It is for you to decide and it is between you and God. If you choose to give 10%, do so based on 2 Corinthians, not because of the Law.

http://trebord.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/why-do-churches-extort-money/

Miami Mike: Spirit-led responses and snappy comebacks tend not to be the same thing.

. . and that would be borne out of the need to

tithe: It’s a no win situation when they ask you that question. but I hope that you have a little ammo to answer back.

The point is not so much to “answer back” – first, because it sounds more like assuming a war between believers as Christians; and second, because such snappy comebacks actually do not address the real issues either way.

It turns out that quite often, most Christians who are opposed to tithing feel a need to proffer some “questions” in the hope of disarming their perceived opponents. I see this happening so many times in books, websites, and other media, where non-tithers pose numerous questions to tithers, as if this would help address any issue on this subject. An example is one that a friend pointed me to in Russell E. Kelly’s site about “140 QUESTIONS TITHE-TEACHERS SHOULD HONESTLY ANSWER”. I mean, lol, what was the purpose in all that? Just 140 questions. . ONLY?!?

However, one of the intriguing points on this page is that non-tithers often feel a need to tell everyone else to NOT give a “tithe”. . . afterall, that is simply the whole point of their arguements. But take a look again at point #7 – “I’ll let God be the one to tell you what He’s received from me.” That being the case, why not simply extend that same disposition to others who feel led to tithe and let God be the One to be delighted bout what anyone gives (regardless whether it is 10%, 15% or any other PERCENTAGE?) Afterall, anything one gives is actually a ‘percentage’ (whether more or less than 10%). . . so why all this fuss and arguments about telling others it is “wrong” to give 10%?

Perhaps we would do better to reconsider the fixed mindsets so many of us have adopted on either side (for or against tithes). There’s absolutely no benefit in taking such a stance to feel the need to “answer back”, especially where most of such responses/”come backs” do not help in addressing the core issues.

I do have hope that we all would someday help ourselves to come to a common ground, rather than to sustain the great divide between brethren on this subject.

Gwaine.

Spirit-led responses and snappy comebacks tend not to be the same thing.