You are onto something but your opening statement will definitely turn people off, most wont read down to the part where you clarify your thoughts.
But I agree, I was a 10%er at one time, then I looked around and saw people everywhere who could use a bit of help and shifted things around. If you do regularly attend church they do have to pay bills so don’t neglect that, but a tithe can be given to anyone in need.
[–] 23297675? ago (edited ago)
Fuck the goddamn book, God didn't write it, Jesus didn't write it, it's lies and misunderstandings mixed with truth, rewritten again and again to suit an agenda. Furthermore, you were put here to experience and learn things for yourself, not to blindly follow something that someone may or may not have said. Faith and understanding of Jesus' message is the only thing that matters. Religion and the church is there to deceive and enslave humanity.
[–] 23297701? ago (edited ago)
If one researches further:
The OT tithe was on the increase of things that grow. Your increase in grain from what you planted versus what you sowed, and your increase in animals. It was not on any other income whatsoever. If you were paid 10 coins for your labor there was no 1 coin tithe. But if your animals thanks to God provided 10 births that you raised for slaughter, or you planted 1 bushel of grain and from the rain and growth God provided you harvested 11, you tithed 1 animal or 1 bushel.
Rather than ever being a 10% tax (effectively) on labor, it was keeping 90% of the abundance God provided.
As for the modern concept of tithing 10 percent of all income, this did not exist in Protestant or Baptist America until the late 1800's at one particular church. (My absence of mentioning Catholic is because I simply don't know there.) On the success at that church, pastors spread it rapidly and taught church members everywhere that God required it and you were "robbing God" if you did not give the church this amount. How convenient, enabling a full time salary for what often is far less than full time work.
It is a lie.
I invite each to do their own research on this. It's out there, and of course you can simply read the Bible and find just exactly where 10% of all income is ever even suggested anywhere.
[–] 23298057? ago
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.
[–] 23299709? 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
That is a fine translation you are using! Romans 10:4, “For Christ is the end of the Law, so that everyone exercising faith may have righteousness.”
[–] 23299874? ago
And it looks like you’re using the same fine translation .. the most accurate one I’ve ever found.