Expert: Brenda Martin - 9/22/2011

Question
Hi I hope you can help me.I am a member of a church.I am 23 years old.I am in the youth and college agers called Generations.I pay my tithe all the time.I understand tithe is giving to God and its what your supposed to do.What would be the difference if I wanted to take my tithe that I would orginally give to the church and gave it to someone in need or helped sponser an animal to get out of a shlter in a bad condition.Would that still be considered giving to God.I personally think so but I need advice.Because I would much rather do that...Thats my first question.My second question is I thought I had a church family.Well we got in a bad situation and was short on our rent for that month and I asked my youth pastor and he said I'm sry theres nothing I can do with my car payment and I dont think theres anyone at the church that can help.I asked around and I get the 3rd degree on a million questions.They dont wanna help me.We just needed to borrow 200 dollars for 2 days and we would pay them back.But no one could help or even lead us in the right direction and its upsetting.I thought I had a church family.I even tried to ask a close friend of the Bishop at the church for his wifes phone number who is also a pastor.To see maybe if she could help me or lead me in the right direction.I wasnt allowed to have her phone number.Also If I dont go to the church in like 2 weeks no one there talks to me or even calls to ask how I am..Its upsetting..any advice would help.Is this how a normal church and church family is and reacts?Thanks

Answer
"if I wanted to take my tithe that I would orginally give to the church and gave it to someone in need or helped sponser an animal to get out of a shlter in a bad condition.Would that still be considered giving to God.Because I would much rather do that...Thats my first question."

Well more importantly; is tithing what God wants at all, is it a bible based practice, the answer is no, let me explain--

A few years after the resurrection of Jesus, uncircumcised non-Jews were converted to Christianity. “It is necessary to circumcise them and charge them to observe the law of Moses,” some Jewish Christians contended. (Acts 15:5) Others did not agree. So Jesus’ apostles and other experienced Christians met in Jerusalem to discuss the issue. They wanted to discern God’s will. Did he require Christ’s followers to keep the Law of Moses, which included tithing? Experiences were related showing a change in God’s dealings with non-Jews, and this was verified from God’s own prophetic Word. (Acts 15:6-21) What was the decision?

The meeting came to a unanimous conclusion. Christians were not to be burdened with the Law of Moses. There were, though, a few “necessary things” that must be obeyed. Was tithing one? The inspired decision read: “The holy spirit and we ourselves have favored adding no further burden to you, except these necessary things, to keep abstaining from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication.” (Acts 15:25, 28, 29) Interestingly, God’s law on tithing was not listed among the “necessary things” for Christians.

Later, the apostle Paul explained that God’s Law covenant with Israel had been abolished by Jesus’ death. “[God] blotted out the handwritten document,” he said, “and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake.” (Colossians 2:14) This does not mean that Christians have no law. Rather, there has been a change of law that now involves “the law of the Christ.”—Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 7:12.

The apostle Paul lived in harmony with this change of law. Though working hard in the formation of one congregation after another, he never appealed for payment in the form of tithes. Rather, he was willing to cover his own expenses by working as a tentmaker on a part-time basis. (Acts 18:3, 4) In all honesty he could say: “These hands have attended to the needs of me and of those with me.”—Acts 20:34.

What guidance, then, do Christians have in the matter of giving? How much should you give?

The Christian Way of Giving

Jesus Christ was the most generous man to walk this earth. His example has inspired many to act generously. “Practice giving,” he said, “and people will give to you. They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing. For with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return.” (Luke 6:38) Are there restrictions here? No. Christians are encouraged to give generously, which may even be more than a tenth if they can afford it.—Luke 18:22; Acts 20:35.

On the other hand, a Christian might suddenly be faced with some urgent expense, perhaps due to an accident or sickness. To give a tenth of his salary under such circumstances might deprive members of his family of the necessities of life. That would be unchristian.—Matthew 15:5-9; 1 Timothy 5:8.

Christian giving is voluntary. It takes into account that each individual has different circumstances in life. “If the readiness is there first,” the Bible says, “it is especially acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what a person does not have.”—2 Corinthians 8:12.

How much, then, should you give? That is a question that you must resolve for yourself. The depth of your own heart appreciation for God—not some predetermined tithing formula—will determine what you give. As the Bible urges: “Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Tithing was a provision of the Mosaic Law covenant to support Israel’s temple and priesthood. For Christians today, it is neither commanded nor necessary.
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"Is this how a normal church and church family is and reacts?"

It may surprise you to know that not all religions are pleasing to God, & most are not serving God correctly, true religion is in stark contrast to false religion, what you have observed first hand is false religion at work. Let me explain how you can identify the true faith--

Jesus said that the true religion would be evident in the lives of the people who practice it. “By their fruits you will recognize them,” he said. “Every good tree produces fine fruit.” (Matthew 7:16, 17) In other words, those who practice the true religion would be recognized by their beliefs and their conduct.

Let us consider six features that identify those who practice true religion.

1.God’s true servants base their teachings on the Bible. The Bible itself says: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man [or woman] of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, 17) (1 Thessalonians 2:13) the beliefs and practices of the true religion are not based on human views or tradition (like tithing) They originate in God’s inspired Word, the Bible.
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2.God’s people show genuine, unselfish love for one another. Jesus said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) The early Christians had such love for one another. Godly love overcomes racial, social, and national barriers and draws people together in an unbreakable bond of true brotherhood. (Colossians 3:14)True Christians do not take up weapons to kill their Christian brothers or anyone else.—1 John 3:10-12; 4:20, 21. Im sure members of your religion have been to war?

Of course, genuine love means more than not killing others. True Christians unselfishly use their time, energy, and resources to help and encourage one another. (Hebrews 10:24, 25) They help one another in times of distress, and they deal honestly with others. In fact, they apply in their lives the Bible counsel to “work what is good toward all.”—Galatians 6:10.
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3.True Christians accept Jesus Christ as God’s means of salvation. The Bible says: “There is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved.” (Acts 4:12) accepting Jesus Christ means obeying HIS laws, not the Mosaic law where tithing came from.
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4. True worshipers are no part of the world. Jesus said: “My kingdom is no part of this world.” (John 18:36)that means maintaining strict neutrality in the world’s political affairs & taking no part in its conflicts, joining a political party, running for office, or voting. Ask yourself if this is the case in your reliigon?
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5. Jesus’ true followers preach that God’s Kingdom is mankind’s only hope. Jesus foretold: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) Instead of encouraging people to look to human rulers to solve their problems, true followers of Jesus Christ proclaim God’s heavenly Kingdom as the only hope for mankind. (Psalm 146:3) Jesus taught us to pray for that perfect government when he said: “Let your kingdom come. Let your will take place, as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matthew 6:10) God’s Word foretold that this heavenly Kingdom “will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms [now existing], and it itself will stand to times indefinite.”—Daniel 2:44.
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6. Those who practice the true religion worship only Jehovah/Yahweh and make his name known. Jesus declared: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” (Matthew 4:10) Thus, God’s servants worship no one other than Jehovah. This worship includes letting people know what the name of the true God is and what he is like. Psalm 83:18 states: “You, whose name is Jehovah, you alone are the Most High over all the earth.” Jesus set the pattern in helping others to get to know God, as he said in prayer: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.” (John 17:6) Similarly, true worshipers today teach others about God’s name, his purposes, and his qualities. Is this true of your faith?
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On the basis of what we have just considered, ask yourself: ‘Does my religion base all its teachings on the Bible and make known God’s name? Does my faith practice godly love, exercise faith in Jesus, is no part of the world, and proclaim that God’s Kingdom is the only real hope for mankind? Isaiah 43:10-12.

You have personally witnessed two things that are not in harmony with God's word the bible, tithing & ungodly qualities. Niether of these two things are present in the true religion. The Kingdom we all pray for will destroy false religion shortly, time you started looking for the "narrow road to life" dont you think ? :¬)

all the best
Brenda