My husband's unexpected death over a year ago left me with only a small portion of his air force pension making giving difficult. I have felt so guilty not being able to donate to good causes and ministries as I once did with abandon. This article was written clearly, and gave me a lot of peace. Thank you.
Tithing is a matter of the heart. But also commanded by the Lord not only in the Old Testament, but in Paul’s letters as well. Protestant Churches survive by tithing. Period. There is no great over arching Vatican that gives to the local churches. And I’m sure other denominations operate by tithing as well. If the body of believers choose not to give, then local Churches will likely close. Not only does tithing pay for a Pastor, but the upkeep of the building as well. As a society, Churches are an important fabric of any community. Especially if they are practicing the teachings of Jesus.
While most are standing up in here, please consider that prayer is greater than all other messages. Follow Jesus Christ and hope and confidence from all confusion. There is no fear in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Stay strong brother! Lord help us understand everything that you want us to believe in our hearts.
That was a well rounded discussion Jim.Thank you. My wife and I thought it fair to support the Churches we have attended. We have also had more than a few instances individually and together where a person or a situation was put before us and we felt moved to get involved. You hear that little voice in your head that tells you this is the right thing to do.
Never once have I heard a preacher teach that Tithing is attatched to salvation, Tithing is a command of God. Giving above and beyond the tithe is, a matter of the heart.
What do you do if a pastor continually asks for tithes, tells you to give based on your gross income, and makes you feel guilty if you’re not giving? Who looks at the online tithing? Are you judged in secret by whoever is allowed to observe these numbers? Communion is not given either at these Protestant churches and there are no elders. What happened to listening to the Bible on that topic ?
I wish there was a Protestant Church that had more liturgy and Communion with a sermon based on the Bible to go to.
Thank you Jim for posting this message. I was actually just praying and asking God the other day for discernment on what to do about tithes and I opened Substack and your post popped up. My husband and I are struggling with some decisions our church is making and we don’t want to support those things with our tithes but we still want to be obedient and give to the Lord’s work. Your message gives clarity and I appreciate it so much! God bless you!
While I could be called a Satanist before accepting the insult of the title "Catholic", I cannot help but be held spellbound by the breath-taking Cathedrals in Europe. Those babies cost lots of dough. And, while the names of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Swaggart, and Pope Pious XII still cause millions to doubt that validity of Christianity, if people did not give faithfully and generously to their churches, good preaches will never be found to minister to them.
One of the many things I admire about the JW's is that they never take a collection, and they always use members of the church to sermonize. There is a bowl for those who feel moved to support their church; but there is not a parade of Zelensky-style beggars passing around collection plates for missionaries, bibles, food drives, wandering evangelists, and other such nonsense.
While many Christians would consider my "tithing" (giving monthly to Boys Town, the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary, and SaveTibet.org) to be offensive or even sacrilegious, I like to believe I am helping the world as a good Christian would and should.
I have always found comfort in this truth from 2 Corinthians 8:12, "Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have." To me, the key to what Paul is saying here is, as you clearly point out, how we give from our hearts, and we give of what we HAVE, not what we don't have. Jesus will never lay a guilt trip on us, so if one is sensing that, it is definitely coming from the enemy.
My experience is that churches give people the opportunity to tithe every Sunday, but don’t offer the Lord’s Supper. The modern day church has most definitely fallen away practicing only the doctrines of men.
Yes, I am shocked that sacrament is not regularly used at meetings to help justify all by directly giving spiritual support. I am of course referring to the breaking of bread, as I believe that is what you are meaning? Acts 2:42.
First Corinthians 11:26. This is why I won’t attend a church that doesn’t offer communion every Sunday. The First Baptist Church only offers communion once a quarter. I want to declare the Lord’s Death Burial and Resurrection every Sunday/everyday and not just once a quarter. That is a doctrine of men. 🤷♂️
My husband's unexpected death over a year ago left me with only a small portion of his air force pension making giving difficult. I have felt so guilty not being able to donate to good causes and ministries as I once did with abandon. This article was written clearly, and gave me a lot of peace. Thank you.
Tithing is a matter of the heart. But also commanded by the Lord not only in the Old Testament, but in Paul’s letters as well. Protestant Churches survive by tithing. Period. There is no great over arching Vatican that gives to the local churches. And I’m sure other denominations operate by tithing as well. If the body of believers choose not to give, then local Churches will likely close. Not only does tithing pay for a Pastor, but the upkeep of the building as well. As a society, Churches are an important fabric of any community. Especially if they are practicing the teachings of Jesus.
To tithe or not tithe, that is the question. I think of it this way- everything I have is from God.
I believe that all believers work for God’s franchise.
If the church body was level-headed, every believer would be giving and sharing their gifts and talents so that everyone was being built up💪🙌💜
But here’s the issue- our human hearts are divided. 💔
God’s heart is NOT divided.
He’s always and forever going to be for us🙌
He’s a jealous God though.
He’s not jealous like you and me-
He wants ALL of our heart…not just the leftover breadcrumbs.
So I’d recommend not getting caught up in a numbers game.
Give with a joyful heart and the right motive.
Don’t be foolish and give more than you can afford.
Don’t be stingy and greedy either.
Sow into God’s Kingdom and watch God transform you and others💪
All glory and honor be to our Lord Jesus Christ💜
While most are standing up in here, please consider that prayer is greater than all other messages. Follow Jesus Christ and hope and confidence from all confusion. There is no fear in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Stay strong brother! Lord help us understand everything that you want us to believe in our hearts.
That was a well rounded discussion Jim.Thank you. My wife and I thought it fair to support the Churches we have attended. We have also had more than a few instances individually and together where a person or a situation was put before us and we felt moved to get involved. You hear that little voice in your head that tells you this is the right thing to do.
Never once have I heard a preacher teach that Tithing is attatched to salvation, Tithing is a command of God. Giving above and beyond the tithe is, a matter of the heart.
What do you do if a pastor continually asks for tithes, tells you to give based on your gross income, and makes you feel guilty if you’re not giving? Who looks at the online tithing? Are you judged in secret by whoever is allowed to observe these numbers? Communion is not given either at these Protestant churches and there are no elders. What happened to listening to the Bible on that topic ?
I wish there was a Protestant Church that had more liturgy and Communion with a sermon based on the Bible to go to.
Thank you Jim for posting this message. I was actually just praying and asking God the other day for discernment on what to do about tithes and I opened Substack and your post popped up. My husband and I are struggling with some decisions our church is making and we don’t want to support those things with our tithes but we still want to be obedient and give to the Lord’s work. Your message gives clarity and I appreciate it so much! God bless you!
While I could be called a Satanist before accepting the insult of the title "Catholic", I cannot help but be held spellbound by the breath-taking Cathedrals in Europe. Those babies cost lots of dough. And, while the names of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Swaggart, and Pope Pious XII still cause millions to doubt that validity of Christianity, if people did not give faithfully and generously to their churches, good preaches will never be found to minister to them.
One of the many things I admire about the JW's is that they never take a collection, and they always use members of the church to sermonize. There is a bowl for those who feel moved to support their church; but there is not a parade of Zelensky-style beggars passing around collection plates for missionaries, bibles, food drives, wandering evangelists, and other such nonsense.
While many Christians would consider my "tithing" (giving monthly to Boys Town, the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary, and SaveTibet.org) to be offensive or even sacrilegious, I like to believe I am helping the world as a good Christian would and should.
I have always found comfort in this truth from 2 Corinthians 8:12, "Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have." To me, the key to what Paul is saying here is, as you clearly point out, how we give from our hearts, and we give of what we HAVE, not what we don't have. Jesus will never lay a guilt trip on us, so if one is sensing that, it is definitely coming from the enemy.
My experience is that churches give people the opportunity to tithe every Sunday, but don’t offer the Lord’s Supper. The modern day church has most definitely fallen away practicing only the doctrines of men.
Yes, I am shocked that sacrament is not regularly used at meetings to help justify all by directly giving spiritual support. I am of course referring to the breaking of bread, as I believe that is what you are meaning? Acts 2:42.
First Corinthians 11:26. This is why I won’t attend a church that doesn’t offer communion every Sunday. The First Baptist Church only offers communion once a quarter. I want to declare the Lord’s Death Burial and Resurrection every Sunday/everyday and not just once a quarter. That is a doctrine of men. 🤷♂️
I also love the story of the loaves and fishes and how everyone listening to Jesus was fed.
Christ wants our heart, men want our money.
Well said Thomas!