I know that we are supposed give 10% of our income to our church or charity as another demonstration of faith. But, what if you REALLY don't have that to give? I don't and most people I know don't. What do you think?
Aren't we supposed to give though as much as we can? For example the woman who walked into the temple and gave a penny - she was scoffed at however Jesus praised her because it was all she had. So to be a good Christian do we have to give up all our material and monetary possessions?
The debate on tithing is a powerful one because it deals with our fundamental beliefs about money and giving. It cuts to the very core of our relationship with God, and money, at the same time. On the one side there are those who state that tithing is still a requirement for every believer. This argument is usually given by church leaders who depend on that money. On the other side, there are those who argue that tithing was a requirement of Old Testament Law which was abolished or fulfilled by the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. This argument is often given by those who either can't give or don't want to feel compelled to give.
My belief is that both of these arguments have some validity, but they are entirely missing the point. The fulfillment of the law in Jesus' life, death, burial and resurrection set us free from the law. In regards to tithing or giving, it means we have been set free in giving, not from giving. To get a better understanding of this concept take a look at 2Corinthians 8:1-5
-- Edited by Dave@D2P on Wednesday 29th of April 2009 07:35:10 AM
I see the Old Testament Law of tithing as something similar to a debt owed to God. After all, it was God that made a person's crops grow and their herds to multiply. So giving a tithe was in essence a duty or required way of showing God recognition, praise, and worship.
While the Old Testament Law may have been fulfilled through Christ, isn't it still God that allows us to live and prosper? When we give out of our remnants (or what is left over after we pay the bills) isn't that like giving him our scraps and leftovers? I think we should focus on the "spirit" of giving rather than the "letter of the law."
Shouldn't the amount we give, where we give, and who we give to, be determined by our careful prayer and meditation. For example, should we give to a church that is "spiritually" dead? Wouldn't that be like planting seeds in bad or rocky soil?
I think the best way to tell is whether the church is growing or not, and how hot, cold, or lukewarm the congregation is. "By their fruits, ye shall know them." You can identify the type and the health of a tree by the fruit it bears, I think the same can be true for churches.
I think the best way to tell is whether the church is growing or not, and how hot, cold, or lukewarm the congregation is. "By their fruits, ye shall know them." You can identify the type and the health of a tree by the fruit it bears, I think the same can be true for churches.
What you said is true but be careful not to judge a "tree" too quickly. While you can identify an orange tree when it is producing oranges, always remember that the tree bears fruit "in season." Just because a tree isn't bearing fruit during a specific time of year doesn't mean it's dead. The same could be said for a church, or even a person for that matter.
I know that we are supposed give 10% of our income to our church or charity as another demonstration of faith. But, what if you REALLY don't have that to give? I don't and most people I know don't. What do you think?
I am in the same situation. I would love to be able to give more but I can't until I get out of debt. It is becoming much more clear to me just how destructive debt can be, it not only keeps us from being able to provide for our family but keeps us from being able to help others as well.
I think the best way to tell is whether the church is growing or not, and how hot, cold, or lukewarm the congregation is. "By their fruits, ye shall know them." You can identify the type and the health of a tree by the fruit it bears, I think the same can be true for churches.
What you said is true but be careful not to judge a "tree" too quickly. While you can identify an orange tree when it is producing oranges, always remember that the tree bears fruit "in season." Just because a tree isn't bearing fruit during a specific time of year doesn't mean it's dead. The same could be said for a church, or even a person for that matter.
I agree completely that we should not judge too quickly and that trees bear fruit in season, but don't we also prune trees to remove the dead wood and allow them to produce even more fruit? The Bible issues a stern warning to lukewarm churches in Revelation 3:14-21 I think it's time for some churches to wake up and get excited and I think pumping money into a church that is like the one described in the passage I mentioned is a waste of God's resources. I say put that money to work in a church where people are being fed spiritually.
