I never "tithe" or put money in the offering plate...

[IAm3rd]

Why would I ? To help pay the electric bill ? To help pay the mortgage on a million dollar facility that should never have been built ? Why don't Christians follow the NT example of gathering in homes...

I give my money to God, not the "church". I need to do more, but if I'm going to give my money to God I usually buy cases of Bibles to hand out to people on the streets, or help people in need in whatever way I can in the name of Christ, as part of evangelizing. Most Churches I have been to have a SEPERATE offering for missions etc... so what's the first offering for ?

Let's get real.

Matthew 25:31-46 "31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’

 

[EmethAlethia]

"Never give grudgingly or under compulsion." If you feel like people are trying to force you, or "compel" you to give, you have the command of God. DO NOT GIVE! If you are feeling a little resentment about putting your offering in, again, do not give.

"God loves a hilarious giver" a little expansion on the meaning. If you are almost in tears for the joy of giving, then you are missing out.

Also, one passage, "widows and orphans" does not sum up the word of God on the topic of giving. Nor does the passage about supporting those who are feeding you spiritually sum up everything on giving. There are dozens of passages about who to give to, when to give, how much to give, why to give, attitudes when giving ... even passages about how you should not continue to give as you promised if your financial situation no longer allows you to do so.

The question isn't whether or not you should put money in an offering plate. The question is, are you willing to seek out all that God said on the matter, put it all together so that everything fits with everything else, and obey ... and if you can do so with a hilarious heart.

 

[crossnote]

1 Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

1 Corinthians 9:7-11 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.
If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

 

[MadParrotWoman]

There are many things a church needs to function which all need to be paid for but if you are not happy giving to it then it's best you don't.

On a side note, it churches are not kept functioning they will disappear...and probably be replaced by mosques.

 

[crossnote]

Home churches are nice but become problematic when they start exceeding 15 due to neighbor complaints and zoning laws.

 

[Joidevivre]

You "never"? The problem with that word is you seem to already have your mind up what you give to or not give to. Have you thought about the fact that all the money you have actually belongs to God and He would like to be consulted as to where you are to give it and to whom.

It helps to pray for direction every time you have money to give. And be open to even hearing "the offering plate" once in awhile. For all you know, he might just have you drop it on the street one time.

That said, I commend you for buying bibles and passing them out, and for helping people. May you truly be blessed as you do this work.

 

[Blain]

Well a church cannot function for free, and when I give I dont see it as giving to the church I see as giving to God but thats just me. Lots of people feel that if they dont give large amounts they arent being a Good Christian and some who have money will give large amounts for people to see so they are seen as good and faithful Christians. And the worst part is that not all churches are honest, some take the money given and used for themselves behind closed doors.

Even knowing all this when I give I just give what I can and have faith that its for God regardless what goes on behind closed doors.

 

[The_highwayman]

Why would I ? To help pay the electric bill ? To help pay the mortgage on a million dollar facility that should never have been built ? Why don't Christians follow the NT example of gathering in homes...

I give my money to God, not the "church". I need to do more, but if I'm going to give my money to God I usually buy cases of Bibles to hand out to people on the streets, or help people in need in whatever way I can in the name of Christ, as part of evangelizing. Most Churches I have been to have a SEPERATE offering for missions etc... so what's the first offering for ?

Let's get real.

Matthew 25:31-46 "31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,[a] you did it to me.’

If you wont give in a offering plate, you will never go anywhere with God that inconveniences you.

 

[phil112]

.................................... I usually buy cases of Bibles to hand out to people on the streets,................................................

I am, by nature I suppose, a pessimist. Along with that comes skepticism. You did say you buy cases of bibles, so you must have a couple of receipts laying around. I mean, that would be a tax deductible endeavor, after all. Would you mind humoring my skepticism by posting a pic or two of those receipts?

 

[IAm3rd]

If you wont give in a offering plate, you will never go anywhere with God that inconveniences you.

Wow, you obviously didn't read my post.

As if throwing a couple bills in a plate is somehow challenging ?

 

[The_highwayman]

Wow, you obviously didn't read my post.

As if throwing a couple bills in a plate is somehow challenging ?

you need to think about what I said instead of merely dismissing it...If you wont give one way, you wont give another.

 

[IAm3rd]

you need to think about what I said instead of merely dismissing it...If you wont give one way, you wont give another.

Seriously ? I do nothing but give... I have been wearing nothing but work boots for a month because I have given all of my shoes to those that needed them more. I give away everything I have to those in need, and to my brothers and sisters in Christ. And what money I have over I purchase Bibles and evangelistic material to give to the broken people I come across daily. What do you do ?

 

[dcontroversal]

There are many things a church needs to function which all need to be paid for but if you are not happy giving to it then it's best you don't.

On a side note, it churches are not kept functioning they will disappear...and probably be replaced by mosques.

No doubt and yeah....is to some extent happening on an alarming scale already....

 

[IAm3rd]

There are many things a church needs to function which all need to be paid for

I disagree...

 

[dcontroversal]

Wow, you obviously didn't read my post.

As if throwing a couple bills in a plate is somehow challenging ?

Well maybe that is the problem....it doesn't cost you everything like the widow woman.....how about drop your whole check in and go without........maybe that can change a perspective.........!

 

[IAm3rd]

Well maybe that is the problem....it doesn't cost you everything like the widow woman.....how about drop your whole check in and go without........maybe that can change a perspective.........!

Or, go spend your whole check actually feeding the hungry or somehow serving God rather than just dropping it in a plate ?

 

[MadParrotWoman]

I disagree...

Really?
1.Rent for site.
2.Electric for lighting/heating/electrical equipment
3.Pastor's salary
4. Water charges
5. Council tax
5 that immediately spring to mind.

I have found in life that no one ever wants to pay for anything but nothing costs nothing.

 

[IAm3rd]

I am, by nature I suppose, a pessimist. Along with that comes skepticism. You did say you buy cases of bibles, so you must have a couple of receipts laying around. I mean, that would be a tax deductible endeavor, after all. Would you mind humoring my skepticism by posting a pic or two of those receipts?

Well, you got me there... no receipts. But here is what the back seat of my car looks like... good enough ?



Don't mind the mud on the seat... I took some brothers fishing.

 

[dcontroversal]

Or, go spend your whole check actually feeding the hungry or somehow serving God rather than just dropping it in a plate ?

Do you do that......and what about all glory to God DIA the Churches.........?

Your answer tells me all I need to know how about.....

Drop your whole check into the plate and support missionaries dia your church
Drop your whole check into the plate and support local food pantries
Drop your whole check into the plate and support the man that FEEDS you every time you sit in the building

God loves a cheerful giver.......and ANY biblical work of the ministry is a good and valid reason to support the work...you can designate where your funds go.......

 

[IAm3rd]

Really?
1.Rent for site.
2.Electric for lighting/heating/electrical equipment
3.Pastor's salary
4. Water charges
5. Council tax
5 that immediately spring to mind.

I have found in life that no one ever wants to pay for anything but nothing costs nothing.

We see in the book of Acts the Christians selling off all of there property to give to those in need because they WERE the church... not purchasing property that everyone needed to pay for and calling THAT BUILDING the church.

Off to work. God bless...