I asked this serious question on here, and the majority of the people thought I was joking..why?

Question

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AqIjLUQRDn2d.JXcPzTRjTjsy6IX?qid=20060721052947AA12EQo

That's the link to my question. Please tell me why anyone would think that I was lying?

Answer 1

People think you are lying because they haven't experienced the giving power of God. They would rather tackle life on their own. That, however, is not wise. I've been there, and life splattered me all over the pavement. But God pulled me through and now He meets all my needs.

The 10% tithe is not a suggestion in the Bible and neither is the extra offerings. But God does promise that if you step out in faith He will bless you. I've found this to be true.

I challenge anyone to truthfully say that they have put God to the test in this area and He failed them! Most people are too scared to trust in God and His promises. I think that is soo sad.

If you are serious about wanting to know, read my previous answer:

Your husband is right, but I can understand your frustration having been there before myself. But God promises that if we don't steal from Him, if we give Him back the small part He asks of us, then He will open the storehouses of heaven and pour blessings upon us.

My husband and I are real tight financially too - and we even give above and beyond our 10% tithe and extra offerings. We don't have a lot of money to spend when everything is said and done. In fact, we don't have any. BUT- we never lack anything. It seems that if an extra bill pops up, He provides the money to pay it. The car has been running for 2 years with no major problems. We even managed to scrape together the money to go camping recently. Sometimes money will just appear - like $20 in the glovebox of the truck and $75 in my backpack. Always when we need it the most. He provided a 3 bedroom mobile home for us for $1000 just when we got our income tax return in and had the money. We have learned to be content with our lot in life, and we have learned to be happy even though we don't have a lot of money. In fact, my ex had a good deal of money, and I'm happier now than I ever was with him.

The best way to strengthen your faith is to spend time with God every day. Start your day off with God - in prayer and in Bible study - and you will find that it becomes easier and easier to have faith that He will provide. Tell Him your doubts and your fears, and then give them to Him (and don't take them back). I promise you - He will provide for you. If you need encouragement, contact me. I will be glad to stay in contact with you.

For more information, check out the booklet at the website below:

Answer 2

Okay...I think you have had some unfair answers with this question. You have to realize, though, that by posting a question here is going to open you up to a lot of different types of answers. There are people on here of many different cultures and beliefs that may not see your point of view. Ignore those types of answers because that is not the help you are seeking.

As for your original question..."the Lord helps those who helps themselves." You are obviously from a good Christian family and backround. You should keep your faith and instill it in your children, if this is what you believe. Giving money to the church, however, is not a good way to help yourself. You should explain to your husband that the money you are giving to the church is not going to God, but only His church, and that God will understand if it is a lesser amount. You could give, say, $5 a week and the gesture of faith will still be there, while allowing you to care for your family. God will understand and be appreciative of the faith you have. When you are in a different position in your life, when the kids are grown, when more money comes in, etc, then you can make larger donations. Until then, you need to give your children the best life you can so they can grow up and believe in your faith. If they believe that they were deprived as children because all your money went to the church, then they are more likely to deflect from the church and give up their faith.

Answer 3

I don't think you were lying but you definitely need to put your family first above the church. I know Christians will disagree but I think it's stupid to stress yourself and your family out about money when you don't have to. I think people thought that it was ridiculous to give away money that YOU need more than the church.

Keep it. Or just give $10 instead. Or donate some time instead of money. You do not need the stress of worrying about this. Stress will slowly unravel you and it's not worth it in the end.

Obviously you can't get a job.. day care would be far too expensive. But you need to talk to your husband about a way to make more income (aside from reducing or eliminating your $100 contribution to the Church). You are an EQUAL in your marriage, not lesser than your husband! You have an EQUAL say. Don't obey your husband; I certainly don't "obey" mine and we've been very happy together for 12 years!! It's not a master/slave relationship, you know. Work with him instead. You are equal.

Answer 4

The tale you tell comes off close to a Jerry Springer guest. You have five kids with two more on the way. Why do you have so many kids? Of course money is tight.

But it also appears that you have no determination for yourself. One could put forth that this problem is of your own making and that opens the door for a variety of snide and rude comments that you probably had laid upon you.

You have faith in God by helping with His works. I do not know how inflexible your husband is, but you need to suspend the tithing program for awhile.

is there anyone at the church you can call upon to render assistance as well?

Answer 5

It sounds probable that your husband misunderstands the New Covenant replacement for the tithe. So many Christians are still under the false impression we're required to give 10% to our church. This represents a gross misunderstanding of the New Covenant.

HOWEVER -- even if your husband is incorrect, you must accept the fact that he is the spiritual head of your household. While you are certainly within your rights as wife and "helpmeet" to discuss with him why he's doing what he's doing, the final decision is his. Believe me, I find that hard to swallow, too. But this is what God teaches us. Understand that God hasn't made men the spiritual heads of our households because they're better than we are; it's because Adam failed to protect Eve and "through one man, sin entered the earth." Adam was standing right next to Eve when the serpent tempted her, but failed to say or do anything. For that, men will answer directly to God until Christ returns. And if your husband is starving your family because he's failed to learn the New Covenant, he will answer to God for it.

You may want to set up a meeting between you, your husband and your pastor. Perhaps all three of you can come to some sort of agreement about the titheing issue. But, again, if the pastor supports this tithe, there is little you can do about it.

Answer 6

It looks like you got serious answers to me, just not the answers you were looking for.

BTW, if money is tight, and you have 5 kids, and two more on the way, maybe it's time you discovered birth control. Ask your doctor for a tubal ligation after your this pregnancy finishes.

BTW(2), it's not about faith on your husband's part, it's about sheer stupidity. There is no god, and giving 30 percent of your check to a church when you're living from paycheck to paycheck is abusinve to your children.

Answer 7

I was a bit shocked as well to see how many people didn't take you seriously. I suppose it's possibly because they themselves are not Christians and thus have a different mindset. The concept of giving when you yourself could be in need goes against what many societies say we should do to help ourselves first...

I'm sorry so many people responded as if you had been facetious or satirical, and good luck in finding a genuine and helpful answer!

Answer 8

I know you are a wonderful woman of God you love your husband. you are faithful to your children that is a character hard to find now adays. I know your husband has a great woman of God on his side! So I know you can hold on a bit longer.

look at your life do you have to beg for food are your bills being taken care of, yes things are tight but God is faithful.
When you plant a seed does it grow to full stalk the next day?

Your husband is planting seed into the kingdom of God read Malachi 3:10-12.
this will help your faith this is one of the few areas where God says to test Him to see if He will not be faithful! It is about giving offerings and tithes and what God promises to do if you are faithful. I know He will not fail you! just read this daily keep bringing it before God.

Matt. 7:7 Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.NLT
You will be blessed just hold on a little longer "Mary"

Answer 9

Maybe you don't realise that people don't live like you in the rest of the world and you really sound completely nuts, giving money away when you can't feed your children.

Are you sure you husband isn't making it up and spending it on something else ?

Otherwise you should probably watch out or social services will take your children away from you as you sound really irresponsible.

Answer 10

People that are not from your faith seem to have a difficult time understanding the concept of tithing. I definitely don't think you are lying--I know others in a similar situation. I think you need to take care of your basic needs first. After that, you should give.