A thought on tithing

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by DaveC519

I haven't found any specific verses stating that Christians should avoid using buildings as meeting places. If you've found some, please share.

Neither have I?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Tithing does do just that. If I paid evangelists and missionaries what came in the offering only there would be no evangelists & Missionaries. I do not believe a pastor that would hoard up an abundance for himself at the expense of the other ministries it right.

Both in 1 Cor. & Heb. 7 tithing is taught. Since the local church is the base of operations of the church at large it would only be sensible that would act as distribution to the ministry. I will be judged for my stewwardship of HIS money. The tithe is Lord's not mine. I just handle it for Him.

Originally Posted by DaveC519

Although, at the time the epistle was written, Paul was not exercising his right to ministerial maintenance, we know he wasn't abrogating his right, either, because he had just asserted it (1Cor 9:4, 11-12).

True, but then again, Paul wasn't arguing for the Levitical tithe.

I don't see 1Cor 9:14 and Gal 6:6 as an either/or choice. I believe they both apply, as well as 1Tim 5:17-18 and Heb 13:16.

I agree, even though I believe the Levitical system is no longer valid. Christian tithes should be paid into the church to support the ministry, which includes the Bishop. But it is also the Bishop's responsibility to be a good steward of these finances. As I stated previously, they will give an account of their stewardship.

"It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Heb 10:31)

A Senior Pastor's FIRST care and responsibility is to the flock of God, not himself. If he truly have a shepherd's heart, then he will place the needs of the flock above his own. That does not mean his own family should be neglected, but if he is in tune, he will know the balance. And I don't believe that means he should necessarily be the poorest in all the house of God, for as Paul said, the workman is worthy of his hire (1Tim 5:18).

Thank you both for your responses.

There is some merit to looking at and considering I Cor 9:13-14 in context. - "Even so" hath the Lord.... "in the same way" hath the Lord...

I had never seen it that way before.

I certainly would never sit on a pew and take advantage of all that it entails. I would never think of not paying my fair share of anything, i.e., electricity, water, insurance, etc. I don't know how people can do that and not be embarrassed. I'm certainly not referring to people who are in a financial hardship.

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Is not the HOUSE you are meeting in a building?????????????? Or any other structure? This is so foolish. Listen they recieved the Holy Ghost in the upper room of the Temple, the first notable miracle took place at the Temple where they were going to pray, the Apostles are noted preaching at the Temple. If they have a negative feeling about meeting in a religious place of worship give us chapter and verse?

There wasn't a single so-called 'church' (i.e, a building) built in the New Testament. There wasn't a building-based 'church' system taught or seen in the New Testament. There wasn't a 'church' (building-based) economy in the New Testament.

The religious system of which you're a part isn't found in the New Testament.

Open your eyes. You're still embracing Rome, brother.

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by seekerman

There wasn't a single so-called 'church' (i.e, a building) built in the New Testament. There wasn't a building-based 'church' system taught or seen in the New Testament. There wasn't a 'church' (building-based) economy in the New Testament.

The religious system of which you're a part isn't found in the New Testament.

Open your eyes. You're still embracing Rome, brother.

They were all out in the open? They never went to homes and met together?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Cindy

They were all out in the open? They never went to homes and met together?

I was thinking about I Cor 16:1 on the collection for the saints. There had to have been some type of order of assembly for all of this to work out. The NT saints grew daily. Where in the world were all of those people meeting? They had to be meeting somewhere.

[DaveC519]

Originally Posted by seekerman

There wasn't a single so-called 'church' (i.e, a building) built in the New Testament. There wasn't a building-based 'church' system taught or seen in the New Testament. There wasn't a 'church' (building-based) economy in the New Testament.

The religious system of which you're a part isn't found in the New Testament.

Open your eyes. You're still embracing Rome, brother.

Hello seekerman,

Right now I'm understanding your comments as a form of "arguing from silence", so please help me out!

Have you found any specific NT injunctions against building a structure dedicated as a meeting place for Christians? If you have, I'd certainly be interested in reading them.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by seekerman

There wasn't a single so-called 'church' (i.e, a building) built in the New Testament. There wasn't a building-based 'church' system taught or seen in the New Testament. There wasn't a 'church' (building-based) economy in the New Testament.

The religious system of which you're a part isn't found in the New Testament.

Open your eyes. You're still embracing Rome, brother.

The early church meeting in the Temple was Rome I thought it was Jerusalem. I confess I didn't know that.(in fact still don't)
Throughout the letters there were congregations thus they had places they met some were in homes others seem to meet in larger places. Are you saying the gathering of believers in a certain place is not the church?

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I was thinking about I Cor 16:1 on the collection for the saints. There had to have been some type of order of assembly for all of this to work out. The NT saints grew daily. Where in the world were all of those people meeting? They had to be meeting somewhere.

Common sense won't work you must be a Roman also?

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by DaveC519

Hello seekerman,

Right now I'm understanding your comments as a form of "arguing from silence", so please help me out!

Have you found any specific NT injunctions against building a structure dedicated as a meeting place for Christians? If you have, I'd certainly be interested in reading them.

It is the dead sea scrolls that the angels delivered to his door every Sunday morning.

[seekerman]

Originally Posted by Cindy

They were all out in the open? They never went to homes and met together?

Yes, they met in homes, not in some building-based religious system called a 'church'.