Bible Study Should I tithe or pay my bills first? Do we rob God when we don't tithe?

[daninthelionsden]

might i add it is very biblical to attend worship in a building . we dont worship the building only worship in the Building it be comes a church the body of Christ

One of the most memorable churches I attended for a time met in an old warehouse.

 

[daninthelionsden]

Somehow. I think if you and I had a 1 hour lunch together, we'd turn that into a 3 hr. lively conversation of stories, experiences, debates, laughs and realize we'd talked way too long.

Don't worry ...I live thousands of miles away and plan to move to New Zealand.

 

[Edward]

Very interesting thread. Lots of nay saying here I see! Lots of, we can't afford to tithe, we have to eat, buy clothes, pay the electric bill, da da da...Those all sound like very valid reasons to not tithe but if you would go as far as to try you would find out that...you can't afford not to tithe.

SO are we saying that, if we had enough excess that we could and would pay a 10% tithe? Do we not remember the widow who put two mites in the plate and Jesus said she gave more than the rich guys did even though they wrote a big fat check. That is because she gave from her sustenance and not from her excess!

You need to eat buy clothes and pay the electric bill is why you can not afford to tithe? So what should we do then, cut the page out of the bible in Matthew 6:25-33?

The tithe used to be about food and we don't grow our crops any more and God don't need money so we don't have to tithe anyway...Ok listen closely. A tithe is not only about food. It is not because God needs money because He doesn't. Tithing helps others and teaches us to be cheerful givers. If you can't extrapolate a 10% first fruits tithe into case then you're just being unimaginative as you can simply calculate the tithe from your gross pay instead of your net.

Do I have to post several tithing testimonies for you Brothers and Sisters? I have them. Scripture says you can test God about tithing and just see what happens. I did this, I know.

Being willing to tithe one's sustenance money shows our trust in God and His provision for us. If you can not trust God to keep your lights on for you after you have used your electric bill money to pay your tithe, then no wonder you struggle. Who's more important, God or the world?

You all want to hear some testimony to back these things up?

 

[jasonc]

Very interesting thread. Lots of nay saying here I see! Lots of, we can't afford to tithe, we have to eat, buy clothes, pay the electric bill, da da da...Those all sound like very valid reasons to not tithe but if you would go as far as to try you would find out that...you can't afford not to tithe.

SO are we saying that, if we had enough excess that we could and would pay a 10% tithe? Do we not remember the widow who put two mites in the plate and Jesus said she gave more than the rich guys did even though they wrote a big fat check. That is because she gave from her sustenance and not from her excess!

You need to eat buy clothes and pay the electric bill is why you can not afford to tithe? So what should we do then, cut the page out of the bible in Matthew 6:25-33?

The tithe used to be about food and we don't grow our crops any more and God don't need money so we don't have to tithe anyway...Ok listen closely. A tithe is not only about food. It is not because God needs money because He doesn't. Tithing helps others and teaches us to be cheerful givers. If you can't extrapolate a 10% first fruits tithe into case then you're just being unimaginative as you can simply calculate the tithe from your gross pay instead of your net.

Do I have to post several tithing testimonies for you Brothers and Sisters? I have them. Scripture says you can test God about tithing and just see what happens. I did this, I know.

Being willing to tithe one's sustenance money shows our trust in God and His provision for us. If you can not trust God to keep your lights on for you after you have used your electric bill money to pay your tithe, then no wonder you struggle. Who's more important, God or the world?

You all want to hear some testimony to back these things up?

You like the op,didn't read the actually mosaic law on tithes ,and offering

Offerings were always animals ,tithes unless you were poor or lived to far from jersusalem,once every three years.
The poor man tithe was coinage the priest then bought something to be ate.

It was about a type of worship ,nothing to do with keeping the priests fed. They did eat from the offerings in some cases but only,the one who worked at the altar .


Irc the priests were given land to have their own live stocks .

Nothing close about living off the tithe ,or the church ,temple providing by it ,it was something commanded to be done in act of worship .

 

[jasonc]

You like the op,didn't read the actually mosaic law on tithes ,and offering

Offerings were always animals ,tithes unless you were poor or lived to far from jersusalem,once every three years.
The poor man tithe was coinage the priest then bought something to be ate.

It was about a type of worship ,nothing to do with keeping the priests fed. They did eat from the offerings in some cases but only,the one who worked at the altar .


Irc the priests were given land to have their own live stocks .

Nothing close about living off the tithe ,or the church ,temple providing by it ,it was something commanded to be done in act of worship .

Once a year ,tithe ,with a second tithe,on,the off year .

Not in that case what is claimed.

 

[jerry63935]

Somehow. I think if you and I had a 1 hour lunch together, we'd turn that into a 3 hr. lively conversation of stories, experiences, debates, laughs and realize we'd talked way too long.

possible

 

[sunflower]

I get a small pension from my late husband and his social security. When he died I stopped getting my social security. My bills are so that I seldom break even and live also on some savings. Also prices on food, etc. are rising and my income is not. This past year I have been giving 10 per cent of the pension money only where as for a year after his death I gave on the pension and also my social security. I am trying to decide whether I should pay on my social security even though in the past we gave so much from our previous income when my husband was still alive? I am 83. I have no investments except my mobile home, little savings, and no other income.

 

[Edward]

You like the op,didn't read the actually mosaic law on tithes ,and offering

Offerings were always animals ,tithes unless you were poor or lived to far from jersusalem,once every three years.
The poor man tithe was coinage the priest then bought something to be ate.

It was about a type of worship ,nothing to do with keeping the priests fed. They did eat from the offerings in some cases but only,the one who worked at the altar .


Irc the priests were given land to have their own live stocks .

Nothing close about living off the tithe ,or the church ,temple providing by it ,it was something commanded to be done in act of worship .

Brother, it's not about being an obligation or the letter of the law...it is about an attitude of the heart. About learning that we are all Brothers and Sisters and are one, and we are here to learn to help each other and to put others before ourselves. Just like Jesus did when He let them nail Him to a cross.

And if we're too hung up with how and the letter of the law and if we are obligated to give of our own...then we miss the point of us learning to take on the attitude of the heart of Jesus.

It takes faith to pay tithes from bill money only the first few times. After that the Lord will have opened the floodgates of heaven enough on you for it to become quite obvious that...He's got you covered Brother!

I pay my tithes on the street. To people who have needs and me helping them is very convenient for them because they don't have to make a trip to the church and essentially apply for help. Plus there's no way that the tithe could get misappropriated and not go to the people who need it. So my heart is good with that and I am at peace about paying tithes on the street.

 

[Edward]

I am trying to understand the anti-tithing viewpoint here, and well I should because I used all those same logic's myself in the past!

I do not think that it is held to be an obligation to tithe, however, it is being obedient when we do tithe. And it isn't about the money. It is an act of faith for sure. Using the bill money out of an act of obedience is an act of faith. It is...getting out of the boat. It is a risk. It says to God that, we put our dependency on Him alone. Not upon our mammon. I'm fairly certain that when we hold it in our heart that we can not afford to pay tithes because we have to pay the many bills, that, this is holding God 2nd to our money and worldly concerns...does that sound right? And does not scripture say that you can not serve God and mammon?

You see, I took the opportunity to test God on tithing once. scripture says it is ok. And doing that made me learn that God is faithful, and that...tithes usually work out (at least for me) to be more than my offerings are. So tithing encourages our heart to becoming more giving. It is not about the money, it is about the development of the heart, and your relationship through obedience.

I got a few smoking tithing testimonies! Just ask, lol.

 

[WIP]

the church will grow with COVID-19 might i add people still give. iam talking about pastor a church . my 2nd church i had i was song leader/ sunday school teacher/ and pastor . all in one. doing a prison ministry is little bit different. any thing can be done . But are you willing to put the time in that is needed . preparing for a message takes study . the pastor has a balance to keep Jesus family church often time jesus and family gets put on a back burner. espc family i have a buddy drives truck gets up and leaves by 4:30 a.m puts in 12-13 hour days and does wed night church plus sun a.m and p.m plus funerals weddings . checks in on his members gives council to those with life issues . who takes care of the pastor.. i know i sound defense i am not pastor at this time.. but i have been there done that. had a church member get mad because i mentioned FOOTWASHING . talk about a carnal mind/jezebel spirit . a different church i said in preaching not everyone is saved . a woman threw a fit interrupted the message . did i do well ? no i got upset a week later i left.

First, I understand and agree that we need to support our pastors and churches financially if we want to keep them. At the same time, reading your post above gives me the impression that you saw your work in the church (song leader, Sunday School teacher, pastor, etc.) more as a job than a calling.

It is Biblical for pastors to be compensated. See 1 Corinthians 9:9-14.

It is also Biblical that the gospel is to be shared freely. See Luke 9:1-6.

When I was working, a coworker was a pastor. He currently works full-time in our IT department and also pastors a church in a town about 30 miles away. I do not know if he receives a salary from his pastoral work or not but it would not surprise me if he did not. He also has a family and finds time to jog. I am friends with him on Facebook and see posts about him with his family and his 10k runs quite often.

We are in the process of transitioning after our pastor retired a year ago. In all his 36 years of serving our church, our former pastor refused to accept a salary higher than an entry level pastor and even expected to pay for his own retirement account and health care insurance. We actually had to force the issue.

Consequently, now we are facing sticker shock as we are preparing to seek a new full-time pastor. Our small church could not support that salary level so part of our strategy may require some thinking outside the box like part-time pastor, sharing a pastor, finding a pastor that is working a full-time job outside the church, etc.

 

[jerry63935]

Don't worry ...I live thousands of miles away and plan to move to New Zealand.

lol worried no. i am willing to sit down and talk to anyone . its good to exchange beliefs . move to new zealand is that near Arkansas ? lol

 

[jasonc]

Brother, it's not about being an obligation or the letter of the law...it is about an attitude of the heart. About learning that we are all Brothers and Sisters and are one, and we are here to learn to help each other and to put others before ourselves. Just like Jesus did when He let them nail Him to a cross.

And if we're too hung up with how and the letter of the law and if we are obligated to give of our own...then we miss the point of us learning to take on the attitude of the heart of Jesus.

It takes faith to pay tithes from bill money only the first few times. After that the Lord will have opened the floodgates of heaven enough on you for it to become quite obvious that...He's got you covered Brother!

I pay my tithes on the street. To people who have needs and me helping them is very convenient for them because they don't have to make a trip to the church and essentially apply for help. Plus there's no way that the tithe could get misappropriated and not go to the people who need it. So my heart is good with that and I am at peace about paying tithes on the street.

Coming wuth a curse its a mandate,yet acts 5 is odd that men sell land,give nothing,or all or also a percentage,

 

[jasonc]

So you vet the home less ,
So the man that just got food.. should tithe?

Thats al he has ,a meal then ,a tent ,bike if he is Lucky and his clothes

 

[jerry63935]

reading your post above gives me the impression that you saw your work in the church (song leader, Sunday School teacher, pastor, etc.) more as a job than a calling.

it was part of my calling but its to much on a pastor. towards the end i had a lady step up and say she would do it. it was her first time ever . i have always been able to be a pinch hitter so to speak. i am not a song leader i dont know music if i know the song i can lead it that is about it. teaching sunday school i started out as a s..s teacher and i loved it. i later got called to preach. see my problem if not careful will turn a s.s lesson into a message in preaching . i had another preacher coming told him if he would teach . he could preach a couple times on sunday. . come his time to preach i taught he was a george jones NO SHOW . i had put a message together after teaching . i let it be a burden doing all 3 . my whole point is the pastor needs his time .

if you had all the money i made preaching you would still be broke . if your church is not able to go full time pastor and it takes good money to support a pastor.. he has needs like any one else.a bivocational pastor can work out. he just needs a reg job to help out. when i go visit and preach / i dont expect money some will give some dont.



many think the pastor should work for free and many do that is up to him.. the early church was started by folks giving above and beyond

Consequently, now we are facing sticker shock as we are preparing to seek a new full-time pastor. Our small church could not support that salary level so part of our strategy may require some thinking outside the box like part-time pastor, sharing a pastor, finding a pastor that is working a full-time job outside the church, etc.

not many can support full time . many denoms if you aint there flavor you dont preach period. i am not a denom preacher . i preach the Bible i dont preach you can or you cant i preach you can know. tough time for ministers and the church. it has to be all of God or not at all

 

[iLOVE]

iLOVE,

In my understanding, the tithe was biblical teaching that applied to the Israelites (Gen 14:19-20 NIV).

However, it is not Christian teaching because the NT states

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 (2 Cor 9:6-7 NIV).​

Oz

Hebrews 7:8
And here men that die receive Tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. (This refers to the Eternal Priesthood of Christ, of which Melchisedec was the Type)

It is impossible for the Believer to Love God or do what the scriptures ask of us to do in our own strength, willpower, and ability. All commandments and laws are kept by the Holy Spirit when the Believer Faith is placed and maintained exclusively in Christ and Him Crucified. This is why Jesus said, "take up your cross daily" - and not just on Easter! The TRUTH we must understand is that we are Crucified with Christ. Therefore, if Christ is a LAW KEEPER, than the Believer is a LAW KEEPER, because we are in Christ. No other way can we ABIDE IN CHRIST. Rom. 6:3-5

 

[Edward]

...and not only that, but technically there is not a tithe now. Because Jesus paid the purchase price and everything belongs to Him now. But God does not change, so if you pay tithes or even simply test Him on it, then everything is ok.

 

[daninthelionsden]

...and not only that, but technically there is not a tithe now. Because Jesus paid the purchase price and everything belongs to Him now. But God does not change, so if you pay tithes or even simply test Him on it, then everything is ok.

The main thing is have an obedient heart and give where led by the Holy Spirit.

 

[jasonc]

So if one is disabiled abd a widow and tithes 10 percent one should expect that need to be on food stamps ,and ssdi,to go,away ?

 

[Edward]

The main thing is have an obedient heart and give where led by the Holy Spirit.

Exactly. The Lord caught e off guard one time, lol. I had looked at a job for someone and I do quite a bit of work for free just to help people out but if someone in the household is working then, I might like to make a little something too. But I was unsure how much to charge these guys so I prayed about it...and the Lord said do it for free. You work for free now because you gave your life to me so it is mine...

I wasn't ready for that! I don't think that is in scripture? But it makes all sorts of sense to me. So I know for sure that was the Lord. It sounds like something Jesus would say.

 

[Edward]

So if one is disabiled abd a widow and tithes 10 percent one should expect that need to be on food stamps ,and ssdi,to go,away ?

Brother, you are trying to split hairs. No those people are not obligated to tithe. They are the reason others who have more tithe. To help the poor. Anywhere there is a need.

They probably could tithe and be blessed for it. But most times they are dealing with other issues also, so don't. I've started tithing on my ssdi check each month. I crunched the numbers several times and their check is not enough for me to keep up the same lifestyle as I had in Colorado. It just isn't there. And you know what? Every month, it's like I get a blessing somehow...and it works. I'm not missing any meals and the lights are on. Yes, last month it was my Stimulus check, but, Glory to God for that and not Trump! Trump is ok, I like him but that was from God and I know it.

But it's not a everybody has to pay even if you're poor already thing. It's a have the character of Jesus type of heart and help if you can, ask for help if you can't. Tithing is a good thing for the people and it is not a negative thing put upon His people.