hr job which didn't meet the expenses. In that case, I'd say that he needs to put in whatever he's got. If he's got a penny, put in a penny. He's gonna be blessed. Not because of the penny, but because of the mindset that comes with sacrifice.

It's not my money. It's God's money. He just lets me be a steward of it.

 

Tell that to the pastor's who say different, Johnv.

Give as purposed in your heart. Help the poor and widows, not lay up "tithes" in a bulding fund,etc. while members suffer.

 

Uhhh, I think that's what we're trying to do here, aren't we? We've got pastors in cyber-earshot.

Why not do both? One can certainly help the poor, and give to the building fund, if that's where you're led. If ya wanna give to the building fund, fine. I don't much care for those who try to be stewards of other people' money. That, in and of itself, is a sign of selfish pride.

 

It's so annoying when someone prefaces a comment with "uhhh" "umm" etc.

You're like John Kerry on the issue:

I'm Johnv and I approve this message.

 

I'm of the opinion that God does not require a 10% tithe from Christians.

Those on limited incomes will find it harder to make ends meet than those that make more.

God calls on us to be good stewards of all that He provides. If He gives you a little, work with what He gives you. God has blessed you in other ways than monitarily, give out of His abundance.

Rob

 

Johnv, my offer to give you a clue still stands.

On one hand you say it isn't required but that we should do it. Verrrrrryyyyyyy well thought out. Oh, and you are from California also. Classic.

Bottom line is this: the New Covenant has no use for a tithe. Last I checked, the church was not a storehouse.

 

What? Why are you so stuck on the word tithe? Giving faithfully, sacrificially, joyfully are the NT teachings. They stem from the understanding that all belongs to God and as we walk in Him, He will direct us to give. A tenth (tithe) is fine, it may be a good place to start for a new believer, a mature believer should be seeking the Lord as to what to give.

Again, I agree with Gershom that the church ought to come along side this family and help them get to where they can function financially. It would be a good lesson on why we need to give to the Lord's church. After all remember God does not need the money, and it is the churches responsibility to take care of its own.

Bro Tony

 

Maybe if our churches could gut the crappy programs and costly nonsense, it would be able to help those in need.

 

You just said a mouthful brother Daniel. It is past time we get back to the NT style of church and stop placing priorities of doing the latest program to come down the pike. We need to be doing what Jesus did, I notice He did not spend a whole lot of time in a book store reading the latest how to book to enhance His ministry.

We need to be sharing the Gospel, discipling the believers, ministering to people's needs (widows, poor, hurting, struggling).

I will stop preaching now.
Bro Tony