Tithing…Is it a command?

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I don't think you can actually say you pay your tithes by mowing the church yard. To tithe means to give a tenth of something. If you have spent all your money including the tenth part then the tithe is gone. I do think though if I were on hard times and and couldn't financially support my family not to mention pay tithes I personally would want to try to give in another way like you mentioned. There was a time a while back that I got in some financial hardship and my pastor knew of my hardship and gave me odd jobs around the church for payment and the church helped me get through the hard time.

I tithed before my hardship and during my hardship and the church helped me also. You can speak so negatively about tithing, but if you don't support your local church weekly, generously, and as the Lord has prospered you it is wrong. And the NT does say for us to do that.(may not say tithing but it is a similar concept).
Do you really think most pastors are after a poor family's maybe $100 a month. I sincerely believe most teach to tithe because they feel it will bless the giver and giving is at the core of our salvation. Jesus gave His life for you and I. If you feel like you attend a greedy church find another one. If giving is that big and issue with people they may need to do an inventory of their own heart. Whether or not tithing is a salvation issue or not I have never met anyone who couldn't do it. It is a simple process if you get $1 dollar give ten cents before you spend it.

If you feel like tithing isn't for today you still have to answer for all the other NT testament teaching on giving. If you are being led by the Spirit of God in everything you do I don't believe you'll have to worry about a thing. Ten percent is easy for most people who love to give no matter their financial status. Matter of fact sometimes givers have to be careful that they don't get too carried away and forget to provide for their families.

I do think it is the heart that God is looking at and not just the number 10. Problem is that people can't see the heart so a lot of times they judge by the number.

Brother, I think what you might be trying to say is give what you can.....it all depends of your circumstance. Tithing is non negotiable