I haven’t done so officially yet, but I was just thinking the other day about writing a testimony about how i came to my conclusion about tithing. I guess what prompted this was when I had mentioned to someone that i used to tithe. They asked me what reasons did I switch my views on tithing and if it had anything to do with the abuse of money in the church. Typically people ask questions like that because they wanted to see if my tithing stand was born out of ill conceit. Most people think that if your opposition sprouted from rebellion then they think that your argument is not legitimate. I’m sure there are many people out there today that believe in Spirit-led giving because they questioned abuse in the church. I’m sure some of them are still rebellious and bitter about it. But let’s not throw out the truths that we find even though they are found in the doubting moments of the church.
My tithing testimony doesn’t include a rebellious foundation. I grew up in a church that was very good with money. We had no debt, and we had great outreach. We didn’t have the bells and whistles, like coffee shops and stage lighting like most seeker-sensitive churches, but we still had more than what we needed. I remember the church going into debt only once because the school needed classrooms. It was a facility that cost only 1 million dollars and was well worth the cost for the students of a complete high school and church to constantly use.
So anyways back to my testimony, I got my first job at 16 at an ice cream shop. My very first paycheck I tithed on. I tithed from then all the way through the end of college. I didn’t question it. My parents had tithed all their lives and so I would as well. I really didn’t even know what verses that tithing was commanded from, but I tithed anyways. I am glad that I gave all that money, and there are no regrets there. The only thing I regret to tell you about my tithing testimony is that I was living by a law and I didn’t know why. It was automatic.
There’s been some controversy today about ATM tithing and automated debits for your offering. People are afraid that since the money is not physically placed in an offering plate that we will be out of tune with the heart of giving. But with how tithing is automated today, what difference does it make if you blindly press a button on the internet, or you just blindly sign a check? If there is no spiritual interaction involved it doesn’t matter if you have automatic withdrawals or you place cold hard cash in a gold offering plate as it passes by.
Let me tell you that one of the hardest things for me was to tithe my income when I was paying my way through college. Most people have it harder than I did, but I paid for my own gas, insurance, vehicle, entertainment, tuition, and books. My parents gave me a place to stay and eat for free, but they didn’t give me anything extra. Over one summer i had three jobs and was working about 70 hours a week. Regardless of how hard I worked I still had to take out some loans. Luckily it was only about 1 year’s worth of school debt
I mentioned that my parents had tithed all their lives, but let me just reassure you that God didn’t throw money out of the sky at our family. We probably just barely made it. I could honestly tell you that my parents probably had more credit cards than I actually get in offers in a year. They were extremely in debt! And managed to steal my credit and get me in debt as well, but that’s beside the point. The point I want to bring up is actually a question. Let’s say that my parents gave only 4% to the church, but were excellent in their finances and paid all their bills on time? How would God judge them? Of course, they did the opposite, but what do you think God judges more severely – not tithing or getting in debt? Hmmm, good question, but that’s not how God judges our stewardship. You see God doesn’t have a checklist of requirements that we need to meet before we’ve become acceptable to him. Remember the steward that was left in charge of 2 talents while his master was gone? He buried the talents and when his master returned, he gave 100% of the talents back. A good steward is an investor, not a giver, not a bill payer, not a returner.
This is essentially what I did with my money. I was a giver, not an investor. An investor is Spirit-led, but a giver follows directions from a dead law.
So as I was saying about my tithing testimony in college. At the end of college, I became involved in a fellowship that challenged and fed me. We did lots of ministries together. One day a friend confronted us about tithing. He said that tithing is not required of New Testament Christians. I immediately argued with him. Of course, I didn’t agree. I couldn’t have been wrong all these years. After all, tithing is commanded in the bible, right? After that i began to search the scriptures to prove him wrong. The more and more I studied, the more and more, I couldn’t prove him wrong. It was the craziest thing! I kept going over and over scriptures. I kept questioning my reasoning. There’s just no way that this much of the church has been wrong for so long about tithing. Then it hit me. What was the number one thing that Jesus talked about in the bible? It wasn’t heaven, hell, hatred, the tongue, lying, or satan. It was money.
Outside of the Holy Spirit and the Word, money is the most powerful and influential substance known to mankind. If there is anything that the church can be wrong about, it’s gotta be about money.
So I’ve been heavily studying and discussing tithing since 2005. I started a tithing website, started this blog, and started a tithing group in order to get the word out. Hopefully one day, I will write a book.
I cannot tell you the amount of growing and learning that God has given me over the past years. I wish I could just take a portion of my heart, soul, and mind and let you see the truths that God has spoken to me about Spirit-led giving. My passion on this subject is what keeps me writing about it so much. If this truth was not so alive in me I wouldn’t be able to write as much as I do. Right now, I believe there are over 180 blog articles that have been written here since 2006. Each day there are about 245 unique visitors, 3280 hits, and 175 google searches. That is another thing that keeps me motivated about this site. I know people are searching for the truth.
I am convinced that Spirit-led giving is what God intended for his Children under the New Covenant. Would I remain open to new evidence that tithing is required for us, well, sure! I have listened to hundreds of sermons and read dozens of books on tithing, so I’m not sure that much of anything new is out there to reveal, but an open mind is there, believe it or not. I hope my tithing testimony encourages some. Please share your testimony as well. It will encourage me and others.
Dave,
If you read all of Matthew 23 you can see that Jesus begins his discourse by telling the disciples to obey what the pharisees tell you to observe. You also paint Ma5v17 with such a broad stroke without an explanation of what fulfill means.
Your analysis of scripture needs to be put in context. At least within context of the immediate passage it’s in, and then in a more general context of all scripture.
– jared
Luke 11:42 says ““But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” (ESV)
What that’s saying is they should seek justice and the love of God and not neglect the tithe.
Hey Paul. If you look a few verses earlier in the same passage, he also commands to obey what the pharisees teach. Are you saying we should obey this command as well?
– jared
I am a tither, and has been the 23 years that I have been save. I am really in a quandry. The Word says bring all of the tithes to the storehouse and prove me now there with, and see if I won’t open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there won’t be room enough to receive it. I love God, but I have never experienced
that blessing.I don’t know, I wonder why do we tithe? I sometimes let a bill go ,and pay my tithes, I don’t know.
Your faithfulness seems to be on trial. It’s happened to me in the past and when the return came it was bounty. However, see to it that you are not giving half heartedly and let your life please God in holiness so that your sacrifice will become a sweet-smelling aroma instead of filthy rag in His presence.
Paul, it is important to read many scriptures about giving. I am really surprised that you can jump to verse 42, leaving the most profound statement from the mouth of God of the New Testament , Jesus Christ the Lord. In Luke 11:41 abandoned the topic of eating without washing hands and started teaching people the importance of GIVING ALMS. He directed; ” Rather give alms from such as you have..” These are the words of Jesus Christ, to whom the Father has commanded us to listen or to pay attention when He said; “this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear ye Him”. Yet would rather obey men rather than the one who has called and saved us. Which God are we listening to if we ignore the voice of Good Shepherd whose voice, we the sheep are required to hear (John 10:27). Have seriously examined Christ’s teaching on giving? What do we make of the Good Samaritan story, the rich young ruler who was told to sell all he had and give to the poor, what about the plain teaching of the kind of giving Jesus, the King, is advocating in Matt. 25:31-46? What do we make of all these? Why have left these teachings and clinging to the tithe that He never taught or encouraged. Why is Malachi 3 more important than Isaiah 58 and the kind of people who have chosen to neglect? Is the God of Isaiah different from the one who spoke through Malachi? Can’t you see the God of Isaiah speaking in Matt, 6:13, Luke 11:41-42, Matt. 25: 31-41. How deaf can we be? Certainly, the God of the tithe is different from the Father of those who truly trust in His Son because in the Son there is NO TITHING, but giving in love to those in need, and not those who already have and we must do so from such we have, including hospitality. From: THE TITHING DILEMMA AND THE TRIUMPHS OF LOVE by Leonard Bupanda.
Dear Brother Moore:
Didn’t Jesus reprimand the pharasees when He said in Mathew 23:23 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees for YOU PAY TITHE of mint and anise and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters, etc. When I asked my pastor about tithing he gave me this scripture. I asked him where in the New Testament Jesus says to tithe.
Thank you, ginger
I thought it would be great to share my testimony on tithing, so that anyone out there who may be doubting or even just without the know how, can start trusting God because He honors His word above His name. I had to relocate from America back to Africa late 2009. Since then I have had no income, I survived from handouts from family members. All the free time I had, I spent in church, praying, or fellowshipping. However, my financial situation got worse, even though all my basic needs were met, I had the desire to be financially independent, sometimes wanting to help others in need but unable to do it fully. I remember taking so much money that I would receive from family members and take it to church, but still I did not see much change, not to say I won’t, but I just haven’t yet. Six weeks ago, I had reached bottom and very desperate for so many things, including a job. Laying on my bed, I felt guided to start a small popsicle business and sell it to the neighbourhood children, since its very sunny. I immediately jumped out of bed took the few coins I had and even borrowed a few more coins from my mother and bought the ingredients. I made some that night, and started off. Days later, I got ideas of where else I could sell, then more ideas of what more ingredients to add or remove to make the popsicles of high quality and still affordable and profitable. Week 1 I made KKsh108, I gave all the profit as my firstfruit offerings. Week 2 I made Ksh402 and gave more than the tithe required, Week 3 I made Ksh242 again I gave more than the required tithe, Week 4 I made Ksh360, but this time around though abit discouraged that I was not seeing open doors, I gave ksh 260 and kept on trusting God.
I then struggled through week 5 since I had no money to buy the needed ingredients to continue the business. At the end of the week I had madeKsh320 but with a debt of Ksh 200 plus. Worse still, I borrowed money to buy a major ingeredient and after mixing it all up, it all spilled on the floor and I had lost everything but a very small fraction. I had started losing hope and even being discouraged when my breakthrough would happen. So as I closed the book for the week, I remember looking at the loss, and remembering the spill of ingredients, I then muttered under my breath and said, Lord I refuse to be limited by the numbers I see, I know you are faithfull. Two days later I got an email from a friend telling me she had sold my old TV in the US at $100 and she had actually sent me Ksh8198 from the sale. I was more that excited and marveled at God’s faithfulness when we trust in Him.
I pray so much that anyone out there that may be struggling financially or in any way possible, please consider obeying God in paying your tithes. Malachi 3:9-12 has made it clear of the awesome things God will do jus t by obeying this simple command. It is very simple because He is asking for a tenth and leaving us with 90% including mind blowing blessings. I hope I have encouraged even just one of you, I too was encouraged by reading other testimonies written by faithfull tithers. Our God is faithful, praise His Holy name, let us praiseHim. I am still trusting Him for more than enough, and today I just opened a bank account as an act of Faith. I will be back with more testimonies, I promise!
Hi Ludya, Its your faith in God that connects you with the supernatural power of God not any giving or manupulation on our part .If God can be manipulated by our giving or anything we do then he will no longer be the God of the bible. God provides for all his children through his grace because He loves us unconditional.
I have two children , they do not have to beg me or try to manipulate me to love them or provide for them . I love my children and I give to them and provide for them like any parent would, not out of obligation or in response to any giving or sowing (taught by so many con artist ) on their behalf but BECAUSE I LOVE MY CHILDREN. God loves and provides for his children wether they love him or not , poor , uneducated, unemployed ,educated, loving ,hatefu l, selfish ,rude , ignorant , white or black ,christian or muslim,atheist or born again . Thats WHAT YOU CALL GRACE . BY GRACE YOU ARE SAVED
STOP BEING SO PROUD, ….. JESUS DIED FOR EVERYONE!!!!!!!
Byron how very quick you are to characterize sonmeoe else’s point of view as nonsense. Please let me try to explain exactly why these signs may be offensive to those that don’t share your Christian belief. First, Biblical verses are prescriptive or directive in nature…they are viewed by those who believe as being the ultimate authority. Those that would prominently display these verses would be trying to send a clear message to all viewers that they are invited to follow or comply with this ultimate authority. The disrespect here, is that they are also sending a not so hidden message that the Bible is the only “real” ultimate authority. Many, many other people would strongly disagree.I know that those of you who support these signs are well intentioned, but I hope you folks can appreciate that there is a valid, no-nonsense, opposing point of view.ThanksRich
Ludya, Thank you for sharing your story I am glad you walked in Faith and understood that you are important to God and that he is watching you. We do not always get what we want . Everything is in his timing I have another story for you to read its on William Colgate I think you will like it just Google his name the story is called . Soap and toothpaste: a Testimony on giving
Continue to stand in Faith and you will be rewarded.
Tithing is not New Testament giving, you won’t find it anywhere in the New Testament, There’s not one passage of scripture where God commands the Body of Christ to Tithe ten percent of our income to the local church, You’re not blessed because you tithe, You’re blessed because you have a giving heart!!! I’m just being brief for now, but I will return with scriptures later, one more thing and again I’m just being brief because of my time, the four gospel accounts are not the New Testament, it is still the Old Testament, God didn’t label the four gospels as the New Testament, uninspired man did, in Matthews Jesus was speaking matters of the law.
Lucy’s, you are not alone in thinking that way. This is the way many so-called Christians are feeding the false teachers of our time. If trully you are born again, You must learn to trust God in all conditions and situations, and not because you want to receive. You cannot bribe God with your giving, never. He is sovereign and above bribing. Remember the story of Lazarus and the rich man: who had a better ending? However, the Lord’s teaching is “Rather, give alms from such as you have. ” there is no minimum and there is no figure from which to give. Luke 11:41. I am amazed that even a scripture as straight forward as this should need any explanation. Do not forget that this is the Lord’s on approval of the kind of giving that the Father is involved in as the rewarder of all who are involved in this kind of giving (Matt. 6:1-3): From the book:? THE TITHING DILEMMA AND THE TRIUMPHS OF LOVE. So, which God are you talking about?
Ludya you are not alone in thinking that way. This is the way many so-called Christians are feeding the false teachers of our time. If trully you are born again, You must learn to trust God in all conditions and situations, and not because you want to receive. You cannot bribe God with your giving, never. He is sovereign and above bribing. Remember the story of Lazarus and the rich man: who had a better ending? However, the Lord’s teaching is “Rather, give alms from such as you have. ” there is no minimum and there is no figure from which to give. Luke 11:41. I am amazed that even a scripture as straight forward as this should need any explanation. Do not forget that this is the Lord’s on approval of the kind of giving that the Father is involved in as the rewarder of all who are involved in this kind of giving (Matt. 6:1-3): From the book:? THE TITHING DILEMMA AND THE TRIUMPHS OF LOVE. So, What testimonies are you talking about?
I am currently writing a book on not only tithing but sabbath, these are under the Law of Moses, and worst of all the ramifications of paying tithe and observing sabbath is not known. Forgetting the Law comes as a complete unit and cannot be observed separately, and also there is a curse associated with those who observe the Law in partiality.
Good day to you all.
It is a common mistake that most Christians make to think that Tithe is of the law. But the truth of it is that tithing is something that took place before the law of Moses. Abraham is the one who demonstrated the giving of a tithe, when he came back from a battle. Genesis 14:20
Most importantly the Bible mentions the person to whom, he gave the tithe, which is Melchizedek King of Salem.
Further Study of Melchizedek will be show that we are made in the order of Melchizedek, Psalm 110:4. Hebrews 7:1 to verse 2 (by the way this verse clearly talks about tithing)
After being born again, we are told we are a Royal Priesthood 1 Peter 2:9, we are the seed of Abraham.
As the seed of Abraham, we ought to do as Abraham did.
If God wanted us to give only one tenth, Jesus wud have given an arm and a leg only !!
My tithing testimony, Im going to try to keep this short and sweet. I completely gave my life to Christ back in August 12, 2002 ( my spiritual DOB) and I began tithing because I was prompted by my pastor based on Mal 3:10. I was married with three young kids just moved into a house had everything i could need as a child of God and as a man living on this earth. I never question the notion of tithing because if it was in the Bible I believeied it was for me to be obedient but my faith was small and as we know the Word says we are given a measure / portion/ a certain amount of faith (Romans 12:6) and it has to be developed through testing or proving By the word.
Throughout the years, I was consider tithing and didnt take on the position/ title or profession as a tither meaning, living out that title through the good and bad times that life rains on us. When my financial situation got rough or shaky I stopped and gave rise to my bill collectors, mortgage company, and etc. I was fearful of the fact that they would shut my uilitities off or kick my out of my house beacuae i couldn’t paid rather than give God what he rquired from me and be faithful throughout my giving to God. Well as a result of my inconsistencies at tithing and not fully surrendering every part of me to God meaning my time, energies, efforts, talent, my life, everything fell apart. My marriage (wife moved out and were separated getting divorced), my finances (in so much debt), my family, my health, my emotinal state, my church home was disrupted, my relationship with God was in a stagnant place and everything else was in disarray. I was in a horrble pit( Psalms 40).
Then God prompted me in December of 2009 to start tithing again but to be a consistence TITHER embrace that position , not just on my gross but my net income. What I could get at is I was in a Horrible pit and this is the first thing god prompted me to do! I DIDNOT hear this from a pastor, an evangelist, or a prophet I heard this from GOD it burned in my spirit for weeks because I wasnt going to church at the time but i was crying out to God trying to figure out why did he do this to me and what could I do to get out of this mess. Well I started to tithe Immediately when I found a new church to go to, I wish I can say things got better instantaneously….They took a turn for the worse in my finances and other areas of my life and I stopped tithing again because I was fearful to step out pass what was comfort table ( I live by this saying ” theres no growth in the comfort Zone and no comfort in the growth Zone”), so My life was spiraling out of control but I was seeking God but not wholeheartedly.
Months laters I meet an old friend of mine in Wal Mart and he invited me to a bible study he was having at his house I respectfully excepted the offer but i didnt go immediately, i was scare to step out of the boat to walk on the water like Peter ask, meanwhile i was having other issues with my life that troubled me as well, I told God in my secret place with Him I am going to start tithing consistly no matter what the cost was on my net mind you. I was
-$1500 (that’s negative $1500 dollars) in the HOLE in my accounts and my take home was about 1700 at the time bi weekly, this was in October 2010. I started titing,and again it didnt get easy immediately cause i was already 3 months behind in on my mortgage and all my other bills, i had to take care of three kids, buy food, get gas and all other daily routine issues had to be addressed but through it all God was build my character through the the tribulations afflictions, pains, and trials I was experiencing ( Romans 5:3). God is not concern with the money you give he wants to grow your faith in Him and grow your relationship with Him so you can look and act like him and his character no matter what happens to you in your life for exmple the Beattitudes(Matthew 5:3-12), Fruits of the Spirit Gal (5:22-26) and a like Mind of Christ Phil 2:3-8 and Col 3:1-17. God is looking for consistence. Are you going to be the same and respond the same no matter the situation or circumstance you face?
As I set my mind to tithe and grow with God he was sustaining me and preserving me like he did the Isrealite in (Deuter 8:2-5). I just barely got by with getting food, barely able to get gas in my truck to get to work and just barely able to keep my lights on sometimes i felt embarassed and ashamed( God said for your shame and embarassment I will give you double for your trouble Is. 61:7-8) but i kept titihing and God responsed to my crying out to Him, the people around me gave to me to help me unconditionally because I didnt have enough to get by. I kept being faithful with tithing and growing my relationship through reading fasting, praying, interceding, helping others with encougement. No one really knew what was happening to me cause they always saw a smile on my face and i was always giving of myself of what i had and that was the God in me. I couldnt get anything for my kids for Christmas and I felt bad about it but I made them a promise that it will not be like this again if I can help it. I cried and cried but I stayed focus on what the outcome was going to be.
Through the months as I became a TITHER, things started to change for the better in July 2011 I was about to get kicked out of my house because I was still 3 months behind on my mortgage and they started the process for Foreclosure and I didnt have the money but I trusted in God and continued to tithe through the process. So to answer the person’s question above aabout ” what do you tell someone that may be going through a foreclosure or some tumultous times in their life?” I say continue to tithe and seek God for guidance and the Holy Spirit which is your Helper with be with you. I tell you this I only had one week to get the money and I didnt know where it was coming from, But God performs in impossible situations. I had one of my friend that I havn’t spoke to in a while call me out of the blue to offer $2000.00 on my behalf after i explain the situation to him that I was going through he had been through the forclosure issue as well, How do you explain that? I had an opportunity to either get $23,000 or $9,000 dollars from an income source I didnt know I had available to me. God is so good Like in Mal 3:10 He opened up th windows of Heaven and pour our to me such blessings I could contain or recieve it. Over and above my expectations! So needless to say, I was able to handle all my Foreclosure issues, $4500, all my debts, catch up mybills and since that day July 22, 2011 I’ve been able to help out numerous people in need financially, spiritually with encouragement, to let them know the same can happen to them as well just like the my friends encouraged me spiritually help me financially, emotionally. And God continues to bless me with financial outburst! $1,000 check written to me, Spot bounus check from my Job and I just recieved notice the I got a promotion and I recieved the highest salary adjustment in the Southeastern district and the company I work for is a Global firm they rarely give out substantial raises like that. God keeps being fauthful to me, He said if im faithful with the little He gives to me He would make me ruler of many (Matthew 25:21). He’s not done with me yet he is still restoring my life, repairing and helping me recover everything I lost throughtout the process. Little by little he is Performing an encore (Dueter 7:22-23). My personal relationship with my God is so much more guenine and authenic, I’m more humble, my family is being restored, My kids and I are in fantastic health, my finances are in excellent health as well, I dont have to spend money on unforseen things that breakdown like washer/dryer, refridgerator, car issues,etc. I look all around my life, God has me living in abundance in EVERY Area of my life not just money/ finances. It not just about finances, there’s a greater influence that God wants over your life and that is for you to surrender all to Him.
If you folks just sit and think about it the money you earn for a living is a major part of your being or who are because you sow yourself into obtaining it. You spend or sow your precious time, energy, efforts, your talents, your abilities, your thoughts, your educational background to obatain a degree to get a well paying job to get what???….Money to function in this world. So in essence it is part of you because you sow yourself to obtain it. God is just asking you for 10% in actuality all of the money and everything you have in your possession is HIS even your body your spirit dwells in is his (I Cor 6:18) are a steward over these things meaning its just give to you to manage…everything belongs to God! You dwell in His Kingdom. That should be your mindset. Nothing is MINE! Its All Gods and your will appreciate that position and that will that the stigma off of the money issue and make it a heart issue!
To bring this to a close, everyone on this blog confess they are christian and I dont doubt it .Everyone matures in Christ at a different rate just like if you have kids they all will mature differently and gain responsible at different ages some at 13 some at 18 some at 35 some at 41 but they get it eventually. We are the same way as God’s childern some of us get the revalation of what God wants you to know early and some of us get it later but as long as we all get to the point of revelation( which is disclosure of Gods purpose for you not from a book but from spending time with Him and He speaking to you) we all are victorious. What happens is we initiate the process through Mediation of the word of God, the Bible which becomes information processed and dissected to us and that were we stop and that’s what we live by, the next step is the Revelation of God through hearing His voice. Soto the end, I confess and profess tithing cause it works for me until I am otherwise specified through hearing God telling me to do something different I will continue being a tither until I go home to be with my Savior
You just blessed me. My testimony is yours. I am going to keep on being faithful to the Living God in spite of my trials. I believe that one day I’m going to be dept free. Your right God is bigger than anything I could ever face. He really won’t leave or forsake us.
Conchetta,
Don’t look at tithe as a must “Do” to get something back from God. He’s already, “DONE”, completed the work “THE FINISHED WORK” through Jesus at the cross. II Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, YET for your sake He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. This is not talking about Spiritually this is talking about financially. God desires for you to be healthy and wealthy so that you can live a life to give out of yourself in every area. If you are sick you can’t go out and preach the good news if you are poor you cant give out of the abundance. Tithing is just a reference point of givig In truth we should be giving more. None of it is ours. I look at it like this, David said it plainly I Chronicles 29:12 Both riches and honor comes from You Lord, and You Reign over all. I Chronicles 29:14 …. For all things com from You, and OUT OF YOUR OWN [Hand] we have given YOU! AMP Bible. Then if someone says that old testament Well Here’s more in the New testament Paul says to the RomansS, For from Him through Him and to Him are ALL things. to Him be the Glory Forever. (Romans 11:36) and if you want to read about the Preemince of Jesus Read Colossians 1:9-18. You got to get a revalation of Who He is to you. We own nothing! all of it is His. Position (transform) your mind to be a Cheerful giver do just focus on the tithe. Dont give grudgingly or of nessecity. God loves when u Give He say He will ennable all grace to abound towards you in all things. And We Reign in life through the abandant of grace and the gift of righteousness through the ONE JESUS CHRIST! I could go on and on with the Great Amazing God that is my Savior, Keeper, Friend, Guide, Advocate and the list goes on. What is He to you! If you want chat I can give you my email. cause Im telling you you are in a good place right now! GOD will PROVIDE. JUST TRUST HIM! Not in your own psychology, your edeavors, your disicple,your hands, anything of yourself Man works avail Nothing! Keep your eyes on Jesus! Girl You Gott This!
Here’s an unfortunate truth… The world knows ‘you scratch my back I scratch yours’, and ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch’ We have the common sense to punch in at work because we expect a paycheck…
But somehow we want to ride the pine (pews) at church for free…take, take, take, oh dear Pastor pray for me, marry my wife and I and when they pass the offering plate…um..well…see… the thing is…that’s in the Old Testament.
I mean – we give waiters and waitresses 15%, and then scoff at 10% to the God who sustains us, wakes us up in the morning, puts food on our tables and a roof over our head? If that isn’t skullduggery I don’t know what is.
Just a question Mr. Fierro: what price did you pay or can you pay for what Jesus did on Calvary for you and me? Do you agree that salvation is a free gift or we have to pay for it monetarily? Just asking.
Salvation is a free gift…but being a disciple of Christ is NOT.
Salvation is ‘come as you are’ but not ‘stay as you are’. Take a look at the 10th Chapter of Hebrews and almost ALL of James.
FAITH saves – but the FAITH that SAVES is the FAITH that results in works.
But more to my point – it seems as if when we walk into a church, we leave common sense and decency at the door. We expect church to start on time, expect there to be heating and A/C, and even expect the preacher to be there for us to marry and bury but, again, when the plate is passed we get all tight and selfish.
It is true what is said – the wallet is the last part of us to get saved.
Just wanted to give this thought. Sense Jesus paid the debt on cross and it is finished. Should we as a Christian continue live adulatory or should we get out, or should we continue to keep stealing like robbing banks, or should we stop. I think we all know the answer. Then why is it okay to rob from God in tithe and offering.
The apple does not fall far from the tree. It does not fall far from the pulpit either.
– jared
A man sees his Pastor ride up on a horse. The horse is a beautiful steed, but the priest is disheveled and gaunt.
One of his congregants ask him “Why is your horse in such good shape, but you not so much”. The preacher says, “I take care of the horse…you take care of me”.
Our example is Christ, and Him crucified…the ultimate example of giving 100%.
We squawk at 10%.
Confusing.
Bro Anthony, thats exactly the point ! In our MIND and in our HEART we must surrender 100 % to Jesus as LORD OF ALL ! This is including our purse / wallet. Then WHEN THE SPIRIT PROMPTS we must give WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT PROMPTS us to give – even up to 100% ! Say the Holy spirit speaks to you when you are listening to a sermon, or you come across a need, you give whatever is prompted , yes, even upto 100% ! This is living by the Spirit. BUT when you give because you feel OBLIGED (because you believe in an obligation), then you are giving by LAW and under a curse! Does that make sense ??
Yes – we should always be open to the promptings of the Spirit.
It is human nature that if you tell people to give based on how you feel (promptings of the Spirit, goosebumps, emotionalism) they will take that to mean just that – give what you feel. If we look all throughout God’s word (which is THE SPIRIT speaking to us) in passages such as 2 COR 9:7, Galatians 6:7; Matt 23:23; Proverbs 11:24; Mal 3:9-10,
Why do you think that government spends 70% of its programs on entitlements? Why do you think that churches can’t endorse political candidates? Because the church isn’t being the church. The church isn’t being the church because it can’t be the church when people given how/when they feel like it.
The day we all tithe is the day we can stand up and do something about the enemy’s hold on the media…because instead of being able to see the media’s message and the media’s message only about values, they will see churches in the communities doing some GREAT WORKS and BEING THE CHURCH. Until then, we’re merely a ‘clangning cymbal’
Anthony,
Is that your problem with Spirit led giving . . . you are worried that people will respond to giving based on their feelings? I don’t worry about feelings interfering whenever the Holy Spirit calls a minister to serve, why do you discourage others who wish to support them in the same manner? Shouldn’t the Levites, who serve according to the law, be supported by the law; and pastors, who serve by the Spirit, be supported by the Spirit?
Do you think we should enforce others to serve throughout the Church just because people only serve based on their feelings?
– jared
Steward: I’m not WORRIED about that, I know that, based on the information right in front of me. Let’s look at the facts:
The gay community is 3% of the population, yet dominate the conversation. How?
MONEY
The government is forced to take care of the elderly and widows. WHY?
MONEY
The government takes care of the unemployed…WHY?
MONEY
Again – just look at the society around you, how much the government is soaked for $$. This is because the church doesn’t have the resources to take care of many…
Why??
You guessed it…
MONEY.
Hence – I am not worried about what MIGHT happen…I am worried about WHAT IS HAPPENING.
Anthony you are trying to argue with me about something i agree with. I’m not debating with you on whether or not we are giving enough to God. Clearly we have been selfish people. The unemployed, and the elderly are all suffering due to our selfishness. Due to my passion, and regular writings on giving, i am constantly reminded of my own selfishness.
OK cool – then let’s call this one a draw:
Spirit lead giving…
with a minimum of 10%.
Fair enough?
I wish that were fair, but it’s not even biblical. Not even in the Old Testament. Bankers, lawyers, doctors and carpenters did not give a single cent of their occupational increase towards tithing.
How is that not fair? We give waiters 15% but God we question 10? That doesn’t even make any sense.
What doesn’t make sense is why you would compare God’s gratuity charge with what a waiter charges.
A waiter NEVER charges gratuity…when we go into a restaurant we know it is the right thing to do.
This sense turns off when we walk into church for some reason.
If a waiter doesn’t charge a gratuity, and we still know giving is the right thing to do . . . why wouldn’t we know the right thing to do for our Father?
Pastors would like us to turn off that sense of being Spirit led and wish that we stick to a gratuity charge.
I find Christian blogs so disappointing. The world doesn’t see civil debate – they see the same meanspirited drivel that they would see anywhere else. Shouldn’t we set the example.
For those of you who disagree with Anthony – are you following the biblical method of grace in your dispute? Let’s say that you are right and I’m not doing that – How did Paul tell you to deal with the weaker Christian?
In 1 Corinthians Paul talks of his freedom to eat food sacrificed to idols but gives up that freedom for conscience of the weaker Christian. Peter says to to treat others with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
It is amazing that the ones claiming “grace” over the law are the most meanspirited.
This is my view on the tithe. Blast me if you will Jesus knows me and I’m fine.
There are few areas in the Christian life that we can actually “exercise” faith. Giving your money is one in which you are actually putting something behind your words. Does it get you to heaven? No! Does not giving keep you from heaven? No! However if you can’t exercise some faith with your money when the situation is not too bad, where are you going to find that faith when you need it?
I haven’t become rich although always protected. I will say that my faith is richer because I do tithe and give over the tithe.
The Bible can be interpreted, valued, and broken down in a million different ways. We can argue about tithing until rapture.
What we can’t argue about is the FACTS of what an immobilized and impotent American church look like. By most counts, 40% of this nation’s wealth is spent on Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security. This, oh by the way, happens to include THE ENTIRE body of people that the church is to be caring for and rehabilitating.
Unfortunately, we can’t do that. Why? People won’t give. If people don’t give, the state must step in and replace the church as the ‘charity’ that sustains people through homelessness, hunger, and addiction. The only down side is that the GOVERNMENT takes the money at gunpoint through tax laws.
So…continue the debate. Talk until you’re blue in the face. The facts in front of us cannot be denied – our church body in the U.S. is paralyzed, broken, and Pastors are quitting all the time because there aren’t enough people helping to shoulder the load.
Anthony……well said. i have found the answers i have been searching for, your testimony has inspired me and several others that have read this. continue to share it regardless of what others say…people are entitled to their opinion, i pray that they shall read& understand God’s word on tithe and that they shall one day be set free.
The scripture say
Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the LORD your God that I give you.(Deut 4:2)
And if anyone takes words away from this book of prophecy, God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.(Rev 22:19)
Everyone one this blog has conspired in their minds that God’s tithe is money yet the truth is God said this is what he considers tithe material:
Leviticus 27:30-34 (NIV)
30 “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. 31 Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it. 32 Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the LORD. 33 No one may pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. If anyone does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed.’”
Notice there is no mention of money.
This is from the mouth of God.
When questioned about paying taxes Jesus said this about our precious money
Mark 12:14-17 (NIV)
14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax[a] to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”
But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”
And they were amazed at him.
The tithe God describes came from the earth in which no man’s inscription is found on it only God’s.
Giving 10% of your income because you love the Lord is one thing but tithing because you misinterpret the scriptures is another.
No one is saying not to practice tithing after all your giving is based on your relationship with God but know why you are doing it.
Corinthians 9:6-8
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
ODC,This is what we call rightly dividing the word of God. Nowhere in the scriptures are we told that the tithe was to be in money form. NO WHERE AT ALL. So, those who claim to tithe from their salary have certainly missed the point even if they claim to read and follow the scriptures.