I get a kick when Christians say you're not giving to the pastor. You're giving to God. Yet when a church uses the money for their one selfish desires, these same Christians say it was the pastors that used the money. Not God. Both situations, you give the money directly to the pastor. Yet, two different outcomes arise. One church uses it for Godly means, and the others don't. Do those folks that give their money to the secretly corrupt pastor not have their faith in God as much as the people in the other church? After all, both groups of people did exactly what they were told to do.
Confused @ church
- Thread starter Cindy12
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It's not the amount. I think what HisHolly is saying is that, if you're willing to pay for your education (regardless how much) than to give to God (regardless how much) then it shows which is more important to you, right now, in the area of finances. But that does not mean you're idolizing your education. For all you know, it's God's will for you to study and by studying you're still honoring God. More can be said of this, but I'll leave it here.
How am I holding money back when I'm giving money that's considered "tithe money" to ministries of that same church? If you can't answer a simple question, then maybe you're showing a lack of understanding? Or idolizing the home God gave you? If your tithe is more than your mortgage, then that's great. I think Rick Warren tithes 90 percent of his income. But most people aren't capable of that. So don't try to shame them.
M
To the OP, people should not give because they feel guilty.
They should give because:-
it feels the right thing to do,
the Holy Spirit guides them into giving,
they feel joy when giving,
they may have a specific charity, interest, work on their heart to get involved in
did i say THEY FEEL JOY WHEN GIVING.
Giving with the right motive, feels good, it brings joy, it blesses the giver and the receiver,.
it also does not have to be 10%, when you feel motivated to give you often find yourself
giving more! At least this has been my experiences.
Sometimes you may feel led to give in faith or sacrificially.
The big problem is many people do not give anything at all, they never get to experience the
joy of giving or the realisation that it is not possible to out give God.
Ive lost count of the number of times, I have given thinking Ive done my bit, only to then received
an unexpected cheque in the post, a refund on a utility bill, a tax rebate.
God loves a cheerful giver, the more faithful people are when it comes to giving the more God seems
to divert resources their way to give more. This has been my experience also.
On the other hand you should never give because you feel guilty.
That does not bless God, His work, or yourself.
Best thing to do is pray about giving and ask God what He wants you to do.
PS if you don't get a reply straight away, do think that is an excuse to give nothing
I have found that at times God tests in this area.
Going back to the tithe, I see it not how much of our money we give to God.
But how much of God's money do we keep for ourselves. After all its all God's money!
If you don't believe be read the book of Job!
They should give because:-
it feels the right thing to do,
the Holy Spirit guides them into giving,
they feel joy when giving,
they may have a specific charity, interest, work on their heart to get involved in
did i say THEY FEEL JOY WHEN GIVING.
Giving with the right motive, feels good, it brings joy, it blesses the giver and the receiver,.
it also does not have to be 10%, when you feel motivated to give you often find yourself
giving more! At least this has been my experiences.
Sometimes you may feel led to give in faith or sacrificially.
The big problem is many people do not give anything at all, they never get to experience the
joy of giving or the realisation that it is not possible to out give God.
Ive lost count of the number of times, I have given thinking Ive done my bit, only to then received
an unexpected cheque in the post, a refund on a utility bill, a tax rebate.
God loves a cheerful giver, the more faithful people are when it comes to giving the more God seems
to divert resources their way to give more. This has been my experience also.
On the other hand you should never give because you feel guilty.
That does not bless God, His work, or yourself.
Best thing to do is pray about giving and ask God what He wants you to do.
PS if you don't get a reply straight away, do think that is an excuse to give nothing
I have found that at times God tests in this area.
Going back to the tithe, I see it not how much of our money we give to God.
But how much of God's money do we keep for ourselves. After all its all God's money!
If you don't believe be read the book of Job!
She flat out said I was idolizing my education by using a good portion of my minimum wage income to make a student loan payment. That's indirectly saying if that money can be used on student loans, then it should be going to God. That same logic can be spun around and be made for whatever amount she is paying for her house.
My husband goes on the mission trips with our church as well to many overseas countries. We give a lot of money paying for these out of our own pockets - but they are very worthwhile and missions are great I agree. I have often pondered why we send so many missions to other countries when our own country has so many who desperately need help.
H
When people see themselves giving just to people, they will always hold back and feel injustice. They don't see it as getting back.. From them , no.. God gives back when your eyes are on Him..
Did being poor move Jesus to tell the widow not to give her last? Nope..
Who you looking at? God or self.. who sustains? Provides? Gives to?
Is it by your power you got what you have? Certainly not
Did being poor move Jesus to tell the widow not to give her last? Nope..
Who you looking at? God or self.. who sustains? Provides? Gives to?
Is it by your power you got what you have? Certainly not
M
Incidentally I just wanted to add that at my church, the last thing they want you to do
is give when you are up to your eyes in debt. Instead they actively encourage people
to sort out their debt problems first, not just to help the individual, but to then be
able to give to God.
Our church actively runs money management courses as part of an organisation called
Christians Against Poverty. They operate in the UK, Canada and a few other countries.
One other thing, many people live beyond their means, they think nothing about going and
blowing hundreds of pounds dollars etc on a night out, then say they have no money.
So there is another element to this in the need to be faithful with what we get.
Im not saying people cannot enjoy themselves every so often, but I know many people
who splash out on new clothes, hair, cars, booze etc. Then have no money left to pay
off debts, let alone to give to God's work.
https://capuk.org/about-us
is give when you are up to your eyes in debt. Instead they actively encourage people
to sort out their debt problems first, not just to help the individual, but to then be
able to give to God.
Our church actively runs money management courses as part of an organisation called
Christians Against Poverty. They operate in the UK, Canada and a few other countries.
One other thing, many people live beyond their means, they think nothing about going and
blowing hundreds of pounds dollars etc on a night out, then say they have no money.
So there is another element to this in the need to be faithful with what we get.
Im not saying people cannot enjoy themselves every so often, but I know many people
who splash out on new clothes, hair, cars, booze etc. Then have no money left to pay
off debts, let alone to give to God's work.
https://capuk.org/about-us
I agree 100% which is why my family is debt free (other than our home) and working intensely to pay off our only final debt, our house, in the next 3 years. We are tripling our house payments monthly to get to the point that we have no debt. We made those crazy mistakes years ago when we were younger (credit cards, etc) but 2 years ago went through Financial Peace and have paid of over $85,000 in debt in just a year and a half. Now, we are focusing on the house to pay it off. The only thing we do for fun or spending outside of our household living expenses is giving to our church. We stopped vacations, going out to eat, cut our grocery budget (beans and rice is great!!) because like you said, God tells us to NOT be slave to the lender.
God blessed you and your family with such a class like Financial Peace. Yet, according to the logic of some folks, that could be considered idolatry because you spent your focus on spending that 85,000 dollars to pay off debt, rather than give it directly to God. At least, that's what I'm told with my student loan debt, anyways.
M
That is just so true, if you have a face book account, go onto Facebook and put in
christians against poverty. There are hundreds of stories of how people have gotten
free from the bondage of debt, for it is a bondage.
You do not even have to be a christian to ask for their free help, just understand that it is
a christian organisation so they will want to pray with you.
The debt councillors look at all your income and out goings, they take everything away then
ring around for you and get as much as possible of the debts written off. For those where this is
not possible, they arrange a pay back plan with the people you owe money to, based on what you
can afford. Even if it is just £1 week etc. They held people set up standings orders for example.
They help you work though a strict budget, including where possible to save up a couple of pounds
a week. They basically take all the stress from you and work on a practical real solution.
There has been some cases where people are so far in debt that there is just no way they can ever pay
it back at all, like thousands upon thousands with no income to cover it.
As a last resort they advise people about filing for administration or personal bankruptcy and explain
the implications of this. They also negotiate to get the shortest period of bankruptcy possible with
the courts, so that people can quickly recover from it.
I know one couple who were in a lot of debt but they owned a massive house they no longer needed
It was far bigger than then needed. So with the help of CAP they were able to
sell it and downsize. It was also with the help of God as they sold it at a time when house sales were
very low in the UK.
God plays a big part in the work of CAP, they are often able to get debt wiped off, that in the natural
just would not be possible!
U
Who was the missionary? Post a link or name....
I'd be cautious b/c there are some legit and some illegitimate people out there for missions (like TV evangelists) who show hungry kids, get the check and pull a Hillary by taking 90% for themselves and giving 10% to the truly poor......
of course we can never know the real or fake ones but don't commit to anything financial unless you pray about it and also investigate the background of the person/mission work.....use discernment
I'd be cautious b/c there are some legit and some illegitimate people out there for missions (like TV evangelists) who show hungry kids, get the check and pull a Hillary by taking 90% for themselves and giving 10% to the truly poor......
of course we can never know the real or fake ones but don't commit to anything financial unless you pray about it and also investigate the background of the person/mission work.....use discernment
M
See the link below they have branches in a few other countries.
They also have books and general advice on the internet, so even if they
do not operate in your country, you might be able to pick up some
useful tips from their website.
just put Christians against poverty in your web browser and see what info comes up
https://capuk.org/about-us
This is something they posted on face book in November.
This morning we celebrated and prayed for all the clients who have come to know Jesus since
CAP began. Each colourful link in the chains represents one client. The total: SIX THOUSAND!
Yes, six thousand people now walking with God and living a brand new life. And that's not all, one
thousand of these came to faith in the last twelve months alone! What a blessing!
They also have books and general advice on the internet, so even if they
do not operate in your country, you might be able to pick up some
useful tips from their website.
just put Christians against poverty in your web browser and see what info comes up
https://capuk.org/about-us
This is something they posted on face book in November.
This morning we celebrated and prayed for all the clients who have come to know Jesus since
CAP began. Each colourful link in the chains represents one client. The total: SIX THOUSAND!
Yes, six thousand people now walking with God and living a brand new life. And that's not all, one
thousand of these came to faith in the last twelve months alone! What a blessing!