Not Giving Of Necessity

[Digging4Truth]

2 Cr 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

What does the phrase "not grudgingly, or of necessity" mean concerning those who would teach a command that a tithe be paid?

Isn't that creating a necessity that one give and, beyond that, give a certain minimum amount?

Isn't that in juxtaposition to the message of this scripture?

[Scott Hutchinson]

Not giving out of necessity means that a person should give cheerfully and because they want to,rather than give because they feel someone is twisting their arm to give,or they have to ,rather than want to.
A person should support their local church with monetary support,and should give the best they can do however I don't see the tenth taught as a legal binding amount taught for New-Testament giving.
But a good Pastor is worthy of support,and it does take money to run a church.

[Brother Price]

D4T, this is one verse of scripture that the tax... I mean tithe preachers refuse to see. They dance around the issue of tithing, and say it is a salvation issue, when in fact, the New Covenant standard of giving was willful, cheerful, and out of the heart.

To answer Bro. Scott, most of the way the modern church operates comes from a leaving of the ways of the early church. The early church did not have light shows, smoke machines, disco balls, and pyrotechnic systems. They had the power of God, and fellowshipped one with another. They met everywhere, everyday, and fellowshipped. They had no need to spend millions on buildings, yet the ministers were taken care of and the poorer of the Church was fed. Seems that the modern mentality of the Church is quite different than what it started out as.

When I confronted some preachers a while back on this, one told me that I was not a pastor, and that I did not understand. Understand what? Lying? Fleecing the flock? Taxing the saints for being saints? Perverting scripture? What was there to understand?

[Pragmatist]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Not giving out of necessity means that a person should give cheerfully and because they want to,rather than give because they feel someone is twisting their arm to give,or they have to ,rather than want to.
A person should support their local church with monetary support,and should give the best they can do however I don't see the tenth taught as a legal binding amount taught for New-Testament giving.
But a good Pastor is worthy of support,and it does take money to run a church.

I agree. Tithing is not a Biblical mandate, but it does take money to keep the church doors open.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Brother Price

D4T, this is one verse of scripture that the tax... I mean tithe preachers refuse to see. They dance around the issue of tithing, and say it is a salvation issue, when in fact, the New Covenant standard of giving was willful, cheerful, and out of the heart.

To answer Bro. Scott, most of the way the modern church operates comes from a leaving of the ways of the early church. The early church did not have light shows, smoke machines, disco balls, and pyrotechnic systems. They had the power of God, and fellowshipped one with another. They met everywhere, everyday, and fellowshipped. They had no need to spend millions on buildings, yet the ministers were taken care of and the poorer of the Church was fed. Seems that the modern mentality of the Church is quite different than what it started out as.

When I confronted some preachers a while back on this, one told me that I was not a pastor, and that I did not understand. Understand what? Lying? Fleecing the flock? Taxing the saints for being saints? Perverting scripture? What was there to understand?

Yes sir... well said... and, most certainly, to the point.

I have tried to discuss this on several occasions but this subject seems nearly un-discussable because bringing up the very subject seems to initiate a barrage of accusatory remarks which insinuate that anyone who brings this subject up is stingy, does not want to give, hates preachers and the list goes on.

I had never thought of this particular portion of scripture in this light until this morning and was wondering if anyone else had put any thought into it.

Thanks for your reply.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Pragmatist

I agree. Tithing is not a Biblical mandate, but it does take money to keep the church doors open.

I think many teach it as a Biblical mandate out of fear that, without the demand of the law, the money will not be there.

That which is not of faith is in.

[Pragmatist]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

I think many teach it as a Biblical mandate out of fear that, without the demand of the law, the money will not be there.

That which is not of faith is in.

And there are probably some that would not give if there wasn't the fear of hellfire if they don't. But I would hope that if someone was truly living a Christian life, that they would want to bless the church with their finances.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Pragmatist

And there are probably some that would not give if there wasn't the fear of hellfire if they don't. But I would hope that if someone was truly living a Christian life, that they would want to bless the church with their finances.

Indeed...

Because... If I give because of a law and would not otherwise then is this a gift cheerfully given from my heart.

The law hides our inner struggles. We, often, obey the law out of fear. It is what we do when given free choice that is the true expression of what we have become.

[RandyWayne]

It truly is a lost-cause when you talk to someone who believes that 10% is demanded (with of course an additional offering on top of it).
I have also noticed a long time back that the ones who hold this position are always the ones who benefit from it the same way that a congressman or senator are less then likely to argue for lower tax rates.

[Brother Price]

D4T, I stand wholly against this modern tithe deception. It is contrary to the very points of grace and mercy. The history of it is ignored by far too many, and the truth of scripture is castigated in the name of bigger buildings and more luxuries. Sorry, but tithing is pure bondage and false doctrine.