A different view of tithing

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A different view of tithing

Posted by Nick Milton on 2000-02-12
On Fri, 11 Feb 2000 20:38:03 BST, Ken Down 
enhanced the collective wisdom with:

>In article <880sjo$1im$1@nnrp1.deja.com>, Seeker 
>wrote:
>
>> Sorry, but the way I read most of the NT on this matter is that the
>> church (institution *and* body of believers) should be /giving/ money
>> to the poor, not /demanding/ money from the poor.
>
>May I suggest, then, that you read *all* instead of most of the New
>Testament. You will find Paul making repeated references to collecting money
>- and if church history is to be believed, the majority of early Christians
>were from the poor and slave classes.
>
>However I wish to take issue with your use of the word "demanding". The
>church points out that God claims part of our money, just as it reminds
>people that God claims part of our time. 

Hang on hang on hang on.

Surely all of our money is God's? And all of our time? Surely the
ideal would be to find out from God the life He wants us to lead, and
to fund that life from the money He sends us, and to use the rest
wherever He recommends? I know that is not easy to do, and requires a
tremendous level of spiritual awareness, but surely that is the aim?

Some people He calls to be monks and nuns, and they give 100% of their
income to the order. Other people He calls to be parents of a
handicapped child, who may need to give 100% of their time and income
to the child. Both of these groups of people, if that is their
calling, are giving 100% to God. Neither of them are tithing. Some He
calls to be Prime Minister, some He calls to be Parish Minister. He
has placed us where He has placed us, and it is up to us to live up to
that calling.

"All things come from you, and of your own have we given you". Surely
evertything that is ours belongs to God? He claims ALL of our time and
money, along with the rest of us? Surely the tithing argument is about
how much we spend on the church?