Confidentiality of Tithes - Page 11

Sweet Pea · #1 01-05-2012, 10:30 AM

And let it be said: I WANT my pastor to have nice things! I do not begrudge him having a nice home or car - but I guess I am blessed to have a pastor that doesn't "HAVE TO HAVE" it. He feels blessed by God when it is provided - and he doesn't believe in "keeping up with the Joneses" (or any other pastor or minister)!

AreYouReady? · #2 01-05-2012, 10:49 AM

I tend to think that God blessed Brother Epley for his NT compassionate giving rather than for OT tithe paying.

houston · #3 01-05-2012, 10:59 AM

ya'll be greedy!! unclench the fist, release the dinero!!!

Sabby · #4 01-05-2012, 04:20 PM

There is nothing in the NT that can absolutely prove that the apostles ever stopped being bi-vocational.
Yes, they "devoted" themselves to prayer, study of the word, but nowhere do we read that they quit their "secular" vocations.
Somewhere along the way, the holy grail for bible college students, young evangelists and aspiring preachers, the brass ring was to aspire to become a "full-time" pastor.
This is code for someone with more faith than most that lives solely off the financial income of their ministry, which coincidentally enough is usually mandated tithing. They are then among the elite, the glorified, the upper crust as it were.

Paul was full-time, as were Aquila and Priscilla as they manufactured tents. He lost a little anointing and stature there, I'm sure.

Sabby · #5 01-05-2012, 04:29 PM

This "attitude" or mind set for ministry has destroyed a generation of preachers that felt they were never good enough because they didn't "fit" in with those with full-time ministry.
Let me expand a little here: not just preachers have been hurt by this dogma, but the entire ministry to the church. The pastor gets the potatoes and gravy due the lofty heights of his position that as the man a' God he is entitled. He, after all, is LABORING in the WORD, while his subjects in the church only labor at a "secular job".

It's time that preachers learned to live as do their own parishioners. Kinda like Jesus, isn't it?

Scott Hutchinson · #6 01-05-2012, 05:01 PM

I see no clergy and laity division or rank structure in the word of God,while there are different callings and responsibilities in the church ,no member of the body of Christ outranks another.

Truthseeker · #7 01-05-2012, 08:24 PM

Where do some get there were 3 tithes in OT? Interesting the one that suppose to go to pastors is still for today, how convenient.

freeatlast · #8 01-05-2012, 08:55 PM

Thanks for your thoughtful reply Elder Epley

Steve Epley · #9 01-05-2012, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeatlast

Thanks for your thoughtful reply Elder Epley

With all my failures which are many dodging a question is not one of them.

freeatlast · #10 01-05-2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

With all my failures which are many dodging a question is not one of them.

No you don't and I respect that.

1. I was right ..you believe 100% of the tithes are thsole propery of the preacher, (we do appreciate that you share them back when needs arise.)

2. Seemed a bit of a dodge to the question. You'd be willing to tell someone if they asked, BUT do you disclose in your annual business meeting, where all monies that come into the church, are spent? Such as salaries for paid staff.

or do you conduct a business meeting yearly.