Jesus never took an offering (nor prayed for one)
*none explicitly/none i can remember
and you know how everyone who prays for the offering prays the same standard prayer about God using the money well??? well, tell that to the guy in charge of the money. God’s not coming physically to spend any of that money. sorry, but some things that a lot of churches do just bug me because they’re a) unnecessary b) not really biblical
Yeah I would like to say a little more on this.
Do I have issues with the American Church? Yes
Do I have issues with my local church? Yes
Why haven’t I pulled out? Simply because they still produce fruit. I got saved at a outreach of a local church. Because the church is just a building. God can use me to be iron that sharpens other iron. My fire can spread to those around me. All I can do is be a constant flame.
Do I tithe? Yes I do. Why? Well I can personally testify to the fact that 90% has more favor on it than 100%. I have seen the scripture they use to support it…not fully convincing but I follow through for 5 reasons: 1)I use the facilities: 24hr prayer room, sanctuary, fridge to store food for outreaches, etc. It costs money. 2) I know a big chunk will go towards to missionaries all over the world and ministries we partner within our inner city. 3) For the most part outreaches cost money: water, food, bibles, gas, time, sometimes equipment, etc. 4) I am a member of the church and my pastor asks us to give tithes and offerings (Acts 20:28; 1 Tim 3:1; Titus 1:7; 1 Pet 5:1-4) are just some scriptures showing pastors is a position of authority entrusted to by God. In Eph 5:22, Paul tells us that when a wife submits to her husband, who has been placed in authority over his household, it should be as unto the Lord. I believe that if we are members of a local congregation we need to be obedient to the pastor as unto the Lord. If we are disobedient we are disobedient to the Lord. If a pastor abuses their authority, whether abusive or unscriptural situations we still must maintain the proper spirit and regard to their authority and leave the church to remove themselves from that pastors authority. 5) The main reason is because of the fruits that it has produced in my life and marriage. Just as I have seen all the scriptures people use to support tithing, I haven’t seen anything calling it out either. The early apostles accepted gifts to be stored and used for ministries, that was their structure but it doesn’t clearly define any rules. When I give tithe it isn’t because I am told to by my Pastor. It isn’t necessarily because I find it laid out in scripture. I choose to tithe because the Word teaches the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Some more scriptures on giving, (Romans 12:1, 2 Cor 8:8-9, Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 12:33, 2 Cor 8:7, Romans 11:36). Phil 4:19 shows us everything comes from God and Jesus tells us to lay down our lives for each other as He laid down His for us. For me tithing is just 1 part of showing God He comes first! That I trust Him to provide for me on the remaining 90% rather than the full 100%. Secondly, nothing I have is mine nor has any value in the Kingdom of Heaven. So Jesus commanded us to a life of giving not just of money, items, but of ourselves. Its our attitude that makes our sacrifices and steps of faith worship unto the Father. It’s obedience to God’s shepherds that is also worship. Everything we do is worship…because of the attitudes of our hearts!
For me I found issues with the local churches just being confined to the 4 walls of the building. Being satisfied with going on Sunday and Wednesday’s church service. Not reading and praying like they are supposed to. Worshiping God on Sunday but living a life of disobedience throughout the rest of the week. Not taking care of the sick, visiting the imprisoned, hungry, thirsty, naked, etc.
Here is what God showed me. These things I listed above are not the operations of the local church but the Church! The local church is a building: offering teachings, discipleship, fellowship, etc to the Church under the authority of the Pastor. I used to lump all the blame on the local church—>Pastor and Elders. That is unfair and not the role of the local church but the Church! God quickly showed me that I was content with 2 day Christianity, not evangelizing, not reading and praying, and living a life of disobedience. I was not laying hands on the sick, visiting the imprisoned, feeding the hungry, etc. I am apart of the Church and I had to start because James 1:22 tells me not to merely hear the word but do what it says. then in James 4 it tells me that any man who know what he should do and doesn’t do it sins.
The why’s, how’s I am still learning as I go BUT the time is Now! Trusting Holy Spirit will work through me because in myself I am nothing. All I can do is allow the Lord’s flame to be constant in me and ignite those around me.
What about the others? It does not concern me, I can only be a light, the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts the hearts of men. I can only control myself by exercising the faith. I cannot exercise others faith for anyone else.
Back to the original post on tithe. I do believe 100% that if you are a member of a church and your Pastor requests tithes you choose not to give it then you are living in disobedience. If you truly feel it is false doctrine you need to talk to your pastor and if you still do not have peace over you need to remove yourself from His authority. Then you must find an assembly of believers that will sharpen you and hold you accountable.
I would also suggest to be careful on your knocks on tithing because for some it is acts of worship and submission to the Father (2 Sam 6). Matthew 12:36, we will be judged for every careless word we say.
**The above is just my beliefs concerning the topic you wrote about. The portion below is not only my belief but ground Truth all throughout the teachings of Jesus. I did not write this as a correction or to refute what you believe but to publicly show why another brother does tithe and to offer encouragement. You are not the only one I know who feels this way.**
Instead of refuting tithing publicly, I suggest 1 thing…point people to Jesus! He is the Source of the vine, He is the Source that births fruit out of the vine. We can only produce fruit in Him(John 15). The Holy Spirit is the one who teaches and directs those who follow Christ. Encourage everyone to seek His face and allow Him to complete His perfect work in them so that the fruits of their lives will glorify the Father.
Be Blessed.
