Tithing…Is it a command?

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Rudy

2 Corinthians 9:6-7English Standard Version (ESV)

The Cheerful Giver

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[a] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

You do understand this is again the Corinthian Church he is speaking to, probably reguarding the same offerings he had previously mentioned in 1Cor 16 which you said was not for today.

Paul here is telling the Corinthians that the weekly giving he had commanded in the previous letter should be given with a certain attitude. So the attitude in which he commanded to give is authoritative but the method and frequency has changed now. I am really confused by your logic.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Rudy

2 Corinthians 9:6-7English Standard Version (ESV)

The Cheerful Giver

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[a] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

I agree with the law of sowing and reaping. Do you think most people you know could pay a minimum of 10% of their weekly earnings to the kingdom of God. I am not meaning the local church, but somewhere invested in the kingdom of God . I am just asking do you think most could make arrangements to pay 10% into God's kingdom.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Rudy

2 Corinthians 9:6-7English Standard Version (ESV)

The Cheerful Giver

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully[a] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Bingo!

[Sean]

Originally Posted by Rudy

There are things that are time specific and there are things that are applicable till Christ returns. Taking a collection up for the saints in Jerusalem is over.

Guys, Rudy is making a good point here. Yall need to follow it closely. Some things are documented as "historical" and can be applied in a similar sense. But this particular instance could be used today similarly to take up an offering to help our brethren in a 3rd world country, not weekly giving to your church for the rest of your life.

Follow the context to develop your "pattern" of giving.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Sean

Guys, Rudy is making a good point here. Yall need to follow it closely. Some things are documented as "historical" and can be applied in a similar sense. But this particular instance could be used today similarly to take up an offering to help our brethren in a 3rd world country, not weekly giving to your church for the rest of your life.

Follow the context to develop your "pattern" of giving.

How come you agree with 2 Cor. 9 and not 1 Cor. 16? Read them together and see what you think.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

How come you agree with 2 Cor. 9 and not 1 Cor. 16? Read them together and see what you think.

2 Corinthians 9
9 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness

11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;

13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.



Are you sure this is speaking of giving to the ministry?...or the SAINTS?






1 Corinthians 16

16 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.

2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

3 And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto Jerusalem.

[good samaritan]

Brother, if I was in your situation, from now on, I would just ask the saints to set aside what the think would fit into their budget, any percentage they feel to give. Just let them know that "responsible" giving is greatly needed for church bills and future growth.

That is already what I do friend. 10% is reponsible giving and any percent over that they want to give is fine by me. lol

[Originalist]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

That is already what I do friend. 10% is reponsible giving

That is not your call to make.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

That is already what I do friend. 10% is reponsible giving and any percent over that they want to give is fine by me. lol

What about 5% or 3%? Are irresponsible givers less than 10% to you?

[good samaritan]

Sean I was kidding a little with that last post. The thing is in our country we have very few literally poor people that can't give. There are many people who aren't good stewards and their finances are so poorly managed that they feel like that giving to the work of God is the corner they should cut. If I don't teach giving (many times sacrificially) then not only will people not do it.

Unless directed by God otherwise I will always teach tithing as a good place to start with our giving. I will not belittle or ostracize those who do not, but will make them feel apart of our assembly. Just because they don't give doesn't mean that they aren't going to heaven that is up to God, but I hope that many who think they can't afford to give will one day have the faith to try. I have just been working on updating our church bylaws and I have changed tithing to regular giving with a side note saying preferably tithing.

We have people in our church now who I have used in the church who don't financially support the church with giving. It disappoints me, but I don't call them to the office nor do I teach on giving because of them personally (I teach things I feel the Lord has for the church as a whole not because of isolated circumstances). No one knows what others give in our church; people don't know who tithes or not and I plan on it always staying that way. Those who feel they can't afford to give will never be able.

My wife told me recently that she should just go shopping and spend the money when she wants to get something. Her point was we will always hustle some way to take care of the bills, but if we leave money in our account it is going to disappear anyway. At least she would have the things we need and that is true with giving to God. If people generously give to God the money will come from somewhere and If they are about to loose a house or something it probably has nothing to do with giving that $20 or $30 in the pan on Sunday. There was probably something wrong anyway. Put God first in everything and that is in the new and old testaments. God is the judge of the amount and I certainly communicate that, but we can each have our opinions to the side.