I have been fighting whether or not to do this blog, but I would be doing God right is he put it on my heart and I refused to do it so here goes. I am sure I will be called out on this by people of the clergy and those not of the cloth, but I can't worry what man thinks just God.

I hear about churches that tell their church that no matter what the situation there tithes must come first, no matter whether a foreclosure is at hand or someones health, that just does not seem right to me. Is it me or has anyone else felt like a bad person when the offering plate comes around and you put in little to nothing or sometimes even nothing and the ones passing the plate gives you that look?

First IF and only IF a group of believers wants to and  can financially support a minister should they do it.

Second, that was one of the main reasons that the Catholic church made abstinence a rule among the priest and clergy was because anything donated to them would and could not be tied up in a settlement case, this may explain why the Catholic church became so rich. Then again their clergy does live in the church and does not have any luxuries whatsoever, or at least they are not supposed to.

Tithing in the Old Testament was of goods which was to take care of the poor, widows, and orphans, not to buy million dollar buildings, sound systems, and all the rest, if God wants you to have this he will provide them.

When Abraham gave his tenth to Melchizedek, it was of his spoils from the battle, not his own possessions.  There is no recorded demand of Abraham for a tenth. Neither is an explanation given about why he gave a tenth. Jacob promised to give a tenth only if God blessed him first.

In a way our taxes to the government serves the same purpose as tithe, because it does go for welfare and the needy, or at least it is supposed to.

It might have been custom after a battle to give a tenth of the spoils to the high priest or ruler of the area that was freed?

I much rather have a box in the back of the building labeled offerings and state that if the church has helped you in anyway that out of the goodness their hearts  that your offerings would be appreciated.

When Jesus sent the apostles out, no plates or anything was taken with them, God does not send out beggars, believers will take care of their own.

Can foods, dry goods, bathroom supplies, work for the church would do just as good as money at Crossroads. Do I believe a Pastor can work a full time job and preach on Sunday's? yes I do!

I work a full time job and still have lots of study time and prayer time and family time.

I thoroughly believe that the church is to take care of it's own and I mean all of it's own not just a select few.

Know what the needs are of the sheep in you fence before worrying about everyone else.

As in the days of Nehemiah, take care the walls in front of your house[church] first then take care of the city.

Does it not seem wrong that some church leaders have multiple cars, fine house, country club passes, even planes and yachts, and there excuse is that God blessed them?

At God's children's expense in my opinion.

A church should not be in debt, before you get a bigger building, hold two or even three services if you have to.

God will send a man of God his provider when the time is right, until then remember

That which belongs to God is your mind, body , and soul for God created them.

In closing there is nothing wrong with tithing, but don't base your salvation on it, for YOU COULD GIVE EVERY DIME YOU MAKE  AND YOU STILL CAN'T BUY YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN.

Though some think they can and some churches even tell them they can.

I have known of some churches who kept track of those who gave and didn't and to those that did, their sins were overlooked and those that did not give, they were picked apart for their faults.

They would gag on the gnats of the non-givers and swallow the camels of the givers.

We are all sinners and should give according to our means , in first century Christianity freewill offerings was taught.

Church was held in different homes as to not be caught by the ones against the Christians and everybody provided, whether it was food, clothing drink or just companionship.

I know the verse in Malachi that is considered the tithing scripture goes as follows

If you have the food in the storehouse then thee will be a want for nothing.

God made the animals that give us meat, God gave us the plants, that give us seeds for fruits, vegetables and grains that is what is God's.

If you can tithe , by all means do it, but don't think you are buying a better house in heaven, for to store your treasures in heaven is not the money you give but the lost souls you put on the right path, the path that goes through the Cross that Jesus died on and shed his blood for all sinners to come to repentance.

As far as Crossroads go, God will provide in his due season not mine, whether somebody furnishes the building supplies or whatever is needed.

I will make my own way and provide what I can to help the church grow, though not at the cost of the children of God!

Remember, you have to let the fleece grow back every now and then to get good quality and a abundance.