Poohbear said:
Webby, I wanted to comment on your statement about not having to tithe.
Tithing is not a choice, its a command. You do have to tithe. You must give God what's his which is 10%. If you do not, you are robbing God.
A woman after my own heart.
Tithing is a hot topic for many, but I think the word of God is clear about it. And personally, I can attest to the fact that the Father takes care of those who obey Him in this area.
I do tithe. And yes, 10% of everything!! I haven't seen yet where Jesus says in the New Testament that we don't have to tithe anymore. The Lord loves a cheerful giver, so if there are people who feel they just cannot part with any of their earnings, or will grumble and complain about it, I do think it's best to keep your money.
Remember the story of Caine and Abel:
Genesis 4: 3"And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD.
4And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering: 5But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
7If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door."
If you look closely, the differences between the two were that Abel brought the first of what he had, the choicest, if you will. Cain just brought whatever he felt God should have, maybe even the leftovers.
When I think of all God has given me, and all He requires back is 10% and offerings, I don't see that as a big deal. If you make $1000 a week, and have to pay $100 of that and whatever you want over that, I don't see that it's too much to give for the work of the church.
If believers do not tithe regularly, how can the church function? How does it pay it's bills, and plan a budget, or help members in need? Should you go into a church and be fed with the word of God, and then leave the pastor to pay everything on his own?
Is everything in the Old Testament that is not validated again in the New Testament automatically null and void? I don't believe that to be the case. And search as I might, I haven't read the passage yet where Jesus says that tithing is no longer necessary.
I don't know, maybe it's just me, but I think 10% of my gross pay isn't too much to give back to God for giving me the health and the strength to work and make money in the first place!
If others choose not to tithe, that's on them, but just because some of us follow the principle of tithing doesn't mean we're operating outside the will of God, as I've seen suggested countless times. Tithing wasn't made up by man, it's a biblical principle. Man is selfish by nature. If it were up to man alone, clearly he wouldn't give a thing, let alone 1/10 of all he earns.
To quote from the New Testament:
1st Corinthians9:6,7-He which sows sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap bountifully. Every man according to as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of neccessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.
Galatians6:7-Be not deceived; for God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, he shall reap.
1st Corinthians16:2 says "On the first day of every week, each of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made."
Is this popular? No. Is it right? Yes.
I strongly believe that when one can shed light on scripture to help others, it should be done in a manner that brings honor and glory to GOD. 
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, not just left out on the table because you'd be around the table and you could just grab the money yourself. No. You want your money in your hand. That's God. He wants you to give him his praise directed at him specifically.
