GIVING/ OFFERING

God loves a cheerful giver. Give what you will willingly. If you don't want to give, don't. Neither should be judged by us.

I feel like many people look for an excuse not to give, rather than a reason to give.

The American church and Americans in general are too comfortable, and it’s a byproduct of our upbringing.

At the same time, the cost-of-living is crazy and America, especially in California and on the coasts is crazy.
A two bedroom apartment in Los Angeles is like $3,000 to $3,500.

Why do some people in church get sad or mad when it is giving time? I am sure kingdom worship is a passionate expression of our love and honor for God, acknowledging who He is and what He has or will do for us. Leave alone some exceptional circumstances, are we really supposed to gather in worship centres empty handed? Why do we have a "crossroads" during giving time?

God loves a cheerful giver.
There are cheerful givers in a lot of churches in America and elsewhere where there are true believers in Christ. I think it's those operating in their sin nature who get angry when there opportunities to give. Those of us who are looking for work in our field and don't have money to give, just look forward to doing so when the Lord blesses in that area. I'm trusting God for a miracle because I put off a job to look after Mom. That went for many months until the Dr murdered her. Then I got so depressed and stressed that I have had serious health problems and at risk of loosing my home and everything, October 31. I want to give but can't until I pay the state property taxes. We don't always plan for these things when distracted by severe trauma of loved ones.

Why do some people in church get sad or mad when it is giving time? I am sure kingdom worship is a passionate expression of our love and honor for God, acknowledging who He is and what He has or will do for us. Leave alone some exceptional circumstances, are we really supposed to gather in worship centres empty handed? Why do we have a "crossroads" during giving time?

How about if we just feed the sheep God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse and let them hear what God has to say rather than the words of men. Don't ask for donations. Put a locked donation box in the hallway and let the people decide whether or not to donate based on whether or not they feel they got fed God's word.

Am I allowed to invite you guys to Africa

I went to a church which did that. And of course they didn't get a lot of money. The pastor actually owned a successful construction company and the elders had their own successful small businesses and careers. This is why they were so relaxed about tithes and offerings. They followed what the Apostle Paul did in having a day job building tents.

Nevertheless, that church was pretty good! Strong, godly preaching that didn't dilute the message to draw in more people, and had a prayer ministry and a ministry to the poor and the homeless. I wish I was still there, but I moved.


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How about if we just feed the sheep God's word chapter by chapter and verse by verse and let them hear what God has to say rather than the words of men. Don't ask for donations. Put a locked donation box in the hallway and let the people decide whether or not to donate based on whether or not they feel they got fed God's word.

Does the bible forbid the practice of usury? Are not most church buildings financed through usury? Is not debt a form of slavery? Why would I give Gods money (and its all Gods money) to a group of people who cannot be obedient to even the most basic biblical financial concept? No reason at all.

"Usury" is generally understood to mean "lending money at an interest rate that is considered unreasonably high or that is higher than the rate permitted by law." (source: What Is Usury? Definition, How It Works, Legality, and Example ).

In the parable of the talents, the master criticized the lazy servant, saying, "Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest." (Matthew 25:27). Given this, we cannot conclude that charging interest is itself wrong. Yes, the borrower is servant to the lender (Proverbs 22:7), but again that is wisdom, not condemnation or commandment.

I encourage you to rethink your position on interest and borrowing. Interest is nothing more than a rightful return on the temporary use of someone else's money. I have no love for high interest on loans, but I recognize that much of the industrial and technological development we enjoy would not exist without interest-bearing loans financing that development.

By the way, if you have any investments (including 401K's or retirement funds) that bear returns other than dividends, you are violating your own principles and are left with no moral ground on which to stand.

The parable you referenced was in no way an endorsement of the practice of usury. And usury is interest, period. The percentage is irrelevant.