Hi
@Adam4Eve, some NT verses and passages seem to strongly indicate that we are to give to church and pastor, and that there will be consequences if we do not (reaping/sowing), but obligated? If we were truly "obligated" to give a certain amount of $$ to pastor and church, then it seems to me that our "gift" would actually be a "tax", wouldn't it?
Here are some of the verses/passages that come to mind about this subject:
Luke 10
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.
2 And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
3 “Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
4 “Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way.
5 “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’
6 “If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.
7 “Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.
Acts 4
32 The congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.
33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.
34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales
35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.
36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),
37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
1 Corinthians 9
14 The Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.
2 Corinthians 9
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Galatians 6
6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.
1 Timothy 5
17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
18 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
~Deut
2 Corinthians 11
7 Did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?
8 I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you.
