Date:   1/18/2014 8:34:08 AM ( 10 y ago)
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URL:   https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=2142183

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Miss Rainy, I think your sudden tough love approach has bothered some people because you gave no reason as to why your zeal has manifested so strongly all of a sudden. A little explanation would help I think.

Most of what you have said I think many will agree with, when we are talking about churches that control their people as in cults. On occasion you even say something to the effect that not "all" churches are like this. However, there is a tone to your messages that still makes it sound as you are saying "all" churches, which can be damaging to the body of Christ as well as to future believers. If not careful we are back to doing the bashing of pastor videos thing again.

I'm addressing this one post only because I have my own area that bothers me about the body of Christ and I wanted to explain short and sweet.

First, most people I know with issues about church tithing is because they have been hurt in some manner, not because something is or is not in the bible. Of course as we see here at curezone, some people can be hurt by even the smallest thing these days. What would hurt you would not hurt me and visa versa. Someone asking me to tithe is not a problem unless they said I could not be a member or could not go to heaven unless I did. In a case like that I say NO and give a reason as to why and then simply walk away.

Now I can understand feeling uncomfortable perhaps or even bothered to watch others put large amounts in the offering when I can't do the same, but learning to be content despite it all is very important to one's happiness within the body of Christ. I have never been commanded to tithe. Do they sometimes preach on the issue..yes. Do they take an offering every sunday...yes. No one however puts a gun to someone's head to do so.

What is interesting is that many times people who don't believe in tithing have no problem tipping those in service to us in a correct percentage. There again, some businesses will not accept a love offering as a tip, but require the whole percentage. Others say nothing and accept whatever you give.

Personally I think it has more to do with feeling a lack of power...not having say in where our money goes. I know I much rather take my tithe and give it to the needy as I see fit and sometimes I do when I want to avoid the slow process of going through the church sometimes.

Second, another problem I find in the body of Christ is that most people have no clue as to the workings within the church. If one knows all the financial goings on within the church because they make it available for all to see, plus being an elder or deacon or having friends and family members who are part of the overseeing of the care of it's people (church), one will not be suspicious of people making decisions on their behalf. No one has to tithe, but if one knows the needs of the church and one can give, they can with a cheerful heart.

If we want to start feeding our pastor and his family ourselves, sit outside under a tree somewhere like they did in the old days, enduring the elements whether hot or cold. No specialty music like organs or pianos...just the beautiful musical instruments of our voices. Which in some ways sounds wonderful...if we were not so soft these days. Then we would not need so much giving. Home churches can be an option. However, abuse can take place there as well and complaining would probably not hit the light of day.

Tithing is giving to God from the heart in obedience (because one is aware of the need...God has no needs), regular giving is from the heart of love, and God uses both of them to bless us and to use it to go out into the mission field and to help others. If one feels that giving from the heart in love is what God has called them to do, then they should do it, as well as those called to tithe from the storehouse of the goodness God has given them.

Being involved and knowing what the needs are within and without the church, many times helps us make the decision whether to tithe or whether to give a love offering.


 

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