Do you give 10%????

[roxie]

Seems like it could be a hardship for many.

[sleuth]

I never have...
Though I've made the decision that when my fiancee and I sit down to talk about our budget after we get married and choose a new church, we're going to build it into our budget.

[2ndAmendment (Premo)]

I choose not to rob God.

Malachi 3:8-9


⁸"Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. ⁹"You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!

Main Entry: ¹tithe http://www.webster.com/images/audio.gif
Pronunciation: 'tI[th]
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): tithed; tith·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English teogothian, from teogotha tenth
transitive senses
1 : to pay or give a tenth part of especially for the support of the church
2 : to levy a tithe on
intransitive senses : to give a tenth of one's income as a tithe

Martin Luther observed that when a person becomes a Christian it is done in three steps, mind, heart, and money. Finances are the last thing Christians are obedient in.

[Nickel]

Originally Posted by sleuth

Though I've made the decision that when my fiancee and I sit down to talk about our budget after we get married and choose a new church, we're going to build it into our budget.

[RoseRed (Premo)]

I don't go to church, therefore, I don't give.

[crabcake]

This is one of those things that's always burned my a... uhhh ... backside. The insinuation that you're not as worthy a christian if you don't give your proper tithe amount. Last time I checked, the majority of the country was lower and middle class folks, not all of which are DINKs who can afford to cough up that 10% so the church leader has a pretty brass cup to drink from.

Rant done ... stepping out of the religion forum.

[MMDad (Premo)]

Originally Posted by crabcake

This is one of those things that's always burned my a... uhhh ... backside. The insinuation that you're not as worthy a christian if you don't give your proper tithe amount. Last time I checked, the majority of the country was lower and middle class folks, not all of which are DINKs who can afford to cough up that 10% so the church leader has a pretty brass cup to drink from.

Rant done ... stepping out of the religion forum.

CC, I agree that the amount of money you give does not make you a Christian. I grew up as a Mormon, and we "reconciled" just as I file taxes. To me, that implies that I must prove my contribution to man, when God already knows.

However, I don't know anyone who can't give 10%. If you believe that it must be money, more power to you. I believe that the intent is for you to tithe what you can. If that's money, that's the easy way out. If you work 2080 hrs./yr., and perform 208 hours of service to your fellow man, isn't that a tithe? Which one actually helps the world more?

For the poor people who can't afford to tithe monetarily, and are honestly too busy taking care of their family, aren't they tithing? If they spend everything they have and all of their time to ensure that their children are well raised, isn't that 100% to your fellow man?

And by the way, if anyone wants to know how much I tithe monetarily or in volunteer work, noneya, unless you are God. But then you already know.

[Nickel]

Originally Posted by MMDad

CC, I agree that the amount of money you give does not make you a Christian.

I'm Methodist, and we don't justify "offerings" as proving yourself to God or your neighbor. The tithes go toward the building of our church (I've attended La Plata United Methodist Church since I moved here in 96, and it was demolished in the tornado of 2002), which is an ongoing process, funding various mission trips or programs, and community outreach. We have a beautiful church, and are active in the community, because of the money the church members provide.

[MMDad (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Nickel

I'm Methodist, and we don't justify "offerings" as proving yourself to God or your neighbor. The tithes go toward the building of our church (I've attended La Plata United Methodist Church since I moved here in 96, and it was demolished in the tornado of 2002), which is an ongoing process, funding various mission trips or programs, and community outreach. We have a beautiful church, and are active in the community, because of the money the church members provide.

Great for you! But if you were a skilled carpenter, wouldn't it also be a valid tithe to donate your time to rebuild as part of the deal?

[Mikeinsmd]

Originally Posted by RoseRed

I don't go to church, therefore, I don't give.