Well, it is time to get Danny up in arms so I want to say something about money.

Tithing was for the upkeep of God's nation, Israel. He has no nation today....but instead has His Son's body, the community of believers. There are no priests to keep up because we are all priests. There is no Temple to keep up because He now dwells in our hearts, not anywhere else. What on earth would the tithe pay for today?

Well, since God's family is not an institution there is no reason to take up money to uphold *IT*. So we could go to the Bible and find out why money was donated. We could if everyone would take off their traditional blinders, that is.

Nelta http://members.xoom.com/atlen/

-- Anonymous, August 23, 2000

Answers

Sorry Nelta...doesn't bother me.

I don't believe tithing is binding on the Christian.

Try another subject.

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2000

Everyone......

Exactly....especially Nelta!!!

On of the problems I have with the tithe concept.....outside of the fact that is a part of the Old Law.....is the it trains our people to think that "Once I've.....tithed....the rest is mine and I can do what I want!"

Wrong!!!

It all belongs to God....and the person who is led by grace is constantly looking for ways to strech another dollar and give to kingdom work!!

That's the difference between the old and the new....or as I like to say.....the difference between "have to".....and "get to."

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2000

Yeah Marc.....I don't like the phrase...."tithes and offerings." Interestingly, I don't use it.....and I find the people leading prayers and meditations are using it less too. A slow process of rethinking some things will probabably lead to better language later on.

As far as missions......I think a congregation ought to shoot for the stars. I'm a big fan of the Faith Promise Plan.....but have no problem with either way of doing it.

I think missions ought to be a heavy emphasis in each congregation.

Do that.....and it always seems to me the local stuff always gets taken care of. What do you think??

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2000

Hey Mark.....

Just wanted to acknowledge your questions....which are good ones.

Because of that, give me some time to ponder.

Thanks!

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2000

I certainly agree that we should not be legalistic about tithing since it is never mentioned in the N.T. as a requirement for Christians. (It is "mentioned" in the N.T., but only as one of the practices of the Jews.)

But I believe that I Cor. 16:1-4 certainly implies PROPORTIONATE giving (regardless of whether it is stored up "at home" or "at the church house" until needed). And every passage about giving in the N.T. encourages GENEROUS giving.

So can you show us ANYTHING AT ALL that would say/suggest/imply that Christians should give anything LESS than a full tithe? It seems to me that we should be teaching (not legalistically forcing, but TEACHING) Christians to go BEYOND the tithe in their giving. Wouldn't you agree?

Just think what the church of God could do for world evangelism and in helping each other if everyone was giving AT LEAST a full tithe. Sometime back I saw some statistics that showed that members of "Christian Churches" lagged considerably behind some "other denominations" in the proportion of income given for the work of the church. I can't remember the percentage they found, but it was considerably LESS than a tithe. I think that's sad. Just think what could have been done if the full tithe had been given!!

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2000

Hello Ben and all:

I will take it a step further and say that ALL of our money belongs to God and it should ALL be used to further His cause while we are in this physical realm.

Nelta

-- Anonymous, August 24, 2000

Amen, Ben! Good answer, Nelta! =)

Egads! Have we found a topic we all agree on?

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2000

Do you feel that our giving (tithe or more) should be given to the local church (some use Malachi 3:10 to support)?; or to other missions?; or where ever one feels God is leading (depending upon financial status of congregation)?

Should a local congregation "tithe" to missions?

In our church our offering time is called "sharing of tithes and offerings", I'm starting to feel that maybe this is not correct terminology, what do you think?

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2000

Hello Marc and all:

I want to comment on your post but don't want to go over-board in my response.

First of all we are not still under the O.T. Tithing was for that time (as I said in the beginning) when God had a nation with a priesthood, temple..etc. That was all nailed to the cross and we are all priests today.

Every Christian is a priest and is a steward for the money he/she has been blessed with. It is up to each person how he spends his money because he will give an accounting for his stewardship. He cannot turn over his obligation to any other person or persons. If and when he does he is going against the plan God had for him.

If he chooses to join in with other like-minded people for a certain project (knowing where the money is going) then he is NOT giving up his personal responsibility. IOW to pool money for a certain event is A-OK ISTM.

So the question is not, What can the *Church* send to, but what each individual decides to do...knowing he MUST not give up his personal responsibility.

Just my thoughts!

Nelta http://members.xoom.com/atlen/ Bible discussion list: 1stCen-Christianity-subscribe@egroups.com

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2000

Danny,

I agree with your concept of giving to missions... however, I think that sometimes we need to evaluate what a "mission" is.

For example, I know of churches who have built new building or new congregations and the are really reaching the community and perhaps the best "mission" they can have is local.

I also know of congregations who have helped people (in the church and outside) in various ways... we usually call this benevolence... but is there a difference?

I also agree that the "local" stuff or things within the church are taken care of... someone will always be more likely to stand up and give to a need for "their" church.

This brings me to another thought. What are your feelings on hiring another staff member? Should the church have the amount of his salary in the bank? The amount pledged? Or go on faith when the need arises?

Also... any suggestions as to # of attenders per staff member?

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2000

Acts 15:22-29 22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well. (KJV)

The First Church In agreement with the Holy Ghost, Did not Do the tithing, A lot of Church Hirelings are to greedy to find Jesus and His Truth in the Scriptures. The Blind lead the blind.

-- Anonymous, September 16, 2000

Some of those early saints in Jerusalem were zealous after the Law, and participated in temple worship. Tithing into the Israeli system was a part of the Law.

-- Anonymous, September 17, 2000