Tithing…Is it a command?

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Timmy

You guys, God told Sean what the truth about tithing is! Why won't you just believe him?!

(Juuuuust a little T.I.C., there. )

Well, I am glad you saw that. At least I have you as a disciple...LOL

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

That is already what I do friend. 10% is reponsible giving and any percent over that they want to give is fine by me. lol

What about 5% or 3%? Are irresponsible givers less than 10% to you?

[Esphes45]

Originally Posted by FlamingZword

Some people simply refuse to submit to spiritual leadership.
It is a spirit of rebellion.

I often stayed in churches where I disagreed with the pastor on some issues.
I was willing to submit myself to his leadership because I knew that it is correct to do so.
When the pastor mentioned a subject that I disagree with I simply kept quiet and ignored any urge to correct him or "set him Right". it was not my job to set my pastor right, that is God's job.

With all due respect and with much love, that is ignorant. For you to do that, you had to believe that this man with God in the flesh. Let me get this straight, if my pastor gets up and says "Fornication is not a sin" I am suppose to sit there and listen to that? And wait for God to correct him? Wow. Lord help us.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Originalist

It is the abuse of authority and the pastors' unwillingness to receive correction themselves that turns people off.

Thats why the Apostolic churches take forever to grow, then shrink when folks see it has fraudulent doctrines. Then they start small again and keep the same pattern of failure. Never looking WITHIN to see why these events are reoccurring.

[good samaritan]

Sean I was kidding a little with that last post. The thing is in our country we have very few literally poor people that can't give. There are many people who aren't good stewards and their finances are so poorly managed that they feel like that giving to the work of God is the corner they should cut. If I don't teach giving (many times sacrificially) then not only will people not do it.

Unless directed by God otherwise I will always teach tithing as a good place to start with our giving. I will not belittle or ostracize those who do not, but will make them feel apart of our assembly. Just because they don't give doesn't mean that they aren't going to heaven that is up to God, but I hope that many who think they can't afford to give will one day have the faith to try. I have just been working on updating our church bylaws and I have changed tithing to regular giving with a side note saying preferably tithing.

We have people in our church now who I have used in the church who don't financially support the church with giving. It disappoints me, but I don't call them to the office nor do I teach on giving because of them personally (I teach things I feel the Lord has for the church as a whole not because of isolated circumstances). No one knows what others give in our church; people don't know who tithes or not and I plan on it always staying that way. Those who feel they can't afford to give will never be able.

My wife told me recently that she should just go shopping and spend the money when she wants to get something. Her point was we will always hustle some way to take care of the bills, but if we leave money in our account it is going to disappear anyway. At least she would have the things we need and that is true with giving to God. If people generously give to God the money will come from somewhere and If they are about to loose a house or something it probably has nothing to do with giving that $20 or $30 in the pan on Sunday. There was probably something wrong anyway. Put God first in everything and that is in the new and old testaments. God is the judge of the amount and I certainly communicate that, but we can each have our opinions to the side.

[Sean]

[QUOTE=good samaritan;1337620]Sean I was kidding a little with that last post. The thing is in our country we have very few literally poor people that can't give. There are many people who aren't good stewards and their finances are so poorly managed that they feel like that giving to the work of God is the corner they should cut. If I don't teach giving (many times sacrificially) then not only will people not do it....etc.

I know bro. I love a good laugh. Have you seen the unemployment rates and how many gave up looking for a job in our country? I started as a Journeyman tradesman in 1985, making 19 bucks an hour in my union. These same guys these days are making about 3 bucks more than then. Gas prices have tripled, housing has tripled, insurance is mandatory(health and auto), rents have tripled, food has tripled, electricity has tripled. EVERYTHING HAS TRIPLED BRO. Folks just dont have the money we think they have....Just wait 'til your kids turn of age to leave home bro. It may be when they are 30, unless they join the military.

[Sean]

Go buy a car today, its the cost of a house in the 70s when I got saved....

[Sean]

Why dont we just triple the size of our churches, and charge 3% dues....Its closer to fulfilling the Great Commission.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Originalist

You are being ridiculous. Rudy is not saying one thing that in any way resembles what you accuse him of.

You need to look 1Cor. 16 again because Rudy made it sound like Paul was coming for a one time collection to take to Jerusalem. The scripture doesn't say it was a one time offering. The commandment he also made to the Galations. True he said he would come but the men appointed by Paul were supposed to bring the offerings plural to Jerusalem and not Paul himself. So no he is not spot on.

In addition to that, headquarters was at Jerusalem (so to speak). You will find in other places of Paul's ministry that Paul seeking counsel from those in Jerusalem in regard to whether circumcision was still a requirement.

[Sean]

I have a friend that is a minister of the Apostolic Church of Ethiopia(the fastest growing oneness movement in the world). He told me that they have never taught tithing as an organization. He said it is only happening in America, where all the money is.

This country has become a charlatans dream for many.