Tithing Again

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Waggles

Senior Member
Sep 21, 2017
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adelaiderevival.com
#41
I always thought if crooks and money-grubbers can have mansions, should we deny Christian leaders who happen to have big followings the same.
So why should a so-called man of God who preaches "spiritual" values be no different to evil corrupt worldly rich people?
Where is the testimony to not being of this world?

The prosperity gospel that has replaced the traditional denial of self for a reward to be given by Jesus in the future really
wants to have their cake now and to eat it now as well.
Modern materialistic Christianity has forgotten that Christian discipleship is about repentance and salvation.
Remember the warning about the love of money!

He does give very good messages and has a huge congregation.
Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; there is no salvation in popularity.
 

88

Senior Member
Nov 14, 2016
3,517
77
48
#42
The purpose of this thread which I started was to encourage those struggling financially to tithe and after one year see the results. Tithing is not a magic wand to wave over our lives if we are not responsible in our finances. God is merciful and will Bless those that tithe, but we also must not spend in a foolish way. After 40 years of proving God in tithing, I have found that God is faithful to His Word. The amazing thing is we can skip tithing, but a more amazing thing is We Get to Tithe. A young teen I knew was invited by Bill Gates to come and work for him after high school. Just think linking up with such an opportunity. God has invited us to join with Him financially. Kind of reminds me when I traded God my sins, for His Salvation. What a deal!
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
12,245
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#43
So why should a so-called man of God who preaches "spiritual" values be no different to evil corrupt worldly rich people?
Where is the testimony to not being of this world?

The prosperity gospel that has replaced the traditional denial of self for a reward to be given by Jesus in the future really
wants to have their cake now and to eat it now as well.
Modern materialistic Christianity has forgotten that Christian discipleship is about repentance and salvation.
Remember the warning about the love of money!


Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life, and few there be that find it; there is no salvation in popularity.
King David, Soloman, Joseph, Abraham were all very rich and beloved by God. J Osteen works hard and I can't judge him only God can. Also Joseph who offered his tomb for Jesus was rich. There is nothing wrong with being rich there are many successful Christian business people who give to others. Yes, we are warned not to 'love' money as in hoarding it or cheating others.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,530
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#44
what am i loving if i give because i'm trying to gain blessings for myself by it?

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.
(Psalm 54:6)

i want to have a pure heart :)
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
36,530
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#45
because i have received

I will present my thank offerings to you
for you have delivered me from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
(Psalm 56:12-13)
 

Waggles

Senior Member
Sep 21, 2017
3,338
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adelaiderevival.com
#46
King David, Soloman, Joseph, Abraham were all very rich and beloved by God. J Osteen works hard and I can't judge him only God can. Also Joseph who offered his tomb for Jesus was rich. There is nothing wrong with being rich there are many successful Christian business people who give to others. Yes, we are warned not to 'love' money as in hoarding it or cheating others.
It is one thing to enjoy the blessings of God given to Christian nations and peoples
it is another thing all together to preach that the Christian life and faith is about material prosperity and riches.

Discipleship is not about worldly wealth and riches but about denying the world and serving our Lord and the gospel.
The riches of God are in our hope of salvation, being freed from sin, receiving the Holy Spirit, living to his righteousness,
blessings in health and miracles, joy and peace, learning to grow in love, serving others.
God only promises to look after us with housing, clothing and food, basic necessities; not great wealth.
And if tithing and giving generously to one's church is such a blessing for those who give then we should ALL be rich and live
sumptuously like Joel Osteen and Kenneth Copeland and no one would be unemployed or on a low income.

And in any case why does a family need a 10 million dollar mansion?? What's wrong with a house in the suburbs like members
of his congregation?
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
12,245
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#47
It is one thing to enjoy the blessings of God given to Christian nations and peoples
it is another thing all together to preach that the Christian life and faith is about material prosperity and riches.

Discipleship is not about worldly wealth and riches but about denying the world and serving our Lord and the gospel.
The riches of God are in our hope of salvation, being freed from sin, receiving the Holy Spirit, living to his righteousness,
blessings in health and miracles, joy and peace, learning to grow in love, serving others.
God only promises to look after us with housing, clothing and food, basic necessities; not great wealth.
And if tithing and giving generously to one's church is such a blessing for those who give then we should ALL be rich and live
sumptuously like Joel Osteen and Kenneth Copeland and no one would be unemployed or on a low income.

And in any case why does a family need a 10 million dollar mansion?? What's wrong with a house in the suburbs like members
of his congregation?
The people in any church don't have to give anything and any church that forced someone to donate I wouldn't back, givers are told to b cheerful. The members of the congregation don't have the responsibility of putting together messages for the masses ea wk (unless they are speakers also) and probably most haven't written the number of books J Osteen has written. He has ministered to me a few times through his messages so to b honest I have to let the good Lord b his judge, as He is ours also. Happy New Year!
 
Sep 3, 2016
6,337
527
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#48
“9 Honour the LORD with your substance, and with the firstfruits of all your increase:

10 So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine. (The word “firstfruits” speaks of the tenth, and, therefore, tithing. Tithing is carried over into the New Testament, as well. The Melchizedek Priesthood is eternal and must be supported by the children of Abraham, which include every Believer [Heb. 6:20; 7:1-11].)” Proverbs 3

JSM
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
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#49
The people in any church don't have to give anything...
This is false and unbiblical. It is not a question of "have to" but a question of what God requires. Why don't you take some time to study Christian giving from the New Testament?
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
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#50
“9 Honour the LORD with your substance, and with the firstfruits of all your increase:

10 So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine. (The word “firstfruits” speaks of the tenth, and, therefore, tithing. Tithing is carried over into the New Testament, as well. The Melchizedek Priesthood is eternal and must be supported by the children of Abraham, which include every Believer [Heb. 6:20; 7:1-11].)” Proverbs 3

JSM
I do wish you would stop quoting hogwash from JSM. The part in red is NOT biblically sound. Firstfruits has nothing to do with tithing. Tithing is not carried over into the New Covenant. Melchizedek was not "supported" by Abraham and there is nothing in Scripture even hinting that the priesthood of Melchizedek "must be supported by the children of Abraham".
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,167
12,763
113
#51
i've been trying to figure out, most of my life, what it means 'do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing' - and why does He tell me to give this way?
That simply means that your offerings to God must be strictly between you and the Lord. When churches started to give Christians receipts for tax purposes, they violated this principle, and Christians went along with it. That widow who gave everything as noted in Scripture never planned to have Jesus come along and note what she was doing
 

TabinRivCA

Well-known member
Oct 23, 2018
12,245
9,975
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#52
This is false and unbiblical. It is not a question of "have to" but a question of what God requires. Why don't you take some time to study Christian giving from the New Testament?
I think you misunderstood my point. I meant people in a service don't have to give if they don't care to as God loves a cheerful giver. I know enough about giving as I am one of those cheerful givers. Happy New Year.
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
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#53
What if u tithe differently..not in a church but shop stuff and give things to homeless shelters or that hungry person next door..
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
18,148
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#54
What if u tithe differently..not in a church but shop stuff and give things to homeless shelters or that hungry person next door..
I administer Thanksgiving offerings in this fashion quite consistently. Mainly to individals in the Church but others as well.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,555
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#55
What if u tithe differently..not in a church but shop stuff and give things to homeless shelters or that hungry person next door..
That's "giving", not "tithing". :)
 

Demi777

Senior Member
Oct 13, 2014
6,877
1,949
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Germany
#56
I administer Thanksgiving offerings in this fashion quite consistently. Mainly to individals in the Church but others as well.
To be honest. I am not a fan of loading up a church. Especially when I see the beggars infront of the churches cups empty and the trays in church full with food.
I let God lead me and to be honest, hes humbled me more and in incredible ways even if just by bringing sandwiches and soup to people who are homeless or giving hugs to the ones with untreatable deseases
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
18,148
7,208
113
#58
That simply means that your offerings to God must be strictly between you and the Lord. When churches started to give Christians receipts for tax purposes, they violated this principle, and Christians went along with it. That widow who gave everything as noted in Scripture never planned to have Jesus come along and note what she was doing
It may have escaped your notice.....but Jesus announced the destruction of the Temple immediately after this incident. Furthermore, the condemnation of the Pharisees for devouring widows houses is also nearby in the text. The point is.....this widow had no obligation to give all while the rich gave little, a phenomenon ancillary to the ruined state of the religious malpractice.
 
Apr 15, 2017
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#60
i've been trying to figure out, most of my life, what it means 'do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing' - and why does He tell me to give this way?
Mat 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Mat 6:2 Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:3 But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
Mat 6:4 That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Mat 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Mat 6:16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Mat 6:17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face;
Mat 6:18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

Joh 12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

In other words do not give glory to yourself wanting people to think you are a great man of God by a public display of giving, praying, and fasting, to get the attention of people to boast of yourself, so they will look up to you as something special, for all glory goes to God.

If we boast of our self living for God, and give glory to our self, and want people to view us as something special, then we have our reward, which is the reward of whatever we can get from this world, which the world is motivated by self exaltation, and wanting attention, and if a saint gives glory to themselves then they fall victim to the attitude of the world.

For the world suffers from what I call cribitis, or the baby crib syndrome, for even though they left the baby crib they carry that attitude with them throughout their life, wah, notice me, give me attention, and because of that they go through their life trying to seek attention, and wanting to exalt themselves.

The only ones that escape it are people that follow Jesus led by the Spirit.

So do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that you do not even give glory to yourself, and think you are something special, for giving even when no one is observing, and surely not when people are watching you.

The Bible says if you think you are something, when you are nothing, you deceive yourself, and we can do nothing without Christ, so we cannot glory of our self.