Quote:
Originally Posted by obriencp
Aquila's post is the answer to this snipped post from good samaritan. I fear too many have been taught to tithe for the wrong reasons and it is engraved in them. If they're tithing to get out of a financial mess, they're setting themselves up for failure. I say this because they're now relying on what their doing, the works of the law, to try to gain favor from the Lord. Hear me out, they can still pay their bills and give sacrificially (maybe less than 10%) while denying themselves of some of the common luxuries IE cell phone, cable tv, dry cleaning, dining out, whatever. However, if they give their tithes first and don't have money for their bills, they're bringing reproach upon themselves in the eyes of the lender. Yes to giving cheerfully, yes to giving sacrificially, but we are to take care of our families. If you default on a loan, you are a covenant breaker and have not lived up to the promise you made to pay that bill.
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I am not saying that I would tell people to default on their mortgage in order to give to God. Most people that are in bad financial situations are because of management not because of having to give to God. I can say I personally believe that probably 90% of those who struggle financially it is management issues. People have to have all the luxuries possible and if they got it they may put a dollar in the pan.
houses nicer than they can afford- $500-600rent vs. $800-1200+
cars nicer than they can afford- $2500 or less vs. $10,000 or more
internet - doing without it vs. $50mo.
satellite T.V. - doing without it vs. $50mo.
smart phones - doing without it vs. $75mo. per line
vacations - doing without it vs. $2,000 annually
I know I'm meddling now, but really I don't know why we call people poor that are able to afford these things. When the Bible refers to the widows and the fatherless I don't picture them watching a big screen with 100+ channels, but they were actually facing malnutrition and starvation. We say we don't have anything to eat when we run out of the foods we like in the fridge. Many say they shouldn't give ten percent to God, but if you looked at their expenses each mo. you would find that they spend far more than ten percent on things they want that is not necessary.
Would you all agree that where your treasures are there is were your heart will be also. Maybe there is some situations where people are truly poor and can't afford to give, but most in this nation just aren't willing to get out of their comfort zones.