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Okay, so there have been a few threads posted recently about tithing and if it is scripturally sound to tithe outside of your church and similar topics. This has really got me fired up, so I thought I'd start my own thread, with a challenge attached.
First let me say this:
I do not believe it is anyone's place to tell another person where they should or should not be giving their tithes, or even if they should (although that is clearly a biblical prinicple), where one chooses to distribute their tithing funds is between them and God.
But let me tell you why I feel this is such a pressing issue, and why I feel so many people have their heads buried in the sand (if I can use that analogy).
It seems we all go along to church and the done thing is to give our tithe there. Now I understand fully that in most cases, the tithes given to the church are distributed across many areas ie: to pay for electricity and building expenses, staff and Pastoral wages, perhaps to support missionaries if the church supports them (although usually most churches have separate missions funds and for that matter separate building funds), and various other ministries within the church.
I'm sure that the money given to the church as a congregational tithe is very well spent, however I personally struggle with giving my hard earned cash week in and week out to a cause where it seems, essentially I'm not seeing any fruit grow as a result. Now I know this might seem a selfish attitude to some, but let me elaborate further.
I am not saying I don't agree with tithing, I absoultely 100% do, I just think perhaps we need to all take some time out and listen a little closer to God, and where He might be calling us to give. I mean, if every single Christian in the universe gave their tithe only to the church, how would all the other needs that are right out there at our very doorstep be met? What about the homeless guy on the street, the friend working as a missionary abroad, the children in an orphanage in a destitute country, the guy at the petrol station whose card just declined, the person who needs some groceries for their family, your neighbour who can't pay their rent, a sponsor child in Rwanda, or (gasp) a regular commitment to the Christian Chat server bill?
Some people may say, well those things are incidental, and not Godly therefore you shouldn't give your tithe to them, (ie allocating your tithe to pay for someones groceries etc) but aren't we supposed to be witnesses to those in need? It's amazing how an act of kindness can revolutionise someone's life and even lead them to the Lord.. especially if everyone else is too busy tithing to their church, while these people are crying out in need, often being overlooked!
It's so easy to overlook these things and say, sure I can maybe commit to one of those OVER and above my regular tithe.. but FIRST I must give to the church. Why? Is the church out there meeting these needs? Are they there paying for someone's groceries or rent? Most of the time I would say no, they are too busy organising their next Christmas pagent and Choir rehearsal! And, more to the point (and here comes the challenge) where in the bible does it say we MUST give to the church? It simply doesn't. I challenge anybody to present scriptures to me (and I mean scriptures with JESUS commading us) that we SIMPLY MUST give first/only/ or at all even TO THE CHURCH. I have failed to even find one!! Sure, there are suggestions from apostles, that we give to the church, but that is not what I'm looking for. So, I would love to hear from anyone who can provide me with such a scripture. Please, enlighten me
For the longest time, I felt like God was calling me to give in various other areas outside of my church, and I have always loved tithing, but I began to feel depressed when I was giving regularly and not seeing any real fruits of my labour. So after seeking God about this, and doing my exhaustive research I came to the conclusion, that I should listen to Him, and give where He is leading me... and you know what? I've never been happier!
My husband and I support many ministires with our tithes (all outside of the church) and I am constantly praying for God to open up my eyes for new opportunites to give. It's amazing to recieve positive feedback and gratitude, as a result of your giving, to actually know it is making a difference, is the BEST feeling in the world.
First let me say this:
I do not believe it is anyone's place to tell another person where they should or should not be giving their tithes, or even if they should (although that is clearly a biblical prinicple), where one chooses to distribute their tithing funds is between them and God.
But let me tell you why I feel this is such a pressing issue, and why I feel so many people have their heads buried in the sand (if I can use that analogy).
It seems we all go along to church and the done thing is to give our tithe there. Now I understand fully that in most cases, the tithes given to the church are distributed across many areas ie: to pay for electricity and building expenses, staff and Pastoral wages, perhaps to support missionaries if the church supports them (although usually most churches have separate missions funds and for that matter separate building funds), and various other ministries within the church.
I'm sure that the money given to the church as a congregational tithe is very well spent, however I personally struggle with giving my hard earned cash week in and week out to a cause where it seems, essentially I'm not seeing any fruit grow as a result. Now I know this might seem a selfish attitude to some, but let me elaborate further.
I am not saying I don't agree with tithing, I absoultely 100% do, I just think perhaps we need to all take some time out and listen a little closer to God, and where He might be calling us to give. I mean, if every single Christian in the universe gave their tithe only to the church, how would all the other needs that are right out there at our very doorstep be met? What about the homeless guy on the street, the friend working as a missionary abroad, the children in an orphanage in a destitute country, the guy at the petrol station whose card just declined, the person who needs some groceries for their family, your neighbour who can't pay their rent, a sponsor child in Rwanda, or (gasp) a regular commitment to the Christian Chat server bill?
Some people may say, well those things are incidental, and not Godly therefore you shouldn't give your tithe to them, (ie allocating your tithe to pay for someones groceries etc) but aren't we supposed to be witnesses to those in need? It's amazing how an act of kindness can revolutionise someone's life and even lead them to the Lord.. especially if everyone else is too busy tithing to their church, while these people are crying out in need, often being overlooked!
It's so easy to overlook these things and say, sure I can maybe commit to one of those OVER and above my regular tithe.. but FIRST I must give to the church. Why? Is the church out there meeting these needs? Are they there paying for someone's groceries or rent? Most of the time I would say no, they are too busy organising their next Christmas pagent and Choir rehearsal! And, more to the point (and here comes the challenge) where in the bible does it say we MUST give to the church? It simply doesn't. I challenge anybody to present scriptures to me (and I mean scriptures with JESUS commading us) that we SIMPLY MUST give first/only/ or at all even TO THE CHURCH. I have failed to even find one!! Sure, there are suggestions from apostles, that we give to the church, but that is not what I'm looking for. So, I would love to hear from anyone who can provide me with such a scripture. Please, enlighten me
For the longest time, I felt like God was calling me to give in various other areas outside of my church, and I have always loved tithing, but I began to feel depressed when I was giving regularly and not seeing any real fruits of my labour. So after seeking God about this, and doing my exhaustive research I came to the conclusion, that I should listen to Him, and give where He is leading me... and you know what? I've never been happier!
My husband and I support many ministires with our tithes (all outside of the church) and I am constantly praying for God to open up my eyes for new opportunites to give. It's amazing to recieve positive feedback and gratitude, as a result of your giving, to actually know it is making a difference, is the BEST feeling in the world.
