I go to church for purely selfish reasons. I walk out in a much better 'frame of mind' than when I entered. Never fails.
The most powerful service I ever attended was when my 'Pastor Ken' (clearly irritated by earlier criticism) dropped the mike on the stool in front of the congregation, saying
his church was lame.
Before you know it, a line snaked around the aisles with congregants 'witnessing' to the good done by the Pastors & the church.
Not enough kleenex.
My govt DEMANDS 27% of my income, under penalty of imprisonment. My God ENCOURAGES 10%, should I be so inspired.
The US govt has sent it's representative to my home to question the legitimacy of my 'charity'. My church... never.
I don't know when in American history those %'s were flipped, but I'll lay odds that's when America began to question it's direction.
Quote: @savannahskol said:
My govt DEMANDS 27% of my income, under penalty of imprisonment. My God ENCOURAGES 10%, should I be so inspired.
The US govt has sent it's representative to my home to question the legitimacy of my 'charity'. My church... never.
I don't know when in American history those %'s were flipped, but I'll lay odds that's when America began to question it's direction.
Well said. 
Quote: @Ralphie said:
@ savannahskol said:
My govt DEMANDS 27% of my income, under penalty of imprisonment. My God ENCOURAGES 10%, should I be so inspired.
The US govt has sent it's representative to my home to question the legitimacy of my 'charity'. My church... never.
I don't know when in American history those %'s were flipped, but I'll lay odds that's when America began to question it's direction.
Well said.
I agree. Very well said. I would only add that it's not God that encourages the 10% really. It's those who are working to spread his word. I don't have any problem with tithes and offering. It's when some try and guilt folks into them or more then they want to give that I get offended. That's not Gods work to me. That was the feel I got from the big church I went to. That sound system and lightshow didn't make me feel closer. Just kept wondering what their electric bill was. Then they reminded me...repeatedly.
What kind of government would we have if everyone was allowed to give what they felt comfortable with?
Quote: @suncoastvike said:
@ Ralphie said:
@ savannahskol said:
My govt DEMANDS 27% of my income, under penalty of imprisonment. My God ENCOURAGES 10%, should I be so inspired.
The US govt has sent it's representative to my home to question the legitimacy of my 'charity'. My church... never.
I don't know when in American history those %'s were flipped, but I'll lay odds that's when America began to question it's direction.
Well said.
I agree. Very well said. I would only add that it's not God that encourages the 10% really. It's those who are working to spread his word. I don't have any problem with tithes and offering. It's when some try and guilt folks into them or more then they want to give that I get offended. That's not Gods work to me. That was the feel I got from the big church I went to. That sound system and lightshow didn't make me feel closer. Just kept wondering what their electric bill was. Then they reminded me...repeatedly.
What kind of government would we have if everyone was allowed to give what they felt comfortable with?
You're both right. In the OT, God required a tithe (10%). But now, in the NT era, Christians are not bound by OT Law. Instead, they are "bound" (not accurate, but the theology needed to express it accurately would run on much longer) by the Gospel: to be moved / motivated by God's gracious love and then to give an appropriate response. The percentage doesn't matter, as God already knows our heart. When we give, it is not God that is made aware of our heart's devotion, but rather ourselves. If we find it hard (i.e. " the opposite of a cheerful giver") to give an appropriate response to God's grace, that is a warning to us: that maybe our hearts are not focused on the right things.
As a pastor, I wouldn't want to lead a "large" (i.e. "mega") church. How can I shepherd God's flock... if I don't even know them? I don't want to entertain them; I want to come alongside them and be a blessing from God to them and their families. That (in my opinion) can only happen as we develop our relationships together. Then again, that might be why people go to large churches: they don't want to have relationships with their pastors; they just want to show up and "consume" what is being offered (as "consumers" / customers, rather than a family of intimately united brothers and sisters).
Let me tell you, though: there are days (like today) when it sure would be tempting to cut off all those personal relationships and just be the CEO (rather than a "shepherd").
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
Fools and their money will soon part ways.
Quote: @StickyBun said:
Fools and their money will soon part ways.
Sure, but I feel sorry for these people. No, they may not be very bright, but so many of them are poor or sick or old and desperate. The Bible is very clear on how we're expected to treat the least among us, and these hucksters just prey on them. They should all be thrown in fucking jail.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves. Matthew 7:15
It's no wonder that there is such distrust out there. It's important to watch out for the charlatans.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ StickyBun said:
Fools and their money will soon part ways.
Sure, but I feel sorry for these people. No, they may not be very bright, but so many of them are poor or sick or old and desperate. The Bible is very clear on how we're expected to treat the least among us, and these hucksters just prey on them. They should all be thrown in fucking jail.
I didn't watch the video (something tells me I wouldn't like it very much). But I agree with your sentiment. That's why it's so important for people to know the Bible for themselves, instead of just blindly trusting someone else- and following them (instead of Christ).
Quote: @pumpf said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ StickyBun said:
Fools and their money will soon part ways.
Sure, but I feel sorry for these people. No, they may not be very bright, but so many of them are poor or sick or old and desperate. The Bible is very clear on how we're expected to treat the least among us, and these hucksters just prey on them. They should all be thrown in fucking jail.
I didn't watch the video (something tells me I wouldn't like it very much). But I agree with your sentiment. That's why it's so important for people to know the Bible for themselves, instead of just blindly trusting someone else- and following them (instead of Christ).
Agree completely. You should watch it. If you are a follower of Christ then I suspect it will make you as angry as it made me.
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