Tithing and church membership

[Guest]

At the local place of fellowship I go to, there is an extreme emphasis on tithing. This is so much so, that the senior pastor, assistant, and elder there wont consider people to be members if they do not tithe. Thus, if you aren't tithing there, your hopes of ministering (in relation to some form of teaching) there are probably slim to none. After reading what Steve has written on the subject (tithing for Christians?), I don't see much of a case for the tithe to be upheld today.

However, I love to give. Fairly regularly, I wind up giving to those who have need out of compassion at the expense of my own needs and what joy there is in it! It may be a grace on my life. Also, I don't really gain much knowledge there (next to none), but I still don't have a problem giving there. The thing is, if I was always to give a full ten percent off each paycheck, I feel like it will interfere with supporting my immediate family who really needs help financially at this point, the people who actually cause me to grow spiritually, and the missionaries I know whom God is using fairly well. If I'm not tithing at my place of fellowship, I will be considered as "one who is not behind the pastor" and/or "one isn't with the vision of this church." This is begining to be a little weighty on my heart. Any thoughts, suggestions, or biblical exhortations?

[Guest]

I don't think my advice may help you in your relationship with your congregation but it may give you freedom. I don't think we should ever give because we feel pressured. We should give because it's our delight to do so.

Paul, when talking to the Corinthians about the blessing of giving interjected this comment:

2Co 9:7 Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

I hate to say this, but I think the pressure that is put on us at times to support certain things can rob us of our joy of giving. While I find that we can be too tight with our finances, I'm certain that God never intended us to be guilted into supporting programs through pressure tactics. I believe he wants us to joyfully support His Kingdom by blessing others with our finances and thus be blessed ourselves. This is the freedom of giving I believe God has in mind for us.

If it's not in your heart to support something with a large amount at this time...or ever, then you're free not to....free. If it's in your heart to support something in a more significant way then you're free to support it and quite frankly, that's the only kind of giving that I think God is looking for.

Most importantly, I encourage you to continue in your life of giving. To be a blessing to others in Christ's name.

2Co 9:6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

[Guest]

There are several other threads here on the forum where the history of tithing is discussed and will, in fact, give you OT scriptural background on the percentages of grain, number of animals, monetary amounts that you'll need to start taking to your fellowship if you are to truly be behind your pastor. 10% of your paycheck simply won't due since that does not meet the tithing requirements of the Mosaic law.

You might ask yourself such questions as: If I am behind my pastor, where is he leading me? What is the vision of this church and does it agree with the vision of the Church as outlined by Paul in 1 Corinthians 12 more specifically, are you a member of the body or a slave to someone other than Christ? Rather than 10%, should you give all of your money as did the widow that Christ commended to the apostles? Since you're not really learning anything at this fellowship, why are you going there? You may have a legitimate reason for attending there but it may be helpful to ask that question.

From your comments, I take it that you would be interested in ministering in some way in a fellowship. Will you, in good conscience, be able to do it in your present fellowship?

livingink

[Guest]

I recall seeing a church cartoon (meant in all seriousness) of a smiling little man gleefuly holding a small bag of money in his right hand labelled "God's" and a huge bag of money in his left hand labelled "Mine".

I often wonder if the tithing mentality results in Christians thinking the other 90% is their own to use as they want.

Jesus said that unless you renounce all and follow Him, you cannot be His disciple. So a true disciple considers himself a steward of all the possessions which God has entrusted to him. He prayerfully considers how it is to be used, how much to support his local assembly, how much to contribute to the needy of the world, how much to save, how much to spend on his family's needs, etc.

[Guest]

I think we (those who care to think) have this tendency to focus in and miss the entire picture. I think we do what the disciples did in this passage of scripture Matt 25:31-26:13

Not too long after Jesus had talked about His coming and what the judgment would look like, the disciples seem to have taken that teaching to heart (which they should) and rebuke the women with an alabaster vial of costly perfume.

I’m glad though this event was put into the gospel, because, I’d probably do the same thing the disciples did… and I’m embarrassed to say: I have.

The disciples were right, that could have been sold for a lot of money and given to “poor.” Jesus didn’t see it that way, as you can read for yourself.

My point: Although I would for sure caution you (SoaringEagle and whomever else) about just giving to any old thing, I do think we want use some wisdom, but I would probably encourage you to continue to give. Maybe not toward that ministry, I might even tell you to leave that place, sounds a little scary.

The church I attend, which is a Calvary Chapel, I sometimes look around and say: I wouldn’t spend the money on that. Like: buy dozens and dozens of roses to hand out to mothers on mother’s day. THAT MONEY COULD HAVE GONE INTO THE FOOD PANTRY!! ! ! ! As we can see though in the passage reference above, I’m just not sure my heart always lines up with God’s.

If I go out and purchase a nice ring for my wife for our ten year anniversary because I want to show her, how much she means to me… am I wrong? Could that money have been spent on the poor? The answer is yes, but I’m not sure Jesus wouldn’t consider me buy a nice ring for my wife a “good deed.”

Let me wrap this up. I think you heart in that matter friend is right. I think the Lord would consider your actions (your giving) a good deed.

Maybe you do take a second look at the church you attend, but I don’t think you’ll be held responsible for their actions. Again, maybe the Lord is moving you on and that ministry has gone sour somewhere, but as for what you’ve done thus far, keep that heart and continue.

Now some may disagree with this, “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to the ungrateful and evil men.” (Luke 6:35)

The “poor widow” who gave all she had (Luke 21:1-6). Did that temple (those leaders) do all the right thing? I doubt it, because in vs. 6 Jesus starts talking about its judgment.

So friend, don’t doubt being kind and having love. Maybe be a little cautious, but stick with the heart you have.

I hope that make some sense

Ron

[Guest]

If I go out and purchase a nice ring for my wife for our ten year anniversary because I want to show her, how much she means to me… am I wrong? Could that money have been spent on the poor?

OR, you could spend it on a new Mac computer for her, which is SOO much more useful than a ring! =)

[Guest]

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[Guest]

OR, you could spend it on a new Mac computer for her, which is SOO much more useful than a ring! =)

I actually DID buy my wife a MacBook as an anniversary present. You're right... she thought it was better than jewelry.