Poll: Tithes and Offerings

General Christian Theology
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Choose all that generally reflect your thoughts on the matter...

1. Tithing is a practice that should be observed by all Christians today. Since money is the way trade happens today, tithing should generally be done monetarily.
1
3%
2. Tithing is a practice that should be observed by all Christians today. It can be done monetarily, donating crops, donating animals, or donating other material goods. (giving one’s time should not be a substitute for giving monetarily or giving material goods)
0
No votes
3. Tithing is a practice that should be observed by all Christians today. It can be done with currency, material goods, discounts to those in need or to those in spiritual ministry, taking time off work to do spiritual ministry – however a person wants to do it.
1
3%
4. Just like tithes were given to the priests and for temple work, tithes today are for the benefit of pastors and the work of the church.
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No votes
5. Tithes should be given to the local church. If a person wishes to give more than a tenth, they can give to other needs.
1
3%
6. It is fine if tithe money is used for ornate buildings, expensive musical instruments, the purchase of properties by the church to be used for economic investment, etc.
0
No votes
7. Tithing in the NT is a good discipline for those who choose it, but it can be an unnecessary burden to those with lower incomes. In the NT, Christians are not promised material or monetary prosperity if they tithe, so the tithe concept no longer applies.
7
19%
8. In the OT, those who had herds and arable land were expected to give two tithes annually and an additional 10% every 7 years. (23 1/3 % average annual tithe) Everyone else including merchants and day laborers were encouraged to give as they were able. Most people who promote tithing in the NT don’t even understand the Old Testament injunctions and expectations regarding tithing.
8
22%
9. In the NT believers are to give as much as they can, whether that be monetarily, in-kind goods, time, or skills. We are bought with a price and it only makes sense that we should offer ourselves and our time to Him. We do this by giving the rest of our lives and our resources to aid our fellow human beings and to advancing the kingdom of God rather than hoarding resources for ourselves. Tithing should be viewed as an OT practice and not a NT practice. However, giving at least 10% can be a good discipline for those who have trouble giving as much as they should.
11
31%
10. The teaching of tithing monetarily as an expected practice for all people for all times has caused great hindrance to the Christian church. People who could have been very effective in evangelism, disciple-making, and other sorts of ministry end up spending most of their lives working long weeks in order to pay their weekly tithe plus provide for their families. Had they not been obligated to tithe monetarily; they could have given at least 4 hours or more per week in ministry to others. Instead of “funding the missionary” they could have "been the missionary". Christian groups that equate “not tithing monetarily” to “robbing God” need a major overhaul of their thinking and theology.
7
19%
 
Total votes: 36
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Josh
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Re: Poll: Tithes and Offerings

Post by Josh »

I was a bit surprised to learn the Amish are starting to use some of the above things, but government agencies are trying to find ways to sign them up for benefits. For example car seats for babies are given away in many places; the Amish are resistant to hand outs so they started charging a dollar two for them. Then the Amish gladly “bought” them.

Likewise they want to get Amish enrolled in WIC so they feed infants formula instead of raw milk but the Amish won’t accept a handout. So they were working on a very unusual exception where the Amish “pay” a small fee to be on WIC and it’s portrayed as a groceries discount card.

In local circles a lot of Beachy etc type of churches claim exemption from Social Security for many years, then become more worldly and the elderly people then apply for and receive Medicare. I think this is dishonest, especially when the young people now must pay Social Security and Medicaid taxes and the older generation never had to pay any of this. Any group that does this should have the older immediately transfer 15% of their wealth to either the younger generation or to the government.
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