Tithing, the old paths
 

Tertullian reports the church of his day continued the practice of voluntary giving:

"There is no buying and selling of any sort in the things of God. Though we have our treasure-chest, it is not made up of purchase-money, as of a religion that has its price. On the monthly day, if he likes, each puts in a small donation; but only if it be his pleasure, and only if he be able: for there is no compulsion; all is voluntary. These gifts are, as it were, piety's deposit fund. For they are not taken thence and spent on feasts, and drinking-bouts, and eating-houses, but to support and bury poor people, to supply the wants of boys and girls destitute of means and parents, and of old persons confined now to the house; such, too, as have suffered shipwreck; and if there happen to be any in the mines, or banished to the islands, or shut up in the prisons, for nothing but their fidelity to the cause of God's Church, they become the nurslings of their confession."

(Tertullian, Apology, Chapter 39.)

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

nice find!

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

i pay my tithes it helps the church pay its bills like lights,water and heat,things i like to have.it also helps those less fortunate than i. God provides me with work so i give him a tenth of his money back. if i cant survive off of 90% i dont think 10% more could help

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

sometimes it can. but those are all fantastic reasons for you to give your money away for.

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

Yes, it is, and my husband and I walk it faithfully! Love those Old Paths! :)

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

All good reasons for tithing.
Three bad reasons for tithing:
1. I'd be cursed if I did not tithe.
2. I would lose my salvation if I did not tithe.
3. My pastor orders me to tithe and says it is a New Testament doctrine and requirement.

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

4. It allows those who have no business knowing what you make in a year, know what you make in a year.

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

Guess I agree it's not everyone's biz what individuals make. But you have brought this up before... is it a seriously sore subject with you?

It seems it's fairly simple to know approximately what the income of is... given one's occupation, region and tenure etc.

Some salaries are made public by those that employ them. I have no great reservation in folks knowing my personal income.

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

Number 4: Having to sign a pulpit ministry affirmation statement. One of the laws thou shalt tithe to sing on my stage...

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

When pastors start asking you what you make or use tithing as leverage is should be a sore subject. It is a spiritual ponzi scheme, it amazes me how everyone get's so upset at Bernie Madoff, but they let their pastor do the same thing to them. Give your money to the church and their sole reason for preaching it and teaching it is because they want you to believe it will bring you success, wealth and health. The same kind of promise that Bernie Madoff gave his greedy investors. What ever happened to putting a good product and bringing a successful balance to the church so the folks in the pew will give to the growth of something good. Most ministers today want the church to give and then we will promise success. What ever happened to the elders of the church praying for the sick, the power of the lord by our prayers leading us in his will. The sweet hour of prayer has been exchanged for a debit card faith transaction. Why not just put card swipes in the pew so we can use our pin number and get it over with, and then light up the pulpit instantly with how much was taken in......

Donald Trump and the Jerry Maguire (Tom Cruise movie) have the mission statement of many ministers today. Money, Money, Money! Show me the money!

Remember it's the heart of the sacrifice, not the size of the sacrifice....

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

Translate that in terms of privacy and what you want the Government to know about you. You have no idea what some folks do as side jobs or investments. Some folks look like they have more money than others. There are those that we may think we value in a class, and behind the scenes they own laundry services and multiple rental units. You have no idea and it is not the idea that the preacher knows how much we make. It is the lose lips of the office staff in most churches...

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

Just give a few thousand more every year and confuse everyone..make them think you are richer than you are. God won't care and neither will your pastor, if you have one. Now wasn't that an easy solution.:ursofunny

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

Guess we could make the case the government should know what we make - that is if we believe income tax is legit :) (I have my doubts).

Churches and preachers on the other hand... I can't think of any good reason they must know the parishioners income.

My point was, I don't much care who knows what. Not so sure it changes the way I give - but that's just me.

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

With the way our churches are set up with tax exempt status, it has become necessary for the church or religious organization to furnish people with proof of their donations. The only way this can be done is by record keeping. I get a statement each January signed by the secretary of our church (a part time employee) listing each check or cash contribution by date. Now, this is only if I have placed it in an envelope with my name on the outside each time I give. On a couple of occasions my pastor has stated that he does not look closely enough at the financial records and has no idea who gives what. I believe him.

I am treasurer of a local FGBMFI group. So I know how much is given by each person if they write a check and I can furnish them a statement at the end of the year listing their contributions. I know this is different from tithing, being offerings, so it does not reveal the income of those who give.

As far as the tithing, I mark all my giving as offerings. Some times the offerings are designated for special causes like coats, backpacks, bus repair etc. I've noticed that when I get my statement each January, whatever was designated as an offering but not for a specific offering was listed as tithes. I have not made an issue of that and do not plan to.

I also contribute in other ways to our church such as buying groceries for the pantry, and buying juice, paper plates and napkins for meals on Sundays and Wednesday nights for which I do not get credit on my statement each year. I am sure that if I spoke to the secretary each time I brought something like that she would give me some type of receipt for a contribution but in my opinion that is unnecessary. God keeps track and He's the only One that matters for stuff like that.

P.S. If I thought that money was being mishandled by a church or organization, in my opinion I would not be a good steward if I continued to give to that organization or church. I would give elsewhere.

Re: Tithing, the old paths
 

Our money is dispersed pretty far. If anyone thinks we are actually tithing, they would assume that our combined income is around 5 to 6 grand. I fully believe in earmarking what I give so it goes to a specific cause.