Tithing

Its not a requirement, as I have stated. Even if you don't give anything, you are still saved in the end.

But why would you not want to give?

As I said, the key is to meditate on Romans 5:8, God already gave you his best, the Son whom he dearly loves.

Once you realize that, than why quibble over whether it is called "tithing" or giving? Just give because you have God's DNA.

But why would you not want to give?

This question exposes the depth of your confusion. Because you equate tithing with giving, you equate not tithing with not giving at all.

"In the same way, when we give, we also give away the right to control what that money is spent on… that is not our responsibility but the leaders we are encouraged to pray for."

I actually tend to agree with this.... which is why it is doubly important to make sure the church you align yourself with is shepherded by Godly, prayerful men..... not one single minded "pastor" whose main job is to collect enough money to make a living.

If you are a member of such a church, when you give God's money back to Him, the elders/shepherds/overseers are held accountable by God for their financial decisions. Most churches like that do, however, usually involve the approval of the congregation for the budget they come up with.

The 'Church' in question did not publish a detailed account of annual expenditure, nor did they publish an annual budget for members to see.

Following my experience I have come to the conclusion that organisations like this are not Churches, but businesses.
They don't have members, they instead have customers.

Thanks for quoting one of the few verses that is repeated by folk who sign up to the prosperity gospel.

See my OP and attachment for a formal definition of a tithe.

Let me ask you this, would you be happy for me to continuosly donate fruit and cattle to my local Church, or would you say it has to be money?

God demands to be “FIRST” in every area of your life (Matthew 6:33). He does not want your leftovers. As He said, “I Am a great King, give those leftovers to your Governor.” Mal. 1:8

Jesus tells us we must render to Caesar what belongs to him, and God what is His (Matthew 22:21). Jesus says, "If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches (Luke 16:11 NKJV)?

Christians are tested with the least in the Kingdom of God which is money.
Considering what Jesus has said here (Luke 16:9-13 NKJV), I think it would be difficult to overstate the significance of this down to earth, practical teaching, that applies to everyone. If a person cannot be trusted with money, and in any capacity, Jesus plainly says, he cannot be trusted with Salvation, i.e., "true riches." In view of the seriousness of what is being said, we would do well to heed carefully.

In these passages (Luke 16:9-13), Jesus is saying that irrespective of how loudly and how often we profess our Godliness, if it does not show up in our practical, every day living, and especially in the matters of money, and our responsibility toward others, our profession is vain. This statement is plain and clear, if we are unfaithful in these things. "Who will commit to our trust the true riches?"

Can a Christian Be cursed because of not tithing?
Does Christ rebuke the devourer if the Believer doesn't tithe?
Can a Christian test God in the New Testament? If so how?
Can a Christian live in the open windows of Heaven if they don't tithe?
Should I tithe, or pay my bills?

Please post your scripture to support your statement.

This question exposes the depth of your confusion. Because you equate tithing with giving, you equate not tithing with not giving at all.

Thanks for posting a few verses that have nothing to do with the topic of discussion.

I'll ask you a simple yes or no question, just like I have with others:

Is tithing a requirement of modern Christians, yes or no?

Thanks for posting a few verses that have nothing to do with the topic of discussion.

I'll ask you a simple yes or no question, just like I have with others:

Is tithing a requirement of modern Christians, yes or no?

Why do you think Jesus talk so much about money? The god of money is the only one he mentioned as an alternative god you can serve.

Jesus is obviously teaching something there, isn't he?

Feel free to ignore MessageOfTheCross. He is a shill for Jimmy Swaggart and does not actually engage in conversati

Yes, but it isn't tithing. My previous comment stands; you seem unable to separate the two concepts.

Good day everyone,

Thank you for accepting me on to your website.

I'd like to use my first post to seek outside counsel on the subject of tithing.

I used to attend a Hillsong Church here in the UK, but left partly due to my not being able to reconcile their teaching with my own research of the Bible.

While I was at the Church I had the confidence to put my head above the parapet and directly challenge the prosperity gospel teaching of the Church.

I forwarded a document (attached) to somebody in the Church that outlined my opinions on tithing, backed up by Bible research.
I received the same document back with comments (also attached).

I would appreciate any feedback or comment.

Nothing wrong with supporting a Church that you attend for the purposes of helping them keep the building in decent condition and the utilities paid. Nothing wrong with giving so the full time pastor has a salary. That is giving, and we should be happy to give. But nowhere in the New Testament is there an actual example of tithing. With that said, there is nothing wrong with wanting to give God at least 10% of what He has blessed you with. But nowhere is it a command to tithe. There are many examples of giving and none for tithing in the New Testament.

I would like to cite Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

So tithing much but having not the true faith means nothing to God.

I would contend if you have assurance of your salvation and confidence that the Holy Spirit dwells within you, then petition Him. Ask Him and seek him time and time again to make this answer known for you. Also ask him to lead you to a true church and away from a false church. This is even more important.

For it is infinitely better to give little to a true church, than to give MUCH to a false church.

it is not entirely true because Jesus did indirectly command us to give a tithe or 10% of our resources in Matt 23:23

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.