When I see the late night infomercials about mere $10/month saving a child in Africa from starvation or $12/month keeping a girl out of prostitution in 3rd world countries or couple of dollars a month keeping helpless animals sheltered and fed, I wonder if God would find it acceptable if I gave money to those non profit organization rather than to my church. Knowledgeable Christians please help me. Thank you.
2006-07-26 17:04:00 · 20 answers · asked by †ђ!ηK †αηK² 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God's a fairy tale. The kids are real. Do the right thing.
2006-07-26 17:07:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
I am no longer a Christian, I am a Hindu, but I do remember that in the church that I went to that it was said that if we didn't want to give all our tithe to the church that we could offer it to other organizations that also did good works. That so long as we were doing it because we felt like that was what God was asking us to do and that the most important thing was to not listen to God. If God wants you to give your money to the non-profit organizations then He is going to let you know (probably why you constantly see those informations and why you feel compelled to give in the first place). If He wanted you to give to the church then He would have made it clear that the money would just go to the church. And maybe it isn't your whole tithe. Remeber a tithe is 10% of your income. That can get divided up pretty well. If one is $10 a month and another is $12 a month and another is $5 a month and your total tithe for the month is supposed to be $30, then out of the $27 you've just tithed away you still have a little left over to give to the church.
2006-07-26 18:37:42 · answer #2 · answered by gabriel_zachary 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How often have you heard that we are no longer under the old covenant?
Tithing is an old covenant issue. Christians would argue against being bound to the law. But tithing always seems to come up, regardless.
The law of tithing, however, is much different than the tithing message you hear in church. There are actually two tithes, and additional laws of provision.
The first tithe is the tithe of the produce of your land. The tithe is taken once every three years (the seventh year is a sabbath rest for the land). Ten percent of your harvest is taken to your community store house and provided for the poor, the fatherless, the widows, foreigners in the land and lastly, the Levites.
In addition to that, it was commanded not to reap the corners of your field or to glean the field a second time, that is, to cut, gather and pick up what was left. These are also to be left for the poor and others who are in need.
The second tithe is similar, but is applied every year. This tithe is reserved for yourself, to keep the Feast of Tabernacles in abundance. It's a grand feast, provided from this second tithe.
But the tithe that churches teach is not found in the scriptures, anywhere. So I'm sure that God won't be disappointed if you don't give your tithe to them. The tithe was lastly for the Levites, and firstly for the poor.
But there are plenty of great answers here already.
2006-07-26 17:41:03 · answer #3 · answered by Netchelandorious 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Giving money for charity is a good thing.
Giving money, especially tithing, that's the Lord's. He claimed that part of the blessings that He provided you. It is said that you are not giving anything when you pay tithe. Rather you are recognizing God's ownership over what you have, what He gave you.
So to separate the giving from the tithing is important.
If your chuch is the place you get your spiritual food, you owe God that tenth. He claimed it, it belongs to Him.
I hope that helps you. And watch out, if you have never had a spiritual attack, get ready for the one you'll have when you start giving this way.
Satan hates Christians that give and perpetuate the church. He wants the church to fail in it's efforts.
I know, if you were not a believer, this sounds like a greed message by a pastor.
I don't know you, and I most likely do not go to your church. I have nothing to gain by telling you all this other than trying to answer honestly and helping you.
2006-07-26 17:15:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm Muslim but I also had this same dilemma with paying Zakat(Charity)...
I decided to give to the non-profit organization of my choice but also give a percentage to the Masjid (largely for its maintenance and upkeep). It's the house of the Lord, so you can't have it looking a mess.
I recall hearing a preacher (Creflo Dollar to be exact) say that 10% to the church is mandatory.
I personally feel that you can serve and praise God in all the good you do, and that a church does not always have to be a medium in your relationship. giving 5% to the church and 5% to starving orphans should be fine.
2006-07-26 17:15:15 · answer #5 · answered by lookin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God wouldn't be displeased.
Only the preachers that didn't get your money would be displeased.
May I suggest not sending your money to any organization that already gets enough money to be able to afford info-mercials. Their operating expenses for organizations that large are larger than most church budgets. Their advertising budgets are larger than your annual income.
I suggest finding a charity in your local area who's mission statement is something you would feel comfortable using your money for. Meet the people, ask to see their financial statements. If they aren't using MORE than half of the total income actually doing the work they claim to be doing, find a different charity.
2006-07-26 17:35:13 · answer #6 · answered by Dustin Lochart 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're fine. Giving money to those children and to others in need is an act of charity, which is the highest level of spirit that God is calling us to. You are loving others as you love yourself when you help them, which is what Jesus commanded, especially since it is helping people you don't even know. God bless you.
Give to your church too if you like. My only advice would be to try your best to make sure those non-profits are legitimate and reputable (there are a lot of scams out there). Again, God bless you. You are an example to us all.
2006-07-26 17:14:18 · answer #7 · answered by Danny H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When tithing was first started, there was no concept of govt assistance for the needy. The church was their only source of aid. Now, with so many programs in place to aid people, I feel that the church needs less money to help.
2006-07-26 17:13:35 · answer #8 · answered by steve j 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the offering of a tith is the offering and sign of you faith in Christ.
it replaced the sacrafice.
or would you rather do that in this day and age.
it is simbolic in the eyes of god as the sacrament is for renewal of your faith.
the church may be doing things with it that a lot used to and alot still do by helping those less fortunate in your community.
in gods eyes it in contrition.
i dont think you should shuck the responsibility to the church but there are other ways also to help, talk to you pastor about it.
2006-07-26 17:13:25 · answer #9 · answered by dengreywolf 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he might the tithe is to help support the church and pay the pastor and donate to the needy and to help others, thanks to our tithes and offerings our church purchased a semi load of food and distributed it to the needy, widows and widowers a portion of the tithe also goes to missionary work, we have our own needy right here too, many orginazations have donated supplies to countries in need and the people that need it never get it, their government latches on to it.
2006-07-26 20:00:06 · answer #10 · answered by judy_derr38565 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely Not... Tithing is not for the NT Christians... the NT emphasized stewardship not tithing... There is some good information on this site http://www.freegoodnews.com/2006/03/formation_what_.html about this topic
2006-07-26 17:24:19 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋