Prosperity Preaching & Tithing

[Lewis]

What do you all think about prosperity preaching, and preachers asking the congregation for money ? And or telling you that you will be blessed for giving, which is Bible based. We have discussed this many times, but we have a new turnover of people so I would like to hear what you think. Many will not watch preachers like Paula White, who I think is a God sent preacher, or TBN because of these things.And do you think that you will be blessed for Tithing ?

 

[jasoncran]

Re: Prosperity Preaching

i do believe in tithing but not prosperity preaching, the apostles, most were poor in this world, that's not say that god wont bless you , but serve the Lord because you love him, and you will be blessed, but the blessings(some) are given in heaven.

The Lord came to give us life and life more abundantly, yes, but we arent to think that if we follow christ we will become "rich in the is world". Look at the early church and a good example of today is the gospel for asia founder kp ohanlon. He gives all that has to help souls get saved, he believes that we should sacrifice if we are lead to. That is his calling to give like that, not a commandment.

Do you we really need that big house when a soul could be saved by us giving a little more to the church that uses the money wisely. 100 yrs from now noone will recall that house or us owning it. What we do for the Lord does last, as he will bless us.

 

[Lewis]

Re: Prosperity Preaching

Well Jason, the apostles were not poor, they were business people, and Jesus did not walk around with raggedy clothes on. Jason I just added Tithing to the mix.

 

[Tina]

Re: Prosperity Preaching

^

I believe that prosperity is God's will. There are biblical scriptures that support that. However prosperity is relative. What one finds expensive may not be so to another, what one sees as a lot of money may be peanuts to another. In my opinion, prosperity preaching is fine as long as the preachers don't mislead the congregation with false hopes and false promises.


2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Psalm 112:3
Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever.

 

[Lewis]

Re: Prosperity Preaching

^

I believe that prosperity is God's will. There are biblical scriptures that support that. However prosperity is relative. What one finds expensive may not be so to another, what one sees as a lot of money may be peanuts to another. In my opinion, prosperity preaching is fine as long as the preachers don't mislead the congregation with false hopes and false promises.


2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Psalm 112:3
Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever.

Great answer

 

[Lewis]

Some people think that pastors should not ask the congregation for money, but the ministry of God needs money to survive and get the Word to people. Do you all believe that if you don't pay your tithes that there will be a curse on you like the Bible says ?

 

[Tina]

Some people think that pastors should not ask the congregation for money, but the ministry of God needs money to survive and get the Word to people. Do you all believe that if you don't pay your tithes that there will be a curse on you like the Bible says ?

That is the Old Testament law. Don't think it applies today .....


.

 

[TorchHeart]

Personally, I'm not sold on prosperity preaching. I've read a few things on it (if I can get a link or two up, I will) and I question just how in line with God's will it is. While there are scriptures to support God wanting us to prosper, Tina has the right idea in that what we consider "prospering" and what God considers prospering might be two different things. The preachers who go out and declair that these Biblical verses they use in prosperity teaching relate directly to wealth and material possessions are the ones I am most skeptical of.

Some people think that pastors should not ask the congregation for money, but the ministry of God needs money to survive and get the Word to people. Do you all believe that if you don't pay your tithes that there will be a curse on you like the Bible says ?

No, I don't believe that there will be a curse on people who don't pay their tithes. That was in the O.T. Law and is something that Christ took off of us with his death and ressurection.

I do, however, believe that a church needs money to not only survive in today's world, but to carry out its mission to spread the Lord's Word to the masses, as well as take an active and Christian role in helping out the community. And if you believe in your church and what your church is doing, then it seems only right that (as a member) you should be willing to help your church with its mission.

 

[Lewis]

Many still preach today, that in order to be blessed you have to pay your tithes, do you all believe that ?

 

[Tina]

^

1 Corinthians 9:14
Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

Galatians 6:6
Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.


However these verses are about voluntary giving, not a specific 10 % tithe.


.

 

[Grams]

My husband takes care of that.
If we have extra and some thing is in need my husband will take care of that.
My husband is retired so money is tight.....

Our teacher Tom. He does not like to be called preacher, pastor
He is a very good teacher, does a lot of studying.

Each time he sees that there are new people in our church, he will make this statement, or close to it.

Please do not give if you are new ! Look us over and see what we are all about ........

 

[Lewis]

So some you think that the required 10 % no longer applies after the New Testament ?

 

[JoJo]

I've always been a believer in that if one gives, one will receive. If we tithe, I believe God will bless our efforts with sustenance and blessings. I don't believe God desires for each of us to be financially wealthy. That kind of prosperity teaching is off the mark IMO.

 

[jasoncran]

Some people think that pastors should not ask the congregation for money, but the ministry of God needs money to survive and get the Word to people. Do you all believe that if you don't pay your tithes that there will be a curse on you like the Bible says ?

so, if a pastor buys a big house and lives lavishly on tithes, then no, tithing is one thing, but the pastor is accountable for how the money is spent.

paula white's church if im correct is in lakeland, fl(only 1.5 hrs away) She does have a reputation of living lashingly. I dont like that when people give to ministry :mad , use it for the work. Now then does it offend me if a pastor has some nice things, no, but when it becomes several cars, thousand dollar suits. What wittness is that, but the love of filhty lucre.

prosperty teaches goes like this, get saved and the Lord will make you rich!, really look at the apostles , some had money, yes lewis, but you never hear that thought from them at all. God can use the rich , but recall what jesus said to the church of laodicea, i just would be cautious on those teachings of prosperty gospel, i dont think its in the gospel.

think about what jesus taught lay up treasure in hevean, yes God can bless, but its not meant for every single christian to have that worldy wealth, seek the lord first and live for him and let him bless you.

 

[Free]

There is nothing wrong with teaching about money and giving from the pulpit, as long as it is done biblically. The problem is that the vast majority, if not all, of the prosperity teaching I have seen is anything but biblical. It's a westernized, capitalist view of Scripture which is foreign to Christianity.

That is not to say that God has planned for certain worthy Christians to be wealthy but it certainly is not for every Christian and not something that should be preached in such a bad manner.

 

[jasoncran]

There is nothing wrong with teaching about money and giving from the pulpit, as long as it is done biblically. The problem is that the vast majority, if not all, of the prosperity teaching I have seen is anything but biblical. It's a westernized, capitalist view of Scripture which is foreign to Christianity.

That is not to say that God has planned for certain worthy Christians to be wealthy but it certainly is not for every Christian and not something that should be preached in such a bad manner.

why couldnt i just said it that way, yes, free i'm an american i see it that way too

jason

 

[Lewis]

Good post's Jason & Free, who else ?

 

[Free]

I think I misspoke but I think you guys understood what I was saying:

"That is not to say that God has planned for certain worthy Christians to be wealthy" should be "That is not to say that God has not planned for certain worthy Christians to be wealthy".

 

[jasoncran]

I think I misspoke but I think you guys understood what I was saying:

"That is not to say that God has planned for certain worthy Christians to be wealthy" should be "That is not to say that God has not planned for certain worthy Christians to be wealthy".

i understood that before clarified

 

[Justice]

We pay the Church bills and don't ask for money or tithes. We feel as long as we can pay the bills that's a burden we won't put on the people. Instead we give money away once a week.

My daughter and her husband attends another Church where they require 10% of their income (before taxes) plus 10% on any profit. She believes that if she does not tithe (by law) it's the same as robbing God. Their pastor is a kept man since most of the money goes to him and he is not my ideal of what God looks or acts like.

A lot of people can't afford to go to Church. The mega Churches with parking lots full of nice vehicles not many clunkers if any. Where does that leave the poor?