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NASB | 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 9:7 Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift]. [Prov 22:9] |
Subject: Releases from tithing 10 per cent? |
Bible Note: Dear Johnny, Greetings in Jesus' name! This is all well and good. Everybody should love to give. But, my friend, people are inconsistent and fickle. Can you, for a moment, look at this issue from the pastor's point of view? The people come fairly regulary, and use electricity and water and their portion of the meeting place that God has provided, but the pastor has to somehow pay for. The minister is caring for his flock, using gasoline and his time, and whatever to pray for the sick, visit relatives, preach the Gospel and help those in his church and sometimes those not in his church. All of this costs something. Unless the church is totally supported by outside sources, the pastor is responsible to have enough money to pay the bills. He has the choice: 1) to request (not require) it be given in weekly or monthly increments, at a regular, dependable pace, without constantly asking or begging for it, and be responsible with what is given, thanking the Lord for His faithfulness and provision, and maybe even do some 'tent-making' or side work to supplement the coffers, or... 2) to 'appeal' for money evey week, to tell everybody about 'pressing needs' and 'special situations' all the time, to beg from the pulpit, in newsletters and by email, often 'stretching' the truth to make their situation seem dire, or... 3) to become an outright robber, and browbeat people using every money-grabbing scheme they can think of to fill their own pockets until they get put in jail or run out of town :-) My humble opinion: 1) sounds good to me! 2) sounds burdensome to God's people, undignified, inefficient, and very stressful for pastor and sheep. It MAY work, but that is by grace, not by holy design. 3) sounds like, well, a lot of ministries these days. Theory is fine, Bible-by-the-letter is fine, fuzzy emotions are fine, but simple tithes and offerings to the Lord from a simple heart is GREAT! Blessings in Christ Jesus, charis |