This quote:
But when I saw it mentioned in a post above
"that the Gospel is Free, it had to be corrected." For even the Bible from which the Gospel is ministered, was paid for by someone."
Actually I posted saying that for one. My specific point as you probably noted in my posts had to do with unreasonable demands for support, from a "wicked steward", and BINDING up heavy burdens on people. Some pastors do not do this. Some "pastors" do this.
But Salvation is free! The Word of God is Free! Jesus did not charge for one of the greatest sermons given. ( Sermon on the Mount,) speaking in the temple, teaching the disciples, denouncing the apostate Scribes and Pharisees! Philp the Evangelizer and the Ethiopian eunich. Acquilla and Pricilla witnessing to Saul/Paul, and all the books of the Old Testament and The New Testament. The writers...None of them received a dime for the writing down and the subsequent printing of the Words God put in their mouths. I personally do not think Bibles should be sold for profit! It would be nice if some of tithes went to provide Bibles to those who would like one and do not have one.
This does not mean that I live in a bubble, unaware of financial needs and the way things are done in this economy and that there are needs by Pastors and Christians in general. We should care for one another and none should be in want in the body. Now everything has $$$$a price on it's head. What would happen if the congregation got together and filled the pastor's freezer a couple of times a year. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
In regarding to the Word!
But when God gave it, it was FREE. He did not charge us. He gave us His Son, The Word and the promise of eternal life and we did not pay Him to do that. It was given because God loved us, and what we give should be given out of love and thankfulness for what God has done in our lives and just because He is God and the love of God in us compels us to give.
Precious Mahailee, don't be deceived by satan. For this is the mindset that he alone places into the hearts of Christians to hinder the move of God's work upon the earth. Our money is going to 'move' something in this earth...be it the Gospel or the world's system. And sadly, it is the money from Christians that satan is taken rule of to promote his works, over God's.
Dear one, in all that you've shared, is this your justification for not tithing? I'm only asking for when one fights so hard not to do something it's because they simply do not 'want' to do it. I present this to you and to anyone who calls themselves a follower of Jesus Christ and who loves Him.
There's a word in the Bible which says, "it is our 'reasonable service'. Meaning, there are no debates, options or arguments to justify what is expected of us, for we are simply to do it, for it is our 'reasonable service', it comes with the territory.
Jesus said that were our treasure is, our hearts would be also. I can tell you that anyone who places as little into the Gospel of Jesus Christ, as they can, and more into the world's system, has chosen their God.
Where your treasure is....there you will find your heart.
For too many Christians, money has become their God and those who do not support the Gospel of Jesus with it, are just as bad as the 'bad' apples in the pulpit who mis-use it. For both are doing the same...for both are stealing from the Lord.
"Tithing" is a Covenant, a commitment between the Tither and God that when we do His will, He will guarantee our provision and protection. Outside of that is purely a gamble and it is not worth the risk. God never changed His Covenant promises with us. He never will. The Tithe still rules and reigns no matter what the argument against it presents. For the argument and deception of justification will never prove itsself otherwise.
Give God credit for knowing what He is expecting of us. Those who trust Him and those who do not.
If you chose not to tithe, that's your choice, but never blame it on God for it is not He who has made this decision, it is yours alone...never His.
The money is going somewhere, with God you have a guaranteed security with high interest.
Tell satan to get the 'hell' out of your finances and allow God to be your Banker, for right now, you are a servant to your lender and always will be in his bondage financially.[/QUOTE]
Dear Shimme: Thank you for your zeal for me. Tell me truthfully. are you assuming I do not tithe, do not give offerings or do not trust God for my finances? Are you assuming that everyone who has made strong statements and questioned this subject and the practices surrounding it is a non tither? To set your heart at rest, that is not the case personally. I repeat, I do not believe in "ritualized, manipulated, forms of extortion used by unscrupulous shepherds, wolves in sheeps clothing, stealing from God and the Church! Since God has blessed me with so much financially, that I am often overwhelmed and I truly want for nothing., He has often called on DH and me for more than 10 per cent, often, along with free will offerings and a whole lot of needs needing to be met, travelling etc. where He wanted it to go and this included outside of the "church". He did not have to struggle with me to get it, nor my DH. Perhaps for that reason I have been in a position to see what is done with money in many Churches that some would never get to see and that is why I am speaking out so strongly, have you considered that? See, dear Shimmie: I do not know your testimony and you do not know mine or the different capacities in which God has used us for His purpose. But I can tell the love for me in the comments you made to me. Thank you.
I believe God wants obedience and not sacrifice. So what we and I do, I do out of obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
That said, it does not mean I am blind to a lot that is happening in so many of the "Churches". Why? Because none of His body should be dishonoring Him so and bringing His Name into public shame! Jesus stated that what is done to the least of His brothers is done unto Him. I do not like to see the poor and needy among our brothers oppressed or robbed. Just because I am not personally struggling does not not mean I do not feel righteous anger about manipulative use of Scriptures done by wolves in sheeps clothing. Note, I have not named names of these wicked men.
your quote: And sadly, it is the money from Christians that satan is taken rule of to promote his works, over God's.
Unfortunately it is wolves in sheep's clothing and "wicked" shepherds who have been his biggest ally. The sheep who recognizes wolves, and speaks out against the robbery taken place are usually rebuked or silenced, but the dens of robbers do not get confronted and put out. True Pastors are doubly victimized because the world smears them all with the same brush because of wicked men within and some "poor" churches are TITHING to larger "rich churches and "rich pastors who live like kings!" Were you aware of that? That what is left for "God" in fact, is often the scraps!!!!
Should Jesus have kept silent when he saw the state of the temple? At that time He did the equivalent of what we would say today...blew up!"
LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR AGAIN: God specified HOW and WHERE He wants our finances that are set aside as a tithe or as a free will offering to go. This is DEDICATED MONEY!!!! That is God's tithe. God's money. God's decision about what to do with it. It is not subject to the whim of a man or a board to water it down or divert the funds. It is laid out very clear scripturally where it is to go. My issue is not against Christians, including pastors, evangelist, teachers in the Body providing for one another. Whether it is with food, clothing, money, whatever!!!! My Issue is and always will be WITH THOSE WHO USE POSITIONS AND THE SCRIPTURES ON TITHING TO INTIMIDATE...to BULLY, justify spiritual and financial abuse of poor downtrodden people, not to meet any REAL NEEDS, BUT ALL OF their GREED and to rob God of what is His. Not against good shepherds, just bad shepherds! As those in Ezekial 34:2,18, 19. Taking money that was DEDICATED money from believers, money that was rightfully intended to be a praise and thanksgiving and a clean conscience TO GOD for many who gave in faith and to further God's Kingdom interests not "Men's kingdoms" interests. Who did the money belong to when it left the tither's hands? IT BELONGED TO GOD...not the board, not the pastor and not the church. Not one penny of that money does anyone have a right to use like their personal bank account. When I see and I have, and have witnessed, men and women arrogantly robbing God, My Father, I am indignant, I am outraged! When widows and orphans, and the poor among us in the body, are thrown scraps, so that some can live like "kings", I am disgusted!!!! I will always denounce it, never say it is alright. If the only way a Pastor is willing to be a shepherd is if he can have a big church, a mansion and all he can get out of it, be "somebody" in the world and "hobknob with the rich and famous" while there are the poor among him, for whom he has no compassion and will only throw the "scraps" even to his own flock, he is a hireling! I will not tithe or sit under such a man! Some who are "financially rich" in the church like the high seat and recognition and turn a blind eye to it as well and do you think Our Father is pleased?
And finally, if I were a pastor and my "salary" was putting a true hardship on the people, I would not be able to in good conscience take it, regardless of their good hearts, or whether I would be entitled to or not.
) and rolling over in their beds, we are up doing what we need to do to help others...it's not an easy job, but when you are called, you do what you must.
erplexed did what she said. 
I lump myself in this group, but I don't plan to stay that way...
