Will God stop blessing me if I don't tithe?

#1 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 06:36 AM

One of the ways I desire to worship the Lord is through my giving - oferrings and tithe. But I have a lot of debt which I'm keen to pay off and this month especially I may not be able to tithe because I have some debt which I definitely have to pay off because I'm been threatenned with legal action. I know God's blessings is not based on my works but by His Grace but I still feel 'not right' if I withold the tithe... Please advise

christain737 · #2 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

One of the ways I desire to worship the Lord is through my giving - oferrings and tithe. But I have a lot of debt which I'm keen to pay off and this month especially I may not be able to tithe because I have some debt which I definitely have to pay off because I'm been threatenned with legal action. I know God's blessings is not based on my works but by His Grace but I still feel 'not right' if I withold the tithe... Please advise

All that we possess or stand to possess in the future is not ours. All were given to us as blessings from GOD. He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. We are merely borrowing GOD's gifts until we are called back home to Him when we reach our eternal sleep. Through our faith, GOD asks for 10% of what already belongs to Him. He literally is the owner of everything we all have or stand to gain. GOD does expect us to tithe the gross of our income faithfully. The rest of what you give can be a free will gift or sacrificial giving for something you are fasting and praying about. From your own experience, you will discover that when you choose not to give back the 10%, the car breaks down at the same time the water heater does. Then your boss cuts your hours and noone answers your resume's for a 2nd part time job. Then you have a tooth that needs a root canal and no insurance for dental work because the monthly premiums are too high. In other words, no matter how things appear externally, do what the Holy Spirit is leading you to do, the right and honourable thing. We like to believe we own a million acres, a legion of cars, the nicest house on the block, the most landscaped property in the county, the best looking and highest paid wife or husband....when really it is as Job said very succinctly, "Naked came I into this world, naked I shall return. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

christain737 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-28-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

One of the ways I desire to worship the Lord is through my giving - oferrings and tithe. But I have a lot of debt which I'm keen to pay off and this month especially I may not be able to tithe because I have some debt which I definitely have to pay off because I'm been threatenned with legal action. I know God's blessings is not based on my works but by His Grace but I still feel 'not right' if I withold the tithe... Please advise

I forgot to add, the Lord blesses whom He chooses, when He chooses, if He chooses. We have no say in His decision. A lot of people don't want to hear or know that because we are such control freaks and like to dictate how every thing comes about in our lives. For example, our hearts can be insanely crazy about a specific person, but by the same token, our mind knows beyond the shadow of a doubt that we have no business even interacting with this person. By this I mean that a bourn again believer may not have the patience to wait on a Chritain wife/ husband to be, so prematurely begins dating and having intimate relations with a person who can even tell them from the start that they don't believe in GOD. This believer may continue the relationship believing that on down the line they can convert this non-believer's way of thinking. The problem with that is the bible tells us the opposite will happen; the unbeliever will have a stronger influence on us and pretty soon we don't even go to Sunday morning services or talk about the Lord to anyone. Soon dust begins to collect on our bible in the attic. GOD strongly encourages us to seek Him and have faith in Him in all things and He will respond to that according to His perfect will. Three major characteristics that GOD requires of us are Christlike LOVE, obedience to His Word, and faith because without faith we cannot please Him. I hope this is a little helpful.

aaronmcgill · #4 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 01:02 AM

You should give, but cheerfully. The Lord loves a cheerful giver. Remember, we are not being made into people who give, but givers by nature. The real revelation is not "I might be afraid to give" It is that "I am not a giver by nature" So our prayer is not, Lord, give me the grace to give! Our prayer is rather, Father, make me more like you in this area, a giver!
As far as tithes and offerings, it is not mentioned in the new testament. Jesus does mention it but in context with His time, fulfilling the law by grace. Which is why we are now free to give whatever He leads us to! A lot of people use Malachi as a sword of legalism, ie "we are robbing God", but to use something from the law and the prophets, would then require us to use ALL the law and the prophets. So I hope you have a good unblemished sheep handy!
Good thing Jesus took care of all the curse of the law! (ie: the destruction for disobeying it!)
We were not ever able to keep the law anyways. It is to bring us to Christ. He kept it. He gave, not just 10, but everything, and the Father put us in Him and so we have given everything in Christ. It is like this, Obedience is better than sacrifice. Meaning, 10 percent requires no ears...no relationship...no communion with Him! Any unbeliever could do this by simply reading!
No, now we need to be lead by the Spirit in all things and do all things by faith.
Don't feel condemned because this giving issue has come up, all the Father wants is for you to recognize that there is one. It isn't about the tithe. It's about your conformity to Him. Just be honest. I know this might upset some, but I really believe God is in a good mood! Satan loves it when people tell you your gonna get beat up because you didn't give God some money. Truth is, He wants everything! Recognizing that, it brings liberty to us, not bondage. Now it's being conformed to a person, not a verse!

The just shall live by faith.

Faith comes from hearing (not from having heard).

Aaron.

christain737 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-31-2008, 01:16 PM

THANK YOU, Brother. I learned a lot from this post. I wonder why people don't look "joyful" or "cheerful" when they give? All of what we have belongs to the Lord to begin with.

#6 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 06:19 AM

I learnt that as new covenant believers, we tithe because -
1. It is beneficial for us to do so. It is an act of faith and acknowledgement to God of our faith. The blessings of Abraham (Genesis 14/15) come to us because of what we believe not what we do. Grace not works thus God counters curses (disappointment and misery) from our lives. Jesus causes us to live as heirs to God's promises. Abraham by tithing to Melchizedek (the high priest) shows that he did not want anything from man but acknowledges that all he has is from God.
Tithing as new covenant believers acknowledges that we are right with God and as a consequence, things are right with us.
2. Proverbs 11:24 - Give freely and you will be enrished. We give because we are blessed and so can be a blessing to others. Blessed people are generous, live large lives and they give.
3. We give to ensure there is enough money in the household of God (storehouse) for church to happen, advance and expand. Money is a tool God puts in our hands to do life excellently both now and in the future. And also contribute to missions around the world.

Summary -
All we have is from God and of God. Tithing is an expression of who we are in God and our worship of God. We give because we are blessed and thus acknowledge that our blessing and sustenance comes from God alone. It also means that the body of Christ can function and be church. Lastly, it gives us protection from curses and ensures our wellbeing.

My background -
I was a faithful tither for many years and saw my life expand. I attributed this to the blessings and grace of God. I worked in a church office for a period and saw the way money was handled. This caused me to question the whole concept of giving. I was soon convinced that tithing was an old testiment law and that Jesus by his death has taken care of this. My life still prospered but there was also a lot of struggle, striving, disappointment and hardship. My days were filled with highs and lows. In the last year, God has been speaking to me in the area og tithing and I've taken time to pray, listen and study on this. I started tithing again a couple of months back and already I can notice a change in me. Its as if a weight has been lifted of me and things are already turning around in my life.

christain737 · #7 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 06:13 PM

Thank you for sharing with us, Friend. Very helpful, informative, and educational. GOD bless.

ambie · #8 (**permalink**) 04-01-2008, 07:43 PM

My advice to you is to pray about it and whatever message enters your heart that is what you should do. God will always answer you questions. I would like to believe that God knows are limits and loves us for who we are and the accomplishmets we've made in our lives due to his guidance, not how much money we can donate to him. Just some food for thought. Be blessed.

christain737 · #9 (**permalink**) 04-03-2008, 05:56 PM

PSALM 33:6-8

"The Lord merely SPOKE, and the Heavens were created. He BREATHED
the Word, and all the stars were bourn. He gave the sea its boundaries
and locked the oceans in the vast reservoirs. Let everyone in the world
fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of Him!"

GOD owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He is Creator of all that
is known and unknown to the realm of men. GOD does
not need man, man needs GOD. GOD owns all that HE
has created. He does not need mans "DONATIONS". If you have
donations, take them to GOOD Will, Salvation Army, or to
your local church for the needy. GOD gave us a free will. We
can freely give what already belongs to GOD, or we can just keep
it. What's $1Billion dollars or $53 or $82 to GOD?
Didly squat, that's what it is. Whenever you need GOD
for something, just remember what you thought about Him
when you "freely" DONATED to Him what HE gave you from the start.
If you are making payments on anything, it isn't yours...it's the banks
who take those payments. The Word of GOD tells us that our
RIGHTEOUSNESS in the eyes of GOD is a s filthy rags. There is nothing
you yourself can do to be saved because Jesus did it at the cross 2000
years ago. GOD loves us because of what He sent His Son to do
at the cross of Calvary, but He hates disobedience and pride.
Remember, our lives should be defined by our love and obedience
to GOD, not ourselves. Be careful about placing yourself on your
own throne because you think GOD thinks your so awesome and
you can do no wrong. Why do you think He kept allowing the enemy
to capture Israel and subject her to slavery whenever Israel
deliberately rebelled against His commandments. GOD demands
OBEDIENCE and that you put Him above ALL people, things, and
circumstances in your life. This is the Word of GOD. If you don't believe
me, open up your bible and start reading. Ezekial, Jeremiah, Isaiah,
Daniel, and Revelation are challenging books to read, but ask the
Holy Spirit to give you revelation and saving knowledge BEFORE you read.
GOD bless! PEACE!

ZephThree17 · #10 (**permalink**) 04-12-2008, 10:49 AM

A big part of being faithful with what God gives is giving it away generously. God doesn't want grumpy givers! He delights in giving and wants us to share his character, share his joy. God loves a cheerful giver.

"And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. So we urged Titus, since he had early made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. But just as you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in completed earnestness and in your love for us-- see that you also excel in this grace of giving."
(2 Corinthians 8:1-7)

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his own heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound in you, so that all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
(2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people, but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ,and for your generosity and sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
(2 Corinthians 9:12-14)

By giving we enrich, sustain, and enlarge what has been given to us.