i don't think no one could ever find the answer to that. i used to tithe 10%, no more.
yes. no return, year after year. it went on for decades. i kept the faith & remained tithing & more years later, my bank account was pretty low!!! i stopped tithing & gave as i saw fit. now this is in addition to giving lots of money away to charities, various organizations, alms, & even more. plus, old items & antique articles to people!!! it seemed like the Holy Spirit was telling me: "no, you don't have to tithe 10%, that's old testament"! after that era, everything was & is fine!!!It’s a serious commitment for sure. Did something happen?
yes. no return, year after year. it went on for decades. i kept the faith & remained tithing & more years later, my bank account was pretty low!!! i stopped tithing & gave as i saw fit. now this is in addition to giving lots of money away to charities, various organizations, alms, & even more. plus, old items & antique articles to people!!! it seemed like the Holy Spirit was telling me: "no, you don't have to tithe 10%, that's old testament"! after that era, everything was & is fine!!!
Full 10%
Personally, I don't "Tithe" in the legalistic sense. We (my family) customarily does about 8.5-9% of our GROSS every month specifically to the Church corporation we're members of, but since 'tithing" IS NOT A BIBLICAL IMPERATIVE for New Testament Christians, we don't hold ourselves to that "Standard".
8.5% gross is still, a lot!
Time. And that can be in a variety of ways. Feeding the homeless. Visiting or donating to people in need or struggling. Even volunteering at church.Are there other ways to give back to God instead of money?
Time. And that can be in a variety of ways. Feeding the homeless. Visiting or donating to people in need or struggling. Even volunteering at church.
My old church used to not pay people for anything, besides professional workers hired for certain things. But they didn't hire cleaning crews, people volunteered to keep the place clean. Some may simply vacuum the sanctuary. Others the kitchen. Watching the young kids during service.
Even if they held an event, such as something outdoors and needed things built, that was usually people volunteering, some of which were professionals.
And done without guilt or pressure. They simply asked and people were happy to volunteer.
And the few people hired to work there often were responsible for helping as well. They also only had 3 paid employees, if I recall correctly. Pastor, youth pastor and music leader. And they went many years before hiring someone for music.
And this wasn't a huge church, nor was it small. It was a good size.
Sometimes one on one helping people works also. Some people have a knack for that.
Seems the best way to serve is find out what you're skilled and care about and search out a way to put those together and utilize them that way.
Hopefully that gave or lead you to new ideas.Thanks, I’m currently unemployed… but would love to find a way to give back. I give a small offering in the offering box, but I’d love to do more.
5% of churchgoers in the U.S.
Today's Jews don't live under the law, since there are no sacrifices. They only live under some of it.Wow, lower than I thought. But I would assume higher for Jews who live under the law.
that's a friendly & righteous comment jacko!The Lord loves the cheerful giver, if you’re giving, and it’s becoming to you a burden and you feel it in your heart then yes I would’ve definitely agree. I would think that the Lord would prefer you to give an offering that you’re happy to give versus to give more and not be happy with that offering.
yes! for many years, in about November, i would give away trucks loads of old & antique items to the church for their auction. just 3 years ago, for instance, i gave away 3 very large antique stoneware crocks to the church.Are there other ways to give back to God instead of money?