> General Discussions
Pastor's view on tithing
rrammfcitktturjsp:
Joe,
I really, really, enjoyed reading the paper on tithing by Ray. That was truly a liberating paper, I never feel guilty that I do not tithe, becuase I could not afford to tithe. I cannot tell you how many times, my heart would sink becuase I could not afford to tithe and I did not tithe. I never felt so judged when week after week the plate would be passed, and I would pass it down, and feel my fellow congretants judging me and not thinking that I was in God's will and such. It finally wore me down so much, I would leave during the tithing part of the service and if I had to stay in the room, I would not touch the plate but refuse to take it. I had never felt so much shame and guilt in my life when the pastor would repeat and say, how can you expect blessings in your life, when you do not give to God week after week, and this would be said with him looking into my eyes and shaking his head. I never felt so embarassed when called down like that.
I am so thankful to Ray's paper, becuase I am liberated and now can enjoy giving offerings when I can. God knows my heart and it is so nice to stand no longer condemned for my inability and unwillingness to tithe.
My heart goes out to the elderly and poor people who are tithing so much and to see themselves in their bondage choking out their very life makes me thankful that I never descended that far.
Sincerely,
Anne C. McGuire
Jennie:
I think it is the place of your heart in the giving instead of thinking about the "have to" of tithing. You can give in many ways not just money.
gmik:
Exactly. Why do people think we aren't a giving, loving people, because we don't "tithe". That doesn't mean we don't help when we can. I used to have the awful mindset of after we have given our tithe, buddy, I am not giving another red cent!! My hubby's aunt needed some help, monthly, but it was too hard. Now, we give her cheerfully and lovingly every month. Guess what?? Now we have an actual relationship w/ her-phone calls, mail etc. We even went to see her over Christmas and normally we would not have.
One of my awful memories is that my father in law couldn't afford a "nice" nursing home when he got alzheimers. With the money we gave to those bling-bling pastors we could have helped HIM out! What a blindness we had in babylon.
I just got an e mail from someone very close to me accusing me of being a lazy, ne'er do well, since I don't believe in tithing!! They have no clue what I do or don't do-just assuming that no tithing equals no giving! I am not responding to them at this time. We'll see. One time I would have been so hurt!!! Now, I feel bad for them and pray that God will lead them.
rrammfcitktturjsp:
Gena,
Ahh, that's a cute picture. How sweet.
Sincerely,
Anne C. McGuire
gmik:
Thanks! :D
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version