The ONLY requirement any Christian church should have to be a member is that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your savior. The rest of it is judgemental garbage and why so many have given up on church.

 

Amen

I hear alot of people say that you're supposed to give 10% of your income to the church. Can anyone discuss this?

Somewhere in the OT, it says anyone who works on the Sabbath shall be out to death. I worked today because I need my job. I have locked my doors and windows and will be hoping the mob doesn't make it's way to my house.

 

You either translate EVERYTHING the bible says into our everyday life or nothing. Too many Christians want to pick and choose how the bible should apply to our lives instead of taking everything God says in the bible and applying it.

 

Jesus addressed the working on Sabbath issue and based on his comments freed us from that. The parable/story about pulling your oxen out of the ditch when he/disciples were healing on Sabbath.

 

So, using your comments in the last paragraph, you should use the full Scripture when making comments like you did in the first paragraph.

I hear alot of people say that you're supposed to give 10% of your income to the church. Can anyone discuss this?

 

Not sure it is just limited to the income that we bring in. I believe it should cover money made from yard sales, etc.

 

I have heard that 10% is our responsibility but our giving should be more for those that are blessed more. 10% for a person that is financially blessed is honestly, not enough.

 

I am very poor at doing this and one area that I really struggle in. I wish I was a better Christian in this area.

 

I guess admitting that, now I will be labeled a hypocrit for not being perfect.:irked:

On topic, it's not the church's place to dictate how much and how often I give. What's next? Letters to me from my church saying I need to follow the 10 Commandments closer because someone heard me cuss or talk about how attractive Angelina Jolie is? Woodsrider has a point. People are giving up on the church because of stunts like this.

You watching Mr. and Mrs. Smith, too????

I am still a fairly new Christian, so I have alot of learning to do in this area, as well.

Jesus addressed the working on Sabbath issue and based on his comments freed us from that. The parable/story about pulling your oxen out of the ditch when he/disciples were healing on Sabbath.

 

So, using your comments in the last paragraph, you should use the full Scripture when making comments like you did in the first paragraph.

What I'm saying is, too many Christians want to apply the Bible when it benefits them or fits into their beliefs while dismissing the other parables and verses that do not. To me, it's all or nothing. You apply all or none instead of picking and choosing what's convenient.

I am still a fairly new Christian, so I have alot of learning to do in this area, as well.

 

Sinning and not doing what we are supposed to is not limited to being a fairly new Christian.

 

The world will want to paint you and expect you to be perfect. AIN'T going to happen that way.

 

You are going to sin and struggle in areas of your life. Just keep striving while knowing you will never reach perfection.

 

This is my 16th year after baptism but I would only classify myself as a practicing Christian for about 11.

 

The first 5, I didn't really try to live a life Christ would want me to live.

 

Now I am trying but too often I fail miserably by the standards I wish that I met.

What I'm saying is, too many Christians want to apply the Bible when it benefits them or fits into their beliefs while dismissing the other parables and verses that do not. To me, it's all or nothing. You apply all or none instead of picking and choosing what's convenient.

 

I 100% agree with you.

 

For example, I would LOVE TO BELIEVE that all roads went to heaven and I don't have to worry about friends and family. But that is not what Scripture indicates and I find myself worrying and wondering about what I can say 100 times a day that might be the words or actions to intrigue someone to search for Christ.

 

I would love to be rid of that guilt and burden to have to be the person to witness and help bring someone to Christ.

 

But reading ALL of Scripture, I can't see that.

Sinning and not doing what we are supposed to is not limited to being a fairly new Christian.

 

The world will want to paint you and expect you to be perfect. AIN'T going to happen that way.

 

You are going to sin and struggle in areas of your life. Just keep striving while knowing you will never reach perfection.

 

This is my 16th year after baptism but I would only classify myself as a practicing Christian for about 11.

 

The first 5, I didn't really try to live a life Christ would want me to live.

 

Now I am trying but too often I fail miserably by the standards I wish that I met.

 

 

I find that while I try pretty hard, I'm still not living up to my expectations, either. Its disappointing sometimes, but I continue to try.

I find that while I try pretty hard, I'm still not living up to my expectations, either. Its disappointing sometimes, but I continue to try.

 

For comfort sake, Paul ripped on himself for the same thing. He wondered why his body would not do what his heart knew he needed to do.

 

And Paul was a pretty good Christian.

For comfort sake, Paul ripped on himself for the same thing. He wondered why his body would not do what his heart knew he needed to do.

 

And Paul was a pretty good Christian.

 

I mean, I am a good guy. I would do anything I could to help anybody, but I still make questionable decisions sometimes. Its not as if I'm a criminal or anything, but I just know that I do stuff that Jesus wouldn't do and its disappointing.

We all Sin and fall short of the Glory of God...Romans 3:23

 

Jesus told his disciples that "if one believer sins against another, he should be shown his fault, and if that doesn't work, take it to the church and if he still refuses to listen then treat him as a heathen and a tax collector"...Matthew 18:15-17

 

He is telling us to show mercy until they prove they are too stubborn to deal with his brothers. he still in the sin they should "shun him". Galatians 6:1:2

 

Other reasons to be asked to leave the church would be sexual immorality and this case is in 1st Corinthians 5:1-12...False teachers are asked in 1st Timothy 6:3 to be dealt with. With the man in Corinthians he repented later and was welcomed back in.

A "tithe" is a "tenth". And in the OT refers on how much to give to the LORD.

 

These OT Laws are spelled out in Deuteronomy 12 6-17/14:22-28.

 

This is not the guidelines we use under the new Law even though many Christians use this 10% now days for their offerings. But what if a wealthy family only gave the 10 when they could give so much more? The 10% is not mentioned in the NT. Give what your heart tells you to give. If the church has a special need give 50%. Etc.

I do not agree with what the Pastor of this church did. However, I think that a Christian should always pay their tithes.

 

The Bible says we are to tithe, and if we don't, we are robbing God. Pastors should always encourage their members to tithe, and it should be an issue that is taught in our Sunday School and youth programs.

 

But, no matter what is said and done, some Christians will refuse to pay their tithes and continue in their stiffnecked ways.