Quote:
Originally Posted by onefaith2
If we held our authorities to scripture, we could say the pastor would have a right to ask that one person with two houses sell their extra and give to the church.
Show me one person who is not faithful in at least 10% of their funds, time, etc that stays living for God. If you can't give the money, give something I would say to a widow. Paul said widows indeed were ones that prayed night and day and served the saints,etc.. full time committment.
Let me say one thing.. I disagree with a pastor who would take all tithes and not give back to the church, but any pastor who doesn't work and gives to the church is giving back of the tithes he receives. In most churches the pastor gives several fold more than the flock.
Hence the principle, to whom much is given, much is required.
To cap off this there isn't a biblical command to tithe in the NT, no where. there is just an example of faith. Neither is there a command not to smoke. In these matters where the Bible is silent there must be a leading of the Spirit in accordance with Bible principles. I do not see a pro for teaching tithe or hell, nor do I see a con for not requiring tithe of the saints.
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Extortion. To "require" money for membership and participation is unbiblical. As in one of my previous examples, you'd essentially bench John the Baptist or anyone else who had a vow of poverty or were too poor to contribute what you require. That's unChristian.
Church in America is "big business". Most Americans are woefully ignorant of history and even how the church thrives throughout the rest of the world.
For many of us, we're striving to return to biblical simplicity. For the rest... it's "business" as usual.
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