Tithing

[Mark]

Vic,

Thanks again! I am feeling very encouraged and have printed out the tithing studies to read and learn. Yes, I will have my Bible open as well!
May I ask what church you currently attend? I need to find one, not for my own beliefs, but mostly where God wants me to be. I'm not looking for easy beliefism, just somwhere that I can really pour myself into and know that I am serving God the way I should be. Again, thank you for your encouragement.

God Bless,

Mark

(02-17-2009 12:13 PM)sheep wrecked Wrote:  

(02-17-2009 07:59 AM)Mark Wrote:  I am not trying to blame anyone and you are right about the Pastor being accountable for his actions and his teachings. It becomes a real problem because my wife is very "sold-out" on the Oneness Pentecostal doctrine including their plan of salvation and tithing. In fact we had a somewhat heated debate because currently we are operating on one vehicle and I am not able to go to a church that I choose to go to so I have not gone in a while and she thinks I am running away from God. i tried to tell her that I am trying to run TO God because I feel that He is trying to show me the truth. She doesn't buy it however because she feels that I already have the trutha nd jsut won't accept it.
Anyway, thank you for your response. I will dig deeper into the articles you ahve recommended and into the Bible along with them. Just keep our family in prayer if you would. Thanks!

God Bless,

Mark

It's difficult when couples have a difference of opinion as to what they believe, especially when the church you go to has convinced one or the other of a doctrine that they agreed is Biblical.

Having been part of the pentecostal movement for a number of years, I understand their specific dynamics of tithing. There is a higher expectation for giving, but also for what they will get in return. If that fails, the person must just keep trying harder to "line" up their faith better in order to be blessed by God. This is called "magic"

I know of many people who have suffered financially due to the pressures of tithing in this manner, so that the pastor or the church can continue to be financially solvent. There is just no scripture to support that. I cannot tell you of the ways that I pushed my agenda with the whole tithing system and how it put me on the brink of financial ruin. The pressure from the church that I had "no faith" to "receive" what was "rightfully" mine, took it's toll on my marriage. It was a vicious circle, so I totally compute where you are coming from.

I would encourage to read what God has to say. It's the only way to fly