What do you think about stories of people giving money and then they magically get back exactly the same amount or exactly double the amount they gave? After listening to so many stewardship sermons, i’ve heard so many pastors give a story where they would give $210 in the offering and magically they would get a check in the mail that was almost the exact amount that they gave in the offering. These kind of stories kind of twist my bones a little. Who am I to say that God didn’t do that? What evidence is there to say that God gave them almost to the penny what they gave to him? Hey, maybe if they had a little more faith, God might have given them the exact amount down to the penny, back.
I don’t doubt that God rewards those who sacrifice for him. Maybe i get bent out of shape because i do not have a story where I gave such and such amount and God gave me back twice that amount through an anonymous gift. I guess I get annoyed at these stories because it gives me the idea that God is a slot machine.
Here’s what i mean. Do these miracle stories happen every time you give? No. For the people that do tell these magnificent stories, it only happens to them once in a blue moon. But when it does happen, they love to publicly display this miracle as though God does this all the time. Its like when someone sits down in front of a slot machine. They keep popping in quarters and pulling the lever, time after time. Hey, soon enough, after enough quarters and enough time, you’ll hit the jackpot. Don’t murder me here or get me wrong. I know God provides miraculously for his children, but do you know how many people can give a testimony about them winning the jackpot? probably the same amount of people that can show how they got the same amount of money back in return that they gave. Hmmm . . . maybe God is a slot machine?
great point! The ‘health and wealth’ gospel terrifies me because it appeals to peoples’ hopes, not their reality. God is real and He helps us in real ways.
Thanks for sharing!
Tithing is the act of financially acknoledging that God is the power behind your success. It is a testiment to those who see you do it; that you believe. God loves a cheerful giver! His love is what we’re after, not a jackpot. It’s a gift of gratitude and attitude. If you love me feed my sheep. It’s a matter of heart! Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also!
Joel 2:13 Rend your heart, and not your garments.
Isn’t life and the awesomeness there in reward enough? Who owes whom?
i’m not preaching, i’m reminding myself!
10 percent is small potatoes! If faith of a mustard seed moves a tree into the sea, what if you practice the faith of a mustard tree? Would it re-invent your life?
What I have noticed through the years is that the folks that have their own business’s tend to have such testimonies…occassinally. Those of us that work for a frozen wage hardly ever have such a testimony. If I should get an extra 20 dollars on my paycheck, there is no way I could say ‘Praise God, look at that return on my tithing.’ Rather, I would be compelled to notify my superior that a mistake was made on my check.
I’ve been set free for 11 years now from the whole sham. What hell we went through financially as well as condemnation. We so wanted to help the poor but could not because of tithing. Sad indeeed.
Am I understanding you correctly…? You so wanted to help the poor but could not because of tithing? Tithing “is” helping the poor! 34″Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37″Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40″The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Not sure where you are coming from. I’ve never seen any church I’ve been in turn around and help the poor with the tithes of the people.
What is sad is that you do not understand that each person you encounter is a face of CHRIST.
Note how many times the King refers to himself as a person in need or in jail. I recommend if you have any belief what so ever that you practice using your heart instead of your head.
THE CHURCH IS THE PEOPLE, NOT A BUILDING WHERE YOU PASS A PLATE.
then devon…you may think about joining a church that has their priorities in a Godly place.
the church is the people God is dinamic and he tests us daily. If you turn away a person in need according to the scripture in Mathew 25 you are actually turning away Jesus! Do you see?
excuse me “dynamic”
Mathew 25 has some very compelling and moving words to help you put your heart in a right place with God. Chew on it for a while and see if you don’t agree. :)
Jared. Why do i feel like you must have read someone else’s testimony. I don’t understand your comments.Maybe i’m on the wrong forum. If so, no problem. I’ll scoot.God bless.
It’s all good bro, you don’t have to leave. I’m new here. But, my testimony is my own and since this thread is discussing tithing, I made a rebuttal to your comment that you could not help the poor because apearantly you tithed in church instead?! Am I understanding you correctly?
If I did understanding you correctly, then I added scriptural background to substanciate my point. Point being that tithing in church to pay the light bill is less important than helping the poor.
the church is the people…not the building.
does that help you understand?
I apologize for confusing you….I like to get fired up :)