Re: Tithing did not work for me

From what I have read in the bible, tithing does seem to be a law (or requirement, at least not specifically mentioned as one). I used to work in a youth group and drove the van. The money to pay for the gas and insurance came from tithes. We had food for the kids that was cooked in the kitchen at church that was all paid for by tithes and extra donations. There really IS a need for money, and The Lord will return to us tenfold whatever we do (in time OR money, OR both, if you are inclined to do so, the Lord loves a cheerful giver), but, if your rent is due on Tuesday, and you had a bad week, or are in a bad mood because you owe your friend for more than two months and just can't find it in your heart to do anything but give GRUDGINGLY, then maybe you should hold off until you're in a better mood (it's your decision, understand that He does not want that to come between you two, you know,...PERSONAL relationship, He values the PERSONAL relationship also). He says that we should love each other, do you think He's going to do any less [loving]? He's going to love us MORE than we can love each other, He's going to be MORE understanding with us than we can be understanding with each other. I have a friend who escaped from Hungary before the Iron Curtain (Berlin Wall) fell. He became a deacon at the church I was going to at the time, but never agreed with tithing. A year ago, he got his Masters of Divinity and is now Senior Pastor at a church upstate and understands the importance of giving (reality check). The real "CHURCH" is not a building, it is 'all of the members of Christs' BODY (all believers). We are told not to neglect to meet together (Hebrews 10:25) and worship is a tradition (and welcome opportunity) of those who love God, but, offhand, I am not aware of any specific time or location (the first century church was no less a church because they met in each others' houses and were not organized with pews, a church organ and such). Every word in the bible is INSPIRED by God, but not COMMANDED by God 1 Corinthian 7:6 "by way of concession, not of command". Concerning tithes which seems undoubtably an obligation "I rather you do nothing by compulsion, but of your own freewill" (conscience) Philemon verse 15. 1 Corinthians 16:2 seems to suggest that a certain time for worship AS ONE (meaning a congregation) would be on a weekly basis, every...SUNDAY?...(the day when Christ rose seems appropriate), and that giving money is expected. Tweet