Tithing, holding back the Church????

[Kknight]

Now many have used this scripture to say (as someone else seemed to allude) that you must give because God promised to provide for your need. The problem with this is that I have seen people with great needs (some of which they brought upon themselvs admittedly) give away Gods provision. This is the problem. If the church is guilting people into giving, and succeeding, then they may be making God a liar, by causing many to question such promises.

The whole crux of the matter is to live at peace. And you can't do that if your bills aren't paid, or if your wondering how your going to pay them because you have first given more than you felt comfortable with to the church.

Agreed. You should not give more than you are comfortable with nor give away your provision if you are in great need. That is why I said to "prayerfully consider."

[Kknight]

They should do it because they want to and not because some pastor is pressuring them.

Agreed...I've never given because I felt pressured to do so.

[Kknight]

I also believe that if you give with motivation to get more, then you're out of luck. Your motivation must be pure and cheerful giving and then God promises to supply all of your needs.

Finally and once more I agree 110% :thumb ;)

[denny272]

Perfect! We're all agreed!

:ring

By-George I believe there is hope for us yet! :lol2

[Comfort me]

I think people should also remember this. What we think our needs are and what God thinks they are can be two totally different things. I wanted to make this clear because I did not want to come across as saying the Lord won't meet our needs. He will but he might have a different opinion on what they are.

[Hernando]

LaMontre Quote:

Mar 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
Mar 12:42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
Mar 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
Mar 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Uh oh, another wrinkle!
And the wrinkle is this. These statements were made by Jesus before his death and resurrection. Thus, at that time the poor widow was under the law and required to tithe.

Please consider if someone was to have asked Jesus, at the time of the poor widow’s tithe, “Are we required to make animal sacrifices?” I believe he would answer with “What does the law require?” and the answer would be – yes, animal sacrifices are required under the law.

However; if someone asked Jesus today (after the resurrection), “Are we are required to make animal sacrifices?” I believe he would answer with “No, you are under grace, not the law.” If this is true, then what is the answer to “What would be required of the poor widow in regards to the law of tithing after the resurrection, after the gift of grace?”

[Kknight]

Perfect! We're all agreed!

:ring

By-George I believe there is hope for us yet! :lol2

:lol2 :thumb

[denny272]

And the wrinkle is this. These statements were made by Jesus before his death and resurrection. Thus, at that time the poor widow was under the law and required to tithe.

Please consider if someone was to have asked Jesus, at the time of the poor widow’s tithe, “Are we required to make animal sacrifices?” I believe he would answer with “What does the law require?” and the answer would be – yes, animal sacrifices are required under the law.

However; if someone asked Jesus today (after the resurrection), “Are we are required to make animal sacrifices?” I believe he would answer with “No, you are under grace, not the law.” If this is true, then what is the answer to “What would be required of the poor widow in regards to the law of tithing after the resurrection, after the gift of grace?”

:nod:thumb Exactly.

It was a good lesson in giving joyfully and not selfishly. Jesus mostly noticed the poor old woman's WILLINGNESS to give what she had. Not that it was required. The rich man could have given more, but didn't want to.

[LaMontre]

And the wrinkle is this. These statements were made by Jesus before his death and resurrection. Thus, at that time the poor widow was under the law and required to tithe.

Please consider if someone was to have asked Jesus, at the time of the poor widow’s tithe, “Are we required to make animal sacrifices?” I believe he would answer with “What does the law require?” and the answer would be – yes, animal sacrifices are required under the law.

However; if someone asked Jesus today (after the resurrection), “Are we are required to make animal sacrifices?” I believe he would answer with “No, you are under grace, not the law.” If this is true, then what is the answer to “What would be required of the poor widow in regards to the law of tithing after the resurrection, after the gift of grace?”

:heh

Precisely. Good post.