soulstar is offline soulstar Post #21  June 24,2009, 4:41am
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I believe we are to give back to God what is his...and to give like the woman who gave her last shekel, which is to give cheerfully and out of the goodness of our hearts. It is quite often that when we give out of sacrifice rather than abundance that we are often found to be trusting on God for his provision and blessing. It is then that we also grow personally and spiritually
This is not to say that we are to be living on nothing but air and wearing rags because we are also to ensure we do not live with spirit of poverty.
We as christians are called to bless others and to be blessed in order to show and share the utmost love of christ. I believe one can argue all he likes over the topic until the sky turns red but unless we are giving freely in our day to day lives, from the sheer goodness of our hearts, like that of the disciples and what christ commanded us to do, then we are not living our lives freely, hence living in the love and understanding of god and loving others above ourselves as we are supposed to.
Giving is something we are meant to do instinctively yet also wisely, and cheerfully, especially when someone is in need. I do not believe that there was any specific criteria for what amount we are to give because the NT simply instructs us to give, and to give to the poor.
If we are meant to give only 1 tenth ,then would it not then be stated specifically as with everything else in the bible as described by jesus and the apostles? And if we were to give only ten percent, then that means that we'd not be giving from 100 percent of our hearts but only ten percent.
We would not be giving genuinely but only out of duty...and did not jesus detest the hypocrite? Did not jesus state that we are to give the shirt off our backs? To turn the other cheek? Becuase all this is also a form of giving...which is really showing love and understanding and his goodness.
Throughout the bible this attitude is demonstrated and often outlined with giving in faith, love and compassion for others. Eg love thy neighbour as thyself.
This is the attitude we are to take with giving and tithing..to give back to God everything that is his, not just ten per cent but to give out of love, kindness, goodness, compassion and complete faith in him with the love of God within us. This is true giving because essentially the purpose of tithing was to teach us these disciplines in our attitudes being attitudes of love and faith in God, not so much about giving money but the spirit in which it is given.
Therefore we give what we can,even if it is not a lot but a lot to us and what we consider an abundance of giving to God.
After all did not the old lady gave her very last sheckel?
It's not what you do in church that counts, but what you do from your heart daily in the love of others and this demonstrates your love and the love of God by the simple act of giving..whether it be opening your home, giving your time, or simply surrendering something precious for someone else in need becuase this is the giving Jesus gave.
 
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Malgos is offline Malgos Post #22  June 27,2009, 12:13pm
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rix wrote :

However, since the concept of tithing is often associated with the Christian concept of giving. It would be interesting to hear others thoughts on the issue. Why is tithing practiced when the New Testament makes no mention of theobservance? Furthermore, only landowners tithed. And only products of the land were tithed. And, only Levites could receive the tithes. Tithing was a law of Moses, and Christians are not under the law of Moses. And since only landowners tithed, and Jesus was a carpenter by trade, more than likely he himself did not tithe. Therefore; why do Christians practice tithing?
Excellent question and excellent angle rix!

Once a rather poor brother of mine asked the same question, as he couldn't fulfill his monthly tithing promises. Everyday he rode for miles to visit this poor fellow to help him with his problems and gave the fellow some money and food. Question was if giving that way could be considered as a tithe replacement.

Here is what I think...
Our role here as Christians is to give... love, light, time, friendship, helping hand. One day we will be judged as individuals, and not as groups of churches. Our actions as individuals will be checked against the Scripture. We will be judged against 2 commandments in NT.

Maybe you gave your tithe every month, but tell me... did you really agree that new 2 gold plated lamp posts were bought with that money, and there were new beautiful flower arrangements at the altar every Sunday, while at the same time poor single parents went home knowing their kids will have no lunch tomorrow?

I don't tithe and I won't tithe. I have a deep conviction about where my money should really go.
I have nothing against those who do tithe.
God sees the heart and he doesn't look at us via church' accounts receivable spreadsheet.
 
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