I haven’t done so officially yet, but i was just thinking the other day about writing a testimony about how i came to my conclusion about tithing. I guess what prompted this was when i had mentioned to someone that i used to tithe. They asked me what reasons did i switch my views on tithing and if it had anything to do with the abuse of money in the church. Typically people ask questions like that because they wanted to see if my tithing stand was born out of ill conceit. Most people think that if your opposition sprouted from rebellion then they think that your argument is not legitimate. I’m sure there are many people out there today that believe in Spirit-led giving because they questioned abuse in the church. I’m sure some of them are still rebellious and bitter about it. But let’s not throw out the truths that we find even though they are found in the doubting moments of the church.
My tithing testimony doesn’t include a rebellious foundation. I grew up in a church that was very good with money. We had no debt, and we had great outreach. We didn’t have the bells and whistles, like coffee shops and stage lighting like most seeker sensitive churches, but we still had more than what we needed. I remember the church going into debt only once because the school needed classrooms. It was a facility that cost only 1 million dollars and was well worth the cost for the students of a complete high school and church to constantly use.
So anyways back to my testimony, i got my first job at 16 at an ice cream shop. My very first paycheck i tithed on. I tithed from then all the way through the end of college. I didn’t question it. My parents had tithed all their lives and so i would as well. I really didn’t even know what verses that tithing was commanded from, but i tithed anyways. I am glad that i gave all that money, and there are no regrets there. The only thing i regret to tell you about my tithing testimony is that i was living by a law and i didn’t know why. It was automatic.
There’s been some controversy today about ATM tithing and automated debits for your offering. People are afraid that since the money is not physically placed in an offering plate that we will be out of tune with the heart of giving. But with how tithing is automated today, what difference does it make if you blindly press a button on the internet, or you just blindly sign a check? If there is no spiritual interaction involved it doesn’t matter if you have automatic withdrawals or you place cold hard cash in a gold offering plate as it passes by.
Let me tell you that one of the hardest things for me was to tithe my income when i was paying my way through college. Most people have it harder than i did, but i paid for my own gas, insurance, vehicle, entertainment, tuition, and books. My parents gave me a place to stay and eat for free, but they didn’t give me anything extra. Over one summer i had three jobs and was working about 70 hours a week. Regardless of how hard i worked i still had to take out some loans. Luckily it was only about 1 years worth of school debt
This is essentially what i did with my money. I was a giver, not an investor. An investor is Spirit-led, but a giver follows directions from a dead law.
So as i was saying about my tithing testimony in college. At the end of college i became involved in a fellowship that challenged and fed me. We did lots of ministry together. One day a friend confronted us about tithing. He said that tithing is not required of New Testament Christians. I immediately argued with him. Of course i didn’t agree. I couldn’t have been wrong all these years. After all, tithing is commanded in the bible, right? After that i began to search the scriptures to prove him wrong. The more and more i studied, the more and more, i couldn’t prove him wrong. It was the craziest thing! I kept going over and over scriptures. I kept questioning my reasoning. There’s just no way that this much of the church has been wrong for so long about tithing. Then it hit me. What was the number one thing that Jesus talked about in the bible? It wasn’t heaven, hell, hatred, the tongue, lying, or satan. It was money.
Outside of the Holy Spirit and the Word, money is the most powerful and influential substance known to mankind. If there is anything that the church can be wrong about, it’s gotta be about money.
So i’ve been heavily studying and discussing tithing since 2005. I started a tithing website, started this blog, and started a tithing group in order to get the word out. Hopefully one day, i will write a book.
I cannot tell you the amount of growing and learning that God has given me over the past years. I wish i could just take a portion of my heart, soul, and mind and let you see the truths that God has spoken to me about Spirit-led giving. My passion on this subject is what keeps me writing about it so much. If this truth was not so alive in me i wouldn’t be able to write as much as i do. Right now, i believe there are over 180 blog articles that have been written here since 2006. Each day there are about 245 unique visitors, 3280 hits, and 175 google searches. That is another thing that keeps me motivated about this site. I know people are searching for the truth.
I am convinced to my grave that Spirit-led giving is what God intended for his Children under the New Covenant. Would i remain open to a new evidence that tithing is required for us, well, sure! I have listened to hundreds of sermons, and read dozens of books on tithing, so i’m not sure that much of anything new is out there to reveal, but an open mind is there, believe it or not. I hope my tithing testimony encourages some. Please share your testimony as well. It will encourage me and others.
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Tags: church, finances, stewardship, tithe, tithing
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Anthony,
You said you want to give,test God and see the windows of heaven open. Please I have heard all that before. Giving to get disgust me so much, you are giving so that you can receive.
Do you know many people give to God because they have selfish motives, so that they can get rich. 1 Timthy 6:5 and verse 9-10AMP version
Those who want to get rich lay a trap or snare and into foolish (useless,godless) and hurtful desire that plunge men into ruins and destruction and miserable perishing
Some people say that they want to get rich so that they can help the poor and give to the kingdom, or blessed to be a blessing. That is how TV evangelists “CON” or MAKE EXCUSES for their extravacant excessive life styles. PLEASE USE YOUR BRAINS GOD GAVE US.
Jesus did not have to be a multimilionare or billonare to help the poor or do the work of God when He was here.
Stop trying to hide your true intentions using the gospel as a source of profit or money making business
I think Anthony you need to see a psyciatrist very soon you are not making sense at all. Spiritual pride is the hardest thing to deliver christians from.
I feel for people around you they must be going through a very difficult time to try and cope with your junk. When someone has no idea about what they are talking about and think they know it all is the most annoying and disturbing thing people have to deal with.
Anthony Fierro, you sound like a dog chasing its own tail but wants to chase down a postman at the same time to make yourself feel important. VERY VERY SAD
I didn’t say I needed finance for me goofball – I said I wanted to do big things in the Kingdom.
Or am I supposed to only have teenie tiny goals and no desire to do any big things for God like He’s done for me?!
You’re right though – perhaps I should stick with the world’s economic system rather than Heaven’s…good call. Sadly, though – I live in Los Angeles where the unemployment rate is 13%…so I see every day what this earth’s economy is doing.
Besides Jimmy – didn’t I ask specifically for someone to refute me using scripture?!?! Instead all I get is more name calling. If you guys wanna come at me you have to come MUCH stronger…
Anthony,
A.) http://churchtithesandofferings.com/blog/bible-verses-on-spirit-led-giving/
http://churchtithesandofferings.com/blog/10-solid-arguments-against-tithing/
http://churchtithesandofferings.com/topargumentsfortithing.html
B.) I had not officially written my testimony in my blog at the time of writing this post. . . what are you babbling about?
For someone who doesn’t know a thing about my actions, you definitely pass judgment like you do. Maybe you are omniscient?
- jared
Good Evening All…
It looks like there’s a lot of folks who don’t believe in giving as part of a greater commitment to God. Rather than argue the merits for or against (as we see doing so gets insults flying), I am simply going to start logging my giving, and what God does in my life as a result of my obedience by faith in His word.
So – here goes.
Today, I gave $1,000 cash into the offering basket.
I will let you guys know how my week goes. Perhaps in seeing the overwhelming and bountiful harvest I have, you will each be edified!
Hi Mr X, or Anthony Just wondering do you do burnt offerings, sin offerings, sabbath, cleansing ceremonies and 600 other old covenant laws ? If not then Apostle Paul did not know what he was talking about in Galatians 3:1-11. Do you stone people who commit adultry in your church or kill people who break the sabbath ? I love what Paul said, LOVE DOES NOT PARADE ITSELF. and JESUS said take the lowly seat. Humility comes from revealation in Christ not from tithing or sabbath keeping,burnt offerings etc……
Mr X you are so obedient and faithful with your money that the only thing that I can see from here is PRIDE, ARROGANCE and someone who wants other christians to be treated as a celebrity or even moviestar.
Our identity is with Christ,we abide in Him and in Him we give and bless his work with our finances.His ability, his humility, His power and enablement NOT OUR OWN STRENGTH, AND ABILITY. Its so ugly from our point of you bragging about peanuts.Take my friendly advise,its like looking at a poodle trying to mate with a horse its pathetic
Hi Mr Xmas, Thats a lot of money you can send some money to a church in LA remember Crystal Cathedreal with Robert Schuller, that church teaches tithing since it started now after more than 40yrs they are bankrupt,
Oral Roberts University owed over 60million US before a man came forward and offer to fix the dept if all the board members resighned. The board members included JESSE DUPLANTIS, CREFLO DOLLAR, JERRY SAVELLE and other TV evangelists.
They all teach TITHING. SO PLEASE STOP THIS NONSENSE, All those preachers are multimillionares but did not offer to pay Oral Roberts University 60million dollar dept
I don’t want to argue for or against either. I want you to show me which people don’t believe in giving to God?
Let me be more clear, i want you to show me exactly where they said they don’t believe in giving to God?
- jared
Good evening once again…
Just calculated my bills against my upcoming paycheck. Giving $600 (which is $540 – or 10% on my gross)+$60 as an offering.
Added up all my bills and i STILL have $2K for all my families needs (dining out, enjoying a movie, etc.).
Have a good night all…
Oh – also captured 7 new loan applications this evening…and it ain’t even Monday yet!!
PRAISE God!!
Anthony why did you change your name to Mr X?
Steward…
Why don’t we have a side bar about all this? I think it would be more productive for the both of us…
what are you talking about? a side bar?
I mean maybe a conversation between you and I – via e-mail, telephone, or chat, and maybe you can share with me some of your concerns about the “money tithe”, “giving by grace” and other things.
Having our debate in the hearing of others encourages mob mentality, name calling, and no real edification. The real stuff in the Kingdom occurs on a one-on-one basis…
do you have skype?
- jared
I don’t… there’s a free version you can sign up for though right?
Let’s try FB chat some time.
tried emailing you, but haven’t got a response. Let me know if you are still interested in discussing this one-on-one. I’d rather talk than discuss on IM or FB. I figured that we’ve written plenty already. Any time during the day (7-6, M-F EST)is good for me to talk. Although, let me know what time is best for you.
- jared
what account are you e-mailing ‘from’…
should be able to reach me at either anthonyefierro@yahoo.com or anthonyefierro@gmail.com