Step one come from Plato, “Know thyself“. That’s an easy one isn’t it. NOT! After spending nearly twenty years in the ministry I came to the conclusion that you can’t get from if you stay in the institutional church that should be institutionalized. Seriously!
Having said that, I have not given up on the churches that are truly on a quest for transformation: ones that are seeking the spirit life and not the religious life.
Haven’t you had it with “Tithing mini-sermons?”
I used to think I couldn’t have a Sunday service without “taking” an offering, which meant hammering tithe and offering concepts of the Old Testament. But now that we don’t even have a Sunday service (we do it Friday night), NOT taking an offering seems most logical.
But, before you get too giddy and greedy, remember this. While the 10% (can you say TITHE) was under the LAW, the New Testament concept of giving asks FAR ME than 10%. And I said “asks”, it doesn’t require.
Don’t you just hate it when YOU have to decide all on your little lonesome self? Bummer! Still want to be FREE?
Well then, maybe you could try out this “testimonial” from a multi-millionaire who wrote……..
“There are principles that work whether you believe in them or not. In other words, it doesn’t take OUR faith to make His principles work. The giving of your tithe is done out of obedience ….You can believe what He says about giving or not, but He is faithful to his word regardless!
The blessing comes from giving above and beyond the tithe. The area of giving was one that that was difficult for me early in my Christian walk, but once I surrendered, amazing things happened. I am always looking for ways to bless people. One thing I know for sure, I can’t out give God. Try it, you might just like it!
Still wanna be FREE?
i don’t believe tithing is for the NT believer, and i used to be under the notion that NT giving goes way beyond what the OT required, but i’ve changed that view. You see, because God’s principles never change. God always asked for 100% stewardship, and that is what the new testament and old testament is all about.
Tithes, offerings, or free will gifts of whatever nature are all nuances of the HEART. How much of a person’s income they give away to the church or others is ultimately a HEART issue and a reflection of a person’s relationship with God.
I usually don’t ask other people how much to tithe since the requirements are made manifest within Malachi (Holy Bible)… all I need it written in the Bible.
God is amazing…
Tithe = 10% so there’s really no question about a tithe except did it change in the New Testament? For those that embrace the Hebraic Old Testament covenant, that’s the deal.
But, for Christians who embrace the New Testament covenant, it’s not so mich about LAW (10%), but GRACE (heart).