The tithe is not the same in todays Church.
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Ideally all Christians should be in fellowship with other like-minded believers in a local church, and gather to worship at least on the Lord's Day (Sunday). According to Scripture, Christians are to bring their gifts and offerings TO GOD and allow the local church to apply them where needed (which is definitely not in elaborate buildings).
It is the responsibility of the elders and deacons that those offerings be applied to (a) the poor and needy within the local church, (b) those pastor/elders who labor in the Word and doctrine, (c) missionaries, (d) widows and orphans, either connected with the church or outside, and (e) poor and needy brethren in other parts of the world. This is all according to Scripture.
If the church where you attend is not doing this, then what you should do is sit down with the church leadership and ask them to justify their expenses on the basis of Scripture. Also let them know your feelings in the matter.
As to giving as led by the Spirit, do not let anyone deter you or put a guilt trip on you. God prompts you to give when He sees a need which you can meet.
As to "tithing" that is not a New Testament principle, so study what the NT has to say about Christian giving and Christian liberality.
You obviously haven't studied ALL the Scriptures on tithing and giving in the Old/New Testament, I suggest you might take the time and do a study on it...
The early Church did NOT tithe!
Many churches teach that we as Christians, under the New Covenant, are commanded to give a minimum of 10% of our income to our church. Others teach that preachers of these churches are turning the 10% tithe from the Old Testament for Israel into a monetary, legalistic prescription for Christians under the New Covenant. I even heard a Pastor make a challenge to his congregation to give 10% of their income for 90 days and if God does not bless them then he will give them their money back.
In 2 Corinthians 9:5-7 we read: Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
I don't see a "specific percentage" given anywhere for Christians to give "under the New Covenant," but I certainly believe in giving and not just to our church. I also believe that everything we own belongs to God.
In 2 Corinthians 9:5-7 we read: Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
I don't see a "specific percentage" given anywhere for Christians to give "under the New Covenant," but I certainly believe in giving and not just to our church. I also believe that everything we own belongs to God.
I once attended a church in which the new Pastor there handed out pledge cards for people to fill out so they can pledge to give extra money on a monthly basis over a three year period above and beyond 10% directly to the "moving forward" project to build a new mega church (that they didn't really need) and to this day have never built.
More than a few people left that church because all that Pastor mainly talked about was money (primarily the 10% tithe) and building that new mega church. During one sermon, he even mentioned that a member of the church came into his office one day, somewhat irate and said that he is leaving that church because he is tired of hearing about money all the time and needs to find a church where he can go "deeper in the Word."
The Pastor mentioned to the congregation that the word "deeper" is a code word for "I'm not tithing 10%." The Pastor went on to say that he checked the records and sure enough that member of the church was not giving 10% and some months gave nothing at all and then acted like, "good riddance to him!"
More than a few people left that church because all that Pastor mainly talked about was money (primarily the 10% tithe) and building that new mega church. During one sermon, he even mentioned that a member of the church came into his office one day, somewhat irate and said that he is leaving that church because he is tired of hearing about money all the time and needs to find a church where he can go "deeper in the Word."
The Pastor mentioned to the congregation that the word "deeper" is a code word for "I'm not tithing 10%." The Pastor went on to say that he checked the records and sure enough that member of the church was not giving 10% and some months gave nothing at all and then acted like, "good riddance to him!"
thank you sister Angela, i have been looking for a good unbiased breakdown of the word on this. funny thing is in the WoF this is one subject they really breaks your back bending and "spiritualizing" the word.
like really yeah i question that, its give 10% because the bible says then don't ask about what is done with it or, "hey we need 100k for new cooling towers for our building that houses 12,000 that we only have about 4,000 in on sunday.
I once attended a church in which the new Pastor there handed out pledge cards for people to fill out so they can pledge to give extra money on a monthly basis over a three year period above and beyond 10% directly to the "moving forward" project to build a new mega church (that they didn't really need) and to this day have never built.
More than a few people left that church because all that Pastor mainly talked about was money (primarily the 10% tithe) and building that new mega church. During one sermon, he even mentioned that a member of the church came into his office one day, somewhat irate and said that he is leaving that church because he is tired of hearing about money all the time and needs to find a church where he can go "deeper in the Word."
The Pastor mentioned to the congregation that the word "deeper" is a code word for "I'm not tithing 10%." The Pastor went on to say that he checked the records and sure enough that member of the church was not giving 10% and some months gave nothing at all and then acted like, "good riddance to him!"
same thing, i had a church with good teaching, but the amount they brought up the tithe and money in general just got to me.
but it moved me to find a new church and God gave the go ahead and now i am at a wonderful church.
now i agree 100% i would rather take the church envalope and throw $60 in it and mark 40 for pastor and staff and missions and 20 for the rent.
Thank you. I am doing a thorough study now. Good articles, long, but very informative. I usually took my Pastor's word for everything, and I see it's a mistake to do that.
