Tithe Stewardship & Church Tithing

Hooray for Southern Baptist Convention. They are so creative. I can’t believe of all the creative things they think of to motivate us to give. They even know how to help us give beyond our life here on earth. On the website BPNews.com, Erin Roach wrote an article titled, “Estate tithing is new focus of stewardship” This article specifically states that they want, “to provide church members with resources for making arrangements to fund ministries beyond their lifetimes.”

The focus on this is not about what the older adults are going to leave for their children. It’s about what the church and ministry is going to get from it. There’s nothing inherently wrong with tithing some money in your will to the church, but far too many of the older adults are leaving their children with nothing and giving the church everything they’ve got. I remember one story, where a husband had devoted so much money to the church that he left his wife nothing when he died. On his dying bed he told her that he wished that he had left more for her. In her heart, she didn’t care, but what a shame that that man had to die with such a feeling in his heart.

2 Corinthians 12:14, calls for the parents to lay up for the children. What you leave for your children and your family is more important than what you leave for your church. There is nothing that you give to your children that they can’t give to the church themselves. If you leave your family desolate, poor, or in debt, but relinquish the needs of others first, then you have not fulfilled your obligation as a parent. This is a command in 2 Corinthians, not a suggestion. As i said before, there’s nothing wrong with doing what the SBC suggests, if you’ve done your part as a parent first. Fulfill the mission to your family first, then the world.

(Excerpts from the news article above are taken from BPNews.com Sep 6, 2007 by Erin Roach)

You know what’s funny about these seminars that want your finances to be blessed is that you always come out poorer than you did going in. Of course with a certain Television Broadcaster Nearby to record the event, you better believe that they will shake you upside down to get your last bit of change out of you before you go home.

You know what’s crazy is that these people think that when Jesus spoke on finances it was all about improving self, when in actuality it was about increasing the kingdom. No wait, i get it, God said he would open the windows of heaven and pour out his blessing just like the dove ascended on Christ as the heavens were opened. Oh, i see, it’s all about getting, isn’t it? That’s what this is all about. The only people at this seminar that will be getting anything is the Television Broadcaster Nearby. Other than that, everyone else will be giving.

Associated Baptist Press - Matt Kennedy
Rich pastors not common, but not endangered species

What a life to live. The luxurious lifestyle of being a pastor! Rich pastors will never be endangered. They will always exist. Why? I don’t know? Why do you think? Is it ok that some pastors are walking around with expensive watches, and suits? If one’s earned it, don’t you think that it’s okay for them to keep what they’ve earned? Why should everyone bash on TD Jakes, Joel Osteen, Creflo Dollar? I mean, God’s given that to them, hasn’t he? They have a right to choose to keep that which God has given them. Why should we make them feel guilty about taking so much, when we’ve taken so much in our own lives. Of course not as much as them in the amount, but proportionately, we have. At least i feel that i have.

I wish sometimes that there was no such thing as “things”. i wish it was just all dirt to me. What if they look at that stuff as dirt? Do you think that some of those pastors that live in mansions could actually be right? Do you think there’s anyone that can be justified for what they’ve got? Do you think it’s okay for any Christian to live in any mansion? How much do you think is the right amount for all pastors to make?

This article does talk about tithing. but it mainly is referring to pastor Rick Warren of saddleback church. He lives off of a reverse tithe. That means he lives off of 10% of what he makes and gives 90%. You’ve gotta hand it to the guy for doing this. Do you think Rick Warren is challenging other rich pastors by giving a reverse tithe? I would think Rick Warren would have more authority in finances just because he’s shown that he’s handled the grip of money so well. On the other hand when other rich pastors are preaching tithing, it’s hard to listen.[poll=2]

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Argus Leader News Article: Church Turns Gopher Holes into Golden Harvest

Now this is what i call practical. A church decides to turn a field that is deemed useless because of all the gophers holes, into something useful. They turned an empty field into an acre full of corn crops. The church is planning on donating a tithe of the whole crop to the community and neighbors. What’s the point of telling people that we have everlasting food when we have a hard time providing them the temporary food? It’s good to see that many of the churches have something to hand out instead of ask for at the end of the day. I’m all for giving our money to foreign missionaries, but if our neighbors don’t see our generosity, then we might as well move our location to where our generosity is going.

I think this is a good use of resources. It really doesn’t take much TLC to plant some crops. There are basically two big tasks - planting and reaping.

What do you think the benefits will be from doing something like this? How do you think the community will react? Do you think your church is capable of a task like this?

I read an article today on the Baptist Press by Kenneth Hemphill titled, “Generous Stewardship“. Ken, makes a statement that is very true and consistent among individuals today. He says that the average couple is spending more than they earn, and are getting themselves into dangerous debt. He was basically pinpointing that personally we are spending more on ourselves and that our church finances are struggling because of it. I agree with Mr. Hemphill, but what i am disappointed in is his lack of foresight on the issue.

Let’s take a look at the church as a whole. After all, it is an example to the believers as well as the unbelievers of how we should serve Christ. Let’s look at the debt that our churches are in. Let’s see how much we are spending on ourselves, our facilities, our programs, Yes - and entertainment! I think in every individual’s case, we only follow the leadership that is set before us. In that case, our debt is in direct correlation to the debt we see our churches getting into. Whose fault is it? Well, of course, every individual is responsible to himself, but who won’t answer for how one’s choices have effected others also.

Our churches and its leaders keep making the excuse to the congregation and to God that we need this debt to continue our pursuit of God’s calling. But on the flip side I am not allowed to make the same excuse for my own family, but instead my things and possessions are considered to be purchased in light of a self centered heart and poor stewardship. If my vision and goals are the same as my church then what’s the difference between my debt and the church’s debt?

I know one difference. Helping the church out with their debt is commanded by the pastor through the unlawful tithe, but helping me out individual finances will be overlooked without a concern. Does it ever concern you that our leaders feel the Spirit calling the church in a financial direction, but the followers are not allowed to discern through the same Spirit whether this cause is worthy to give towards? Let’s look at the scriptures and Israel for an example. Do you see how Israel was required to give a tithe by the commands of the law, because their calling came from the law? Can you also see how our own giving is commanded by the Spirit because our calling comes from the Spirit? A pastor cannot say this is our calling from the Spirit, so let’s give by the law. It would be hypocritical for the Holy Spirit not to empower financial discernment upon individuals that he’s asked to perform a task.

I could go on with example after example, illustration after illustration, verse after verse, but this is just food for thought.

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I was just going over some news today about tithing and offerings in the church, and noticed how more and more churches are allowing debit and credit card payments for the tithe and offerings. In the back of my mind i’m wondering what the pastors think about the financial fees that the church pays for using visa or master card. I’m wondering if they are going to start telling their people to pay 11% of a tithe just to cover the fees? Obviously the credit card fees are deducted from what the churches receive so that they won’t be receiving a full tenth.

Also, The churches who tithe to other charities from what they receive; I’m wondering whether or not they will be willing to give a tithe from their first fruits(before the finance charges)? It would be interesting if they could justify giving a tenth from after the finance charges are taken out, and not justify the congregation from giving a tenth on their net income.

My logic and questioning here sounds so bizarre and almost funny but i guarantee many of the churches have pondered these questions. It blows my mind when tithe teachers say that “we shouldn’t follow the exact law of the old testament tithing, but follow the general rule of giving 10% to the Lord’s work”. It blows my mind because we say that the tithe is a “general” rule but we’ve gotta ask questions about, finance charges, should i do this on net or gross, what about profits, increase, first fruits, at the beginning at the end of the week, how should i, when should i, where should i . .. . in front of the church, behind the church, at the info desk, should i give cash, checks, or credit cards, what about my retirement money, what about my pension, what about my disability, can i give to the church, can i give to my pastor, what about charities, what about my bills, what about my debt workman’s comp, insurance payouts, food stamps, unemployment income, tax returns, rebates, . . . and bla bla bla, and on and on the questions come. Tithing is not a “general” rule or principle for that matter, when you’ve gotta hire a financial guide just to figure out how, when, and where you should tithe.
Even though our leaders have substituted Spiritually empowered giving with an Old Testament law, they still expect the Holy Spirit to intervene.

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070505/NEWS10/70505004

The above article is about a religious organization who gave $10 to those who attended the sunday service. I don’t know if you can call it a ‘reverse tithe’, but it’s interesting that they gave money away. All that they asked from the receivers, was for them to give that money to someone or something other than that church, that they feel they are spiritually fed from. I really don’t know anything about the “unity church”, so what are your thoughts on their giving? should other churches follow? Maybe you just have something you want to say about the “unity church”

( Tithe website home page)

I finally found it!The perfect solution to solve all of your financial woes that accumulate more debt and hold back your tithe from the church.

It’s a green chinese wash and is a famous magickal formula that is used when you need to get more money fast!

I just saw this product on ebay, and it reminded me of the prosperity gospel preachers we mainly hear on TBN. (i could give them another nickname from those initials, but my spirit will refrain my flesh). Anyways, i don’t know why i hear sometimes that you just rub God on here on this spot, and a little on that spot, and magically you have monetarily prosperous life. Maybe we just think that once we wash our lives up, that he’ll open up a material blessing that we cannot handle. Some are called into riches some are not. Some are called to work very hard to make riches, others are called to leave it. Either way, riches do not come magically. If it came magically, i could probably sit in some monastery, somewhere in the himalayas, and wish it upon myself. In obvious comparisons to the ant, the number one way to gain riches, is to work your tail off, which by the way is very Godly. I think some people just show up at work and expect that God will mind control their boss into giving them a raise just because. . . well. . . just because they read their bible this morning. Anyways, that’s just my thoughts for the day on that.

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