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Welcome to the family, first of all! I'm glad you made the decision to accept Christ.
You are not required to give a set amount in the New Testament, so you are free to follow your leading. I have never heard of giving all of your first job's wages to a church though! If a church is telling you that, I think you should stay away from them. The Bible commands us to take care of ourselves and our family, so don't feel guilty about spending money from your job on food etc.
You are not required to give a set amount in the New Testament, so you are free to follow your leading. I have never heard of giving all of your first job's wages to a church though! If a church is telling you that, I think you should stay away from them. The Bible commands us to take care of ourselves and our family, so don't feel guilty about spending money from your job on food etc.
In my personal experience, the more you give to God the more he's going to entrust to you. Why give it to someone who would just waste it? Makes sense, no? So you could say that you should give as much as you want to receive. But if my memory serves correct, God only required of the Jews 10% plus a certain amount for the poor. Traditional Christianity supports giving at least 10% - but to either the poor or the Church. So it's up to you. But I like your spirit. Best to stick with what the Bible says to the best of our ability. 
CERTAINLY NOT!
The Church who said you had to do this are simply after your money, they are simply money grabbing thieves...period!
As already stated, stay well away from such a Church OR such a Christian who said this to you!
Tithing, the giving of 10% of your income was an Old Testament practice that was used by Israel to support the Levites, but mostly to feed the poor, widows, orphans and strangers, the Lord Jesus, the Apostles or the Early Church DID NOT teach or practice tithing...period!
You can find a bit of a study Here on tithing and giving in the Scriptures and Church history...
Yahweh Shalom...
The Church who said you had to do this are simply after your money, they are simply money grabbing thieves...period!
As already stated, stay well away from such a Church OR such a Christian who said this to you!
Tithing, the giving of 10% of your income was an Old Testament practice that was used by Israel to support the Levites, but mostly to feed the poor, widows, orphans and strangers, the Lord Jesus, the Apostles or the Early Church DID NOT teach or practice tithing...period!
You can find a bit of a study Here on tithing and giving in the Scriptures and Church history...
Yahweh Shalom...
Matthew 25:15-23. Not saying that God is selfish here if that's being implied. But I do believe what I said is supported by Scripture - that God acts in this fashion. But in my mind it's also supported by common sense. If God finds a man who gives to the poor and needy, why would God not bless him with great wealth? Then that wealth would return to the poor and needy. Aside from this, it is also supported by personal experience.
But as to the outcome of giving with ulterior motives, that's another thing entirely. And I wouldn't support giving to a church that tells you to give all your wages away. If you decided you wanted to do that then you could give them to different organizations that have been well-researched. I would at least support giving 10% of your income to the work of God and to the support of the needy.
Contrary to what liberals believe, conservatives are one of the biggest supporters of a divinely-sanctioned welfare program. We just enjoy the freedom to give rather than being forced to give.
But as to the outcome of giving with ulterior motives, that's another thing entirely. And I wouldn't support giving to a church that tells you to give all your wages away. If you decided you wanted to do that then you could give them to different organizations that have been well-researched. I would at least support giving 10% of your income to the work of God and to the support of the needy.
Contrary to what liberals believe, conservatives are one of the biggest supporters of a divinely-sanctioned welfare program. We just enjoy the freedom to give rather than being forced to give.
Z
If I remember correctly, the "10%" rule comes from the word "tithe". This word is used once in one of the most misquoted and twisted scriptures in the bible. In the fourth chapter of Malachi, God tells they Jews that they are robbing him in tithes and offerings. However taken in reference with Malachi chapter four as a whole, it has absolutely nothing to do with money at all. It has to do with Gods people offering up themselves as tithes and offerings for the service and worship of God.
God does say that he gives much to those he trusts much, but again, I think very little of that has to do with money, and more to do with ourselves as people, and even Him as God. It could be said, He reveals more of himself to those he trusts more. Which can also be supported that as we grow and mature in God, God reveals more of Himself to us. If we knew things 10 or 15 years ago we know now, it could be very destructive to ourselves, and even worse, those around us.
To the OP, I don't think it's wrong to give in any way, and I think it's a good idea to get in the habit of tithing a portion of your money to the church, but this whole idea of giving all your money from your first job to the church? It's not biblical. Tell these people to be less obsessed with money, and more about God. Furthermore, tell them to quit being so concerned about your life and what you do because God is a far better judge and guide than they are.
God does say that he gives much to those he trusts much, but again, I think very little of that has to do with money, and more to do with ourselves as people, and even Him as God. It could be said, He reveals more of himself to those he trusts more. Which can also be supported that as we grow and mature in God, God reveals more of Himself to us. If we knew things 10 or 15 years ago we know now, it could be very destructive to ourselves, and even worse, those around us.
To the OP, I don't think it's wrong to give in any way, and I think it's a good idea to get in the habit of tithing a portion of your money to the church, but this whole idea of giving all your money from your first job to the church? It's not biblical. Tell these people to be less obsessed with money, and more about God. Furthermore, tell them to quit being so concerned about your life and what you do because God is a far better judge and guide than they are.
C
Leviticus 23:9,10
23:9 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
http://www.bolfconline.org/First-Friut.html
Giving the firstfruits to the Lord used to be a practice in old testament, this is not unbiblical,
I say this because I gave it.
23:9 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:
http://www.bolfconline.org/First-Friut.html
Giving the firstfruits to the Lord used to be a practice in old testament, this is not unbiblical,
I say this because I gave it.
The Lord Jesus gave to the poor, but God did not give Him great wealth, indeed, often He and the Apostles had to sleep out in the open because they had no money for accomodation...Luke 9v58, John 12v6, 2Cor 8v9
2Cor 8v9 states: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
The English word "poor" is a translation from the Greek work "eptoócheusen" the aorist active indicitive of "ptocheuo" (Strong's NT:4433), which is from the "ptochos" (Strong's NT:4434) and means to be a beggar, to be a destitute.
So, during the Lord's earthly life time upon this earth as a man, He gave to the poor and was a penniless beggar...
Neither did the apostles have great wealth. Acts 3v6, 20v33.
Maybe if the Church was more interested in seeking God's plans and purposes and His Presence and power to fufill them and NOT money and wealth the Church might know revival! Luke 24v49, Acts 1v14, 2v1-47, 4v31, Rev 2v8-11, 3v14-22
Yahweh Shalom...
2Cor 8v9 states: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.
The English word "poor" is a translation from the Greek work "eptoócheusen" the aorist active indicitive of "ptocheuo" (Strong's NT:4433), which is from the "ptochos" (Strong's NT:4434) and means to be a beggar, to be a destitute.
So, during the Lord's earthly life time upon this earth as a man, He gave to the poor and was a penniless beggar...
Neither did the apostles have great wealth. Acts 3v6, 20v33.
Maybe if the Church was more interested in seeking God's plans and purposes and His Presence and power to fufill them and NOT money and wealth the Church might know revival! Luke 24v49, Acts 1v14, 2v1-47, 4v31, Rev 2v8-11, 3v14-22
Yahweh Shalom...
W
Jim Jimmers hit the nail on the head. In the Old testament when the harvest happened the farmers would get their labourers to bring in the harvest, the first 10% of this was made into food, grains, bread etc, and the whole town was called and fed from the first harvest.
So the needy was fed, the poor was fed, the hungry were fed. This happened once a year usually. All of your money belongs to the Lord anyway as He gives us the work. So pray and ask Him to lead you and put a desire on your heart should He want you to buy someone a few grocerie's etc. It is not necessary to give the 10% percent to the church unless He has told you to do that. The idea that we NEED to give the money to the church in order to receive is not correct according to scripture.
This would imply that we need to do in order to receive, and as far as I know Jesus died freely on the cross for me and for you long before I made the choice to accept Him. So He gave before I even had the opportunity to.
The order of giving usually goes as follows: Your family, Other family's etc who might be in need, and then the church.
God Bless you
So the needy was fed, the poor was fed, the hungry were fed. This happened once a year usually. All of your money belongs to the Lord anyway as He gives us the work. So pray and ask Him to lead you and put a desire on your heart should He want you to buy someone a few grocerie's etc. It is not necessary to give the 10% percent to the church unless He has told you to do that. The idea that we NEED to give the money to the church in order to receive is not correct according to scripture.
This would imply that we need to do in order to receive, and as far as I know Jesus died freely on the cross for me and for you long before I made the choice to accept Him. So He gave before I even had the opportunity to.
The order of giving usually goes as follows: Your family, Other family's etc who might be in need, and then the church.
God Bless you
Jb, this is where our misunderstanding lies. I'm not saying give for the love of money. I'm saying that if you give and give faithfully with a right heart it will be given back to you so that you may give again. This is what the Lord Jesus taught on the subject:
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
This kind of giving requires faith and drawing closer to God.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
This kind of giving requires faith and drawing closer to God.
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I worked for a ministry last year. Sometimes I was on the ministry grounds 6 days in a row, 24 hours a day. Granted, some of that was sleep, but when I was awake, I was working, helping with the missionary teams and child day-camps. Sometimes I drove back and forth every day. The drive from my apartment to the ministry grounds was over an hour, one way. There was nothing in between, so there was no way for me to live closer. My round trip, for one day, was 3 hours at times. I slept in my office sometimes, on a blow up mattress. It was a phsyically, emotionally, spiritually, and mentally demanding job. I was spending hundreds in gas per month. I didn't have any leftover money to spend on anything else besides gas, food, rent, and utilities. In fact, I had to start using my credit card for stuff because I had no money for it.
And then the president of the ministry whom I worked for had the guts to say during a staff meeting, "How come none of my staff, no one, tithes to this ministry that they work for?"
I got kinda angry. Not only did I literally not have any money to tithe, but I figured I was tithing with my life, my time, my skills. If you have the money, I say go for it. I have a job now and I tithe. Give with a cheerful heart. Spare what you can to give back. But sometimes, you just can't, and sometimes, your time that you give and your heart are just as valuable.
Perhaps I'm wrong in my thinking...but that experience showed me that some people have a very strict idea on tithing. One that isn't necessarily...I don't know. Always realistic, I suppose.
And then the president of the ministry whom I worked for had the guts to say during a staff meeting, "How come none of my staff, no one, tithes to this ministry that they work for?"
I got kinda angry. Not only did I literally not have any money to tithe, but I figured I was tithing with my life, my time, my skills. If you have the money, I say go for it. I have a job now and I tithe. Give with a cheerful heart. Spare what you can to give back. But sometimes, you just can't, and sometimes, your time that you give and your heart are just as valuable.
Perhaps I'm wrong in my thinking...but that experience showed me that some people have a very strict idea on tithing. One that isn't necessarily...I don't know. Always realistic, I suppose.
Where in the Word of God is the instruction for the Church member to tithe his money?
The only instruction I can find where one is told to tithe is in the Law. That tithe is a tithe of crops and livestock, not money.
Where are we told to tithe our money? And if it is not in the Bible, why do preachers say God requires it?
The only instruction I can find where one is told to tithe is in the Law. That tithe is a tithe of crops and livestock, not money.
Where are we told to tithe our money? And if it is not in the Bible, why do preachers say God requires it?
Probably for the same reason that they pick and choose which of the Ten Commandments or other laws they want to obey. Tradition. I get the impression that another law dealing with giving to the poor was mixed in with the law about tithing. And this preconception became tradition before it could be corrected to more closely align with God's laws.
C
When having whatever kind of job that requires being paid, you should always give 10% to God from what you have earned per month. In Matthew 22: 15-22 Jesus is talking about taxes, that you should give to Caesar what Caesar requires. Its the same with you tithe. You should give to God what HE requires. See, what I have recently learned is that The TITHE is like a circumcision of your finance income, because you are cutting away that which belongs to the God Almighty.
Giving your tithe to Him is like giving Him thanks, He gave it all up for you, His only son and all He is just asking for is just 10% of your income, that's it.
<3
Giving your tithe to Him is like giving Him thanks, He gave it all up for you, His only son and all He is just asking for is just 10% of your income, that's it.
<3
A
The word tithe is used nowadays to achieve many things "in the name of God". It's unbelievable how leaders say "God blessed us with this building" when they took away all people's earnings to build their own palace. Congregations look like malls and shopping centres. Tithing is certainly not in the New Testament. Jesus didn't tithe his blood or his body to save us. He didn't tithe His love to us, Jesus didn't tithe his promises to us but He OFFERED it ALL. Don't listen to those people who command you to "give" as if it were a emergency. They are acting as beggars, not as sons of God. And a son of God NEVER ACTS LIKE A BEGGAR, actually a Son of God gives a lot with joy because He knows God is sufficient for Him.
George Mueller, by the power and Grace of God, fed LOTS of children without asking anyone selfishly for money. God was his provider and HE ALONE BLESSED him so much that those children that now are men and woman are forever thankful for what God did through this praying man.
You don't tithe your tears to God when you are down. You give ALL your tears to God because He is faithful to keep them as a memorial of your love to Him.
God is enough. God is sufficient. God is our portion. God is our food. God is our drink. God is our biggest need and our greatest goal. God is our agenda. God is our projects and dreams. He is EVERYTHING and not less.
God Bless you and thanks for your honesty. You gave me a lesson today. Thank you for that.
George Mueller, by the power and Grace of God, fed LOTS of children without asking anyone selfishly for money. God was his provider and HE ALONE BLESSED him so much that those children that now are men and woman are forever thankful for what God did through this praying man.
You don't tithe your tears to God when you are down. You give ALL your tears to God because He is faithful to keep them as a memorial of your love to Him.
God is enough. God is sufficient. God is our portion. God is our food. God is our drink. God is our biggest need and our greatest goal. God is our agenda. God is our projects and dreams. He is EVERYTHING and not less.
God Bless you and thanks for your honesty. You gave me a lesson today. Thank you for that.