Christ First Forum

Hi all,
I have been in a couple of services lately (during the 8 months) where
the pastors or speaker has inserted a statement about giving to missions, helping others, serving the Lord other than in and with your family.

I do not attend a church now, but at a senior retreat this was mentioned again, and I really do put alot of my money into the lives of my kids and grand children. My father-in-law always said God created the family before the Church. I have thought on this for awhile, but still don't give
money to others on a regular basis.

What are your thoughts on this. We are retired and have a fixed income, tho it is enough for us to live comfortably (for how long I don't know) but very middle to lower middle class. We have been married for 48 years in June, have four children.

While I love the internet, hubby doesn't do it at all, but we discuss the subjects online some and he knows what I do online, so when I include him, it is just that we are one in the Lord and I speak not as a single, but as married with one mind.

I am not sure I explained myself clearly, but maybe you have experienced some of this. I felt that they were asking for money for others to go to school,and I was selfish to save my money for my grandkids, or the Church need money to send a Church member on a summer missionary trip to Africa for two weeks, that kind of thing.

Not to give to a family losing their home, or car. Anyway, you can see I don't want to not do the right thing, but what is the right thing is my question.
Thanks,
Corriee

Hi again Corriee! I am so happy to find you here this morning.

In reading your post, above, I thought of this verse;

But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
1 Timothy 5:8

Clearly God expects us to provide for our family first. We are also told to give as we are prospered. My thoughts on this matter are a bit like this, though not written in stone, so to speak;
First provide food and clothing for household, also paying any living expense due as well.

Additionally we are expected to own some things, otherwise "Thou shalt not steal" would not have been a commandment.

We are admonished to help those who need help because we could be entertaining angels unawares.

I no longer partiipate in tithing. This was initially a tax imposed to support the Temple and Priests, if I recall correctly. This does not mean we should not support the Pastor, however. We are also called to support missionaries, as you mentioned.

Paul collected money to deliver to another location, so this is something that should be done.

I suppose what I am saying is that, for me, this is a subject in which my learning process is ongoing, and I look forward to additional input from others.

Amen Joi!

Corrie I might add that God has made us stewards over a lot of things and first off and foremost is our family.

Question: "What does the Bible say about Christian tithing?"
http://www.gotquestions.org/tithing-Christian.html

Quote:
Answer: Tithing is an issue that many Christians struggle with. In many churches tithing is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the Biblical exhortation in regards to making offerings to the Lord. Tithing / giving is intended to be a joy, a blessing. Sadly, that is rarely the case in the church today.

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10% of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle / Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites of the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

The New Testament nowhere assigns a certain percentage of income to set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with his income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Christian church has essentially taken the 10% figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. Although the New Testament does not identify a specific amount or percentage to give, it does talk about the importance and benefits of giving. They should give as they are able, “in keeping with his income.” Sometimes that means giving more than a tithe, sometime that may mean giving less than a tithe. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Each and every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom as to whether to participate in tithing and/or for how much he or she should give (James 1:5). “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Does this mean that we are not to tithe or give to the Local church or ministry, No! In fact, Some of the greatest mission works and evangelistic outreach is a result of the local church stewardship.

We should never neglect a family member, especially one that is of the immediate family to pay a tithe to the church. This would be going against this scripture that Joi posted.
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
1 Timothy 5:8

I hope this helps, If you would like we can discuss it more!

Servant of the Lord, Frank

It does help me, and I really wasn't thinking of tithing, just of giving
to help people.
There have been two times in my life that God tested me on giving and I failed on both occasions. It has broken my heart when I realized what
happened and that I did not react as I should have.

Especially on the second time. In fact, I did not realize the second time
for many days or weeks, then the Lord brought it to my attention. I went back to the place hoping to see the person, but to no avail.

I have grown children and not grown grandchildren who also need help. They have jobs and do the best they can, tho, sometimes do not spend as I think they should, but I try and help them best as I can.

I do believe in giving to the Lord and know that one cannot outgive Him, but He does not always give back in financial ways.

first love wrote:It does help me, and I really wasn't thinking of tithing, just of giving
to help people.
There have been two times in my life that God tested me on giving and I failed on both occasions. It has broken my heart when I realized what
happened and that I did not react as I should have.

Especially on the second time. In fact, I did not realize the second time
for many days or weeks, then the Lord brought it to my attention. I went back to the place hoping to see the person, but to no avail.

I have grown children and not grown grandchildren who also need help. They have jobs and do the best they can, tho, sometimes do not spend as I think they should, but I try and help them best as I can.

I do believe in giving to the Lord and know that one cannot outgive Him, but He does not always give back in financial ways.

Corrie, God knows your heart and if you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and God says give, give! Don't look back and sometimes it might seem to be the wrong thing to do after you do it, but we don't know the long term effects or God's purpose in it.

Servant, Frank

I also like helping with my grandchildren, whose parents do not always use their money as I would have them do, but I was the same way when I was young, so I know what it is like.

Grandchildren are family to, you know!

I too have failed to give when I knew I should have done.

Yesterday I was at the computer, an the tv was on with a pastor talking from an airport. He made reference to the fact that an airplane must take off into the wind, because it needs some resistance in order to soar. Our Christian experience is the same way, and failing can be a huge lesson to us to pay attention, though some times it takes several attempts, including failure on our part, before we can soar in lockstep with God!