GrannyG

Frank - you are right to want to give your tithe to your local church for the ministry. However, if your local church is not utilizing your tithe in a manner consistent with your personal beliefs on separation, then your tithe should not be administered indiscriminately by them. You can and probably should continue to give your tithe to the local church - "storehouse" - but you should designate it to areas of church ministry which you personally belive are consistent with your beliefs and the stated ministries of your local church. You can designate specific missionarries, building fund, pastor's salary, whatever.

Personally, I would not give to the National Council of Churches or the World Council of Churches. I do not know anything about the CCC but assume it is similar to these.

You are right to want to be discerning in your giving.

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Frank

Hi Grannyg. I think you have been around long enough to see what has been happening with the church, and I appreciate your wisdom. We have been designating our offering actually. I'm glad to see you share my convictions in this area. After a quick search, I can say that I think you are right about those other organizations being similar.

Frank

Frank

Two no, one yes (as far as money going to Catholics anyway), and two didn't answer - at least not yet. I hope I got that right! Many did not reply.

Maybe I should do what that one poster did, and say if you click on this, you "must" reply. JUST KIDDING! I wouldn't do that, but really, is it a hard decision? If Paul the apostle were here, I'm sure he would be quite concerned.

This actually effects almost all mainstream Protestant denominations, at least here in Canada.

GrannyG

It is a concern worldwide. However, the poster that has the "you must reply" thread is have a good/fun time. That is a "playground" type of thread. Go post and enjoy.

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Boanerges

We are required by God to be good stewards. That means using our resources wisely.

Whirlwind

That's right, Bo. I agree with you.

It makes me wonder...the person who is out there giving; they're digging through their wallet and their fingers are wrestling with the 10 or 20 dollar bills...before the collection plate arrives, he decides on a 10. Then sees that other people have given 20. So he changes his mind and gives a 20, even though he feels like he could have used it later on to buy a double-shot creamy tall something-or-other.

Has the person given at all? I mean, if he has to consider and reconsider, and then regret it later on...has he given at all?

Or when some businessman stands up in church to announce that he's donating a large sum of money to the church. Where's his reward? Has he already gotten it?

A husband and a wife arguing over how much to give. He says give lots. She says cut it waaaay down. In the end, they give very little. Should they have given at all?

My own rule for myself is - if you're going to have negative thoughts about giving...don't give at all. Because if I can't give with my heart, then it's like I haven't given at all to begin with. Wait until you can give with your heart as much as your wallet, Whirlwind. And dont announce your generosity to the world, Whirlwind. Never give the exact dollar amount to anybody but God.

And my other rule is that it doesn't have to be a church. It can be a fellow believer, a beggar on the street, an organization trying to feed hungry handicapped people. Whatever I give to those in need, I believe, I give right to God.

Besides, makes me all fuzzy in the heart!

Frank

"And my other rule is that it doesn't have to be a church."

I am beginning to think you are right about that, especially when we are convinced that some of the money is being distributed to the wrong people.

About the "must reply" thread, I was actually reluctant to click on it as I get Christian email chain letters with rather threatening pressure tactics to pass it along, so I didn't know that it was a joke. I'm actually not much of a joke person anyways. It's just the way God made my personality, though my wife doesn't think I'm dull either!

Boanerges

As far as chain letters those are garbage and should be treated as such.
As far as your Church if you have doubts about their adherance to the Word and heart of God then pray and see if God will release you to find another.

Frank

Glad I'm not the only one that doesn't appreciate the certain chain email.

About the praying, I'm all for that, but there really aren't too many options considering all of the following denominations are members of the Canadian Council of Churches. I just mainly want to inform people of this big problem which affects thousands of churches, so people cannot claim ignorance when it comes to tithing, and also pray about it. Hopefully, people in authority will eventually see their error.

• The General Synod of The Anglican Church of Canada
• Archdiocese of Canada of the Orthodox Church in America
• Armenian Holy Apostolic Church, Canadian Diocese
• Baptist Convention of Ontario and Quebec
• Baptist Union of Western Canada
• British Methodist Episcopal Church of Canada (Associate Member)
• Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
• Canadian Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
• Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada
• Christian Reformed Church in North America- Canada
• The Coptic Orthodox Church of Canada
• Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church of Canada
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
• Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada)
• Mennonite Church Canada
• Old Catholic Church Union of Utrecht
• The Presbyterian Church in Canada
• Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America
• The Salvation Army
• Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada
• The United Church of Canada

GrannyG

Are you saying that the groups you have listed are all associated/members of the Canadian Council of Churches?

If in doubt about the association of a church or the ministry association of a church, I would recommend you phone or better yet, visit the pastor in his office and discuss the matter with him. Once you have determined that basically a church is in line with your basic beliefs, then you can attend and further evaluate their ministry.

If you feel that the church you are currently attending is teaching error or associating itself with erroneous groups, then you should begin the process of disassociating yourself from them. But you SHOULD find a good Bible-believing church with which you can minister and have fellowship with those of like faith.

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