tithe and offerings
the bible speaks of tithe and offerings, i understand this. but what does this really means? are this money is to just sit around in churchs treasures and grow among other things except to help the poor, widows and ophans. please inlighten me more on this subject.
thanks
lj
thanks
lj
KJV Malachi 3:8 - 3:10
8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Replies
If I understand your question right, it seems that you see a lot of churches' money going to things that aren't poor, widows or orphans. Is that right?
The idea of giving a 'tithe' is all over the Old Testament, but is actually not found anywhere in the New Testament. However, the idea of giving money to the church is in a lot of places. In Acts 2, they all share their possessions with each other so that no one is in need. Many Christian leaders in the NT also lived off of the gifts of Christians. Jesus did (Luke 8:1-3), Paul sometimes did (Philippians 4). And Paul says that it is a right for leaders to live off of others gifts (1 Corinthians 9).
These days, it's a little more complicated than it was back then. Different churches do it differently but there usually a group of people (pastors, elders, deacons etc.) who make up a budget. And it can really vary from church to church as to where exactly the money is going. Many times the congregation can have input or at least see the budget.
I'd give 3 thoughts with all of this:
1) Give generously with a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 8).
2) If you think that your church is not being wise with how it's spending money, then try to talk to someone in leadership about it.
3) There are lots of wonderful ministries out there that do just about anything that you can think of. Find one that you are passionate about and give to that.
The idea of giving a 'tithe' is all over the Old Testament, but is actually not found anywhere in the New Testament. However, the idea of giving money to the church is in a lot of places. In Acts 2, they all share their possessions with each other so that no one is in need. Many Christian leaders in the NT also lived off of the gifts of Christians. Jesus did (Luke 8:1-3), Paul sometimes did (Philippians 4). And Paul says that it is a right for leaders to live off of others gifts (1 Corinthians 9).
These days, it's a little more complicated than it was back then. Different churches do it differently but there usually a group of people (pastors, elders, deacons etc.) who make up a budget. And it can really vary from church to church as to where exactly the money is going. Many times the congregation can have input or at least see the budget.
I'd give 3 thoughts with all of this:
1) Give generously with a cheerful heart (2 Corinthians 8).
2) If you think that your church is not being wise with how it's spending money, then try to talk to someone in leadership about it.
3) There are lots of wonderful ministries out there that do just about anything that you can think of. Find one that you are passionate about and give to that.
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