[The Lemon]

There are alot of points being made, some Biblical, some not. I don't mean to call you on the floor NFS, but to me it sounds like you are trying to justify the sacrifices that you and your family have made for the kingdom, starting a home missions work, based off of a structure and plan that you have been taught works.

I do not mean to say anything negative about your sacrifices for God, the Lord forbid. I thank God for anyone who will crucify the flesh and follow the call of God to reach souls. I would to God you be blessed in all you do for Jesus Christ.

Giving works...period. It takes giving and sacrifice...period. Where I am different in my stance, is that the Tithe is taught in many cases as essential, salvational, and a gauge for a persons spirituality or if they are "Right with God". This is, as far as I have been able to tell, from scripture, not the way we are to give (Of Necessity). There have been studies on this forum about the Tithe that usually get ignored by those who teach it as the plan of God for financing the work. Conversely, the side that does not teach the necessity of the Tithe tend to rant on those that do.

It seems there is no balance and personal attacks become inevitable. I have said this before, just because something "Works" does not mean it is necessarily right. Go talk to the JW or the Mormon and thell them there structure does not work....sure it does! Does that mean they teach truth? No!

Tithing church's are not the only church's that are sucessful. There are plenty who practice giving and not Tithing that are very sucessful. To say the ONLY model or even the only RIGHT model for a sucessful church in terms of financing the work, is Tithing, is absurd. But I totally understand why some folks support the teaching of Tithing, especially if that is how they were taught and it is what they have done in their ministry, after all....it does work....why? Because it is GIVING.

At any rate, the point that KEEPS GETTING MISSED, is that most of those who are posting on this thread give well over 10%. They do not have a "Money Monkey" on their back....I am just confused as to where that is coming from, I don't see it in DFT's posts.

If you go to a church that has an agreement for active members to Tithe, and a convenant is made and all are on board...fine. But to teach it as a mandatory law of God for NT believers is not Biblical, and no one who says it is has supported it with detailed study showing scripture. Especially when it is tied into a persons standing with God.

Just my thoughts...I sincerely mean no disrespect to anyone.