Christians do you pay your 10% or do you cheat God?

Question

The LDS asked me this question. I was shocked that they expected a finacial commitment, None the less I ran but have learned this is the normal expectation in most churches.

This was traditional Mormon missionaries

Thanks all for you candid honest answers!

I understand how it works just seems to convient. You would think an all know God would keep money out of it/

Answer 1

The first of the year I left the church I was thinking of joining for that very reason. It seemed like the only church that wasn't into money. But over the months, that began to be all they talked about and even pressuring us with comments like the one you just mentioned. They should read the story of George Muller. He was a godly man that lived in the 1800's and started an orphanage. He gave it to God in faith and swore he would never solicit a penny. When he died he had a huge building housing 350 orphans and much money in the bank and he never asked for any money. These pastors need to do a few things. First, they need to stop trying to outdo eachother with out reach programs that burden the church. Pick a few and do them well. They keep adding more and more ministries and pressure the congragation to keep them going so they can start more. They also shouldn't measure spiritual success by how many parishoners they have or how much money they have coming in. Churches today are run like businesses and it's not right. It's not what Christ came and died to set up. Their focus is off and their definition of success is worldly.

Answer 2

Unfortunately some churches use the money the way God did not intend.

We try to pay our 10%. It is hard though, having faith like that. And that is why God wants you to pay the money. What does mankind value more than money? Not much. If you are willing to part with only 10% of it, God will bless you 'in the same measure, pushed down and spilling over'.

Short example:
There was a point last year when we had $6 to our name for the rest of the week. I felt led to give it all to God. With no pretenses. And believe me, I had none.
There was a visitor in the church that day, and we ended up walking out with $400. NO ONE knew that we only had that much left. ONLY God did.

THAT is why I try to always pay my 10%. Because God deserves that kind of faith.

Answer 3

Just really quick on "why God needs money?"

1st: it's by Gods grace that you have money so you can live and get what you need and want. technically it was always his money"

2nd: God is all powerful, but he's not going to keep the electricity on, the water running, and the floors clean by paying the utility companies for the church. Every church needs essentials and maintenance. Of course, this cost money.

3rd: Along with the maintenance, whose going to build the buildings? I know some churches have volunteers members to build the buildings for free. But, the materials still need to be bought for.

4th: Did you know that the Catholic church is in financial hardship? Not just because of the Buildings as mentioned, but because of lawyer and courts fees. Need I say more?

5th I could go on but I'll finish with that every major religion has it's high authorities that need to travel. They need to go to visit other followers across the world. I doubt any of the major airlines let's them fly for free. Even if they didn't take a plane they're not walking over a continent nor the ocean's.

Does God need HIS money? YES! If he wants his church (no matter which one it is) to thrive and save many.

Answer 4

Tithing was for the Israelites.

No Tithing for Christians. At no time were first-century Christians commanded to pay tithes. The primary purpose of the tithing arrangement under the Law had been to support Israel’s temple and priesthood; consequently the obligation to pay tithes would cease when that Mosaic Law covenant came to an end as fulfilled, through Christ’s death on the torture stake. (Eph 2:15; Col 2:13, 14) It is true that Levitical priests continued serving at the temple in Jerusalem until it was destroyed in 70 C.E., but Christians from and after 33 C.E. became part of a new spiritual priesthood that was not supported by tithes.—Ro 6:14; Heb 7:12; 1Pe 2:9.

As Christians, they were encouraged to give support to the Christian ministry both by their own ministerial activity and by material contributions. Instead of giving fixed, specified amounts to defray congregational expenses, they were to contribute “according to what a person has,” giving “as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2Co 8:12; 9:7)

Matthew 10:8 "YOU received free, give free. "

Answer 5

I pay 10% of anything that increases my income. I am LDS and yes, it is a commandent for us to pay it...if God gives us 100% of all we have, how can we not give back 10% of it? It shows sacrifice and obedience...not just "so the church can have money"...but tithing also helps build temples, churches, seminary buildings and many others things...
It's not bad really, my bishop says that is one thing we can actually be "perfect" at.
If I pay it first, before all my bills, I don't even miss it. It is promised that paying our tithing will "open the windows of heaven" and so "blessings will pour out" the we cannot "have room enought to receive them"...it is true.

Answer 6

I'm not Christian, but I'd like to point out that never in the Bible was there a commandment by God or Jesus saying "Thou must giveth 10% of thy income," That was a figure made up by greedy preachers to get more money from parishoners. Not all people can afford 10%. Also, Jesus said "Give to Cesar what is Cesar's, Give to God what is Gods." God doesn't ask for money in the Bible, he asks that his follewers abide by the laws of the 10 Commandments and walk the path that Jesus did. You are supposed to "Spread the good news" not the folds of your wallet.

Now as for the spreading of that news, I was always told that this was done not by word but by deed. So the real question would be, Christians, why aren't you volunteering or donating blood. These things don't cost you money, but time and caring of your fellow man.

Answer 7

You should study and understand the bible more. The 10% on the law of Moises on the Old Testament is address to the Israelites. In the New Testament, Jesus has told the Christians to give any amount that will come from your hearts and that is voluntary in nature and supposed not to be seen by anybody

Answer 8

It is the normal expectation in most churches and that is part of what proves them FALSE!
10% was a law given to the Jews.
Christians are not Jews.
Christ put an end to such practices.
Romans 10:4
Ephesians 2:15
Colossians 2:14
Romans 7:6
all say Christ put an end to the LAW ....given to Israel.
The Christian way is mentioned in 2 Corinthians 9:7

Answer 9

In Old Testament times, the church and the government were one in the same, so when you paid your 10%, you were paying your TAXES and the church.
Nowadays, State and Federal taxes and Social Security etc. come to WAY more than 10%, so I wouldn't feel guilty about giving whatever amount you think you can afford.

Answer 10

This is in fact the only time in the entire bible where God said test Me now in this!

8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

If you believe in it you give 10% if you don't then keep your money as God is not interested in it if it is not given cheerfully.