Comments on: Tithing: Money back guarantee?

By: Kara

Kara — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:44:39 +0000

I know I’m a little late on this conversation, but this is a topic I am very passionate about. I have tithed ever since I could remember, even waiting tables as a teenager, I put back 10% on tips, paycheck, everything. All glory to God that this has just always come naturally to me. However, I stumbled across this message forum researching Bible verses about finances. I just want to know more about what God says in His Word (which is still for us today, very relevant, and very real, every part of it). Because, like Steph, I have been confused from time to time about why my bank account would have a negative balance when I tithed. Now I feel like God is dealing with me about being a good steward of the finances. The Bible also says “The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Prov 22:7.” In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has”.Prov 21:20 So, it is actually Biblical to NOT be in debt, to have a savings, or financial margin. These thing would go so far in keeping the bank account out of the negative. That is where I am now, trying to live out ALL of the Biblical instruction as opposed to just that one part where I expect God to be a slot machine despite my stupidity in managing finances. So God gives us so many instructions that help us deal with these things, because He loves us and He doesn’t want us to hurt. The problem is us, not God!

lifechurch.tv has a great sermon series entitled “Margin” the 3rd week talks about financial margin. You can watch it online. I highly recommend it!

God does NOT need our money! This is a test of our heart. God wants us, fully. One way we can show that we are fully trusting in God is by not trusting in money, or a job, or things. Also, as already stated, the tithe is already God’s and technically we are stealing from God when we don’t “return” it to Him. Prov 3:9-10 says “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine”. The tithe is the “firstfruits”, not if you can “afford” it after the bills are payed.

I don’t know about y’all, but even when my bank account was in the negative, I never went hungry, I never had to sleep outside, or not have clothes to wear. And further more, the money was there somehow to pay the overdraft fees at the bank. It didn’t feel good to be overdrawn or have a bill I couldn’t pay or whatever, but God always came through. And if it weren’t for those things, I wouldn’t have learned better management or that God was my source. God uses these things to stretch us and grow us and draw us to Himself. Remember, God wants our hearts.

By: Robert Davis

Robert Davis — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:23:53 +0000

…also… using the fact that a very small percentage asked for their money back borders on disingenuous at best. Few people would go to a pastor and ask for their money back.

The New Testament says to give what you decide to give, WITHOUT COMPULSION, for God loves a cheerful giver.

The church should have faith that God will provide for its needs, without coming up with gimmicks and other methods of compulsion to motivate the congregation to give.

By: Robert Davis

Robert Davis — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:20:22 +0000

I read “David’s” response and I agree wholeheartedly with him. You don’t give, expecting something in return.
Jesus put Judas in charge of the money… an indicator of what money meant to Jesus. “The poor should be proud of their high position.”

By: Steph

Steph — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:13:45 +0000

Well, we have stopped tithing since march and things are getting better. Now we just “joyfully give” when we can. Before we would tithe when we couldn’t afford it and it always got us in trouble with our bank. I would get so upset when people said “tithe and God will bless you” because it seemed to be the opposite for us. The more we would tithe, the worse our month was. Now if we don’t have extra money to give God we give him our time instead and volunteer.

By: Joshua

Joshua — Thu, 21 May 2009 23:09:34 +0000

I have to tell you that the Word of God cant be picked and pulled from and taken out of context. The whole Word is Gods will, every single verse. I disagree with the fact that tithing was Just for Isreal in the old testament. Jesus himself says in the new testament to “give to cesar what is ceasars and to God what is Gods.” We all need to look at our finances, spouses, kids, and jobs as Gods and that we are just stewards over them. Getting that mindset allowed me to see that if God asks for 10% of 100% and its his anyway, give it back to him and he will bless you! I have been blessed with food when i had none in my fridge as well as gas in my tank and all i did was give God what was already His! Tithing works and in this economy you CANT AFFORD NOT TO TITHE!

By: Lanaya

Lanaya — Mon, 18 May 2009 16:45:15 +0000

Interesting…the Pastor Tithes to his church but does the church Tithe? Our Pastors’ tithe to our church and then Tithe to there church overseers.

By: john baxter

john baxter — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:50:08 +0000

Who would ever ask for their tithe back? That sounds ludicrous.

By: Wm Tanksley

Wm Tanksley — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 18:46:04 +0000

Maggie, that’ll be a tough one to find; I can’t think of any three-year business cycles in the Law, and the New Testament doesn’t cover any of that. It’s possible that you’re thinking of the 7-year Jubilee cycle, but that applies only to native Jews (born and converted) in the Land; it doesn’t apply outside of that, nor does it apply to gentiles sojourning in the Land, even worshipers of God.

You can make this part of the Law apply to you by converting to Judaism; you may be able to find a messianic rabbi willing to discuss that (I wouldn’t know). I think Paul warned against this, though.

By: Maggie

Maggie — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:09:23 +0000

Hi,
I’ve been battling to find a Bible text where it says we have to write off debt in our third year of business. I read this text by accident a year ago and it has always stuck in my mind. As I have a business and would like to obey Him when He gives me an instruction, it would be wonderful if someone could perhaps point me in the right direction? I need to make sure I’m doing the right thing, and understanding the text correctly.
Any advice?

By: Wm Tanksley

Wm Tanksley — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 19:51:56 +0000

Steph, I’m very sorry to hear that you’re having financial difficulties. The first thing I’d think of is that one of the most worked-out topics in the New Testament on the subject of the Church is how it’s supposed to help people who are having financial problems.

If you’re having financial problems, your church should be 100% willing to help you, since you’ve obviously been a faithful member. If they do not help you, they should counsel you (in order to explain what they think you’re doing wrong). If they do neither, you need to help your church change so that it will become obedient to the Scriptures — possibly by switching churches.

Kent Irwin above has some great specific suggestions. Who knows — perhaps in the process of finding help for yourself you’ll be a blessing to your church.