Shalom, I have wrestled with a concern for some time. My wife and I are both Christians and I guess you would say that we are searching for a simple life based on the understanding of God's Word as the Holy Spirit leads us to understand it. What has been revealing and hard to understand by us is the conflicting message you get from different denominations. We have reached the point that we prefer to do our own personal worship and bible study right in our home rather than try another church that conflicts with our understanding of God's Word. The last church I was a member of, the preacher came right out and said, we keep computer records and we know the ones that are not tithing the right amount. He then went on to say, God does not appreciate your 10% tithe. He expects you to give above that before He even recognizes your efforts to give to Him. Well, the preacher wears those fancy, double breasted suits and both him and wife have reserved stalls to park their new Lincoln Continentals while I struggle to make ends meet. We started listening to TV evangelists for awhile, until one was preaching to poor souls in prison and for thirty minutes he hounded the prisoners listening to his broadcast to send money! I couldn't believe it. As you can see, we do want to be cheerful givers, but of our time and experience, along with money to help the needy, not to line the preachers pockets. Brother there are many that want, but we seek the needy. The needy may need a lift up temporarily, but not so they become dependant on others and do not want to help themselves because they are on the dole out of dependance that so many in our world are used to these days. Every time we try a new church, it seems they now preach on guilt, rather than Christ's love. I would like your thoughts on the state of most of todays churches and your beliefs on tithing.
God bless,
James |
