Do you tithe? Some christian churches say this is the only biblical way to give to the Lord.  Other churches believe that you are to give as prospered.

How do you give to the Lord (if at all) and what do you base that on?

Please NO amounts and NO names.

Claudia

Hi MarGal-

Thanks for your input.  I am always interested in how we serve our Lord "together". The Lord knows the intention of our hearts and whether it be 10% or as prospered the real clincher in scripture seems to be on the giver being "cheerful" and not giving  out of obligation and begrudgingly.

Personally, I have done both.  My husband has been taught that tithing is the way to go - and it certainly is a good concept if not done for legalistic reasons (that it is the ONLY way to give and that scripture commands it in the New Testament- because it certainly does not). I have also given as prospered but found that I actually give less when I do that because there is no standard -but rather a perspective on what the "prospering" is worth.  I give more when we give 10% -I have found.

The Old Testament speaks of tithing but it was not only tithing of money but possessions.  So, in essence, are we really considered tithers if we only give of our money and nothing else? The New Testament does not speak of tithing but it can be implied.(since we have Jesus and the Jews did not)  Sometimes I find that people who dont tithe actually dont tithe because they have to give more.

Kind of a catch-22 isnt it?

I give what makes me comfortable....as i take it from the new testament you give as you have been prospered...yes...but at the same time do it not grudgingly or because of necessity because God loves a cheerful giver...so what if 10% makes you mad or you cant afford it and your bills???..that makes it grudingly ... and doing it just because u feel that you have to would make it a necessity because youre not giving from your heart.... God doesnt tell you what to give but he does tell you to do it happily (if you have it)...if you dont have any you still come to worship with the mindstate of a giver who would have gave and God will understand (as long as you havent blown your money and got broke before sunday morning spending on something thats not important)...lol

And that really IS the key , isnt it!  To not only give from a "happy" heart ,but not to have blown your money for selfish reasons and then say you cant give God anything! *SMILE*

In the previous verse he wrote, "For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have."

If we don't have it to give, don't give it... it's very good advice. This verse may very well be the conception of the adage, "It's the thought that counts."

This is the scripture i was referring to but didnt quote in my last post on this topic...

Its not just saying if you dont have dont give...Its just showing that God looks upon the hearts(MINDS) of when...The Willing heart of a man that doesnt have is looked upon the same as a willing man who does have to give...both are givers and both gave "SPIRITUALLY"...good post Clydson,most people dont know about that scripture.