I have seen a lot of quotes from the Bible, old and new Testament on what it has to say or not to say about tithing...  

   All I know is that God owns everything on this earth... and as someone said the New Testament teaches a lot about giving.. I know that there are charlatans out there who preach about a seed... and that if you give you will become rich beyond your wildest dreams.. and anyone who gives with that in mind is not giving as the widow gave... but to line their own pockets.

   Paul and the rest of the disciples counted on those who attended their "churches" to help each other and to send money to those who had none... sound familiar?  

   Our church has many wonderful programs of outreach and they need to be supported by our congregation to continue.  There are many trustworthy causes out there that could use our help.  The preacher needs payed, we are supposed to support our preachers, electric, gas, etc for the church.  Vacation Bible School, our MOPS group, Sunday School material, upkeep of the church... all kinds of things that are worthwhile and for the spread of the "Gospel"...

     I find that those who complain about tithing are either under the delusion that their money is their own, and God has no need of it.

      Or they just don't go to church anywhere, because they don't think that going to church is needed because they have all they need by being on the internet and reading and studying the Bible.  

     They know everything there is to know about the Bible , but they don't go out and become the light they are supposed to be. Being with other believers and supporting each other.

      The turn on the tv and  all they hear are the "preachers' out there on tv land who prey on those who have no church of their own... and they think that all churches and preachers are out to get their hard earned money, so they keep all of their money in the bank etc. and watch it grow as their hearts grow colder and colder..
  Joy

All I see is a chance to be an example for this person and to pray that God would open their eyes and hearts to the wrong they are doing.
  A prideful heart will usually be seen and disreguarded by those around him.  I think the world knows what a true Christian is supposed to be, and would know that he is not one of them.
    If not, all we can do is pray that the love of things is replaced by the love of Him.... that's all we can do.
      Joy

I think that anyone who does the group discussions, if they are people who truly read their Bibles, would discuss that.  I know that there have been a few times already where we discussed that this is one mans opinion, but that is what the discussions are all about.
  Getting everyones input and that means some who don't agree with anything , some who have been totally blessed by the book, and some who are taking it for what it is.  A way of discussing what God put you on earth for, and how to live while we're here.  
   I still highly recommend it for anyone who likes to have a lively discussion of God and all that He has in store for those who follow and study His word.....
          Joy

My husband and I read this book a few months ago and loved it.  We just started a small group discussion in our church yesterday.  We have about7 or 8 groups who meet in homes and discuss the past weeks readings.  It is awesome!  I highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it.  It will help open your eyes, heart, and mind to what God has in store for you...    Joy

AAA,,,   I am glad that you got out of this situation...!
But, please remember, being in a Church every Sunday doesn't make them Christians like being in a garage doesn't make me a car!
      Many people call themselves Christians who haven't the foggiest idea what the word means.... as for accepting Christ... I feel that they have no idea whatsoever what that means.... Accepting Him as Lord of your life means you do your darndest to follow His example... being mean, harrassing people and accosting people is not among Christ's traits!
    It is true, you will know Christians by their love... and they bear good fruit... they have to answer to this Christ they say they accept!  and I fear that when they do see Him face to face they are in for the biggest shock in the world... they won't have to be told how wrong they were, but it will be too late for them to do anything about it.. Once you are gone from this earth, whatever your life was, whether accepting what Christ wanted you to follow or if you followed your own path all of your life , it is too late!  Judgement day is just that!  No second chances after death!!!
     Hope everything is all right with you now....
God bless,,,, Joy

What a great post!!  Some of these thoughts and scriptures are sooooo uplifting!!! Praise God!
  Some of my favorites,
  If we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us... 1 John 4:12

   Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show it by his good life.... James 3:13

    Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12

    A new command I give you: As I have loved you, so you must love one another... John 13:34

     The Lord said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness... 2 Cor. 12:9

     Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The Lord reigns!" 1 Chron. 16:31

    What a wonderful book He left us to read and read and read and never get tired of it ... Always finding something 'new' that He has to reveal to us!!
        GOD IS GOOD,,,,,, Joy

All the previous posts had food for thought..... tolerance has turned into intolerance of those who won't tolerate sin in todays' world.... that is how I see it.
    If you see homosexuality as a sin, then you are intolerant of that 'lifestyle'.... whether it is in the Bible or not doesn't matter to anyone.... and if you say you think it is a sin then you are seen as homophobic.... never for one minute saying that you hated the homosexual,,, only that the act  in itself is sinful.....
    If you say that adultery is a sin, you are intolerant of those who  use it as an easy way out of something that they souldn't have taken so lightly in the first place.  there are times that a divorce is allowable, but very few people use adultery as a means of divorce... just that I was not happy.... so I got out!!!
    If you say abortion is a sin..... you are intolerant of the woman who uses this terrible thing as a means of birth control... they don't use it to save the life of the mother, just that the mother doesn't 'want' the child, so let's get rid of it... it will be an inconvience or it will ruin my career.... or I can't afford another one,,,, I might have to sacrifice something for it..... just as a convience to get rid of an unplanned problem...... adoption is not an option.... just kill the child...
    I know that there will be a lot of people who will not agree with me on this issue... but I really feel that to be tolerant is to ignore the wisdom that we should have as an adult... whether you agree with Christianity or not, just as a mature, thinking, feeling human being we should see that these things are wrong to the degree that they are used.... partial birth abortion comes to mind.... my God,,, a fully formed child, killed as it comes out of the womb...... who are we kidding that this is not murder.... this is not a fetus,, a thing, a blob, this is a fully formed human being...... If a mother can be held responsible for drinking while pregnant,,,,, what is she hurting, a thing or a child!!!!!  Think about it!!!! Please,,,,
    We are taking marriage, an institution that God blessed and made and are making a mockery of it.... tolerate same sex marriage, what would then stop people from having two wives or five husbands in one family ?  What then, would a family be?
  We are taking God out of everything we can think of in this country , school prayer, pledge of alegience, ten commandments.  Soon, because of tolerant people who are intolerant of Christianity, we will have eliminated God from the US.... then we will be a Godless country, that will be ripe for the vengance of God.... Some say it has already started,,,,, A thing that I am beginning to believe,,, But it will surely come if we, as Christians don't start standing up for what is ture, holy, and right!!!! SIN IS SIN... tolerance is not an option.... praying for these people is fine and dandy, but fighting evil where we see it is also not an option ,, it is an obligation!!!  
   I will get down off of my soap box now and give others a chance to give their opinion!!!
   Praise God, He is good!!!!    Joy
   

It is hard for man not to be selfish.  Being self-serving seems to be the plight of man, no matter how hard he tries not to be.  Even Paul knew this when he said that he couldn't understand why he did what he knew he souldn't do and didn't do what he knew he should.
    If Paul had troulble with this, we can't for one minute think that we won't.  I guess the thing to do is to continually pray that God will be leading any decision that we make about our vocation or career.  We will fail sometimes with the ambition to be thought of as 'one of a kind''''' but all we have to do is reach out and ask for guidance and forgiveness, and keep on truckin!!!!
                Joy

I heard a great sermon on the radio today... on tolerance...
It stated that just a few years ago everyone was crying for justice and now they are crying for tolerance.... if you don't agree with the agenda in the 'world' today, you are considered intolerant.
 What does tolerance mean to you?  Is it good or bad?  Should a Christian be tolerant of homosexuals, abortion, adultery?  Do you feel that Jesus taught tolerance ?
  I would like to hear the opinions about what being tolerant means to all of you....

I agree,,,, when you are in church and you hear prayer, some 'sound' sooooo good and some are downright beautiful!!
    Some people are afraid to pray in public because they fear that they will sound foolish, or stupid....
    God hears 'all prayer' that comes from the heart.  He knows our hearts , and that is where prayer sould originate....   Saying beautiful words, will not get anything... saying heartfelt words, that is the secret prayer, no matter where it is said, that is what God hears and answers, even if the answer is no!!!!
             JOY

AMEN!!!!!

Suzie,
 
That is the point I was trying to make.... There is a gift of tongues, though I must say I have seen it used badly by many people..... Speaking gibberish that is no known  language, and no interperter in sight!  Just for show...
    I do believe there is a prayer language and that the Holy Spirit will speak for you when you are in such distress you don't even know what to pray, but I don't believe you are not saved if you do not speak in tongues.... the only criteria for that is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, and live for Him...... Thanks, Joy

PhilMun:

Thank you, how interesting!  I enjoyed reading your post!
   The Bible in itself is a miracle!!!!!
            Joy

As was said before, Proof is in the eye of the beholder.
   I believe that the most proof we have of our Wonderful God is the Book that He left us to study.
  If a person stops to think about the age of the Bible, how many generations have passed since it was begun, how many different people have written it, and the prophesies that it has given that have come true , well, I consider that a miracle in itself! How many times people have tried to eradicate it.  Yet it is HERE!!!!
    God is in your heart, His spirit testifies to your spirit... the feeling of peace and joy that come when He makes Himself known to you in the quiet of your prayer time.... in the songs and hymns of your heart!
    Blessed is He that believes and has not seen!!!!

Joy

Apostolicista,
  Can you point me to the Scripture that says that you are not saved unless you speak in tongues?
             Joy