Tithing…Is it a command?

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Tithes help sustain the ministry, keep the lights on, pay for land, buildings, sound equipment, ect.

can I get chapter and verse on that? How are sound systems "meat in mine house?"

Originally Posted by NotforSale

People that come to church, not supporting the "Structure", or that don't help sustain those who labor to "Feed" them, are stealing. This may offend you and others reading this, but it's the truth. It creates the "Taker" mindset, or the "Something for nothing (welfare)" mentality. Give me, and I'll take more!

There is nothing wrong with supporting ministry-but I for one am unimpressed with the argument of those "who labor among us". In my area many oneness pastors have never held a real job. I can't help but wonder who has the welfare mentality. I preach often, yet I work a full time job, and in addition, don't ask wages for preaching. If I can get paid from the secular world, why burden the church? Let someone who is in need get that money.

Originally Posted by NotforSale

In 30 years of serving God, I've seen all spectrums of this subject. I've watched those hord their money, only giving when it's conveinent. It is so obvious they are missing something, and struggles in life seem to always get the best of them. They're never really in, because they have their eye on their wallet. They also never appreciate what is around them, because the building, the lights, the signs, the parking lot, the electricity, the heat, the AC, the Pastor's salary, on and on we could go, is paid by those who dig deep and walk by Faith.

Have you ever read the parable of the righteous Pharisee and the humble sinner?

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Leaving it up to people to determine what percentage belongs to God will drive Churches to excessive fund raising, begging for offerings, and people who spend what's God's on things that don't last. It will also close the windows of Heaven, period!!

The church I attend teaches against tithes, yet somehow we make it just fine without all of the dire straights you name. I don't even know the recipe for peanut brittle, and have never seen a church garage sale (except at a tithing church). Furthermore, other groups who don't tithe-such as the Churches of Christ, JW's, etc. seem to be making it okay.

Originally Posted by NotforSale

If you don't want to Tithe because you see corrupted ministry or the mishandling of funds, this gives you no excuse to spend it on what you want.

change "tithe" to "give", AMEN.

Originally Posted by NotforSale

The Tithe is God's! And, most who Tithe give much more than 10% because they have proven God. That's right PROVEN Him!! The Bible says to PROVE God. I have, and He has never let me down. The cruse of oil faileth not!

Most people I have spoken to tell me how they struggle to even pay tithes. And I used to believe "tithes or HELL" myself, and belong to a church with that mindset. But many admitted to struggling just to pay them. I was even told by the minister that for a while He was putting tithes on his credit card because he was so broke.

Based on your post, I doubt you have ever truly studied out tithes according to the Bible, just sounds like alot of pot shots.