Do you know your scripture?
- Thread starter Adam4Eve
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Just trying to get to the heart of the matter.
We are not obligated to give. Neither are we obligated to use our bodies as living sacrifices unto God, yet does the apostle Paul say we ought to, out of gratitude (its the least we can do). In like fashion, why would we withhold our money from giving to others and the Church, especially when we, as believers, know that it really isn't subtracting from us (in consideration of sowing and reaping)?
Here is the verse you're looking for, btw.
2 Corinthians 9:7 King James Version (KJV)
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
We aren't to give "of necessity", which means out of obligation or compulsion.
We are not obligated to give. Neither are we obligated to use our bodies as living sacrifices unto God, yet does the apostle Paul say we ought to, out of gratitude (its the least we can do). In like fashion, why would we withhold our money from giving to others and the Church, especially when we, as believers, know that it really isn't subtracting from us (in consideration of sowing and reaping)?
Here is the verse you're looking for, btw.
2 Corinthians 9:7 King James Version (KJV)
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
We aren't to give "of necessity", which means out of obligation or compulsion.
-
2
-
1
- Show all
Yes, when the church is understood as a body of individual believers. Give all you can to them, as long as possible. Pray that God blesses you to give to others.
And Yes, even when the church is understood as a 5013c entity. Because you give to Caesar what is his. If you willingly join and belong to such a church you should follow all the bylaws of said church. One should not place themselves as a rebel against the Word that says give to them what is required.
You joined, you participate as required or leave. Simple.
And Yes, even when the church is understood as a 5013c entity. Because you give to Caesar what is his. If you willingly join and belong to such a church you should follow all the bylaws of said church. One should not place themselves as a rebel against the Word that says give to them what is required.
You joined, you participate as required or leave. Simple.
-
1
- Show all
I don't feel that my first post could have been any clearer, but I'll try to be:
What this thread is NOT about:
- "I thinks it's good to contribute to the running costs of the Church you attend"
- "You should feel able to help other Christians if they are in a time of need"
- "You're QUESTIONING something? This must mean you have some kind of secret agenda!"
- "You should readily offer your services"
What this thread IS about:
- Obligated financial giving to the church in the new covenant.
What this thread is NOT about:
- "I thinks it's good to contribute to the running costs of the Church you attend"
- "You should feel able to help other Christians if they are in a time of need"
- "You're QUESTIONING something? This must mean you have some kind of secret agenda!"
- "You should readily offer your services"
What this thread IS about:
- Obligated financial giving to the church in the new covenant.
-
2
- Show all
Yes, its still a thing. At least, there are people that still tithe ("giving a tenth") of their earnings to honor God with their finances and reap the rewards of such giving (including supporting the spreading of the Gospel).
You clearly are opposed to tithing, but since we've established through scripture why people are not under compulsion to do so, why does it feel like you still have a bone to pick?
You clearly are opposed to tithing, but since we've established through scripture why people are not under compulsion to do so, why does it feel like you still have a bone to pick?
oh yes. it definitely is. ubiquitously so, according to my personal survey of sermonaudio and the fellowships i've visited & been a part of here in my own area.
if you want to hear from someone who will defend it, i am not able to help tho
if you want to hear from someone who will defend it, i am not able to help tho
-
1
- Show all
oh yes. it definitely is. ubiquitously so, according to my personal survey of sermonaudio and the fellowships i've visited & been a part of here in my own area.
if you want to hear from someone who will defend it, i am not able to help tho
if you want to hear from someone who will defend it, i am not able to help tho
any church service that includes the words 'now it's time to take our tithes and offerings..'
it may not be preached there openly as a requirement, but 'tithe' is a loaded word with a very specific meaning in scripture. any preacher you hear use that word, if they have any salt, probably knows all too well that it's a loaded word with a very specific meaning.
personally i think churches should not be using that word at all to refer to taking up & collecting gifts. it is wrong & deceptive use of the term, IMO. ((MOO?))
i'm not familiar enough with denominations to say much of it, but certain major groups in Christianity *probably* teach tithing with a justification rooted specifically as part of some kind of weird 'continuation of the covenants' theological stance. i'm thinking specifically of Presbyterians, because i recently visited a Bible-study at a Presbyterian church ((which turned out to be a catechism class, not really a study, but long story)) -- afterwards i did a lot of research into infant baptism, which led me into topics about various kinds of 'covenant' theology. even if i could do a fair job ((that's open to debate)) of describing how a certain theological clique comes to a justification of demanding tithes, i won't because personally i think the theology behind it has a lot of self-conflicting hooey involved and i don't care to spread it. but, that said, there you go, it does exist.
the LDS definitely *requires* tithes. their justification is probably pretty easy to look up but again, load of hooey i don't really care to verse myself in, and i wouldn't call them part of 'the Church' anyhow.
it may not be preached there openly as a requirement, but 'tithe' is a loaded word with a very specific meaning in scripture. any preacher you hear use that word, if they have any salt, probably knows all too well that it's a loaded word with a very specific meaning.
personally i think churches should not be using that word at all to refer to taking up & collecting gifts. it is wrong & deceptive use of the term, IMO. ((MOO?))
i'm not familiar enough with denominations to say much of it, but certain major groups in Christianity *probably* teach tithing with a justification rooted specifically as part of some kind of weird 'continuation of the covenants' theological stance. i'm thinking specifically of Presbyterians, because i recently visited a Bible-study at a Presbyterian church ((which turned out to be a catechism class, not really a study, but long story)) -- afterwards i did a lot of research into infant baptism, which led me into topics about various kinds of 'covenant' theology. even if i could do a fair job ((that's open to debate)) of describing how a certain theological clique comes to a justification of demanding tithes, i won't because personally i think the theology behind it has a lot of self-conflicting hooey involved and i don't care to spread it. but, that said, there you go, it does exist.
the LDS definitely *requires* tithes. their justification is probably pretty easy to look up but again, load of hooey i don't really care to verse myself in, and i wouldn't call them part of 'the Church' anyhow.
-
1
- Show all