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As many stated before there is no set amount to give, but rather giving cheerfully from the heart, but if someone can afford to give and chooses not to give anything, i think thats where they will come under judgement to God. He only blessed you with a income when millions dont have a job and put a room over your head, the least you can do is give a offering to thank him with a portion of what he has already given you. But the prosperity gospel being preached right now that foucses on your wealth more than salvation where people are more giving to receive a blessing in return than giving from the heart is sad.
I struggle with this... I would love to give 10% each and every week... but then what would I NOT pay? We go without all the extras - but I don't consider the mortgage, electricity, food, etc "extras".
It's hard to take that leap... especially when you're already fighting disconnection notices each month.
I am a member of an United Methodist Church. Congregation is fairly small, averages about 50-60 members a Sunday. My problem is that none of the members are tithing. Out of the members, I would say that there are 6-8 members who are consistent tithers. The reason I am complaining is because of the lack of consistent tithers, our church bills are beginning to fall behind....We are basically having to rob Peter to pay Paul to pay bills.....Now I know that we are living in dire economic times but what does Malachi 3:10 say. Also I hate to say it...but I also think our members will not pay because our current pastor is very well off. But as a congregation, we should not be envious and jealous because the pastor is well off... I know you can't give what you dont have...but come on $5 from a grown adult every Sunday....I mean you can do better than that. Don't members know that blessings are being blocked.....As a single person, I give a 10th of my paycheck everytime I get paid and I have to say Im better off now than before when I wasnt tithing......You have to trust him....Please chime in on this dilemma and thank you for letting me vent.
Thier NON-tything indicates :
1. Their willful disobedience to Gods command to tythe to the Church Body.
2. Their propensity of making money their Idol by not wanting to financially support the local CHurch Building needs/salaries/and needs within the local Body of Believers.
3. Thier possible ignorance to what God expects from us where our money is involved.
4. A spirit of apathy.
5. Their expectation of Others to carry the finanical load without their cooperation.
It will result in God being displeased with such people due to willful disobedience and/or a could care less attitude. The Pastor of the CHurch needs to have a real heart-to-heart talk from the Pulpit to the Church Body on what God expects from us, and, the various bills that the Church sees regularly and their amounts. There needs to be a little bit more than just a gentle plea from the Pastor at getting this all too common issue resolved . The Christian Church is a business involving alot of things to alot of people....with the most important thing being to work toward seeing Souls be forgiven and saved for eternity --- and like any other Business, it requires a steady flow of income for it to operate effectively.
Even secular Organizations such as American Atheist Association and Humanist Organizations depend on regular financial contributions from their constituency to further their agenda , etc...
I struggle with this... I would love to give 10% each and every week... but then what would I NOT pay? We go without all the extras - but I don't consider the mortgage, electricity, food, etc "extras".
It's hard to take that leap... especially when you're already fighting disconnection notices each month.
Yes. The Church would rather see you evicted and living on the streets than miss out on their cash. Then, when you are on the streets, they can give you a bowl of watery soup and tell you how wonderful 'God' is and how he will attend to your needs.
Even secular Organizations such as American Atheist Association and Humanist Organizations depend on regular financial contributions from their constituency to further their agenda , etc...
...but they don't threaten you with eternal torture if you don't give anything.
Is your church being honest about its income and expenses? Are your books open? Have you even shared with the congregation the fact that income does not meet expenses? Do the congregants know what their money is being spent on?
If you don't ask, you don't receive.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Prairieparson
when you judge other peoples stewardship, you are judging your fellow man.
Agreed. Tithing -- in its very traditional and strict definition -- is a very un-Christianlike way of asking people to contribute toward their church community.
Yes. The Church would rather see you evicted and living on the streets than miss out on their cash. Then, when you are on the streets, they can give you a bowl of watery soup and tell you how wonderful 'God' is and how he will attend to your needs.
Can u tell us about the hostility you have toward Christian Churches and the bad experience you must have had at one of them ? Can u share how youve acquired a very unsavory personality since becoming a Critic/Atheist/Agnostic ? thanks .
Niether does the church i attend , or any of the many churches ive visited (probably over 150) where ive heard a message on tithing over the years .
....and what happens to you if you show (in your own words) .... "willful disobedience to Gods command"??
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