I was reading another thread about attending church and this brought to mind another issue but I thought it deserved a thread of its own. I read an article not long ago about a church who tossed a member out because she was no longer tithing. This senior was battling an illness, on Social Security and Medicare, and had starting having to take some pricey medication. She was so broke that every penny counted. She had to stop tithing because of her dire financial situation and the church booted her. This article had a statement from the Pastor who said this was their policy. If you are unemployed or underemployed and trying to provide for your family and don't tithe for a while, would your church kick you out? Are there any churches that don't look down upon members who don't tithe? Are there any that don't expect one to tithe?
This message has been edited. Last edited by: PS9K,
It's not up to the church to judge a person for what they give...Only God knows the heart of the giver...the story of the widow's mite and Annanias and his wife come to mind...one gave all she had and was blessed the others had been blessed because of the vow they made and then they broke their vow and were punished by death...Times are hard. If you manage your money and can give even a little bit it will be blessed in my opinion. If you are out drinking every night or smoking 2 packs a day and yet can't find a little to give to God -- I question a person's priorities...but if you have cut back and are doing all you can to support your family, I truly believe that God understands and teh church should and will too...
I know if my church's secretary/treasurer questioned how much I gave, I'd ask her a few questions about her attitude as a servant in the church...it's not her place to question those things...
All churches expect members to give -- they hope that is the true amount of the tithe, but I only know of one church that I've ever heard asked for proof of your income...I know no church I've ever been a part of has ever asked me to prove my income...None of the churches I have belonged too looked down on you if you couldn't give -- especially if you were doing all you can...that's not to say that some members don't run their mouths, but what the members say and what the church as a whole stands for can be quite different...
Many churches have been known to help members through tough times with small donations, gifts of food, job leads, and of course, praying for the situation to get better...
Just my opinion and my experiences...can't speak for others...
Posts: 5637 | Location: Dixie, of course... | Registered: 16 November 2006
Tithing doesn't mean give to a church, it means give to honor God. If that senior was in such bad financial trouble, why didn't fellow church members tithe by helping her out?
If one family gave their tithe to that senior instead of the church so it can expand the gymnasium or buy a new projection screen, it would have helped her out immensely.
I don't mind tithing to my church because for one reason, we've been very blessed. The other reason is that I know where the money goes.
I think a church that kicks someone out for not being able to tithe is on the same level as a televangelist. Their motive is making money, not helping others as instructed.
“Faith does not feed on thin air but on facts. Its instinct is to root itself in truth, to earth itself in reality, and this distinguishes faith from fantasy, the object of faith from the figment of the imagination.”—Os Guinness
Originally posted by DixieChik: It's not up to the church to judge a person for what they give...Only God knows the heart of the giver...the story of the widow's mite and Annanias and his wife come to mind...one gave all she had and was blessed the others had been blessed because of the vow they made and then they broke their vow and were punished by death...Times are hard. If you manage your money and can give even a little bit it will be blessed in my opinion. If you are out drinking every night or smoking 2 packs a day and yet can't find a little to give to God -- I question a person's priorities...but if you have cut back and are doing all you can to support your family, I truly believe that God understands and teh church should and will too...
I know if my church's secretary/treasurer questioned how much I gave, I'd ask her a few questions about her attitude as a servant in the church...it's not her place to question those things...
All churches expect members to give -- they hope that is the true amount of the tithe, but I only know of one church that I've ever heard asked for proof of your income...I know no church I've ever been a part of has ever asked me to prove my income...None of the churches I have belonged too looked down on you if you couldn't give -- especially if you were doing all you can...that's not to say that some members don't run their mouths, but what the members say and what the church as a whole stands for can be quite different...
Many churches have been known to help members through tough times with small donations, gifts of food, job leads, and of course, praying for the situation to get better...
Just my opinion and my experiences...can't speak for others...
Can I hear an amen for sister Dixie?
I've read that most Christians give an average tithe of only 3%, not the amount the Bible suggests/commands/whatever - 10%.
Posts: 1563 | Location: In a pub somewhere....Dublin me vision | Registered: 19 March 2009
Hopefully this won't devolve into another "I know a church that asked to see my W2 before I could be a member" meme. I see it coming. Is that like a prophesy?
Posts: 6108 | Location: Huntsville, AL | Registered: 19 December 2006
Originally posted by NashBama: Tithing doesn't mean give to a church, it means give to honor God. If that senior was in such bad financial trouble, why didn't fellow church members tithe by helping her out? If one family gave their tithe to that senior instead of the church so it can expand the gymnasium or buy a new projection screen, it would have helped her out immensely.
I don't mind tithing to my church because for one reason, we've been very blessed. The other reason is that I know where the money goes. I think a church that kicks someone out for not being able to tithe is on the same level as a televangelist. Their motive is making money, not helping others as instructed.
Great post & right on the mark! That church should have helped that senior instead of kicking her out. I hope God brings a good lesson down on the roof of that church!!
Posts: 627 | Location: Lauderdale County | Registered: 16 June 2009
At one of the churches I attended, the treasurer was like Congress trying to get money for things I needed for my class...so instead of giving my offering, I would use my money to buy what I needed instead of having to ask her for a check to go in the first place or begging for a reimbursement after the fact. Granted, it kept the church from buying unnecessary things, but it caused tension that was unnecessary...
I agree that to "tithe" doesn't have to be to a church, but it does have to be to honor God...I wouldn't consider giving my "tithe" for Cancer research or other charitable thing...I have given my tithe to other ministries like the Gideons and Shoals SavALife and other ministries like that...but I know that as long as you are giving what you can to honor God -- it will come back to you in blessings...
WIP I don't know statistics or what on average people give...I know that when I have it I give it in full and if I can't -- I give what I can...My tithe is part of my monthly budget and I plan for it as much as I possibly can...Food does take precedence sometimes...
FYI -- for anyone that needs help, many local churches give moeny to the Help Center and other local charities of this nature -- if you are short on cash and need to cover a utility bill, need clothes, or other assistance -- seek those places out -- that's why we give money to them -- for those in need...when someone shows up at church and asks the preacher for money -- that is who he refers them too...We leave the benevolence fund for members in need typically unless it is a special circumstance...
Posts: 5637 | Location: Dixie, of course... | Registered: 16 November 2006
Father to his child: "Because that is all God asks for."
That is all God needs. However, if I was going to ask that question, I wouldn't ask it concerning some struggling server at a restaurant. I would ask it concerning our corrupt government.
I've been a server and I know how hard it is. I always take care of the person who took care of us.
If you really want to tithe, why not use your tithe to tip a hard working server? Among servers, there are a lot of single moms, people working a 2nd job, or simply folks doing what they can to make ends meet. You never know where someone is in life or their struggles.
Maybe give your tithe to someone you know who is experiencing financial problems. Put some cash in an envelop and give it to them anonymously. Maybe give it to a homeless shelter or a place that helps abused women and children. Let your head and your heart decide for you.
God doesn't need your money, but He does want us to be generous and help each other.
“Faith does not feed on thin air but on facts. Its instinct is to root itself in truth, to earth itself in reality, and this distinguishes faith from fantasy, the object of faith from the figment of the imagination.”—Os Guinness
Nash, anonymously that is the key. People who do for others and then can't wait to announce their good deed to everyone around them make me sick. On the subject of how much to tithe I think each of us know what we are capable of giving and should do so accordingly. If I know someone who is either sick or suffering and in need of my help that is where my money goes.
