2 Corinthians 9:7. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS PASSAGE FROM THE HB ON GIVING. I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.?

With at risk for having misunderstood your comment i reply.

Paul stayed quite long time some places. In Corinth, 1 year 6 months. In Ephesus almost 3 years. Here he supported himself by his leather work.

Still He writes the following.

1 Timothy 5:17-18

Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”

1 Corinthians 9:14

In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.

And our Lord say in Luke 10:7 Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

Matthew 10:10 Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.

Tithe is an OT temple tax. Jesus fulfilled that law. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle/Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5).

Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Above all, all offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

If you read the story about Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) you see how important it is we do not set the weight on the amount, but the heart and attitude. Peter very clearly tells them that the money was their to keep. About the widow that gave "two mites" (Mark 12:41-44), Jesus say: "this poor widow has put in more than all"

MIMI

True Christians do not ask for money. They follow the counsel given in the bible to give as you are able. Money is necessary to support God's work. Just as it was in the days when Jesus was on earth.

True Christians do not have a priest or pastor. Again following the teaching of the bible that no one should be elevated above another.

The bible shows you how the apostles operated their churches. You must look around for yourself and find the true church that is operating today.

The principle of giving to help others is sound. As for supporting the minister who has been chosen by the congregation to serve them, the principle there is simple - the worker is worthy of his wages. So paying for the upkeep of the church you worship in and the minister who looks after everyone is reasonable.

I don't know what other churches get up to, but here in the U.K. we voluntarily and willingly give what we can for the upkeep of the church and the costs of our minister as well as to help the poor and needy in our area. You might be surprised to discover how much sacrificial giving people are capable of - including the ministers/pastors whom you berate.

As for healing the blind and the lame, my understanding is that not everybody has gifts of healing, or prophecying, or speaking in tongues. Those who can, do. Those who can't, don't. And those Christians who are professional surgeons, doctors, nurses and the likes often give their time freely to help people in need who can't afford to pay for anything.

If a Christian has been called to be a teacher, or a pastor, then they are hardly going to be in a position to start wielding a scalpel, are they? Each to their own, as God sees fit. LM

I'm glad you aren't a pastor any more. God did a god thing in getting rid of you. If you want to learn it right, finally, then try listening to Dr. Gene Scott. I don't care whether you do or don't. People who have your attitude shouldn't be on a pulpit.

Your idea that this is about something other than the money is interesting, Have you ever really thought about that?

how do you pay your air conditioner bill?