The 10 percent.........
By lodz28
@lodz28 (86)
Philippines
October 25, 2009 8:08pm CST
last sunday our pastor discuss about the importance of tithing.This is the 10 percent of our gross income give back to God.Have you ever done this.This is one of our responsibilities as created beings to give glory and honor to God.Can you be a living testimony about this tithing?This is to help us overcome selfishness, covertiousness and materialism. Our wise God instituted the tithing system.
2 people like this
19 responses
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
26 Oct 09
I have never nor will never do this
this is part of the reason why I walked away from organized religion
w2hy should I give 10% of my hard earned money to "God"?
"God" cant use my money!
"God" doesnt have any bills to pay and "God" isnt buying groceries for my kids!
Jesus spread the word of God where ever he was standing not in some building
Jesus never asked for a dime from his followers
all he asked for was their faith and love
churches that expect a certain percentage of your income are only in religion for the money
1 person likes this
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
26 Oct 09
uh NO!
money doesnt equal faith
money doesnt equal love
money cant buy spirituality
you cant buy a relationship with "God"!!!
@ulalume (713)
• United States
26 Oct 09
I do not think it is necessarily biblical that a person has to give 10 percent of their earnings to god (IE: the church). I think those verses have more to do with giving up parts of your lives specifically for god. Your time is just as important as the money you have. I personally will never give to a church, and more than likely never to a charity again because I read so much about how these places use the money very inappropriately. So many charities pocket the money, and churches go off and pay their pastors and musicians. Its ridiculous. I would much rather sacrifice my time by volunteering and giving money to homeless people I see on the side of the road.
1 person likes this
@rameshkumaar57 (5908)
• India
27 Oct 09
I hope everybody starts thinking and acting like you ulalume.
@Harley009 (1416)
• India
8 Nov 09
Christians are just living in the church rather than Bible. Many are just opposite to what Bible say. Now pastor says 10% as charity or for church. It is good, but just law made by him.
Islam says if anybody have an annual savings more than or equivalent to 85 grams of Gold, he should pay 2.5% of it as Charity to poor and needy (Called as Zakat). Which is the great solution to stop the poverty. This is not an Utopian law. This was implemented very perfectly and in later times they hardly found any poor people to pay this charity.
Nowadays Many Name sake Muslims are not paying Zakat. If all Muslims pay it there won't be any poor Muslims in the world. But many are not doing it.
Peace.
@Harley009 (1416)
• India
11 Nov 09
The word church is used for Christians only. I was trying to say that all denominations of Christians following Bible, and the 10% law does not exists in Bible, but your church made such a law.
When when it comes to Islam, It is specified in Quran, So every Muslims agree. so it is not a separate man made law as your church made.
@lodz28 (86)
• Philippines
11 Nov 09
thanks for sharing your thoughts,now i know that you also this in your church called Zakat.i only give tithing because it is hard for me to identify who are really in needs.There are lot of people who are poor because they are lazy to work or lazy to go school.We must be also careful in giving toward others.some are dependent on others.....
1 person likes this
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
26 Oct 09
We were always taught to give 10 percent of our value, but it didn't have to be 10 percent to the church. It was a minimum of a combined 10 percent to the church and other charitable foundations. We were also taught that it didn't have to be all in the form of money. It was just as important for us to give our time and also to donate products and services as well. When this way of thinking is taken into consideration I've given more than 10 percent my entire life. I've taught Sunday School and volunteered for many things through our church. I've also always donated all of the things that our family doesn't need.
@ClassyCat (1214)
• United States
26 Oct 09
I do tithe, but not as a requirement but out of a 'free will decision.' The Bible says that God loves a cheerful giver, and that isn't just referring to money, but being forgiving, and kind, and willing to help others when we can.
There is a scripture in the Old Testament in Malachi 3:10, that mentions the tithe, but if I understand correctly, it is referring a tithe of one's crops (food) not money.
The American churches misrepresent this scripture to teach that money should be given to insure that the "meat in His house" (which is generally referred to as "the teaching of God's Word.), is provided of course by the preacher's wages.
But as I read and meditate on that scripture, it speaks to me of the 'store house' which is mentioned to NOT be the pastor's treasury, but for the purchase of food for the poor and needy, most especially the widows - orphans - disabled/infirm - and the elderly.
When giving becomes a leagle thing, it losed its purpose and its blessing potential.
God does not need money or anything else! The Bible says that He owns the silver, the gold, and the cattle on the thousand hills.
One verse says it all, in Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
The whole thing about tithing is more about where our heart is at with giving, and wanting to do what we believe are His guidelines in giving. He has set up a pattern to provide for the leaders of the churches, and people in general, who have needs. If the American churches would be more giving minded themselves (and many are), we'd be better at following scriptural plans, which always bring success to that church and even the nation at large.
God bless all of these churches that DO give and help in time of need.
@lodz28 (86)
• Philippines
29 Oct 09
Thanks for a very nice discussion,your such a giver one.hope you will not be tired in giving but rather increase more.However this was my struggle before i was not be able to break thru about tithing but with my prayer i had overcome my struggle.It was also written in malachi3:9 try me in this i will open the windows of heaven to pour my blessings.Thank you for taking time of my discussion.im happy to hear from you....more thanks
@free_man (7330)
• United States
26 Oct 09
I think it is a good thing to tithe but when you live on a fixed income then you can't give the 10 percent. Our preacher (Shepherd's Chapel) tells us if you live on a fixed income that you can't tithe that you should get your medicine pay your bills and get the food you need first. And then if you can afford a love offering that God will appreciate it too. But only if you can afford it. I would tithe but we live on such a small amount that we barley make it from one end of the month till the beginning of the next month. We pray about it and God does still love us. We try to help others with other things so I don't think that we are doing anything wrong. But if you actually have the money it is better to tithe where you are taught. If I had a million dollars lying around I would send it all to Shepherd's Chapel. Because he teaches you chapter by chapter and verse by verse. He even takes questions at the end of his show and he explains the bible to where even a child can understand it. Heck a lot of the letters he gets are from children even as young as 7. So you know this man must be a good teacher.
@free_man (7330)
• United States
28 Oct 09
I don't know that it says that in the bible. I haven't read that. But then I can't remember everything I have read. If you find it in the bible please send me the scripture, but not from any bible but the King James Bible. I don't read all the other bibles that have been written by men. You can't give what you don't have that is what our preacher teaches. www.shepherd'schapel.com.
@lodz28 (86)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
surely,our pastor is not grubbinng our money.He also give 10 percent of his gross income and more.His not the one hold the money.some of it used in church activities. Yes god doest need money but this shows how important God to us to the extent of our finacial matter.this is how we please our God.tithing is the key to open the windows of heaven to release his blessings.The more you give the more you recieve.
@wonttakelong (3555)
• United States
26 Oct 09
"The more you give the more you recieve. "
Are you serious?
I dont think "God" really cares about how much money you give
I think what matters more to Him is your faith and whether you do good things in His name
@lodz28 (86)
• Philippines
28 Oct 09
This tithing i've mean serve as a reminder that everything belongs to God and we are simply His stewards in number 18:21 Tenth or tithe is to be returned to help Gods minister.
this is also the 8th commandments that thou shall not steal..in Malachi 3:9 those who are rubbing God by not returning the tithe will be cursed.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
26 Oct 09
I tithe but I can never make the 10 percent. Although, if you count hours of service towards community I do that with 10 percent of my life. I don't think you can count only money as tithing. If so, I'm in the 0.00 percentile because my total income tithed is about half a percent. Although, I'm not sure again depending on how you count it. If you count all money donated towards making the world better, I'm probably at 10 percent. But, if you just count it as money donated directly to God, again, I'm at 0.01%.
@rameshkumaar57 (5908)
• India
27 Oct 09
I am a Hindu, and in our religion, there is no such thing as percentage to be given to god. It is not that we do not give anything.In our religion, we are free to do what we like, and in spite of this, one of our Temples in Tirumala, in Andhra Pradesh, India, is the second richest temple in the world after, the Vatican.
Regarding tithing, I feel it is a law which has been created by some corrupt holy men to line their pockets. No god will like to get a percentage of earnings.God will always only give, he will never take it back.
@joy358 (491)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
I do not really follow the commandment of tithing because our church does not have such a doctrine. What they teach us though is to give according to our hearts. So sometimes I give more sometimes less than the 10% commanded in the old testament. How much I am able to give depends on how much I have. For me, this is just another way of giving back to God and showing my gratitude for all the blessings I have received. I trust that the money I give would be able to help in further spreading the gospel.
@benny128 (3615)
•
19 Nov 09
well am sorry this may offend but I really don't mean it too,
your church will obviously tell you to donate 10%,
as they want the money off you, the church is just like any other charity or organisation apart from knocking at your door asking for money they do it in a group while everybody is there and use peer pressure to get you to donate, if you see the person next to you donating then you will feel that you have too aswell.
You mentioned materialism the church has the most materialism here how many churches or buildings do they own my local church owns alot of properties aswell as churches that they rent out (not free to the needy) but to make a few quid.
If they wanted to preach about materialism then get rid of all the material assests they own themselves.
Hope no offence was caused.
Happy mylotting.
@mdaazam (826)
• Indore, India
26 Oct 09
Hey lods !
I am a muslim but i have always respected christianity and we call it zakat , i dont know its something like 2.5 percentage that every muslim should give to the needy , the hard part is you have to search the needy and make sure he needs it , and im happy that you guys also have something of this sort . Cheerz for all religions !
@lodz28 (86)
• Philippines
29 Oct 09
ya, that's right how to know who really in needs That"s also hard but you must pray to Allah to reveal us who are really in needs.However,in christian it was really one of the commandment the 10 percent of the gross income.The offering is you personal will how much you want to give.This tithe is serve as a reminder that everything belongs to God and we are just his stewards.
I really Glad that you are a Muslim who also interested and respect Christians we are all brethren.Thanks for taking time in my discussion.
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
26 Oct 09
Yes, I do tithe 10% of my income. This is the minimum and by no means is a limit. If you feel inspired you may give more. It does remove selfishness and makes us thankful for what we have. It is an excellent spiritual practice. I think almost all religions incorporate tithing in their teachings. The amount may be different or they may not express any specific amount at all, but it is a testament to this practice that almost all religions feel it is important to tithe. Of course, we don't have to just stop at giving money. We can donate 10% or our time to our fellow beings, as well. Some people don't have so much money to give, but they can do some form of selfless service instead. This is also a form of tithing.
@Fulltank (2882)
• Philippines
30 Oct 09
As much a I could, but in reality the Government is taking up 30% of my salary. Another 10-15% is been taken by the things I buy. That would be equal to 40-45% of my salary been given off to this people. Now if the next 10% of my salary would be given to church, then that only leaves me 50% of my salary for my family. Come-on people, is God really need that amount of money? or the church?
@hotsummer (13837)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
yeah i do before out of my school allowances. LOL. i don't have work even now so i can't give any thing. but i guess i can start giving 10 percent of my online earning.
@ckyera (17331)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
hello lodzz
yes i do & i guess sometimes even higher...
well for me, i believe that giving contributions & offerings is one of my obligations, and i do it wholeheartedly, freely & gladly & for me to do this, i always set aside an amount in proportion to what i have earned beforehand. actually, when i'm doing my budgeting, i take off first the amount that i will be offered...
my heart is happy doing this and i believe that this is just the right thing to do & this way i was able to help in our church's needs & i believe that what i have given is also belongs to God... and when i do such, i know that i am not losing anything coz God prepares blessings for those who gives...
in short, i give contributions & offerings according to what my heart desires & in proportion to what i have earned...
my heart is happy doing this and i believe that this is just the right thing to do & this way i was able to help in our church's needs & i believe that what i have given is also belongs to God... and when i do such, i know that i am not losing anything coz God prepares blessings for those who gives...
in short, i give contributions & offerings according to what my heart desires & in proportion to what i have earned...
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
26 Oct 09
Hi Lodz,
My religion doesn't require the members to contribute anything, must less set a percentage of one's hard earned money to be paid the church leaders. But during the mass we do give some offerings (in cash or in kind) to the church, we know that even the priests need money to survive. But no one is forced to contribute, if one doesn't have anything to offer, it's okay. In your religion, I wonder what happens to those who don't have income? Just curious.
.
@EARLZHAN (934)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
Yep.. I have done this.. us christians should obey this commandment. I don't usually give ten percent I usually double it. I always give 20 percent sometimes more than 20 percent. It's my way to show my love for GOD. Some people might say that I am a fool but I'm not I just LOve the LOrd that why I'm doing this.
@ryesether (28)
• Philippines
26 Oct 09
Yes, this 10 percent thingy is discussed on our church everyweek. Unfortunately, we can't give that much as of now. We have a little financial problems as of now and thank God its not hunger :). We do give to the church but it isn't 10 percent of our earnings. I think God will not be mad if what we give isn't the 10 percent because I think the most important is the act of giving not the amount that you give. I know some may not believe what us christians do because we have different religions anyway. I only became a christian because of marriage but I am born roman catholic so I know some differences. But what's important is we believe in God, whatever form He is.
