Lev. 27:30–34

The tithe is introduced as law (Lev. 27:30–34) Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord's; it is holy to the Lord. ... Here we see Moses giving the tithe as a law. The first 10 percent is called “holy,” or set apart, as belonging to God.


All that the Lord has given me, I will gladly give him 10%. Tithing isn't about your church finances. He can't bless what you are not willing to give. I resisted for years.......once I budgeted tithe as my 1st priority, I never worried about money again.

Man it's sad to see the way people view the body of Christ in this thread. It's almost as if it has no value to some. Just a thought... Can anyone tell me where in the bible it said that following Christ would be easy ? I guarantee you that most people who complain about being done wrong in church and left, wouldn't think twice if that happened at the workplace. They sure wouldn't stop coming to work, I will promise you that . Are there legitimate reasons for people being hurt by other in church ? Most certainly. But I am not quitting. It just can't be an option. Can you imagine what the world would look like without the church. Just think about it.

Also, this is just an opinion and I hope it doesn't tick anyone off. But if you can't find a good church within driving distance of your house in Alabama. YOU are most likely the problem. And starting a home church would change nothing.

The bible determines this. Nothing else.

I'm about to head to rehearsal tonight for our church Easter program. I play the part of Peter. The setting is the Last Supper. Jesus has just announced to we disciples that one of us will betray Him. We flat out deny it. One by one, we each list our good works and all that we do for Him. But one by one, we come to the painful and introspective question, "Is it I?" My monologue ends this way......

"One morning He said, “Simon, put out into the deep and let your nets down for a catch.” I said, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing. But at your word I will let down the nets.” We caught so many fish we had to summon other nearby boats to contain the catch. When we reached the shore, I fell at Jesus’ feet and cried out, “Depart from me, O Lord, for I am a sinful man.” But He told me that thereafter we would be fishers of men. In fact, He even changed my name from Simon to Peter which means The Rock. And when I confessed Him as the Christ, the Son of the Living God, near Caesurae Philippi, He said, “On this rock I will build my Church.” But a moment later when I protested against His going to Jerusalem to suffer death at the hands of evil men, He rebuked me and said, “Get thee behind me Satan.”

So, I am a mixture of good and evil, of Godliness and sinfulness. But, I want to prove to Him that my love for Him is sincere and genuine. Tonight, when He said one of us would betray Him, I promised to follow Him, even unto death. But he warned me that before the cock crowed twice, that I would deny Him three times. He prayed for me because He said that Satan wanted to sift me like wheat. Even the others call me the big fisherman, but in His presence, I feel small and unworthy. Will I deny Him tonight before the rooster crows? If I do, what will He do? Will He disown me? If I knew who the scoundrel was, I’d pierce his heart with this knife that I hold in my hand.

But maybe it would be my own heart that I would pierce! God, grant that it may not be so. Yet I keep wondering and saying to myself, “Is it I?”

Oh man, the irony, you start a thread about the things you dislike about organized religion and you get a boat load of the same stuff thrown in your face on aldeer!!

Don't mean to tick you off either, as this isn't directed at you since I don't know you, but that's another one of a "good" church goers favorite crutch too.

I agree with most everything you said except the last part. The church isn't a building. It's believers. Believers can gather anywhere and hold worship and bible study and it's just as biblically sound as any gathering inside a local church building. That small group of believers can evangelize and do local missions work just like those who come from a traditional church building. To say it wouldn't change anything is short sighted in my opinion. A small group of believers with a heart for Christ and a passion to serve could have a bigger impact than a 1000 member church full of socialites there for the wrong reason. I do believe people give up on church too often instead of trying to help cure some of the issues that are causing problems. I also think some churches are beyond repair without a complete overhaul. One thing is for sure. Thousands of churches are closing their doors yearly. Is that because churches aren't "old school" enough these days or is it because those inside those walls are content with the status quo and aren't interested in reaching those on the outside for Christ? I don't care where a person chooses to worship if it's Christ centered and their group is focused on taking the Gospel to others. If they do that, eventually, their meeting place will have to be able to accommodate more than most houses allow.

I can’t say for a fact which church Ford is talking about but I have a good idea. Prolly 99% positive I know which one. If it’s the one I’m talking about then I truly understand your decision to leave. I went there some when I first moved to Chelsea. Couldn’t seem to get in the click of people that exist there. It’s almost as if they shun you to an extent. Didn’t go there long and started going somewhere else. Well a few years passed and I talked to my wife and we decided we would give it another shot at this church here. Second chance lasted a little longer than the first one but left knowing I would never be back in that church again. In my opinion the politics and the clicks that exist there do not reflect what a church is supposed to be. Your financial and social status should not be a factor in whether or not you’re accepted at a particular church.

I'm spiritual,not religious.
Never met Ford150 in person but he's a quality human being.
Organizied religion from a tactical standpoint has issues.
What are those? Pay your money go to school learn and practice.

F150man how long were you at that church and why did you stay if you werent getting fed spiritually? I find it odd anyone would get up every Sunday morning and get dressed and drive to a place they felt that way about. Had to be a chore worshipping the Lord that way. I love my church and i look forward to going every sunday. However my only reason for going is to worship the Lord and get fed spiritually. I really hate that youre experiences at your church have been so bad. I hope you find somewhere you love as much as i love my church.

If I was the Devil the main thing I would try to tear down is the Church. Then once I got people divided and not in fellowship with other like minded believers then it would be easy to go after each one individually since they didn't have other Christians to support them and to be accountable to each other.

Get Christians pissed off at each other and not going to Church and in the wilderness alone. Divide and conquer. That's the way I would do it if I was the Devil.

Sounds like my plan is working...

Jesus said "a house divided against itself cannot stand". I just bet you ole satan was listening.

Jerry Clower take on what a Christian should do and how they should act.



https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=e4cA-EPzmvo

Great video. It is a tradition in our family to listen to ole Jerry on road trips.

I dont understand why so many churches build these massive buildings with 10 or 20 acres or more around them and never get used. The building gets used just a few days a week. The land just sits.

My wife was raised Catholic. I thought the bible said not to worship anyone but God. When i see the pope on tv it looks like they worship him like God? Its just weird to me. I think its a sin how they hold the pope up like he is God in a way. Thats the way i see it. Its just strange to me, thats all.

As many have said, the reason that churches are imperfect is that mankind is imperfect. I had a close, close friend who was an atheist and very liberal. Also extraordinarily intelligent. We used to argue religion and about the Jimmy Swaggart's and Jim Bakker's of the world, and he pointed to them as representative of Christianity. I would say, no, they are outliers who get all the press coverage but there are thousands of true Christians doing God's work who you never hear about. I am just starting to learn about a church that I have begun attending about a month and a half ago. They went through a trial about a year ago and almost closed their doors, but some factions left and some remained and I am happy there. But I don't forget it could go south in a heartbeat. I've been in churches that just fell apart due to drama and politics.

Oh, and the friend who was the atheist. He killed himself, about eight years ago. I had another friend who is a committed Christian who said, in all seriousness, not sure he knew the answer, "I wonder where he is now??".

There is one common denominator here, we all fall short of the glory of God. We should extend mercy and grace where mercy and grace are due, just as they were extended unto us. Also, at some point in all of our lives, we are going to let someone down, hurt them, or upset them in some way or another. Just like that will happen to us. Keep your eyes on God, trying to grow closer to Him.

I like what Irishguy said, the devil is trying to rip The Churches apart because one on one, we are much weaker

Just tired of folks seemingly going out of their way to try and treat me like sh!t. Then on the flip side there's those that act like they don't even know me. All this over a year after I left. Folks like that don't need Satan's help tearing down churches.

I'm glad I quit reading this thread after page 1.

People suck, in the church and outside the church. Some people can let it go because they worship and learn more in a large group setting, some people need small house groups, some people connect better with modern instruments, some people worship better without any instruments at all, some people need the structure of a Sunday/Wednesday church schedule, and some people can meet with their homies a few days a week and fellowship....

but every Christian needs community and fellowship, learning and worshipping and studying together. Don't think it matters how it looks.