================ John; Probably the better Hebrews,Baptist, Assembly of God ...; average approximately 23.3 %, much more so than minimum 10% plus offerings. Saved more than few years before i noticed that , like most. Things offerings include like benevolent fund, ; tree planting in Israel, missions Lottie M offerong hurricane relief orphans single moms Billy Graham T.B.N. 2004 love offering 2005 love offering[ some still giving that in 2006] canned goods debt pay off Hispanic mnistry youth/younger evengelistic offerings hebrew school of the prophets[seminary] Good thing we are saved by grace,; a powerful PHD Pastor , who loved Israel,said annointedly, ANY Christian under grace who lets a Jew[23.3% average] outgive him is a disgrace to Grace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He has been known to point you /anyone out in a crowd also
murray t turtle, Yes, I understand that for some segments, the giving goes way beyond 10%. The part that I quoted really bugs me. So much is fundamentally wrong in the above quote I don't even know where to begin. Under grace and yet we must compete with the Joneses, always trying to do one better than the next guy? Kind of reminds me of why I left one of the demoninations I mentioned briefly, i.e. inflated salvation numbers ala McDonald's billions sold, bait and switch invitation tactics to ice cream socials that to be truthful should have been advertised as a religious service etc etc. Bottom line, how does this scripture fit in with that pastor's view point: 2 Corinthians 9:7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 1 Peter Chapter 1:17-19 "17 If you call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your living as foreigners here in reverent fear: 18 knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ;" Regarding curses: Gal 3:13 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." I've never understood why salvation in Christ isn't enough. According to some we have to follow Mosaic law as well. The problem is that they are picking and choosing the parts of the law to follow. The tithe is a perfect example. Every Jubilee you were to have a festival. No tithe was collected that year. How would that go over today? A portion of the tithe went to the Levites, where are they today? RE: holding a party with the tithe, look closely at Deut. 14:22 through Deut. 14:29. How does this jive with the denominations today that are teaching the tithe as most if not all prohibit alcohol. Bottom line, I'm not speaking against the tithe. I believe we are to give freely and joyfully and even sacrificially with 2 Cor 9:7 as a powerful indication of the correct mindset and path to choose. I'm against the hypocrisy of choosing to follow Mosaic law, and then not following it completely to the letter.
This dude is pretty down on tithing: http://www.bible-truths.com/tithing.html But then he doesn't believe in hell either: http://bible-truths.com/lake1.html
Personal opinions are not relevant in a radical Christian context. The exact (but slightly abridged) scripture... Mt 6:1-4 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness', before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets... As the hypocrites do in the synagouges... to be honored by men. ... so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Which part of "secret" do you not understand? This is 100% black and white. Choose: please men or please God. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett seek to be "honored by men". WB actually holds a circus like Cult Convention each year... Because he just cannot get enough of "being honored by men". And Gates thinks he can cleanse himself... Of being the worst kind of ruthless, predatory monopolist... By building philanthropic monuments to Bill Gates. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. God will not be mocked... But rich men have always thought they can buy God.
================ John; Actually over a lifetime probably havent given 23.3%; hopefully I am not a disgrace to grace. Cant understand why you seem to be bitter over a icecream social not being truthful ad @ church ????? Surely you jest May simply study more ; not live by be bread alone , but every Word... Count on Godly leadership to avoid traps like slaughtering a lamb as as command today . Do eat lamb by the way; as i purpose in my heart
============== Sounds like you are real close; EXCEPT he said tithes[10%, plus offerings,] so not even close to ''all you got.'' Intereting expression ''open the windows of heaven'';; some people call gaps =windows. Also of course blessing applies to tithers work; also the context =organic food. Do usually have ''not room enough to recieve it'' with tomatoes, with or withut miracle grow brand plan food Anybody else want to share a testimony, not to be confused with bragging; real estate blessing is mentioned there also. Lot of specific predictions Lord makes there/here.
=============== Probably righ on Buffet; yet he did have a good point even forany trader/investor, buy in a stock in which you actually would like to own the company
murray t turtle, Lying and intentional deceit have no place in the body of Christ. The example I used really did happen. Outside of a church setting on a college campus, but only advertised as free ice cream. In other words, young college students would only see the free ice cream part. Once they got to the place, well, you know the rest of the story. Why wasn't the event advertised as a religious service? Everyone who points out an error is bitter? I notice that you haven't addressed any of my points. No problem as it is not profitable to engage in arguments especially with a fellow Christian. If you are so inclined and can accomodate one question, here it is: Do you believe that every few years (I'm not sure of the exact number here, as I'm not up to speed on Mosaic law) the tithe must go to widows, orphans and the poor as well as that every few years a festival is held and the tithe is to be eaten by the Church and during this festival alcohol is permitted to be consumed?