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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I am confused now – a guy named Joel is arguing against a guy named Joel?
Anyways…I’ve presented multiple cogent arguments based solely on scripture. You are either going to OBEY God’s word at face value, or your not. It’s really a choice…
From the Garden of Eden to the Garden of Gesthemane, it is about choice, it’s been about choice, and it will always be about choice.
I have chosen…and God has, and will continue, to richly bless my life and the lives of those around me because I have said, “Yes” to being an open, willing vessel of His blessing.
I say you are a Mormon Anthony Fierro, pretending to be a born again christian. I can spot a fraud by the way you defend the tithing law.
Moron? OK… I am glad I am a blood bought Christian because if I were not, and dependent solely upon Christians who call names to spread the word, I would be in some deep kimchi.
Don’t knock tithing until you actually try it. If you’d like, we can sit down and match up paystubs and then we can see who has financial victory in their life.
You name the time and place. My e-mail address is anthonyefierro@yahoo.com
Financial victory?????? If that is not pride, what do you call that? Job had the financial victory that you are probably speaking of and it all left him for a season and then was returned even greater. I wonder if you would still boast about your financial victory if the Lord took it away even after you tithed and offered so much? No offense.
Anthony,
Do you mean obey or be cursed ? Could you please explain your position clearly. You are mixing the old and new covenant. If you are a gentile then you have no business with the old covenant period. Study the word of God properly and stop the misleading statements you are making, you are responsible for deceiving many christians. Its your faith in christ that activates the blessing not keeping the law. Unless you do not know the diffrence.
Anthony, you sound like someone really mess with your head and brain washed you.If you tithe, you need to keep all the rest of the Mosiac law. sin offerings,burnt offerings,cleansing ceremonies and if you catch anyone committing adultry or breaking the sabbath you need to stone them to death but then again you might argue you are not a Jew.
That means Jesus blood was not good enough to clean your sins, because you need to offer more sin offerings under the law. That is not only stupid but pathetic to say the least.
Tithing is a law, thats what Jesus said in Mathew 23:23.
Immature people like you are easy prey for CON ARTIST.
To accept Jesus as your saviour does not give you the right to change the tithing law that God gave Moses. Its the same as driving a Hyundai doesnt turn you into a korean national
Jackie:
It is unfortunate that as a believer you would resort to name calling (i.e., brainwashed, immature). Further, and probably more egregious, is the fact that of all of the cogent, salient, scripture based arguments that I have developed, you pick Mt. 23:23 out of the clear blue sky. But, despite the fact that you want to call names and imply that I am some mental wimp, let me share with you some of my testimony so that you can get to know me for real, rather than just cast darts at someone who is a stranger.
In October 2008, I lost my son Jacob to leukemia. Within 18 months (before and after), I lost my job, and my home. Literally, I felt like Job…except there was a key difference between him and I…he was ‘a righteous man’ before God, whereas I was not.
I drank heavily for a bit, cursed God, but ultimately knowing how merciful, kind, and loving of a God we serve I did come back to Him and asked Him, “Why?!” and “How can I succeed and live that blessed and on top live that I not only see others live, but also is implied in your word (i.e., Dt 28:1-14, Psalms 91, Psalms 37). Much like Mary at the wedding in Cana in Gallilee – I heard, “Do whatever He tells you”. So – I went back to church, kept my mouth shut, and just started serving with my whole body (my whole heart wasn’t entirely in it, as God was still working on that part!).
In addition to serving on Sundays in my church’s media and logistics teams, I began to plant the incorruptible seed of God’s word in my heart EVERY DAY. I used the below list of confessions (with scriptural backing provided) below. i just kept telling myself these things over and over and over until my mind and my body started acting it out. You see – I know that the blessed and on top life is out there. I have SEEN IT. I have seen people with success and victory in EVERY area of their life. After my son died, it triggered in me a hunger that I have never known. I guess the real truth is that, if I know my son is in Heaven, I am going to do whatever it takes to hear, “Well done, thou Good and faithful servant” on that day. I miss my son immensely, and I loved him so much. There is absolutely NO aspect of God’s word from Genesis to Revelations that I will not at least TRY to implement in my life.
Having said that, I am no fool. I am in the loan business and bust my chops DAILY to provide for my family. Further, I hear countless stories of financial messes that people are in. But, I will state here again that. in the roughly 22 months since my son’s passing, I have received a beautiful home in which I live (if you want to hear my testimony on that one, I would be happy to share it – e-mail me at anthonyefierro@yahoo.com or call my cell 661 810 5797), I have steady employment with an employer who has been gracious and kind to me, even during months when it looks like I was kind of shaky, each month I am producing more and more loans and both September 10 and October 10 commission dates look like they will beat (just those two months) the entire year of 2010 prior.
In love Jackie I will tell you that Matthew 23:23 doesn’t say, “Don’t tithe”. It says, “don’t tithe and ignore the more weightier matters of the law such as love, justice, mercy, faith etc”. See – the problem in Jesus’ day was that the ‘church folk’ thought they had their game down but had no relationship with God. There was no love, no passion, no evidence of repentance in their lives. THATs what He was addressing.
Jackie – I forgive you for name calling. Know that I have just tried God at His word, and He has proven Himself faithful EVERY time. I would encourage you to step out in faith…tithe and then during your prayer time say God – I have these items of concern. Could you take care of me and mines like you know I am taking care of you and yours?! He will meet you not 1/2 way…but all the way.
I know, because He’s done it for me. I LITERALLY live a life of blessing so abundant I can’t contain it all!
I love all of you, because You’re all my brothers and sisters in the Lord, and if I have not love all of this would be worthless (1 Cor 13).
John 1:12 I am a Child of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21 I am the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus
2 Corinthians 5:17 I am a new creature in Chris Jesus, old things are passed away, behold all things have become new!
John 15:11 I am happy
Isaiah 53:5 I am healthy
Romans 8:37 I am victorious
Philippians 4:13 I am successful
Galatians 5:1 I am free
Psalms 118:24 This is a day that the Lord hath made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!
Psalms 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times and his praises will continually be in my mouth
Psalm 107:1-10 I am the redeemed of the Lord
Matthew 26:28 I have been washed in his blood
Ephesians 1:13 Filled with his Spirit
Deuteronomy 8:3 and live by his Word
I will humbly obey and assertively execute God’s will and Word
Romans 1:17 I walk by faith, and not by sight (or feelings)
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me
James 1:2 I find joy in trials, for I know they bring maturity
Romans 8:28 All things work together for my eternal good!
Luke 10:9 I have power over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt me. The devil is under my feet (he is a liar)
Isaiah 54:17 No weapon formed against me shall prosper, and every tongue that speaks against me will be judged
Matthew 5:44 I will love my enemy and bless those who curse me.
Psalms 23:1 The Lord is my Shepard; I shall not want
Psalms 24:1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein
Philippians 4:19 My God shall/has supplied all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus
Matthew 5:13-16 I am a light and an example of God and His love
Isaiah 61:6 Wherever I go, the atmosphere changes because the Spirit of God is within me
2 Corinthians 5:18-2 I am an ambassador, a representative, a witness for Jesus
Matthew 28:16-20 Today I will look for opportunities to win souls for Christ
Anthony your testamony shows your faith in Christ not the law. All we have comes from Christ. Jesus said to tithe addressing the Jews and He mentioned food, mint,ainse and cummin its NOT MONEY.
Jesus said that TITHING IS IN THE LAW ,please read it again. He included tithing in the law of Moses. Mathew 23:23. Read it very very slowly so you will get it.
Do not change what Jesus said for your love of money. Money is not holy on to God.
Jackie:
The fact that you think I love money kind of fits within the paradigm formed by your previous comments (that I am brain washed and immature)…sooo…
Let it be done do you according to your faith.
Perhaps I am wacko. I take God at His word and assume that if he did it for someone like Joseph, David, Moses, Abraham, then he can do it for me too.
What’s funny is that you accuse me of loving money, but I’m the one that can part with a DIME ON A DOLLAR without batting an eye, while it seems like you (and many others) will come up with every excuse in the book to not DO THE WORD.
Like I mentioned in a previous post – take the challenge – I DARE you, or anyone else reading this, to just try God. Just try. For 52 weeks, be a consistent giver. When you write your check, or before you give, say the following declaration to yourself and God:
“Into the Kingdom of God I sow my seed. Every penny shall produce for God and for me. The GOSPEL shall be preached, LIVES shall be changed, BODIES shall be healed, SOULS shall be saved, SATAN has been stopped, and by FAITH the needs of this (both you and the church) ministry have already been met in Jesus name, AMEN.
And after 52 weeks, if nothing has changed for you, I will PERSONALLY reimburse you.
There it is. The gauntlet is down. Will you meet the challenge?!?! Do you have the guys to go for the glory?!?!
If not – best of luck in your endeavors.
God does not need us to lie about scriptures to finance his work on earth. Take the lowly seat and stop bragging about peanuts. Givng God 10% percent some christians think they need the Queen of England to give them a special medal or call them Lord. PLEASE GIVE US A BREAK.
ASK GOD FOR A REVEALATION OF THE SPIRIT OF HUMILITY,
Jesus is not a waiter that you tip him with 10% thats pathetic, talk about stingy.If I share with you how financialy blessed I am you will suffer from unbelief. TAKE THE LOWLY SEAT.
OK – let it be done to you according to your faith.
Sorry Anthony, Its not you I am angry with its the pastors who teach lies and change scriptures to rob people because of greed. I agree with Sam and Joel, Paul taught about giving what we can afford in 2 Corinthians 8:12
Please dont take anything I said pesonaly,I cant stand these false teachers and pastors robbing christians all over the world
Malachi 3:10, Deut. 28:1-14, Luke 6:38, Prov 11:24
Anthony,
Read Deuteronomy 14:22-29, Malachi 3:10, Mathew 23:23.ITS SAYS FOOD not US DOLLARS or EUROS. Have a shot of reality. Im sorry for your son but do not be like the foolish Galatians. Only one curse still works even to this very day the DOUPLE CURSE in Galatians 1:8-9. Its for those people who deceive christians or manipulate people to go back and practise the law that was given to the Jews exclusively by God.
OH OK – well since I don’t grow oranges what would you suggest Sam?
Give what you can afford 2 Corinthian 8:12 .Give what you can afford. Thats what Apostle Paul taught inspired by the Holy Spirit. Try it it will bless you in a way you have never experienced before. DO not support pastors who lie about scriptures
Anthony,
I am not against your giving I am against the false teaching used by many to put good christians under the law again without knowing.The Holy Spirit will reveal to you the wolves out there if you only ask Him. 2 Corinthians 8:12 SAYS GIVE WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD, NLT,AMP,NKJ,Message bible. Tithing was compulsory, giving according to Pauls teaching was not.Paying and giving are not the same thing.
Give to support Gods work but give what you CAN AFFORD.
I agree – any legalism is bad… But the question is were we freed to just act any old way, or is there a way we can show God our love in a TANGIBLE way?
Please do not just give your money to any ministry, Jesus warned us about wolves.
The Lord knows you love him and will lead you to a few pastors who do not lie and twist scriptures for financial greed.
Check this scripture out (1 Timothy 6:5AMP) Its scary.
Anthony, I have followed your argument with interest brother. We have the Old testament and the New Testament just as we have the Old Covenant and the New covenant. The Old Testament people lived a life that carried pictures of the future which we now call the New Testament. Some of the things in the Old Testament have been fulfilled while others still remain to be fulfilled so that the word of God can be proved true. However, the covenants do not operate the same way. The Old covenant carried so many pictures that spoke of the Lord Jesus Christ. Every aspect of the Old covenant held a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ while every word God spoke in the Old Testament had Christ’s input. When the Lord Jesus died on the cross and the curtain of the temple was rent from top to bottom, the most important items of the Holy of holies lost their significance because the one they represented had claimed His rightful place. So we have Christ the Lawgiver, the High Priest, the sacrifice and the offering fulfilling all the demands of the law and its statutes, except that this time it was for all mankind.
From there all elements of Exodus including the levitical priesthood terminated in Christ Jesus. If you understand the typology then you will fully appreciate Christ’s work on the cross. In the old Testament the Lord treated the Law as HIS COMMANDMENTS. But When the Lord Jesus came He called it the Law of Moses. The ownership had completely changed. So the Lord left everything that had to do with the Old Covenant completely out in order to make a completely NEW COVENANT IN HIS BLOOD otherwise it would not be new.
Now, what is the difference between what God said and what JESUS SAYS if I may ask? If you are truly blood bought my brother, you would take the words of the one who bought you very seriously. He is the WORD, and the Father’s spokesman. (Heb 1:1-5). The Lord spoke so many valuable things that in certain area He literally commanded us to do. But we have followed the tithe that he never told us to do. Is He the Lord we say He is? The Lord attached very little or no value to earthly riches, but to treasures in heaven,(go and find out the Lord’s unrelenting teaching or mention of this) but men have turned His message the other way around.
Well I would like to write at length @ Anthony, but just know that just as Christ and the offering , two of which included the tithe,all terminated in Christ when the curtain of the temple was rent, anything of the Old Covenant ceased forthwith or Christ’s death and resurrection will mean nothing at all. For more information, please read the book: T H E T I T H I N G D I L E M M A A N D T H E T R I U M P H S O F L O V E by Leonard C. Bupanda.
If indeed our happiness in the Lord is going to depend on earthly riches obtained through the tithe, we are much to be pitied for “the world loves its own” and “naked did I come and naked shall depart,” The friendship with the world is…” I would rather be ware than argue the scriptures away.
Dear Anthony Fierro, Grace and the law of Moses dont mix unless you are mentally disturbed. Find out Gods tithing law commandments he gave Moses then you will start to understand what we are debating here. Deuteronomy 14:24 says it very clear to turn the tithe into money or sell the tithe. Its elementary, for crying out loud.
Do you practise SIN OFFERINGS TOO ? or that is for your pastor. Are you a levite?
Jesus did not collect tithes Hebrews 8:4 teaches that he cant be a priest if He was here right now.
Jesus didn’t need tithes – He owns the cattle on 1000 hills, the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof; the world and they that dwell therein.
But your church (and the body as a whole) does need your finance in order to spread the Word. It is an unfortunate sign of times, but if you think about it, MEGAMEDIA churches exist today as a very demonstration that Christians don’t give. The only voices you hear in the media are the ones that have massive media budgets, and who, oh by the way, don’t talk about repentance or sacrifice, but have somehow (probably in fulfillment of 2 Timothy 4:3) avoided that topic. They talk about the benefits, but not the work that is required to get there.
And no – I am not mentally disturbed. God has in fact given me a spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Sam: Mixing ‘old and new’ is OK – because we serve the SAME GOD (Heb. 13:8).
A few key points:
1. How was Abraham justified? Faith demonstrated through obedience. We would all agree with that, right?! I mean, we are His seed if we believe, and the only true demonstration of what someone believes is through their actions, right!? Now – when God told Abraham to slaughter his Isaac, he could have done what man clearly has a history of doing – analyzing, questioning, casting doubt on God’s goodness and faithfulness, and thereby coming up with abundant reasons to not obey, or…as history has it…He could have straight up obeyed.
2. If Heaven is moved by faith (see both Mark 7:25-30, Matthew 15:21-28, Luke 23:43) and I look at God’s promise to me (in Mal. 3:10 is just one example, but let’s throw in Luke 6:38, Philippians 4:19) and absolutely RUN with it, why could God not bless me.
3. I would agree with ‘Its your faith in christ’ that starts the ball rolling and gets me into RELATIONSHIP with God, but how do I prove that faith?! You chide me with the phrase, “Unless you do not know the difference”…but let’s dive in to that topic for a moment.
In light of James 1:22, James 2:14-16, Matt 5:13-16, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Cor 10:31, could you please tell me how, if I raise my hand one day in Church to become a Christian, my life should look and feel different thereon?
I further extend this challenge to anyone on this page. I have used scripture after scripture to defend my position. Further, if that is insufficient, I have my own financial testimony which no one has yet been able to refute.
Anthony, Did you receive the Holy Spirit by keeping the law ? Please share with us if you are a mormon or which denomination you belong to ? Could you please share with us what your views on Malachi 3:9. Do we rob God if we do not tithe and are we then cursed for not obeying.
Could you share with us what Hebrews 8:13 and Galatians 5:1-4 mean to you
Read those scriptures first before you comment
I did not receive the Holy Spirit nor salvation via the law, but grace through faith. However, But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Further, be doers of the word, and not just hearers only, thus deceiving yourselves. If we love God, we will keep His commandments. Further, if we are waiting for a move of the spirit (as implied in the phrase ‘spirit led giving’), Jesus said, “The words I speak are spirit and they are life”, and further “Give and it shall be given unto you: good measure, pressed down, and shaken together shall men give into your bosom”. So clearly if we are to give ‘according to the Spirit’ and Paul admonishes us to, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” then why would we not give 110%, just like Jesus did, and not just 10%?!
Now – the reason tithing is such a hot button (so far on this blog I’ve been called a moron, brainwashed, and mentally weak) is because its about money (to man), and about the heart (to God). God doesn’t need your money, or your mouth, or you. He used a donkey, a burning bush, and he’s even said that if we don’t praise God the ROCKS will cry out…so God doesn’t need anything. What he requires is obedience. I know that some are not going to try to find MORE ways to obey God…I get it. However – again – God continually proves his providence time and again if he knows he can trust me.
The bottom line is this:
I DARE you, or anyone else reading this, to just try God. Just try. For 52 weeks, be a consistent giver. When you write your check, or before you give, say the following declaration to yourself and God:
“Into the Kingdom of God I sow my seed. Every penny shall produce for God and for me. The GOSPEL shall be preached, LIVES shall be changed, BODIES shall be healed, SOULS shall be saved, SATAN has been stopped, and by FAITH the needs of this (both you and the church) ministry have already been met in Jesus name, AMEN.
And after 52 weeks, if nothing has changed for you, I will PERSONALLY reimburse you.
There it is. The gauntlet is down. Will you meet the challenge?!?! Do you have the guys to go for the glory?!?!
Anthony you are missing out many things. The Lord you claim to be your Saviour was offered all the nations by the devil. We as humans so disconnected from the appropriate us of scripture can hardly see where those riches are coming from. The lord performed all the most important miracles except one. He is never known to make any man or woman materially rich or wealthier. That should teach the Lord’s attitude to worldly riches. If you read John Chapter 8, you will read how adamant the Jews were about being Abraham’s children. But the Lord said they were not. Then they claimed to be God’s children and the Lord said they were not, but pointed them to a different father- the devil. @Anthony, it is one thing to claim to be and yet another to be real child of God.
Anthony, Your comments reveals that you do not know the diffrence between works of the Law and acts of faith. For example Abraham sacrificing his son was an act of faith not works of the law. Sin offerings,burnt offerings tithing 10% of (food grown in Israel) circumsicion and 600 more laws were for Jews only. The new covenant started after christ died on the cross sealed with Jesus blood.
You can not change the tithing laws God gave Moses. If you dont agree with that then Im afraid you need serious help or deliverance. In other words you need to change your nappy.
I DARE you, or anyone else reading this, to just try God. Just try. For 52 weeks, be a consistent giver. When you write your check, or before you give, say the following declaration to yourself and God:
“Into the Kingdom of God I sow my seed. Every penny shall produce for God and for me. The GOSPEL shall be preached, LIVES shall be changed, BODIES shall be healed, SOULS shall be saved, SATAN has been stopped, and by FAITH the needs of this (both you and the church) ministry have already been met in Jesus name, AMEN.
And after 52 weeks, if nothing has changed for you, I will PERSONALLY reimburse you.
There it is. The gauntlet is down. Will you meet the challenge?!?! Do you have the guys to go for the glory?!?!
Further Joel – your comments reveal that you spend no time in the Word, and although you SAY you trust God with your eternal soul, you can’t trust him with a dime?!?! Are you feeling well today?
Hi Anthony, Your comments reveal that you like the lime light and the attention you grave for. Now for all who comment on this site please do not be offended or misinterbret this comment I am about to make to help free brother Anthony from pride and arogance.
Anthony, God has blessed me in a way that you will not be able to comprehend. I have given finances that God released to me and my family to support churches,pastors and the poor in signifigant amounts. God gave me very clear instructions where the money should go and who I support . I have been retired for nine years but I am involved with charities full time.I retired when I was 37yrs of age. If I tithe (money) that means not only I will put myself under a CURSE but I will have to give God only a very small amount of what I give.
My name is not Joel,I use this site to try and help free christians from this DECEPTION enslaving many christians because of ignorance from money hungry wolves using the word of God for profit.
So you break yourself off to insult others but can’t use your real name?! What does that say about how much you believe in your message!?
I believe that every Christian should have a surrendered purse – not 10% but 100%. Every day, every moment we must be yielded to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. If He prompts us to give (any amount, any thing) to ANY needy person (not necessarily to the Church) we must be ready to dig deep and give. No questions, no buts. This is the Life of Faith in the Spirit that I believe God wants us to live.
It is unfortunate that a conversation amongst Children of the Living God must include accusations of arrogance, mental weakness, being brainwashed and immature.
I have responded in love to many of the things that have been said, and I have defended my position with scripture.
This will be my last post, as I get the sense that a lot of this is clanging symbols, given that a lot of it is being done without love.
According to your faith, let it be done unto you.
Let not your left hand know what your right hand does. Stop bragging about your 10% unbiblical money tithes. Its just peanuts, Jesus gave His all and you want to give Him only 10% that is very sad. Anthony, Paul wrote to the Galatians and asked them to reveal who the witch was in chapter 3 verse 1. Manipulation is witchcraft.
Teaching and promoting money tithes is a serious lie,deception, fraud. Do you want to be called Moses,Apostle Paul or Elijah ? Give me a break What do you call people who steal money from christians ?
A THIEF !
When Apostle Paul asked the Galatians who bewitched them he ment exactly what he said. Paul wanted to know who the witch was and who manipulated the Galatians to go back and try to keep the old Mosiac law. If that is name calling then I am guilty too then. People who lie and delibrately misquote scriptures are called “Fraud or Con artist ” “wolves in sheeps clothing”.
If you are not deceiving christians then you have no reason to be defensive. But if you are lying about scripture then you are a “witch”, liar and a fraud
Paul already cursed you and its recorded in Galatians 1:8-9
Jesus offended many people when he was here when He called them I quote “white washed tombs, dogs,hypocrites,” etc….
(A) Please use scripture to support your position rather than your lengthy lists of why one should avoid giving.
(B) I am not a teacher nor a promoter – but as James asks us, I am a DO-er… Secondly…AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN ALL OF THAT in Mk 5:21-34, Matthew 15:22-28, Luke 23:43, John 2:1-11 (those are in the BIBLE), PEOPLE WHO were not Jews, didn’t care about Mosaic law or the prophets or whether or not there was a new covenant, old covenant, or no covenant at all, who APPROACHED God (Jesus is Lord, right?!) from a position of faith. Inwardly, they said to themselves, “I don’t know wwgi this guy Jesus is, nor do I understand why or how, but I know this Jesus can do for me!!”
In EACH instance, people knew very little about all this techno-babble that each of you claim to be experts at. They weren’t Bible scholars…but people with NEED. I am a person with NEED who has read Malachi 3:10, Deut. 28:1-14, Luke 6:38, Prov 11:24, and who has complete faith that God can do what He says He can do.
Now – at the top of this blog (or – because it so effectively clouds the real issue here – this FOG) Mr. Stewart says, “I haven’t done so officially yet”. Why not? Let’s see it my man!! Because as far as I am concerned, I have financial need (because in America, if you don’t have money you can’t really do HUGE things. You can do some things, but not HUGE things like build a church, schools, libraries, etc. You need finance to do these things. So – if I see a place in scripture where God is encouraging me to test His Goodness in the area of finance (again – the Word can be taken literally), then I am going to test it to the fullest, give faithfully, and DARE to see what God can make happen with a willing vessel.
You guys can sit on the sidelines with your excuses, explanations, degrees, reasons, justifications, in order to juke and jive, sidestep the real deal here and never REALLY get anywhere with God or accomplish anything for Him in His Kingdom if you’d like, but I am diving in feet first and am running with it.
Further, if one would accuse me of trying to ‘work the works of the law, and thusly negatiing the cross’, I would argue much like my man James (one of the people who wrote in the Bible) the following: You don’t have to DO anything for salvation, only BELIEVE…but you better BELIEVE you need to do something with your salvation!!
Get off your blessed assurance, get out there and save some LIVES.
Lastly – if you guys are this cold and insulting to a man who loves his family, serves his church, gives of himself, and has shown a clear tendency to find any excuse to obey God’s word, I wonder how you treat those heathen around you who AREN’T saved. What towns do you guys live in…maybe can roll out and saves and impact some lives there since all you guys do is find ways to AVOID being what God has told you to be – SALT AND LIGHT!
What can I say? Someone who doesnt care if its the old covenant or the new covenant and then turn around and argue strongly about tithing laws is not only foolish, irresponsible and childish. Its the same as trying to argue with a 2yr old child.
Anthony, please stop trying so hard to copy TV evangelists you look so stupid and sound like a person standing on their toes to be taller than everyone else. Just relax and be yourself
Dont try so hard to impress us you have no idea what we are debating here, go back to kindergarten.
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
Joel:
In paragraph one, you say that ‘giving to get’ is evil or disgusting. Let me ask you this: When a farmer plants a seed in the ground, is it wickedness for him to expect to reap (or is he supposed to sow seed and not expect to reap anything)? If you or I clock in at the job site, is it wickedness for us to expect a wage (or is earning a wage foolish, faithless, or wicked)? Did not even Galatians 6:9 say, “and let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not”. Further, if such said sowing is supported in scripture (AKA seed faith) (See Mal. 3:8-10, Luke 6:38, Proverbs 11:24), then how is it that my thinking is unreasonable or wicked? Let’s address this one point first before we dive into the other points you mention
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…
i guess since we can ignore tithing we can ignore the rest of the old testiment all together huh? the new testiment did talk about tithing you should dig deeper./
Dameon,
You need to read my newest post before you make any more comments > http://churchtithesandofferings.com/blog/picking-up-the-pieces-of-the-veil/
- jared
The Old Testament and the Old Covenant are two separate things altogether. I personally have a problem with people who can can obey the God of the Old Testament and fail to obey the Christ of the New Testament for He says: ” My Father and I are one.” Please spend time reading John Chapters 6 and 8 to understand how the Lord treated those who did not want to pay attention to His words. Please Read the Book, THE TITHING DILEMMA AND THE TRIUMPHS OF LOVE.
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
the only reason people are saying they arent required to give or tithe is because of pure selfishness they forget the being obiedient part…….tithing is a principle that you use to say god comes first and i trust him with my finances……so obviously the ppl not giving out of a loving heart and a cheerful one being as the lord loves a cheerful giver is being disobiedient. no not tithing wont keep you outa heaven but i want to trust god alot more than when im in heaven.
Dameon,
So do you think that a family foreclosing on their home and becoming homeless and still paying tithes says, “God, You are first in my life”? Just curious as to what you think and what you think God thinks about that situation.
- smiley
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
Sounds to me Mr X .That you are a very proud person who give his money away!
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!!
Mr X, You sound like an intelligent person, how would you like to know pastors and teachers that have admitted they were deceiving their members to get them to part with their money to finance their lust for material possesion and pay their bills by asking for tithes ? Or are those pastors and teachers deceived too ? ….lol .I think we are in Christ now or are you bragging about your finances and how cool you are. Please relax, you do not have to tell us how many peanuts you give away. Try and focus on Jesus and his ability then you might learn to grow up a little bit more and deal with our foolish pride .
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
The reason I don’t accept tithing is because I cannot say ‘God, this 10% is yours, and this 90% is MINE!’ I (whole 100% of me) has been bought by the blood of Jesus so all that I have (100%) is God’s (not any church!). What He prompts me to give, (whatever need ) I give. We live by the Spirit not by law.
Your testimony is really interesting. I appreciate you that you really took the pain of searching about it and finding the truth in the Holy Bible.
I did it once.
I am not a great christian. But I am really careful not to miss what God expects me to do. I think I have been smart to understand this from my childhood that tithing is not binding on a christian, but loving him is. I never doubted this. Later recently I heard in church like this, ” we are under the God’s curse, if we dont tithe”. I was stunned. You know nobody likes to be cursed, isn’t it?. It was disturbing me heavily.
One fine day I sat down taking leave from office. And read from Bible wherever tithing is mentioned. I analyzed it in its context.
I suggest every one do this. You will understand how selfish today’s pastors are. I think they run the risk of being told, “I dont know you”, by God on the judgment day, Because confusing and bringing obstruction in the path of a growing Christian is really, really risky.
I have read the pros and cons about paying of tithes. the first thing I notice is the not so civil language used. Are these really true christians?. Mal.3v10-12 is very clear on the issue of tithing. In Matt23v23, Christ condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy but never condemned the act of paying tithes. Christ says in Ma5v17 that He came to fulfill the Law and not to destroy them. If you really love God, paying 10% of your income would not make you blow your fuse. What they do with the tithe should not really bother you because there is no where it is written that your blessings depend on what th e tithe is used for.
If you find it disgusting to give in order to get, then it is quite unfortunate. The Bible says “Give and it willl be given to you …..L6v38.
Have a good day and may the good Lord grant you the Spirit of understanding
Hi Dave,
You pointed out what Jesus said in Mathew 23:23 but you forgot to clearly explain why Jesus mentioned herbs and spices when money was available for people to use to tithe with. Let us not forget they were still under the Mosiac law and the pharasies were trying to find an accusation against Jesus if he was going to delibrately break the law given through Moses.
I hope you still remember 30 pices of silver was the cost of his betrayal by Judas.God is very direct if he wanted money for tithes he would have instructed Moses. Please stop misinterpreting scripture to fit your own doctrine but if Malachi 3:10, Deuteronomy 14:1-27, Mathew 23:23 SAYS FOOD !!!!! Who gave you the right to change it to money ? Is it your pastor or a travelling evangelist ? . Please wake up and read the scriptures properly and stop twisting the bible its not an ATM Machine
Dave,
If you read all of Ma23 you can see that Jesus begins his discourse by telling the disciples to obey what the pharisees tell you to observe. You also paint Ma5v17 with such a broad stroke without an explanation of what fulfill means.
Your analysis of scripture needs to be put in context. At least within context of the immediate passage it’s in, and then in a more general context of all scripture.
- jared
Luke 11:42 says ““But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” (ESV)
What that’s saying is they should seek justice and the love of God and not neglect the tithe.
Hey Paul. If you look a few verses earlier in the same passage, he also commands to obey what the pharisees teach. Are you saying we should obey this command as well?
- jared
Dear Brother Moore:
Didn’t Jesus reprimand the pharasees when He said in Mathew 23:23 Woe to you scribes and Pharisees for YOU PAY TITHE of mint and anise and cummin and have neglected the weightier matters, etc. When I asked my pastor about tithing he gave me this scripture. I asked him where in the New Testament Jesus says to tithe.
Thank you, ginger
I thought it would be great to share my testimony on tithing, so that anyone out there who may be doubting or even just without the know how, can start trusting God because He honors His word above His name. I had to relocate from America back to Africa late 2009. Since then I have had no income, I survived from handouts from family members. All the free time I had, I spent in church, praying, or fellowshipping. However, my financial situation got worse, even though all my basic needs were met, I had the desire to be financially independent, sometimes wanting to help others in need but unable to do it fully. I remember taking so much money that I would receive from family members and take it to church, but still I did not see much change, not to say I won’t, but I just haven’t yet. Six weeks ago, I had reached bottom and very desperate for so many things, including a job. Laying on my bed, I felt guided to start a small popsicle business and sell it to the neighbourhood children, since its very sunny. I immediately jumped out of bed took the few coins I had and even borrowed a few more coins from my mother and bought the ingredients. I made some that night, and started off. Days later, I got ideas of where else I could sell, then more ideas of what more ingredients to add or remove to make the popsicles of high quality and still affordable and profitable. Week 1 I made KKsh108, I gave all the profit as my firstfruit offerings. Week 2 I made Ksh402 and gave more than the tithe required, Week 3 I made Ksh242 again I gave more than the required tithe, Week 4 I made Ksh360, but this time around though abit discouraged that I was not seeing open doors, I gave ksh 260 and kept on trusting God.
I then struggled through week 5 since I had no money to buy the needed ingredients to continue the business. At the end of the week I had madeKsh320 but with a debt of Ksh 200 plus. Worse still, I borrowed money to buy a major ingeredient and after mixing it all up, it all spilled on the floor and I had lost everything but a very small fraction. I had started losing hope and even being discouraged when my breakthrough would happen. So as I closed the book for the week, I remember looking at the loss, and remembering the spill of ingredients, I then muttered under my breath and said, Lord I refuse to be limited by the numbers I see, I know you are faithfull. Two days later I got an email from a friend telling me she had sold my old TV in the US at $100 and she had actually sent me Ksh8198 from the sale. I was more that excited and marveled at God’s faithfulness when we trust in Him.
I pray so much that anyone out there that may be struggling financially or in any way possible, please consider obeying God in paying your tithes. Malachi 3:9-12 has made it clear of the awesome things God will do jus t by obeying this simple command. It is very simple because He is asking for a tenth and leaving us with 90% including mind blowing blessings. I hope I have encouraged even just one of you, I too was encouraged by reading other testimonies written by faithfull tithers. Our God is faithful, praise His Holy name, let us praiseHim. I am still trusting Him for more than enough, and today I just opened a bank account as an act of Faith. I will be back with more testimonies, I promise!
Hi Ludya, Its your faith in God that connects you with the supernatural power of God not any giving or manupulation on our part .If God can be manipulated by our giving or anything we do then he will no longer be the God of the bible. God provides for all his children through his grace because He loves us unconditional.
I have two children , they do not have to beg me or try to manipulate me to love them or provide for them . I love my children and I give to them and provide for them like any parent would, not out of obligation or in response to any giving or sowing (taught by so many con artist ) on their behalf but BECAUSE I LOVE MY CHILDREN. God loves and provides for his children wether they love him or not , poor , uneducated, unemployed ,educated, loving ,hatefu l, selfish ,rude , ignorant , white or black ,christian or muslim,atheist or born again . Thats WHAT YOU CALL GRACE . BY GRACE YOU ARE SAVED
STOP BEING SO PROUD, ….. JESUS DIED FOR EVERYONE!!!!!!!
I am currently writing a book on not only tithing but sabbath, these are under the Law of Moses, and worst of all the ramifications of paying tithe and observing sabbath is not known. Forgetting the Law comes as a complete unit and cannot be observed separately, and also there is a curse associated with those who observe the Law in partiality.
If God wanted us to give only one tenth, Jesus wud have given an arm and a leg only !!
My tithing testimony, Im going to try to keep this short and sweet. I completely gave my life to Christ back in August 12, 2002 ( my spiritual DOB) and I began tithing because I was prompted by my pastor based on Mal 3:10. I was married with three young kids just moved into a house had everything i could need as a child of God and as a man living on this earth. I never question the notion of tithing because if it was in the Bible I believeied it was for me to be obedient but my faith was small and as we know the Word says we are given a measure / portion/ a certain amount of faith (Romans 12:6) and it has to be developed through testing or proving By the word.
Throughout the years, I was consider tithing and didnt take on the position/ title or profession as a tither meaning, living out that title through the good and bad times that life rains on us. When my financial situation got rough or shaky I stopped and gave rise to my bill collectors, mortgage company, and etc. I was fearful of the fact that they would shut my uilitities off or kick my out of my house beacuae i couldn’t paid rather than give God what he rquired from me and be faithful throughout my giving to God. Well as a result of my inconsistencies at tithing and not fully surrendering every part of me to God meaning my time, energies, efforts, talent, my life, everything fell apart. My marriage (wife moved out and were separated getting divorced), my finances (in so much debt), my family, my health, my emotinal state, my church home was disrupted, my relationship with God was in a stagnant place and everything else was in disarray. I was in a horrble pit( Psalms 40).
Then God prompted me in December of 2009 to start tithing again but to be a consistence TITHER embrace that position , not just on my gross but my net income. What I could get at is I was in a Horrible pit and this is the first thing god prompted me to do! I DIDNOT hear this from a pastor, an evangelist, or a prophet I heard this from GOD it burned in my spirit for weeks because I wasnt going to church at the time but i was crying out to God trying to figure out why did he do this to me and what could I do to get out of this mess. Well I started to tithe Immediately when I found a new church to go to, I wish I can say things got better instantaneously….They took a turn for the worse in my finances and other areas of my life and I stopped tithing again because I was fearful to step out pass what was comfort table ( I live by this saying ” theres no growth in the comfort Zone and no comfort in the growth Zone”), so My life was spiraling out of control but I was seeking God but not wholeheartedly.
Months laters I meet an old friend of mine in Wal Mart and he invited me to a bible study he was having at his house I respectfully excepted the offer but i didnt go immediately, i was scare to step out of the boat to walk on the water like Peter ask, meanwhile i was having other issues with my life that troubled me as well, I told God in my secret place with Him I am going to start tithing consistly no matter what the cost was on my net mind you. I was
-$1500 (that’s negative $1500 dollars) in the HOLE in my accounts and my take home was about 1700 at the time bi weekly, this was in October 2010. I started titing,and again it didnt get easy immediately cause i was already 3 months behind in on my mortgage and all my other bills, i had to take care of three kids, buy food, get gas and all other daily routine issues had to be addressed but through it all God was build my character through the the tribulations afflictions, pains, and trials I was experiencing ( Romans 5:3). God is not concern with the money you give he wants to grow your faith in Him and grow your relationship with Him so you can look and act like him and his character no matter what happens to you in your life for exmple the Beattitudes(Matthew 5:3-12), Fruits of the Spirit Gal (5:22-26) and a like Mind of Christ Phil 2:3-8 and Col 3:1-17. God is looking for consistence. Are you going to be the same and respond the same no matter the situation or circumstance you face?
As I set my mind to tithe and grow with God he was sustaining me and preserving me like he did the Isrealite in (Deuter 8:2-5). I just barely got by with getting food, barely able to get gas in my truck to get to work and just barely able to keep my lights on sometimes i felt embarassed and ashamed( God said for your shame and embarassment I will give you double for your trouble Is. 61:7-8) but i kept titihing and God responsed to my crying out to Him, the people around me gave to me to help me unconditionally because I didnt have enough to get by. I kept being faithful with tithing and growing my relationship through reading fasting, praying, interceding, helping others with encougement. No one really knew what was happening to me cause they always saw a smile on my face and i was always giving of myself of what i had and that was the God in me. I couldnt get anything for my kids for Christmas and I felt bad about it but I made them a promise that it will not be like this again if I can help it. I cried and cried but I stayed focus on what the outcome was going to be.
Through the months as I became a TITHER, things started to change for the better in July 2011 I was about to get kicked out of my house because I was still 3 months behind on my mortgage and they started the process for Foreclosure and I didnt have the money but I trusted in God and continued to tithe through the process. So to answer the person’s question above aabout “ what do you tell someone that may be going through a foreclosure or some tumultous times in their life?” I say continue to tithe and seek God for guidance and the Holy Spirit which is your Helper with be with you. I tell you this I only had one week to get the money and I didnt know where it was coming from, But God performs in impossible situations. I had one of my friend that I havn’t spoke to in a while call me out of the blue to offer $2000.00 on my behalf after i explain the situation to him that I was going through he had been through the forclosure issue as well, How do you explain that? I had an opportunity to either get $23,000 or $9,000 dollars from an income source I didnt know I had available to me. God is so good Like in Mal 3:10 He opened up th windows of Heaven and pour our to me such blessings I could contain or recieve it. Over and above my expectations! So needless to say, I was able to handle all my Foreclosure issues, $4500, all my debts, catch up mybills and since that day July 22, 2011 I’ve been able to help out numerous people in need financially, spiritually with encouragement, to let them know the same can happen to them as well just like the my friends encouraged me spiritually help me financially, emotionally. And God continues to bless me with financial outburst! $1,000 check written to me, Spot bounus check from my Job and I just recieved notice the I got a promotion and I recieved the highest salary adjustment in the Southeastern district and the company I work for is a Global firm they rarely give out substantial raises like that. God keeps being fauthful to me, He said if im faithful with the little He gives to me He would make me ruler of many (Matthew 25:21). He’s not done with me yet he is still restoring my life, repairing and helping me recover everything I lost throughtout the process. Little by little he is Performing an encore (Dueter 7:22-23). My personal relationship with my God is so much more guenine and authenic, I’m more humble, my family is being restored, My kids and I are in fantastic health, my finances are in excellent health as well, I dont have to spend money on unforseen things that breakdown like washer/dryer, refridgerator, car issues,etc. I look all around my life, God has me living in abundance in EVERY Area of my life not just money/ finances. It not just about finances, there’s a greater influence that God wants over your life and that is for you to surrender all to Him.
If you folks just sit and think about it the money you earn for a living is a major part of your being or who are because you sow yourself into obtaining it. You spend or sow your precious time, energy, efforts, your talents, your abilities, your thoughts, your educational background to obatain a degree to get a well paying job to get what???….Money to function in this world. So in essence it is part of you because you sow yourself to obtain it. God is just asking you for 10% in actuality all of the money and everything you have in your possession is HIS even your body your spirit dwells in is his (I Cor 6:18) are a steward over these things meaning its just give to you to manage…everything belongs to God! You dwell in His Kingdom. That should be your mindset. Nothing is MINE! Its All Gods and your will appreciate that position and that will that the stigma off of the money issue and make it a heart issue!
To bring this to a close, everyone on this blog confess they are christian and I dont doubt it .Everyone matures in Christ at a different rate just like if you have kids they all will mature differently and gain responsible at different ages some at 13 some at 18 some at 35 some at 41 but they get it eventually. We are the same way as God’s childern some of us get the revalation of what God wants you to know early and some of us get it later but as long as we all get to the point of revelation( which is disclosure of Gods purpose for you not from a book but from spending time with Him and He speaking to you) we all are victorious. What happens is we initiate the process through Mediation of the word of God, the Bible which becomes information processed and dissected to us and that were we stop and that’s what we live by, the next step is the Revelation of God through hearing His voice. Soto the end, I confess and profess tithing cause it works for me until I am otherwise specified through hearing God telling me to do something different I will continue being a tither until I go home to be with my Savior
Here’s an unfortunate truth… The world knows ‘you scratch my back I scratch yours’, and ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch’ We have the common sense to punch in at work because we expect a paycheck…
But somehow we want to ride the pine (pews) at church for free…take, take, take, oh dear Pastor pray for me, marry my wife and I and when they pass the offering plate…um..well…see… the thing is…that’s in the Old Testament.
I mean – we give waiters and waitresses 15%, and then scoff at 10% to the God who sustains us, wakes us up in the morning, puts food on our tables and a roof over our head? If that isn’t skullduggery I don’t know what is.
Just a question Mr. Fierro: what price did you pay or can you pay for what Jesus did on Calvary for you and me? Do you agree that salvation is a free gift or we have to pay for it monetarily? Just asking.
Salvation is a free gift…but being a disciple of Christ is NOT.
Salvation is ‘come as you are’ but not ‘stay as you are’. Take a look at the 10th Chapter of Hebrews and almost ALL of James.
FAITH saves – but the FAITH that SAVES is the FAITH that results in works.
But more to my point – it seems as if when we walk into a church, we leave common sense and decency at the door. We expect church to start on time, expect there to be heating and A/C, and even expect the preacher to be there for us to marry and bury but, again, when the plate is passed we get all tight and selfish.
It is true what is said – the wallet is the last part of us to get saved.
The apple does not fall far from the tree. It does not fall far from the pulpit either.
- jared
Steward recently posted..Does The Bible Allow Less Than 10%?
A man sees his Pastor ride up on a horse. The horse is a beautiful steed, but the priest is disheveled and gaunt.
One of his congregants ask him “Why is your horse in such good shape, but you not so much”. The preacher says, “I take care of the horse…you take care of me”.
Our example is Christ, and Him crucified…the ultimate example of giving 100%.
We squawk at 10%.
Confusing.
Bro Anthony, thats exactly the point ! In our MIND and in our HEART we must surrender 100 % to Jesus as LORD OF ALL ! This is including our purse / wallet. Then WHEN THE SPIRIT PROMPTS we must give WHAT THE HOLY SPIRIT PROMPTS us to give – even up to 100% ! Say the Holy spirit speaks to you when you are listening to a sermon, or you come across a need, you give whatever is prompted , yes, even upto 100% ! This is living by the Spirit. BUT when you give because you feel OBLIGED (because you believe in an obligation), then you are giving by LAW and under a curse! Does that make sense ??
Yes – we should always be open to the promptings of the Spirit.
First – check this out: http://www.barna.org/barna-update/article/18-congregations/41-new-study-shows-trends-in-tithing-and-donating
It is human nature that if you tell people to give based on how you feel (promptings of the Spirit, goosebumps, emotionalism) they will take that to mean just that – give what you feel. If we look all throughout God’s word (which is THE SPIRIT speaking to us) in passages such as 2 COR 9:7, Galatians 6:7; Matt 23:23; Proverbs 11:24; Mal 3:9-10,
Why do you think that government spends 70% of its programs on entitlements? Why do you think that churches can’t endorse political candidates? Because the church isn’t being the church. The church isn’t being the church because it can’t be the church when people given how/when they feel like it.
The day we all tithe is the day we can stand up and do something about the enemy’s hold on the media…because instead of being able to see the media’s message and the media’s message only about values, they will see churches in the communities doing some GREAT WORKS and BEING THE CHURCH. Until then, we’re merely a ‘clangning cymbal’
Anthony,
Is that your problem with Spirit led giving . . . you are worried that people will respond to giving based on their feelings? I don’t worry about feelings interfering whenever the Holy Spirit calls a minister to serve, why do you discourage others who wish to support them in the same manner? Shouldn’t the Levites, who serve according to the law, be supported by the law; and pastors, who serve by the Spirit, be supported by the Spirit?
Do you think we should enforce others to serve throughout the Church just because people only serve based on their feelings?
- jared
Steward: I’m not WORRIED about that, I know that, based on the information right in front of me. Let’s look at the facts:
The gay community is 3% of the population, yet dominate the conversation. How?
MONEY
The government is forced to take care of the elderly and widows. WHY?
MONEY
The government takes care of the unemployed…WHY?
MONEY
Again – just look at the society around you, how much the government is soaked for $$. This is because the church doesn’t have the resources to take care of many…
Why??
You guessed it…
MONEY.
Hence – I am not worried about what MIGHT happen…I am worried about WHAT IS HAPPENING.
Anthony you are trying to argue with me about something i agree with. I’m not debating with you on whether or not we are giving enough to God. Clearly we have been selfish people. The unemployed, and the elderly are all suffering due to our selfishness. Due to my passion, and regular writings on giving, i am constantly reminded of my own selfishness.
OK cool – then let’s call this one a draw:
Spirit lead giving…
with a minimum of 10%.
Fair enough?
I wish that were fair, but it’s not even biblical. Not even in the Old Testament. Bankers, lawyers, doctors and carpenters did not give a single cent of their occupational increase towards tithing.
How is that not fair? We give waiters 15% but God we question 10? That doesn’t even make any sense.
What doesn’t make sense is why you would compare God’s gratuity charge with what a waiter charges.
A waiter NEVER charges gratuity…when we go into a restaurant we know it is the right thing to do.
This sense turns off when we walk into church for some reason.
If a waiter doesn’t charge a gratuity, and we still know giving is the right thing to do . . . why wouldn’t we know the right thing to do for our Father?
Pastors would like us to turn off that sense of being Spirit led and wish that we stick to a gratuity charge.