I used to be a catholic...many years ago.

I remember being very upset that parents who were not properly clothing or feeding their families still tithed. Even as a child I felt it was wrong to tithe before you took care of the basic needs of your family.

I know other people feel very strongly that tithing comes first.

I saw the article below (it is about the mortgage crisis and tithing) full text available at http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2145946020080921?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

It made me wonder what you all thought about tithing.

Dr. Roger Oldham, a member of the executive committee of the 16-million strong Southern Baptist Convention, the second- largest Christian grouping in the United States after the Roman Catholic Church, said tithing was a compelling personal commitment.

"It's a simple fact that here, as in any Christian culture, you will find some people for whom obedience to God comes second to none," he said. "For those people, a contract with God is worth more than their home."

CODE OF SILENCE

While nonprofits around the country say tithing is an issue in some foreclosure cases, little data exist on the phenomenon because many counselors are trained not to bring up the sensitive issue with struggling home owners.

"You can suggest that maybe they can pay their tithe in kind, through volunteer work," said Bathsheba Wyatt-Draper, a counselor at nonprofit lender NHS Chicago. "But if they react badly, you have to let it go. Period."

Barna said evangelicals tend to adhere to the Gospel according to Matthew, that teaches "when you do good works, do them in private."

"In the case of tithing, evangelicals feel that 'this is something between me and God. I am not doing this to put myself on a pedestal and talk about the wonderful sacrifices I have made.' The whole idea is not to draw attention to yourself."

Tithing was original a method of collecting taxes.

The idea that an all-powerful God needs money is a joke.

It should also be noted that Jesus said to walk as he walked...his view on the material was well documented. However, It is also stated that we are to love God above all others...not the church....not the pastor...but God. Tithing is an admirable think to do but does it fulfill the commissions of Christ?

actually [without looking it up again] "TITHING" ceased when the new covenant came to being, meaning it was of the law not of grace. in the new testament "giving" is acceptable, but only for those so lead to do - it is not a spiritual legal issue, it is a leading by the spirit to give as you are "ABLE" not out of duty, god never called the poor to give of their need, only those who could and were led to do so. Justin Martyr, on talking of a christian sabbath remarked - they would gather and the letters of the apostles and the book would be read and then songs and prayers were said and then those that were led and able gave as they could[paraphrase] and then they ate. this was the whole of early christian ceremony.
so the answer is for me - NO!! giving is between you and god not leaders of churches or others, it is only him you answer to - not those of this world, god knows everyone's heart, at least according to the faithful.

all scriptues referring to tithing were interpreted the way men wished to interpret them....

every last obe of them was could also be referring to each individual truths, brought together to a building to be voiced, adding more understanding by speaking them, not all hearing and following ones mans interpretation of what is good for thousands of live's.....

this entire concept goes against even all biblical text, and churches have come to only quote the text that benifits whatever the agenda of the leaders......

if there is a law of giving, than how can any come to the natural wish of giving....

kindergateners know more common sense than the churchs these days, as even they know that to ask for all good things for oneself, is not good....

please....the churches wealthier than most business's, and members losing their own house's, while the church is good doing it's good deeds, spreading the gospel of give more of the airwaves to more countries, to bring in more......

how can the truth be bought in sold, if any orginazation speak the truth, as this is loke saying, "come, we have love for sale.....10% of your salary, and oyu can have love....

come, give your 10%, and oyu can GAIN FAVOR WITH GOD, but please don't remember that god said he loved all unconditionally, and please don't rememeber that it was said that the spirit of god would lead in all ways, having no need of any man.......

but yes of course, these are not popular scriptures, lol......

peace

This comes close to home........my children's father makes sure to pay his tithes, but doesn't pay child support unless he can "afford" it.

Anyhoo, tithing in today's society is ridiculous imo. It was set up in the old testament to provide for the Levites, who had no inheritance. Tithes were their inheritance. They lived at the temple, ate from the temple.......so tithing was their livelihood. Their lives were dedicated to the priesthood, they did not own their own personal land that was paid for by the tithes............

There is no need for a fancy building to have faith in Christ, and every person is commissioned to spread the "good news".

People and religion have made a business out of spirituality. Pastors living the high life (though not in all cases, there are many who pastor churches that are small and they have their own jobs, etc.) while some of their "patrons" scrape by.

From a biblical standpoint I would say that your family is a priority when it comes to finances. A man who doesn't take care of his family is considered an infidel (nonbeliever) in the new testament. It is also the responsibility of the church congregation to help out those in need.......that is why "tithes and offerings" were taken up in the new testament. It was to feed the widows and children...those who couldn't work for their food. It was not meant to be for the "ministers" alone.

If a church used tithes as they should biblically, then the congregation would be taken care of.

Thanks for the discussion so far. I appreciate the thoughtful responses and the fact no one lost their minds and smacked me for asking.

all i know is i want no money form any man, and if there was minsistry that called me to devote my life to "spreading" the good news, then if it is my will, then I WILL HAVE TO RAISE THE MONEY, and if if be of a greater destiny, and not just my "wish", then can not an all powerful, all perfect, all knowing "god", that was said RESIDED IN THE HEARTS OF MANKIND, cause a another heart to wish to give......

please, like i would ask.....

a company that buy and sell products, advertises good reasons to buy from them, or give them money for a product, and HOW THE HELL IS GOD A PRODUCT, that can be bought and sold....

seems like if any believe in text, then it would be perfectly clear that if one believe in jesus, that he was MOST ANGERED FOR BYING AND SELLING SACRIFICES WITHIN THE TEMPLE, AND GOT SO MAD HE WHIPPED OTHER MEN.......

is it any different than sayint to all, "this is your sacrifice offered up to god, and if you don;t give it, you are out"

fear......fear.....fear.......

then use greed, saying if you give, HEY, YOUR GONNA GET BACK 10 FOLD, WHEN THE REST OF THE STREOY WAS ALSO WRITTEN, IF YOU GIVE, EXPECTING A REWARD, YOU HAVE LOST YOUR REWARD......

seems one scripture is spoken, and another spoken contradict it, which cancels it out, making it a moot point for a GOOD REASON, to keep any from following a guide of text, as a guide, never allwoing turht greater truth to be found this way, as it NEVER PRODUCE true freedom of the truth, as the truth shall make free.....

if the truth shall make free, then how is the truth spoken by any that which try to make feel obligated, with fear, or greed, or the many others things tried to be sued to motivate others to follow, to fulfill the wishes of one that PROFESS THEY SPEAK TRUTH....

is one walk into a room, and declare to all, "I HAVE THE GREATEST TRUTH, HEAR ME......

red flag, red falg, red flag, lol.....

reduce to the ridiculous and the greater truth is always much easier to spot, and appear out of thin air......

I WALK INTO A ROOM AND DECLARE WITH A LOUD VOICE "I AM WISE"......if any believe me, they only have some ULTERIOR REASON THAT SERVE THEIR OWN PURPOSE TO BELIEVE ME, AS THERE IS NOT ONE HEART, AND EVEN THE BODY SEND A SHIVER OR EMOTION OF DOUBT CLEAN THRU A PERSON, TO ALERT ONE TO A PROBLEM.....

people wish to believe in others so bad it becomes the grandest deception of all, but the GREATEST reason others are wished to be believed SO BAD BY GREATE PEOPLE............

ONE WISHES TO BE BELIEVED IN THEMSELF....

don't believe a word i say.....PROVE IT WITH YOUR OWN LOGIC, UNTIL THERE IS NO DOUBT, AND PEACE IS NO DOUBT......

if jesus has to tell "satan" as what is bad is called as satan, and a "voice" that brought to him scripture, trying to get him to FOLLOW IT, and he said, GET BEHIND ME SATAN, then to follow a scripture for what is good is not the most truth to put it lightly, or peace of heart, that has confidence in ITSELF, as heaven was said to be within, because that which come from within, whihc find what it konws and can prove with all logic to any, is all truth that cannot be denied, as it is simple truth, than this is that WHICH CANNOT BE DECIEVED BY WORDS WOVEN TOGETHER TO CREATE AN ILLUSION OF WHAT TRUTH IS ON THE OUTSIDE.......

just ideas.....peace

From what I ve read tithing means 1/10. Which is given to the temple. As the priests aren't farming,raising goats or cattle, they have to eat too. Its also an expression of your commitment.

Put your money where your mouth is.
Money talks-Bulls**t walks.

Other expressions of tithing are of your
Time and Talent


1/10 of your time each day, devote to prayer, meditation, spiritual inquery, reading.

Donating your talents in service work, in your spiritual community, secular community.

Others use tithing as an expression of gratitiude for what they do have, by sharing it with others who have less.
No "God doesn't need the money" But most church's have roofs that need to be repaired, utility bills, Ministers and lay personel that must be paid.
I have yet to see God put a meal on a table for hungry people by Himself. But food pantries around the country are giving out food and somebody had to pay for it.

My child support comes right out of my paycheck, not an issue of whether or not I decide if I can afford it.

I AGREE THAT TITHING SHOULD BE SOMETHING YOU DO WHEN YOU HAVE ENOUGH. BUT FOR ME IT JUST SHOWS GOD THAT I TRUST HE WILL TAKE CARE OF MY FINANCES, AND GIVE MORE THAN ENOUGH BACK TO MAKE SURE I HAVE ENOUGH TO GIVE TO OTHERS. IT SHOWS I HAVE FAITH THAT HE WILL ALSO GIVE ME ENOUGH TO MAKE SURE I CAN GET WHAT I 'NEED' TO SURVIVE, NOT EVERYTHING I JUST 'WANT'. AND OF COURSE GOD DOESN'T NEED THE MONEY SINCE HE OWNS ALL OF IT. IT'S JUST A SHOW OF LOVE FOR YOUR FELLOW HUMAN BEING, AS HE SHOWED US WHEN HE SENT HIS ONLY SON CHRIST JESUS DOWN TO DIE ON THE CROSS. AND UNLESS YOU ARE OUT ON THE STREET TAKING HIS WORD TO EVERYONE YOU MEET (WHICH MAYBE SOME OF YOU ARE), THEN THE MONEY GOES TO HELP THOSE WHO DO. THE TRUE BELIEVER SPREADS JESUS CHRIST'S MESSAGE TO ALL, AND SINCE MOST OF US DON'T, OR I WOULD HAVE HEARD THIS STUFF A LONG TIME AGO, THEN I GIVE SO OTHERS CAN UNTIL I'M READY TO. SO MANY OF US HAVE SO MUCH, BUT SINCE WE CONSTANTLY WANT BIGGER AND BETTER, WE FEEL WE JUST COULDN'T GIVE. MAYBE IF WE ALL GAVE MORE, THEN WHEN IT WAS US NEEDING, IT WOULD COME BACK AROUND. GOD BLESS!

one should tithe where they are taught, and if they are not taught anything, dont do it.
Tithing should NEVER come before you pay your bills, and take care of your family, it is, sadly, pushed on many people by churches that, just want your money and try to tell you that that is the only thing you should worry about before all else, WE Know where there heart is .

Tithes should be from the heart, and it is 10% of what is left, if there is nothing left, God doesn't demand it. Tithes of old were because the church often did many of the things that social programs do today. In a way, when you pay taxes, or have social security taken out, that is like a tithe of old, God knows ones situation, NEVER let some preacher or church tell you that you must give this amount or that amount, I don't myself, believe in passing a plate around in church to collect them either, should have a place where folks can send them or a box somewhere in the church where folks can deposit it if they want to give, passing a plate just makes some feel that they must put so much in to match what Joe, Bob or billy put in. And the churches that want to see your income tax statement to make sure you gave 10% are just ludicrous, again, 10% of what is left, after you take care of your bills, medicine, kids and such and don't let any of them try to tell you otherwise. Not to say anything is bad about tithes or take someones blessings away for giving. Good works can be as good, One Good deed will override many bad ones.

very true words right there abra

Very well put Tribo, and very true

And if you get one of those envelopes in the mail with so called holy water(not biblical) or annointing oil(biblical but one can bless it themselves in Christs name) or the worst of all, a piece of CLOTH of all things and it says pray with this and send us this amount and all this will happen...........


Throw it in the trash because that is what it is

Was just told that when I put things in caps, it means I'm yelling, so wanted to apologize for shouting at everyone!

I think it was a very good question, I myself as Christian have a very big problem with churches that do these things.

Nothing wrong with tithes, just the way it is demanded and approached by some churches.

A church that is blessed will never have to beg for money. It will come from the hearts of those that can give.

don't worry about it, I'm half blind anyway, can use all the help I can get

i first take care of my child.if i ever get some real money in my life time then and only then will the church get some.i have lots of faith.but i need to feed my child. if god wanted me to be rich it would have happen already.yea i go to church each week and have my daughter in catholic school but the buck stops at the door.