Don't add the percentages together, the Math would be incorrect.
. 
)..
I remember when my dh and I purchased our first home....girl, after we calculated all the expenses, my husband said that we would only have $10 left. He said..."maybe I won't tithe for a few months." Chile, I lost it...I said to him "that's the last thing we are going to do...we will tithe and cut out something else...but not tithing...that's gets a huge NO from me."
The Lord knew exactly what to do and when to do it! I KNOW its because we continued to tithe out of our need and didn't quit believing that God will take care of us.
We may have jobs and various sources of income, but He is our ULTIMATE provider. And He will provide. We can never see Him work unless we let go and trust Him.
I don't mean like I'm struggling to pay bills cause that's not the issue. I just feel I am always paying bills and not much is left for me to really enjoy. After bills and savings I am not impressed with what's left but then again I tend to spend what left on nonsense so I rather tithe it. Like I used to have a car note and though I no longer do I can't figure out where that money goes now. Smh
There is nothing wrong with tithing. The doctrine taught today is false though and no believer is bound to do it. Pray and ask the Lord where He would have you use it. There may be an elderly person around you who needs groceries or a sister or brother in Christ around you that's struggling and you could be a blessing to them. The idea that God requires 10% of your income be given to a church is a lie. Pray about it, that the Lord Jesus will give you wisdom on where it needs to go.
Thank you. I wasn't going to go deep into why tithing as taught today is a false doctrine but until a person has had to trust the Lord through getting their things put out on the street while having been a faithful tithe payer I don't want to hear anything about it.... I have been through some things that made me study everything about church as we know it today. There is a lot I could go into about new testament giving and what it is but I am on my phone. I may just do that real soon. Until then, this was a good start.
JaneBond, there is nothing wrong with giving. Giving is Spirit led. Putting a tithe doctrine in place to support a church is wrong and basically says the church does not trust the Lord. Offerings in church are not to be given to make the church rich while the members are suffering. The first believers met in houses though they did use temple before it was destroyed. There is nothing wrong with supporting churches and their functions when they are ordained by God and not men simply trying to get rich. People paying money into churches and it's used for wickedness are partakers in the wickedness, that's why believers need to be led by the Lord. Yes the disciples were taken care of, but so were ALL poor saints. Collections and offerings were for all who had need. The apostles weren't sitting on thrones getting wealthy off the believers.
You said a whole lot here. Most churches would not do this though they preach such lies to the members.
I would love to believe that Holy Spirit has put that ten percent mandate on your heart but I feel that the "minimum of 10%" giving has been pushed down our throats so much that there is a guilt that comes if we give less.
I've never shared this here but I'll give a little tidbit of info... When I first came to the Lord I was eager to do whatever it took to please the Lord. I was saved in a prosperity church so money was talked about every single sermon. Well I started tithing, not looking for riches but to support the church and "be obedient". Well.... My finances fell apart for no apparent reason. I lost my apartment and all my bills fell behind. Whenever I went to church I kept hearing that lack was a result of lack of faith and the "Bishop" would say that if anybody came to him and said they were having financial issues the only thing he'd say is, "Are you tithing?". I started to feel like something was wrong with me and it made me really ashamed. I happen to know there were several people having financial difficulty though and you know what he used to do? They took up 2 offerings per service and he'd ask who didn't have money to give. Then he'd tell them to come up and give them money. Guess why though... So they could put it right back into the offering and "feel wealthy". That's why nobody can tell me anything about faith. I had faith even while my stuff was being put on the street while I was at work and people were riding around like vultures waiting on the sheriff to leave so they could take my things. Yes I have since recovered but after what I went through... It took faith for me to remain with the Lord despite feeling cursed and rejected. I have prayed for healing because yes that is abuse. And I have found balance so I am not against giving to the local church one attends. However, that situation put me in study mode and I found the tithe doctrine to be false. Giving is to be Spirit led and nobody can pay God enough for His blessings. He blesses because He is God. So, in a nutshell that has been my experience. I think its easy to read a persons comments and judge them not knowing what God has brought them through in life. He's brought me through and despite going through some difficult times financially I love him more now than I did before because I know he's faithful regardless of what "I" do.
I appreciate you mentioning me and my family and what God does for us as we continue to get blessed by tithing, in every area of our lives. We know what tithing does and how God uses our tithes to open up the window of Heaven and pour out blessings upon us...that we don't have room enough to receive...so we give even more.
I also appreciate your entire post, as it is certainly on point and speaks truth!
