TITHING

[BIG AL]

To tithe or not to tithe.do you all tithe,i use to but it got to the point were i felt like I was trying to buy gods love or his favor.So this last yr i stopped and started giving what god placed on my heart,by the way was less than 10%.Some say you are robbing god some say its old testament(the law).I know we need to keep the doors open so others have a place to come especially those who needs salvation.Has anyone else felt like they were trying to buy god.

[snugsnug]

thanks al for this post.

my belief is on the contrary. when we do not give to God we are disobeying Him. this is very important to not only keep the doors open but to pay salaries, cut the grass, give to the needy, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the people in prisons, and so on...EVERYTHING is Gods, we are only stewards of this world, and everything on it.

my personal history with tithing started four years ago. our pastor suggested that if we kept saying we could not afford to tithe, then we would never be able to. so we prayed, and stepped out on faith.

we have increased our percent every year, and have actually made less money each year. in 2007 we only made n$400.00 and tithed $900.00. that is the year Beckye had 13 surgeries and I had to stop working.

God is so good!

[Chewi]

2 Corinthians 9:6-9 TNIV

Generosity Encouraged

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. 9 As it is written:
"They have scattered abroad their gifts to the poor;
their righteousness endures forever." [a]

The above happened to be my online devotional today.

Giving is very intimate between you and God. Jesus praised the poor, beggar woman who gave ALL she had. I think we give to fulfill certain obligations, such as a pledge to our church. But we are also moved to support other charities, family, friends, neighbors. Giving also includes being generous with our time and talents.

We have to lead a balanced life and be good stewards of what we have in order to give. I think we have to pray for God to help us determine what amount/percentage is right in our circumstances. We always need to remember that ALL we have is from Him and we are to share it with others and we are commanded to care for the poor, widows and orphans. This has to be remembered with balance for our own obligations, bills, family, etc. There are those who give too much away and can't pay their bills, for example. So, as all things in life, seeking His will and keeping that balance is important.

Thanks for the topic. It made me think more about this today!

[paulm]

Church goer I am not. I do know about giving though and about tithing. It is a personal thing, if you are comfortable giving 10%, then do so. If you think it's biblical, and is your duty, then do it. If you are uncomfortable don't. it's personal. it's a dangerous topic to bring up because a lot of people feel it is your obligation and will use scripture after scripture to convince you that you should. Some are very hypocritical and will tell you what you need to do, and not practice it in their own life.. Do what you need to do, when you feel compelled to give, which I pray is often then you should.

AL, I have talked with preachers that look at people in financial predicaments and have outwardly told them, it isn't required that everyone give, pointed at their financial position and said you are welcome here don't give me your money, right now!

If you take care of your finances, you will see an abundance, and you will want to give. So should you give, right now you should be settling your debt. then when the fear of economic insecurity is removed, your heart will most likely feel compelled to.