tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942326616359668767.post6248645905960453971..comments2012-09-06T23:18:56.475-07:00Comments on ConnectattheCross: It's NOT the Economy, Stupid!Pastor Mike McInnishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06412389543840610023noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942326616359668767.post-55217060345602900242009-10-23T07:42:30.061-07:002009-10-23T07:42:30.061-07:00Tom- I think you have a great point! In my opinio...Tom- I think you have a great point! In my opinion, giving our time is the greatest gift we can ever give, because giving time means giving your life. We are called to give our lives, after all- that's what salvation is: dying to our old selves, and putting on the new self, who is Christ. Not to be cliche, but in the area of our tithing, be it money or time, I think we should ask "What Would Jesus Do?" I think he would give his time to the church, serving in any area (no where is too high or too low) and he would also give money. After all, he did praise the widow who gave her only two coins.<br />I think a problem, or a gap in the idea of tithing is that the church doesn't always function like it was designed to do, or like it did in the days of the early church. For example- Acts 2:42-47 talks about all the believers living together, praying together, breaking bread and communing, AND giving to each as he had need, so that no one was lacking. If we really lived like this- truly selling our possesions, and giving to those within our fellowship who had needs, then our needs would be met. (Also- note the difference between a "need" and a "want"). <br />**"I can't give this money, I might need it." I know this is a trust issue, and I've seen God work in HUGE ways in people's lives who have literally given all they have to the church. God ALWAYS provides for His children. The blessings always come back around. But be careful- we don't serve the slot-machine god, "put in one coin, three pop out!" No, no! I believe God provides physically, but also His gifts come in the Spiritual form- and those are the eternal gifts that can never be taken away, rusted, or eaten by moths.<br />...thats what I think about that. ;)anniemcinnishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00601127299623770032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2942326616359668767.post-70950681297184204842009-10-16T13:01:01.810-07:002009-10-16T13:01:01.810-07:00Question - if we do not tithe, is it sin?
Can we...Question - if we do not tithe, is it sin? <br />Can we substutute our time spent serving the church for financial gifts to the church? (after all, isn't our time worth something?) If a person says that they can't give anything to the church, or gives a nominal gift occasionally because "times are tough" given a "pass" by God? Is the person who says, "I can't give this money I might need it" actually not trusting God?<br /><br />I have heard all of these through the years. Anyone care to comment?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11045325929441139166noreply@blogger.com