Flatlander,

The church is beginning to diverge on this issue.  I have seen many churches make a big deal of tithing, and devote many sermons to it.  They will often dwell upon a Biblical "commandment" to give a certain amount, and make it sound like your responsibility to support the church.

I think this is largely as you say -- to support the church's "lifestyle" independent of true worship or reverence.  One church I attended briefly, and quickly left, always focused on giving as a way to be a faithful Christian (and they did have an enormous church building, lavishly adorned, and the pastor apparently had a personal jet!).

It is true that all that we have is God's, and not truly ours.  When we withhold, we are being selfish.  On the other hand, I also believe tithing was part of the Law, and we are now under the Covenant of Grace, which implores us to be "cheerful givers" but which no longer requires a set tithe.

As Flynavy (Navyspool? -- sorry I can't see your username from here) suggests, there are many ways to give to ministry without supporting a certain church that might not use your gifts wisely.  I'm very careful before I give to any ministry, but there are some that I trust, such as Gospel for Asia or Compassion or Voice of the Martyrs -- I've seen enough evidence from them that they are careful with the funds they have, and they have a sincere commitment to do God's work.  I've been burned by other ministries who I don't feel are as careful, and I won't give to them again.

At my own church, the pastor teaches against tithing (in the "legal" sense) and in favor of cheerful giving.  Instead of holding a weekly collection, as does any church where the focus is on money, we have a collection box people pass by, and they can give if they want.  Many churches are beginning to do this -- I visited a Calvary church recently that did the same.

Dr. Tackett does emphasize the 10%, and that's fine.  I think 10% is a good guide to my giving, but I do not hold to it in a legalistic way.  Sometimes I give less, sometimes I give more.  When I do give more, I feel it's more fulfilling than if I were forced to think of it as a "tax" -- I pay enough in taxes already.

Flatlander,

You raise some interesting issues concerning giving.  I believe the tithe belongs to God.  And, yes, I've heard of 'Grace Giving'.  The problem with 'Grace Giving' is born out by the statistics of giving in today's evangelical churches.  The giving in the church today is nothing short of embarassing!  Statisticly, Christians give about 2 1/2%.  That's pretty pathetic in my book.  And I am frankly tired of hearing the excuses about the economy.  Can you imagine what would happen to the budgets in our churches and to organizations like FOTF if that percentage were even 5% or 6%, let alone 10%?

Two stories in scripture give us a great contrast when it comes to this issue of giving.  Read the story of the rich, young ruler in Mark 10 and contrast that with the story of Zaccheus in Luke 19.  Which one do you think had the right attitude toward his possessions and toward giving?  And keep in mind, that presumably, the rich young ruler had considerably more experience with the teachings of the church.  Zaccheus did not have time to be discipled, trained, taught, whatever before he said, "I'll give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I've defrauded anyone, I'll give them back four times as much."  And, oh yeah, he didn't bother to question exactly what the church was going to do with the money before he gave it!  He couldn't help himself because of what Jesus had done in his life!

I've heard it said, "When it comes to giving, some Christians stop at nothing".  I do think there is a direct correlation between the number of zeros to the left of the decimal point on our checks that we put into the offering plate, and the gratitude we have for what Jesus has done for us and the change He has made in our life.

I've heard people say, "Well, gosh, if I give ten percent, I'll have trouble making my car payment or my house payment."  And I think "So I guess the solution to the mistake you made when you bought that car or that house is to take from God and give to the finance company?"  I think the whole thing comes down to what Del has challenged us with, namely, do we really believe that what we believe is really real?  Do we really believe God's promises?  Do we really believe what Jesus said in Matthew 6?  Or do we think He's not quite up to taking care of us during these tough economic times?  After all, His portfolio probably took a big hit, just like mine!  It absolutely is a heart issue, a priority issue, an obedience issue, not a legal one.  But unfortunately, many Christians the idea of 'Grace Giving' as an excuse for the stinginess.  And, oh, BTW; I also think that your tithe belongs primarily in the local church.  After all, if you eat at Applebees, you don't then send your check to Chili's!

Hey, have a great day (you too, Hamilton)!

Pop

Retiring after 21 years in the Navy in 2003, I wonder sometimes where I would be now if just one Christian had shared the gospel with me during that entire time.  Wow, if I and most of my shipmates during that time owe God 10% of all we earned for that entire time including all bonuses received plus interest somebody can probably build several of those mega churches down the street and support a few missionaries to boot. 

One truth revealed to me by the Holy Spirit since being made a new creature in Christ is that there is a lot of false teaching on this subject and many others for that matter.  It is so easy to mix a little cherry-picked, taken out of context scripture from here and there and mix in some subtle lies or half truths making this deceit appear be the gospel truth to suit their own hidden agenda.  Everything I have (not just 10%) belongs to God.  I figure what I do " for (and what I give to) the least of these" I do unto Him.  For those are compelled to do otherwise such as to give a set percentage to your local church congregation, if that is where the Spirit of Truth leads you, Amen.

However, more importantly than debating this subject, why not instead focus our attention on what Jesus prayed for us to be - perfect in one (John 17), authentic disciples (as described so well in Romans 12 - surrendered to His will, separate from the world, examining ourselves soberly, servers of others in love, responding to evil with good), so that the whole world would know and believe.

Imagine if the world looked at us and saw Jesus Christ.  Imagine if we ourselves treated all other believers as if when we looked at each of them we saw Jesus Christ and that we loved them just as much as God our Father loved his Son.  Imagine.

Thanks for the question:

The Treasure Principle is a great resource for your review.

Stewardship is an act of worship and gratitude by the Believer, in response to His grace. In so doing, we acknowledge God’s power and authority over our lives. Then, we respond to others around us with these godly precepts. 

Tithe—means "a tenth." If I make 100K give 10% noting less. Tithing and offering are difference. I give my tithe and I give offering for building campaign, benevolence fund …ect

God owns everything. I’m His money manager.

We are the managers of the assets God has

Entrusted—not given—to us.

____________

My heart always goes where I put God’s money.

Watch what happens when you reallocate your money

from temporal things to eternal things.

____________

Giving is the only antidote to materialism.

Giving is a joyful surrender to a greater person and

a greater agenda. It dethrones me and exalts Him.

____________

God prospers me not to raise my standard

of living, but to raise my standard of giving.

God gives us more money than we need so we can give—generously.

Hey PO,

Thanks for getting back.  Wouldn't it be great to have a "Truth Project"  get aquainted weekend?  Also, the John Lennon question was asked with tongue planted firmly in cheek.  Personally, I can't stand "Imagine".

I don't think you and I are all that far apart; and BLA says it better than I ever could.  Have a nice day.

Pop