Fletch

In a recent study conducted by the Barna Group, it was learned that only five percent of Americans gave away at least 10 percent of their income (to the church or any charitable organization) in 2007. This level of giving was not a great surprise, as it has been around five percent since 2000.

Assemblies of God News Online

FletchNotes: Whenever I hear or read news stories like this, I try to ask myself the very question they address. In this case, I asked myself how consistent I am with tithing my 10%. And, I have to be honest, I'm not very good at keeping up with this.

The funny thing is, in my mind I make up all sorts of reasons for this.

* I can't afford it. This is a common one for everyone it seems. I do know that when I have tithed, the money wasn't missed, or it was made up for in other ways. For me, I know that this reason is a useless one. God Will Provide!

* I don't attend the regular church I go to. I actually told myself this a few times. I was temporarily in another city, and didn't feel the need to tithe. How ridiculous! The money we tithe goes to help to have the word of God shared to more people... it doesn't matter where I am, the call is still upon us to help share God's word in whatever way we can, including tithing.

* The church gets plenty of money from others anyway. Can you believe that someone would think this? Well, I had thought of this excuse before. The above story shows that this isn't the truth. Only 5% of Christians tithe faithfully. Five Percent! Can you imagine the good that could be done if that number were merely doubled to 10%?


I can't speak for anyone else but myself. I know that I need to tithe faithfully, and am going to do my part to keep my promise to our Saviour. He asks so little, yet gives so much!

So I say, enough excuses! I am going to be one of those to increase that 5%!

Ok, I'll hush up now. It is an interesting article, though.

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Cast your cares on the LORD
and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall.

- Psalms 55:22

Boanerges

While I truly believe that tithing is an Old Covenant custom I firmly believe in supporting the Church. 10% is just a good place to get started. Most folks have no idea what it costs to pay building note, utilities, printed materials and salaries and yet all these contribute to something they particiapte in or enjoy on a regular basis. I count it a joy not only to contribute to the local body I am planted in but also a privilege to support any and every form of outreach. It is really an honor to have particiapte in the kingdom of God directly and through my resources. It all belongs to Him anyway.

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Who am I

I use to look at tithing as giving to the Church. I finally realized that tithing is giving to God. It was a difficult thing to start doing regularly, but I did start and have been consistent for a while now. I did have a revelation a couple of weeks ago though. I get paid every two weeks. I would split my 10% and give half one week and the other half the next week. It hit me a couple of weeks ago… “Why don’t I just give the whole 10% the Sunday after payday”? I now give that every two weeks. I realized I was holding onto half of God’s money for a whole extra week. Why let that just sit in the bank for an extra week?

Anyway, I heard once that if every Christian would give 10%, it would be enough money to solve the world hunger problem. I would much rather be part of the solution than part of the problem.

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Blessings to all

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD,
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jax

I believe Tithing is a principal not a commandment and transcends Old and New testaments.
What under the Law wwas hard to do, Grace empowers us to do.
I heard this preached on just a week or so ago, and the speaker said that satan wants to keep us under the ways of the world, or captive to the babylonian way of doing things, and God wants to set us free.
By giving God's way, we are released from Babylon, our finance is released from the worlds way and set to do God's will.
It is a very good way of looking at it.
However I am not perfect in this yet, God still has work to do in me as sometimes likes us all, I get into fear and worry over finance, but it is a learning curve, as I place my trust in Him, He has promised to provide.
Hallelujah.

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For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that 'WHOSOEVER' believes, shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

smellycat

i could see why this could be a problem for some.my advice would do reasearch.

Ausgirl

Well, my 10% + is put aside first off from my pay - it's not mine anyway, that's the way that I look at it.

Boanerges

Old Covenant. New, transcending- what ever your take give into the work of God.

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Whirlwind

Dr. Murray was speaking about tithing this morning. He said that he doesn't believe that a widower who's living on bare bones should give 10%, but that there is such a thing as a Love Offering.

Anybody hear of this? What is it?

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Chapter-by-Chapter, verse-by-verse.
Jesus is the Living Word.

Ausgirl

I would say a love offering is above the 10% - but that is my opinion only.

Who am I

I believe it’s anything other than a tithe. Either to your own Church, or to someplace else. I believe it’s just a phrase someone came up with quite a while ago. It may have been started with TV evangelists. If a Church were to pass the basket for a special purpose… for instance if a member had surgery, needed a new furnace, spouse died… they might take a love offering.

It could deal with food too…
If someone were to offer me some brownies… I would love that.

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Blessings to all

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD,
thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.