As I sit in the back of the church the preacher is preparing the congregation for offering time. He preaches from Proverbs 3:9
"Honor the LORD with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thy increase"
Then he proceeds to go on this tangent on how he couldn't imagine giving Cox cable more than he gives The Lord. The pastor always stresses on giving 10% of your gross income before taxes and it seems like every other month he talks about "it's tithe month" and he wants us to give deeper from our heart. I'm thinking in the back of my head like, "negro please"
This is a black church, of course their are plenty of well off individuals in this one in particular, but it's a lot of poverty stricken people in here too. Maybe I'm too socially conscious, but expecting people who barley get by to give 10% and extra is ludicrous. I remember seeing some lady giving two dollars, she seemed embarrassed when she noticed that I saw her offering envelope. I tell her, "as long as GOD know where your heart at you good."
I don't pay tithes mainly because I feel I can do more in my community with my dollars. I feel as though churches are operated on good principles, but they only concentrate on providing hope & prayer during someone's moment of despair. I feel by me giving out a few coats, clothes, shoes, supplies, etc is more in line of with the type of work has plan for my 10% and beyond of the heart offerings. I'm fully aware that the church has bills, but it seems as though preachers now-a-days are in it for ulterior motivates. It seems as though many switch churches for more pay just like professional athletes. I'm not saying boycott the offering plate, but think rationally before you do.
Before you let go of 10% of your gross income ask yourself, "Will GOD disown me and deny me at the pearly gates if I can't?" The bible was written about 5,000 years ago, right? I think times have changes and portions of the word have become outdated. The economical disproportionate among members of society is asininely extreme in this day and age. Also the percentage that blacks especially have to spend on food, transportation, housing, and necessary home care products are a higher portion of their income than of any other group. By some (not all) preachers using biblical propaganda to derive funds from members of the church who can't afford is causing more harm for their household than good for these leaders churches.
Pay your tithes, but be fiscally responsible. GOD will understand, I'm sure of it, me & him are kind of like best friends.
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I beg to differ... Giving 10% is like planting a seed for Harvest. Tithing\offering with a cheerful heart and faithfulness equals prosperity God knows your heart your needs and most importantly your future according to His will which is His Word. What's done with it whether its negative or postive will not affect your blessing. Harvest season may or may not be a day a week or a month but a few years before you reap the benefits thereof it may not be when you want or expect it but its always on time (speaking from experience). It's easier to spend 10% on entertainment with no conscience but what's easy may not always be worthy or prosperous. Prov. 3:9 is backed by Exodus 22:29, and 23:16. Times have changed but God hasn't.
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