Does anyone honest to goodness tithe?

[cardaway]

My UMC church started using this program. Or more correctly, my former UMC church used it. Dh and I called it "Strong-arming for Jeeezus." It's one of the reasons we left.

Are you saying they actually pressured people because they didn not give enough? My in laws recently changed churches because of the exact same thing. Hard to believe people would actually do something like that.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Are you saying they actually pressured people because they didn not give enough? My in laws recently changed churches because of the exact same thing. Hard to believe people would actually do something like that.

Our church has Time, Talent, and Treasure Sunday once a year. I see nothing wrong with it. It isn't pressure--just reexplaining the importance of tithing of your treasures and sharing your time and talent and an opportunity to reexamine your "pledge" for the year.

It isn't like PBS and NPR with a month long pledge drive and disruption of every ministry moment with an 800 number to call to donate.

 

[MushyMushy]

Here's my thought about it all. And I promise to proofread this time.

Tithing is a faith issue. If you don't have much faith, or aren't growing in your faith, you're probably not going to give very much. Show may an athiest or agnostic that gives money to the church.

Okay, why would they?

That's certainly not to say that atheists don't give generously of their money and time to very worthy causes.

Reading this thread makes me think my parents were cheap! They used to put a dollar or two in the basket, and gave us kids each a quarter to contribute. Then they might hand over a whole five dollar bill for holidays. Holy cow! (and they really thought they were doing right)

 

[jimmiej]

Tithing is a faith issue. If you don't have much faith, or aren't growing in your faith, you're probably not going to give very much.

Because it is a faith issue it is my response to what God has called of me. I have faith. And because I believe that God has called me to give - not because the church needs the money - but because God has called me to give - I give.

Or, put another way, it's a indication of spiritual maturity.

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

Yes we tithe and do so joyfully. Anything that my family can do to further the Kingdom God, we will do. We have been on mission trips and footed our own bill. Your tithe should not be a chore nor a requirement, it should be a portion that you give back from what God has graciously given to you. It is all his. He provides for you, and we as his servants are to use what he gives us to further his kingdom. The Old Testament mentions the 10% issue and I think people get stuck on that, but your tithe can and should also include your talents and time as well, not just your $$. Many people are not financially able to give 10% of their income but should not feel guilty about it, give what you can, its between you and God. But remember your time and talent should count as well. Just my 2 cents.

 

[FSUMARCHIEF]

Okay, why would they?

That's certainly not to say that atheists don't give generously of their money and time to very worthy causes.

Reading this thread makes me think my parents were cheap! They used to put a dollar or two in the basket, and gave us kids each a quarter to contribute. Then they might hand over a whole five dollar bill for holidays. Holy cow! (and they really thought they were doing right)

I do agree that athiests do give of time and money to very worthy causes. But the poster after you summarized what I meant, I think, about tithing to a church as an indication of spiritual maturity. And I agree, I think it is.

As far as Consecration Sunday goes, in my mind its the best one out there. I've never heard it referred to as strong arrming for Jesus though!

Though I'm only 34, I've been a pastor for 12 years and a youth mnister for almost 3 years before that. I've seen a lot of programs for stewardship. One popular in Methodism in recent years was the "Pony Express." It's where people went out to homes and collected the pledges of church members in saddlebags and brought them to the church. One church I served even had the Sr. Pastor (I was the youth minister) kick it off by riding off on a horse. LOL

Those programs come from the perspective of the need of the church to receive, i.e., we have a budget and we need to get it pledged. Consecration Sunday emphasizes the spiritual nature of giving and comes from the perspective that there is a need of the giver to give. It's the best I've seen, frankly because it deals with giving as a spiritual issue, not a budgetary issue - and that's what it should have been, in my opinion all along.

Blessings!
MarkyMark

 

[cybrkitn]

Mark, proofreading takes all the fun and spontaneity out of it . That being the case I won't point out your error. Anyhoo... we use Consecration Sunday at our UM church. I agree that it is the best "program" out there. There is a lot to be said for making a step up. I'm sure you -like me -could point to some real success stories in your congregation.

Our church is also using that same system. The Council has sent notices to the congregation asking if they are currently tithing x amount to prayfully consider adding a few dollars more on top of it.

In the back of our bulliten we have listed the money that has has been pre-budgeted per week, how much was received the prior week and then the total. Unfortunately, we have been in the negative. The only time we ever get out of it is during holidays (Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, etc) and that's only for one week. A few months ago the Council decided they should start tithing on the money that is received (I guess you can call it, Tithing on the Tithe ). Don't know why we weren't doing that to begin with .

DH and I are thinking the reason why we are always in the negative is that our congregation doesn't fully understand Tithing. Plus, there a alot of parishiners there, including some on the council, that are not F.R.O.G. (or Fully Relying On God) and having faith in Him. They keep asking, "Well, how are we going to do this" or "How are we going to do that?" They are not realizing that with God all things are possible. You can't put limitations on God.

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

cybrkitn, that concept of "tithing from the tithe" is a strong spiritual statement on the part of a congregation. I was once part of a church that did that to support a new church start in our district.


As I posted earlier, we United Methodists give only 2.6% of our income. With that in mind I try to help people see the value of the goal of tithing (10%) and to work toward that in steps. So true what you said about relying on God. At my church we are constantly behind budget, but the church commits itself to spending money anyway -missions, etc. For us, I think being in the hole helps us rely on God. I've been a part of churches before that were financially stable, but very hesitant to step out on faith. My take on things has always been that it's God's church anyway; if we screw it up so bad that the place has to close we are only "losing" what is God's in the first place. Jesus seems to honor those who take risks and step out on faith. That includes churches and people.

 

[cardaway]

I do agree that athiests do give of time and money to very worthy causes. But the poster after you summarized what I meant, I think, about tithing to a church as an indication of spiritual maturity. And I agree, I think it is.

So only people who give their donations to a church have achieved spiritual maturity? Ridiculous.

As I posted earlier, I believe what people like me give helps just as many people, if not more. Sorry if that is not mature enough for you.

 

[NJDad18]

Cardaway, I'm right with you. So some of you really believe that if there is a person out there who volunteers their time at a hospital, volunteers at their kids school, donates money to the hospital who saved their mother's life, works with handicapped children and tries to live their life by following the 10 commandments, are not achieving spiritual maturity because they choose not to give 10% to their church. I don't think so.

My main reason for not giving my full 10% to my church is that I feel that the excess money that the church receives goes to the sex abuse victims that the church refused to believe ever existed years ago. I don't believe that I should be footing the bill for the wrong doings of the church.

I will always donate above my weekly amount to the building and maintenance fund because I know that is staying within our church.

 

[cardaway]

I will always donate above my weekly amount to the building and maintenance fund because I know that is staying within our church.

Oddly enough, that's the part I can understand, but I wouldn't consider that giving to charity. The building and land has value and that money is simply helping reatin the value. I would elaborate further, but that's another topic on how churches get to own very valuable property that skyrockets in value and not pay a cent in taxes, and that's another topic all together.

 

[cybrkitn]

Zippa D Doodah, ITA. I wish our church would stop trying to rely on themselves and learn to trust God with our finances. LOL, I should talk. It's the hardest thing for me to do with our own finances (but we still tithe and give offerings). God has been telling me not to worry, that He is here for us and to rely on Him. Sometimes it's just so hard to give up that control habit we have.

 

[mickeyfan2]

So only people who give their donations to a church have achieved spiritual maturity? Ridiculous.

I agree. Giving to God does not mean giving to a Church or organization. If one want to give it to the Church that is fine. All on this earth are God's people and we are not to forget any of them. We give to our Church, local mission, Salvation Army, Hale House and others as we feel they all need it. All is part of my "tithe" to God.

 

[cardaway]

I agree. Giving to God does not mean giving to a Church or organization. If one want to give it to the Church that is fine. All on this earth are God's people and we are not to forget any of them. We give to our Church, local mission, Salvation Army, Hale House and others as we feel they all need it. All is part of my "tithe" to God.

I would just expand on that to include groups with no religious affiliation at all, but still do awesome work to help those in need. IMO any group that helps others is doing God's work.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I would just expand on that to include groups with no religious affiliation at all, but still do awesome work to help those in need. IMO any group that helps others is doing God's work.

I agree. Hale House is not religious. Out biggest charity outlay is to Children Incorporated for our CI daughter.

 

[MushyMushy]

I would just expand on that to include groups with no religious affiliation at all, but still do awesome work to help those in need. IMO any group that helps others is doing God's work.

I prefer to think of it as "human's work."

 

[Zippa D Doodah]

I really like this thread . It is enlightening for me to see the ways people give and ways people consider their "tithe".

 

[cardaway]

I agree. Hale House is not religious. Out biggest charity outlay is to Children Incorporated for our CI daughter.

I'm sorry, I didn't know that. I just know the Salvation Army is religious, and so are most missions. In fact I don't care much for the missions that choose to treat people differently because they will not hand over their lives to their religion.

Most of ours goes to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. If not for them, I would be a pretty different guy right now, and I know that's the case for lots of people. My neice is the going there now.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I'm sorry, I didn't know that. I just know the Salvation Army is religious, and so are most missions. In fact I don't care much for the missions that choose to treat people differntly that will not hand over their lives to their religion.

Most of our goes to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. If not for them, I would be a pretty different buy right now, and I know that's the case for lots of people. My neice is the going there now.

No problem. Hale House takes care of AIDs babies born in NYC (not sure if they have expanded beyond NYC). The Mission and SA I do for meals and adopt-a-family not the religious part.

ETA: Here is a link to Hale House http://www.halehouse.org/history.html

 

[cybrkitn]

I really like this thread . It is enlightening for me to see the ways people give and ways people consider their "tithe".

And it's amazing that this thread has stayed right on topic and has been kept civil