Topic category: Secession - Formation of a New Constitutional Republic
WHY NOT ME? – HOW SHOULD I TITHE?
Here is the scripture from the New Testament of The Holy Bible giving scriptural direction on tithing. Each person who is living The Golden Rule will know in his heart where, and when, what kind of, and how much tithing is right for each situation.
Every other time that I turn on the television lately, someone on a mainstream show is telling everyone to tithe ten percent to whatever Christian church they attend. I believe this constant stress of giving ten percent to one’s church is the main reason for the exodus from the buildings called churches. Once television was invented, televangelists have wrenched money from many, such as elderly citizens living on a fixed income, only then to live lavish lifestyles on the money that was donated. Every church I have ever attended has preached with vigor about a ten percent tithe. All of this is wrong, and it shows an immature or contrived understanding of the scriptures. These people are suggesting that a ten percent tithe to the church comes before everything else in one’s life, and at any peril it may cause. More often than not, we give more than ten percent to those people in need who God presents directly to each of us on a daily basis.
In the Old Testament of The Holy Bible, the children of Israel were disobedient. In brief, God had to deal with them as children, and gave them strict rules that were easily understood to live a life with divine instruction. When Jesus came to Israel, he preached to the multitudes in a more human presentation. What we extract from his teaching is The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. We can add to that an understanding and empathy of our brothers and sisters in all situations.
The Church is The Body of Christ, which consists of all believers. Originally, Christians met in homes and studied the scriptures. There were no buildings specified for this study. A Christian feels the presence of The Holy Spirit at all times and is in a “tithing” mode at all times. Tithing / Giving happens as often as we are moved to do so, and this activity is important for each Christian to experience first-hand. It is also important to not give so much that we, ourselves, become a burden on society. There is a mature responsibility involved in giving. Giving money to a church or to the government to re-give on your behalf is not what is needed for a Christian to grow in Christ. It is fine to also give to your church as you are able to do, but not at the expense of your personal giving experience. Since the True Church is The Body of Christ, defined as all believers, when you give in personal charity to another Christian, you are giving to The Church.
Consider First: II Corinthians 9:6 “He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” - - - We need to keep our good sense about us when giving. We must be careful not to give excessively to those who are able to sow bountifully, but instead they choose to sow sparingly. The Bible also tells us that those (who are able) who do not work do not eat. When you give bounty to those who are lazy, or have been taught to be takers, you are not doing good charity to them. They will never learn the joys of doing a job well, and not only taking care of their own needs, but also the joy of giving charity from that which they have earned.
Consider Second: II Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” - - - Here is the scripture from the New Testament of The Holy Bible giving scriptural direction on tithing. Each person who is living The Golden Rule will know in his heart where, and when, what kind of, and how much tithing is right for each situation. If one’s heart and mind are in a charitable mode at all times they will never be giving from a grudging heart. It may be more than ten percent or less than ten percent – it will be as generous as the giver is able to give. Giving will not be done “of necessity” such as in a flat ten percent; which is wrought by preaching a sermon of guilt by many churches. It is shameful to make others feel guilty about not being able to tithe ten percent. When you are a cheerful giver, not only do you feel good about giving, but God loves this trait in you. It is possible to be involved in the good works of a group of Christians, and to give according to your heart and ability, but how many congregations focus on the image of the building and the fun stuff they can think of to draw people to them (to collect more money to maintain it all). During Christmas time I actually heard of a local church auctioning off a car to bring more people in their doors. I can only imagine how much money that new vehicle was worth, and wondered how many poor people’s pantries could have been filled with the money.
Many years ago I witnessed the church elders in a rich church that turned away a family in need. This same church boasted of the huge sums of money collected and used for evangelizing in places all over the world. I was very young at the time, and even in my youth I knew that what I witnessed was wrong.
I have a friend up north whose family was in dire straits due to a temporary work lay off. My friend sought help from several church pantries, once all other efforts had been exhausted in the first two weeks. This friend was turned away from one church because she (and her family) could not attend that particular church. She was then turned away from another church who said they did not live in the small town (suburb) in which the church was physically located. Believers are the True Church, The Body of Christ. This group “believers” does not place any restriction on denomination, or geography.
Consider Third: II Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” - - - Clearly the more you give, the more God’s grace works in your life and you are sufficient in all things, thus making you able to do every good work which God presents to you.
Money is very often the needed remedy; however, tithing is not just a money exhortation. Tithing is also the charity of your time, your love, sharing your knowledge, and your prayers given to all whom God presents to you each day that may be in need. It is important to know when to give each of these gifts of charity. Most of us have heard the old saying that teaching a man to fish so he may feed himself (and others) for the rest of his life is infinitely more valuable than giving him a fish to eat. Of all introspective questions you need to ask yourself – Why not me? – Examining how you tithe is very high on the list of importance to the well being of your soul and how you spend your time on this planet.
Juanita has forty five years experience as an Accountant. During her last twenty eight years she specialized in the start up phase and / or the recovery phase of businesses from two million in revenue per year, to fifteen million per year. Her sphere of successful influence ranges from accounting, to operations, to the backroom marketing effort. Streamlining and organizing out of control businesses is serious fun for her.
The art of raising a family while working was of supreme importance to her; and she chose a route of self-education coupled with some college. Her endeavors in self-education range from philosophy and history, to Christian studies outside of mainstream religious organizations. Much of her college dollar was spent on enhancing natural management skills and writing skills.
Although Juanita has lived in many regions of the country, she is settled near the Gulf coast in her home state of Texas.
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