Quote:
Originally Posted by NotforSale
I'm about done sharing my points on this post. I'm frustrated because we do everything and anything for our physical lives, demanding percentages and wanting to know the bottom line. But the Church? People can just figure that out for themselves. This doesn't make sense.
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My friend, the issue has never been about supporting the ministry, the gospel, or even maintaining church facilities,or if tithing is not acceptable unto the Lord.
It has all been about false doctrine. That is why tithing can not be taught in an open forum where points and arguments can be openly challenged (in most churches that kind of exchange is not permitted), so the doctrine continues, even by ministers who honestly believe that tithing is supported in the Bible, but who can't support their position from scripture (quoting out of context does not qualify and is unacceptable).
The general arguments always fall back on "personal experience" and using selected verses that have the "appearance" of support a New Testament tithing concept.
Is there anything "wrong" with tithing? God forbid! But what many men have done to the saints of God with this teaching, as a spiritual requirement, is worthy of a curse from God!
When tithing to the pastor is a requirement in order to minister within the body, that is nothing short of paying a personal tribute or even a bribe, regardless of what spiritually sounding term may be applied. The abuses this doctrine has gendered within the church are legendary.
The argument for this misuse is often justified by the argument, if we do not teach tithing as a spiritual requirement, then the people will not give enough to support this ministry. That, in and of its self, is an indictment against the teachers, not the saints!
Why have the saints not been taught the true biblical principles of giving (reaping and sowing), rather than trying to bribe God with their giving: You can't out give God - this a true statement made into a lie. To give in order "to get" is to put God under obligation. a prevision of the scriptures.
Will God give in response to one's personal giving? Absolutely! But look at what it is that God expects one to give and for what purpose. It is not what is most often comes across the pulpit.
Sound teaching - that is what the saints of God are starting to expect and even to demand. The old "you do it because I said so" simply does not work very well any more. There is new movement among believers that is showing its self as a demand for "what does the Bible say - what does it mean and how do I use it?"
Finally, I do not doubt that there are some churches that are not worthy of being supported, should be closed down and started over by men and women who are actually called of God to the job. It is time that the false teachers and prophets be exposed and ran off. And scripturally, that is the responsibility of the assembly, not another wolf.