Does not tithing make you less of a Christian?
By catcai
@catcai (1056)
Philippines
July 23, 2011 1:56pm CST
Hi friends, this is a question that I would like to ask the Christian community here at myLot.
I started to accept Jesus as my lord and savior back in 2004- however I'm not as you would say a full pledged Christian, I was only a Sunday Christian, I guess these past few years ive been demoted further down, I haven’t even gone to worship since this year? I’m not proud of it believe me… it took a post from one of our Christian friends here in myLot to wake up my slumbering faith. Well anyway, a question that I need your experienced, knowledgeable thoughts on. I understand that tithing is something that we are required to do as Christians, I can say that we are not that poor- I have a job, however my income is only hand to mouth as we say. Meaning my salary goes straight to all the bills, tuition, loan payments, etc. I barely have anything left for me to use to pay my transportation fares going to work, sometimes I even end up borrowing money again just after a week of receiving my pay. That being said, I am having difficulty tithing. If I'm unable to tithe- does that make me less of a Christian? Is it considered a sin? I need your wisdom please.
3 people like this
20 responses
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
24 Jul 11
This is the second time I have came across a discussion on tithing on here. I thought that went out long ago. I guess I am not with it. I know there is no way I would part with any of my hard earned money to the biggest financial institution in the world
1 person likes this
@Yeshua123 (6)
•
8 Aug 11
It is not our obligation to know and decide where the tithe money are going, but it is our obligation to give our tithes to God. The church is only a vessel, if the church leaders misuse the money from our tithes, then they will be accountable to God.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
24 Jul 11
To be in good stead with any Christian Organization you must tithe!
Christianity began nearly 2000 years ago for the purpose of raising money. These moneys were supposed to be for Christian causes, but the facts are than the Christian Church is the richest most powerful business the world has ever seen, and the Pope the richest man who ever walked the earth, and all this with millions upon millions of people starving in Africa today, and the Church continues to look the other way!
1 person likes this
@catcai (1056)
• Philippines
24 Jul 11
well it never really occurred to me that Christian organizations are businesses. i suppose you have a point and i guess it does happen in some churches. But in out church i know they put the money into good use- they use it for retreats, they give out scholarships and they have tons of programs for kids, which are free of charge. they also have regular outreach programs as well. I don't suppose our church pastor would still need the money from tithing as he has a business of his own even before he became a pastor. well i guess if some churches would make a business out of it.. its up to them, God knows their hearts...
@sudan707 (57)
• Israel
8 Aug 11
Tithes is no longer an obligation Christians should keep, From the bible books of Mathew to Revelation, The lord Jesus Christ or the early apostles never indicated remotely or otherwise the need for Christ followers to pay 10% of their earning or the other, but were encouraged to be cheerful givers in support of running the church and to those in real need.
Tithes as demanded from the ancient Israelites was to support the the levites for their full time temple service, they are also required to pay 10% from the tithes they received from their fellow isrealites
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
24 Jul 11
Yes, it is a sin.
Yes, you can be forgiven, if you repent. Repenting = tithing.
I personally spent about 10 years learning how to Tithe. Now it's just automatic. I take 10% out of my gross pay every check, first thing.
And no, it's not easy. I've made roughly $17,000 a year for the last 13 years. I'm a poor boy too.
But I discovered something important. God says himself that he is not with you, if you are sinning against him. I've lived that.
I found out that 90% of my income with God, is far greater than 100% with me by myself.
And no it doesn't mean that when I started tithing that my income went up, and all my bills magically disappeared. Not by a long shot.
But there is something terribly lonely when something bad happens, and you get the feeling that God is off somewhere else saying "hey you wanted to do it on your own, so good luck with that". It is just not a good place to be. I won't go back there ever again.
You have to chose for yourself who knows best for you. God, or yourself? No one can answer that question for you. I found my answer. Hope you find yours.
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
26 Jul 11
Me? I claim nothing. I'm just a parrot, who repeats what is told to him.
So lets ask the source. What does the Bible, the word of God, say to us?
Let us read it together, you and me.
In the book of Malachi, Chapter 3. We'll start in verse 5.
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“So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive aliens of justice, but do not fear me,” says the Lord Almighty.
“I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty.
“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’
“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’
“In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
“You have said harsh things against me,” says the Lord.
“Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’
“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.’”
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What does this tell you? I'll let you wrestle with that, I will tell you what it tells me.
God will come at some point for judgement on His own people.
The people of the Lord have turned away from him, while at the same time being so 'fake religious' that they ask 'how have we turned away?'
God points to not giving the Tithe, and calls the act of not giving the Tithe, "Robbing God".
I don't think I need to look up where it says stealing is a sin? Right?
Further, God says that the nation is under a curse because the people were robbing him by not giving the tithe.
And finally, He says that the people have spoken harshly by claiming that they have gained nothing by doing the requirements of God.
This is the word of the Lord.
It is sin, because God himself says that it is sin, and that he will punish His children. It is not some vague feeling of guilt, or what I personally think or do not think. None of that is relevant to the discussion, because my opinion does not matter. God's opinion does. He is the Lord, and He is the Judge...
And finally he is the one who gives blessings. And he specifically says to bring in the tithe, and test him to see if he will not bless you.
I think many poor christian are left un-blessed, and in poverty, because they refuse to tithe, and God does not bless that.
Now just for the record, this passage applies to Christians. If any non-Christians are here, God will neither bless, nor punish you in regards to this passage. Save your money.
@lindaharding627 (1442)
• United States
24 Jul 11
My mom always taught us that there are other ways to give than monetary. We did volunteer work and donated to organizations that helped others. My family never could do more than that and I don't think God frowns on it. Tithing is supposed to be a way of giving but sometimes I think that churches overdo the emphasis on giving money. God will usually bless those who give, but as I said, there are other ways of giving to others than just money.
@asyria51 (2861)
• United States
23 Jul 11
I was taught that tithing did not have to be 10% of your earnings, like some churches demand. instead make a commitment to make a contribution every week. Set a small goal of $2 dollars a week, and give up that trip to McDonald's, or that cup of coffee at Starbucks, so that you can give that $2 to the church. You give more if you can, but you always meet that $2 committment.
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
27 Jul 11
I don't think so at all. I believe in doing what God moves me to do, not what people tell me to do. I have a oroblem with some Christian denominations, because they are too controlling. I'm a member of a liberal Presbyterian church who believes we should treat others as we want to be treated, and seek God in our own unique ways.
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
24 Jul 11
I think tithing is ridiculous. Now, you can give donations to support whatever church you want, but the idea that you are somehow closer to God because you give up a tenth of your money is craziness. God doesn't need the money, but, your church surely does, and it needs a new organ, stained glass, padded pews, and choir robes. I think it's a churches duty to help the less fortunate, and if they aren't doing that, give your money to a charity that does. In my mind, that makes you a lot more Christian. Being a good person, and kind to your fellow man is going to get you into heaven, not giving 10% of your money away when you can't afford it.
@maidangela7349 (1191)
•
24 Jul 11
This is the thing I dislike most about any religion in that they make every effort make people feel guilty and it is usually something that you should not feel guilty about. If you wish to give some money to a church then do so if you want or need to spend that money on something else then do that but never never feel guilty about it.
@strawberrychocodahi (4818)
• Philippines
24 Jul 11
What does your heart tells you dear? Is it only the money that you can contribute to your church? I think that you are able to help your church by other means, and not only by money. You see a lot of churches do really need to implement this but some don't even mention and open it to their members.
But as for what I can say, tithes is really imposed to help the church, but not in a way that you need to sell your house just to give something and you will be homeless. Be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is telling you. I am sure you have difficulty right now since you said you haven't been part of the church for so long. But try to prioritize your relationship to God first. Pray and repent and then do what the Word of God tells you to do, and not just what your pastor or brethren is telling you to do.
Christ told us to give OUR ALL, our very lives to him, this does not only mean money, but our service, our strength, our lives to Him. If we have money, then why not, if we don't then don't force but be sincere of what else you can offer to God by helping God's people, sharing God's Word to others, feeding the poor, clothing the naked, visiting those in jail (Christian brethrens, those who suffered for Christ) not the convicted murderers. I hope that you pray even more and read God's Word so that you will be equipped. Shalom!
@Princelierocks (817)
• India
24 Jul 11
Dont make yourself lowered down my friend, we all have difficulties in life, and as being a christian as Christ suffered we should also suffer but we should have joy in mind because Jesus is always with us. Many of us lose faith when problem comes around remember one thing that our faiths shall be tested like Gold (1Peter :1-7. Dont ever think that it is a sin, God will surely make a way for you he is watching each one of us, just caste all your problems unto his hands he will take care of it, and just move on in life. My friend at the end all i need to say is pray on every occasion and things will be clear for you in future Take care god bless you.
@Jlyn10 (11966)
• Malaysia
24 Jul 11
Hi catcai
I guess I am just like you, not really a full pledged Christian. But my faith is always there.
No, I don't think it is a sin if you don't tithe. But I believe that one will be blessed if they were to tithe. I have heard testimonies from three of my friends who have tithed, all of them who are businessman and women. And they have advised me to do so.
I know, being a single mother, sometimes it is hard for us to make ends meet each month. I'm sure it's okay if we just give whatever we can give for now.
@whitewingspeak (888)
• Philippines
26 Jul 11
Not really..It isn't a test for you if you are christian or not. If you are forced to do so, that i think is unchristian. A good man, whether you are christian or what religion you believe into has a heart to share. I understand some other religions implements tithing in a certain percentage of the income but, what if the truth is that you have emergency expenses. There are also things to consider and to understand if you aren't able to give. And it doesn't mean you are less Christian.
@gjabaigar (2200)
• Philippines
23 Jul 11
No of course not. But as member of the Church, your tithings needs these to make your Church organization live longer, stronger and bigger accordingly to the missions like social activities, charities, evangelizations and other works as being Christians.
@_sketch_ (5742)
• United States
23 Jul 11
Spirituality is something that is immaterial, yet religions sure seem to like putting a price-tag on it. Do you realize how much money churches make? They do not need so much money especially when so much of it just goes into making the building all pretty. I'm pretty sure it would be just the same if you all prayed in a hut or something.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
24 Jul 11
Does God quantify our Christianity? Am I less of a Christian, too, because I do not give ten percent of my income? Like you catcai, I have city services to pay, and mind you, it is as debilitating as cancer. So I do not come up with that ten percent during collection time. What I do is I give much when I have plenty of savings, but when I am tight up, I try to make up for the finances through service. Believe me, your time and effort in caring for the deprived is worth more than millions...
@dsailor (44)
• United States
24 Jul 11
No it does not make you any less a christian. The church likes you to tithe so they can pay their bills, but God has no need for money he just wants you. As long as you believe in him, have faith and live your life right, your as much of a christian as those who do tithe
@zerd87 (301)
• Philippines
24 Jul 11
No friend. It is not a sin of course. Giving tithes to the church is not really an obligation to the member. As the bible implies, when giving an offering it must be with all your heart. You must not give because you have to but rather give it because that's what you wanted to do. Anyway giving a tithes is also in the bible in which it must be 10 percent of your income. Just do what you wanted to do in your belief.
