The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

We attended a particular church from 2010-2013 (over 3 years), for the first two years I attended there I gave roughly 20% of my gross business income in offerings to that church, which amounted to between 200-300 dollars a month. I refuse to say I "tithed" because I simply do not believe in that teaching. On my checks or offering envelopes I always write "General Offering". On my yearly giving statement it always showed my "tithes" for the year as zero. :heeheehee

Well, in late 2011 my business income vanished for good. I was left with subsisting on about a thousand dollars a month with a wife and 2 kids. My wife did not work because we had one car. At the exact same time this happened, our pastor got up in December of 2011 and told the church that he had not taken a salary for 2 month due to a slump in offerings. Many people's incomes had dried up. But he appealed for sacrificial giving lest the bank have to foreclose, etc etc. I felt horrible because I knew I was going to have to let him know that my giving was about to plummet. Long story short, he blamed my financial woes on a "lack of giving" even after I let the cat out of the bag that I had been giving 20% of my gross business income up until that point. That fact had no effect on his stoic mind set. So we ended up leaving there. Just the other day that church spent 18 grand on new stage lighting.

Jump ahead to now. We have been attending a much smaller church since 2013, about 30 people (after 12 years). The pastor is the former assistant of the church we left. He also had been hurt by that pastor.

My financial situation has gotten no better except for having eliminated some debt. I live off of pert time work. I finally had to buy a new car as my 2002 Chevy with 210 thousand miles is dying. We have lived rent free in my sister's mobile home for 6 years but she sold it and we have to be out by Oct 8. So we are moving in with my 84 yr old dad temporarily which will put us 36 miles from our church and my work. I literally made 100 dollars over the summer and am just getting some sub teaching jobs which is my only income. My pastor knows my situation. But that "stoic" thinking on tithing is rearing its ugly head anyway. One cannot tithe on what they have not made. I have not asked for help nor do I desire it. I just try to be faithful to church and be a loving servant to my brothers. Somehow that is not good enough. My wife is furious and ready to leave. What is wrong with these "leaders"? My "tithes" since June 20 would only be 32 dollars to begin with. I'll gladly give it next payday. But you see my point, and so should they.

Re: The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

aw, you are in my prayers O, i am witnessing a somewhat similar failure of...expectations? with my mom, who has always been a generous giver. I have my opinions as to why, but they are pointless, and i'm not sure what the lesson is. Good people seem to be being ushered out of church, almost.

Re: The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

I've come to the conclusion that many pastors are not really interested in having a church full of mature, disciples, spiritual people who have their eyes on Jesus and know how to rightly divide the word. They'd rather have a church full of perpetual spiritual infants who will be forever dependent on the pastor.

Paul said, "be no more children". Pastors do not agree.

Re: The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

ya, seems to me they mostly begin their ministry under a conflict of interests; maybe that is a lesson here. But i'm sure not in a position to judge. I'd say let them be them, and do what you think best based upon that, but it sure seems twisted to essentially be required to pay money to congregate with like-minded people. And the poor pastor is just the guy in the middle usually, i'm sure. They get coerced into the role of Priest, as often as they invite it, i think. speaking generally.

Re: The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

Cannot agree with you more. I have seen this to be true over the years.

Re: The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

:nod

Re: The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

i am suddenly finding lots of Indy churches with...less coercive? models. Surely there are some OP leaning indies?

Re: The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

[QUOTE=Originalist;1448266]We attended a particular church from 2010-2013 (over 3 years), for the first two years I attended there I gave roughly 20% of my gross business income in offerings to that church, which amounted to between 200-300 dollars a month. I refuse to say I "tithed" because I simply do not believe in that teaching. On my checks or offering envelopes I always write "General Offering". On my yearly giving statement it always showed my "tithes" for the year as zero. :heeheehee

Well, in late 2011 my business income vanished for good. I was left with subsisting on about a thousand dollars a month with a wife and 2 kids. My wife did not work because we had one car. At the exact same time this happened, our pastor got up in December of 2011 and told the church that he had not taken a salary for 2 month due to a slump in offerings. Many people's incomes had dried up. But he appealed for sacrificial giving lest the bank have to foreclose, etc etc. I felt horrible because I knew I was going to have to let him know that my giving was about to plummet. Long story short, he blamed my financial woes on a "lack of giving" even after I let the cat out of the bag that I had been giving 20% of my gross business income up until that point. That fact had no effect on his stoic mind set. So we ended up leaving there. Just the other day that church spent 18 grand on new stage lighting.

Jump ahead to now. We have been attending a much smaller church since 2013, about 30 people (after 12 years). The pastor is the former assistant of the church we left. He also had been hurt by that pastor.

My financial situation has gotten no better except for having eliminated some debt. I live off of pert time work. I finally had to buy a new car as my 2002 Chevy with 210 thousand miles is dying. We have lived rent free in my sister's mobile home for 6 years but she sold it and we have to be out by Oct 8. So we are moving in with my 84 yr old dad temporarily which will put us 36 miles from our church and my work. I literally made 100 dollars over the summer and am just getting some sub teaching jobs which is my only income. My pastor knows my situation. But that "stoic" thinking on tithing is rearing its ugly head anyway. One cannot tithe on what they have not made. I have not asked for help nor do I desire it. I just try to be faithful to church and be a loving servant to my brothers. Somehow that is not good enough. My wife is furious and ready to leave. What is wrong with these "leaders"? My "tithes" since June 20 would only be 32 dollars to begin with. I'll gladly give it next payday. But you see my point, and so should they.[/QUOTE

Come to the Fort!! Fort Wayne.

Re: The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

This is why offerings aren't supposed to ever be asked for by the ministry.

An evangelist isn't supposed to call a church and tell them what he wants to get paid to preach. He goes expecting the Lord to take care of everything. The Lord does, whether its 15 dollars or 150 dollars. Jesus knows all about it. The ministry isn't supposed to be asking anyone for an offering. I know, I know, people do it over the pulpit and when someone comes to the office. But, it's not supposed to happen that way. Matthew 10:8-9 paint the apostles as individuals who went out expecting nothing for what they were doing. Jesus told them to not even take gold, silver or their money belts. They would be provided for supernaturally. Sorry, to hear about your situation my dear friend, but hooking up with the assistant pastor from a church which everyone had issues, sometimes after time ends up becoming the church you left.

Love you and praying for you all in Jesus name

Re: The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

Re: The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

LOL

Re: The "tithe" rears its ugly head yet again
 

So sorry someone would treat you this way....

I pay tithes....In fact I cannot ever remember missing paying my tithes however to be unkind to someone is NOT my cup of tea.

I am an old missionary...Everything I have was given to me by God's people...and am deeply thankful. A USA pastor built (gave us the money) to build a nice home...and I am very grateful....However I must never forget those that have no home...no bed not even a blanket....
I sit down to a table to eat a plate of food every day that I want to however there are millions that have no table...no plate of food....I must not forget that fact... Over half the world goes to bed hungry every night.

People come to our church that are hungry and needy...As a steward I must teach them how to do with what they have to do with....

I am a firm believer that you cannot outgive God but at the same time there must be balance and wisdom. I talk to the ladies of my church how to stretch things...how to make soap...how to not fix a whole pound of meat but mix something with the meat...veggies for example....plant a garden...and on and on...


I kinda think we who minister should help our people just as God has helped us....


Am not placing a crown on my head...but Sunday night the Lord impressed me to buy 2 shirts for two church young men that are having a hard time. No use in preaching tithes and living like a king and have your people begging for bread....( well that is what I think) The first church shared...so says the Bible....and history confirms that fact...

Just last week I mentioned to one of our church sisters that I would like to have the money to build a few rooms across the street for those that fall on hard times and have no where to go...

Today my husband took a group out to ask for veggies and whatever to help my group make soup. Right at this moment my daughter Becky and daughter in law is in the kitchen bagging up lettuce and a few things to take to the ghetto people. (We were blessed with a lot of lettuce so it is our duty to share)

A little lettuce salad and a scoop of rice sure makes the difference among the people we work with.

I never drink a coke without leaving some in the bottle for I know most every day a couple little boys knock on my window and say, Grandma did you save us a drink of coke....(not really my grandkids by birth but little village boys)

We must share...we cannot eat our bread alone....

There is a little bread store almost in front of my house. The owner is a devil worshipper....but I always buy bread for the hungry there...last month he gave me over 400 little "breads" for me to give out! If someone that does not even know our Jesus is inspired by our giving how much more should we be inspired to help others because we KNOW what the Bible says...

A little church brother showed up last evening with shome throat spray...This is for you missionary....I noticed Sunday night you were straining to talk. this morning a church sister showed up and said Come to cut your nails missionary....Oh how blessed I am...

I cannot imagine a man of God insisting someone give if they do not have to give....that is so sad....so sad...