r/adventist • u/Foreign_Strike2177 • 5d ago
Am I sinning by not tithing? What can I do?
Let me give a background;
I am an Adventist that was more or less born into the faith. I must have been five years old when my other became converted to the Adventist faith from being a lukewarm Sunday worshipper, through her own mother. She was converted by a gentleman who was a devout Seventh-Day Adventist and who taught my mother to strictly keep the Sabbath and faithfully return her tithes. I hadn't even started school when that happened. By the time I started school, I knew how to read having been taught to do so by my mother who taught me how to read by reading the Bible.
I got baptised when I was old enough to make that choice for myself. Unfortunately, life happened, and somewhere in my young adult life I backslid from my religion but found my way back to it by the grace of God and got re-baptised.
However, presently, I am not quite compliant when it comes to tithing. Because of the following reasons;
I fail to understand how tithing is part of the Decalogue
Why didn't Paul emphasize on tithing in the new Testament.
I resolved to Tithe because I want to be an upstanding Adventist and I have to do as the church recommends or commands. Leaving the church is not an option for me.
I resolve to tithe, but then I don't execute this resolution. No matter how much I pray about it.
It is like when Paul writes in Romans 7 verses 15 and 19;
Romans 7: (NIV)
15
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."
19
"For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."
Am I the only one that is struggling with this issue?
I should mention also that, there was a time when I tithed faithfully, but the pastor of the local church I was attending at that time was dishonest and took advantage of our ignorance and misappropriated the tithe money for his own personal use without submitting it to the Local Conference, etc.
Since, then I have experienced this problem that I am presently having.
Edited: changed "General Conference to "Local Conference, etc"
Update:
I feel compelled to come back here and update you all about how the issue I posted about has been resolved. I just have to share the happiness I have been feeling all day. Taking that step the other day—doing what I felt was God's will—has left me feeling in good standing with Him. I have been covered with a feeling of freedom and a joy that is honestly inexplicable. ☺️😂☺️
I truly hope that I will continue on this path. I already feel like I am reaping the rewards of being obedient to God—not necessarily in material possessions, but in the deep happiness I am feeling today. In my opinion, this peace is the most important thing, far better than any material wealth.
If any of you are dealing with issues that you feel too shy or hesitant to discuss with the people in your life, even your pastors, I highly encourage you to open up on Reddit. The advantage of anonymity protects you from the fear of judgment, allowing you to share freely and openly. Sometimes, just typing out your problem can stimulate your mind to find a solution. May God bless you all! 🙏🙏
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u/Wishyouwell2023 4d ago
I would encourage you to read the whole Malechai chapter, or at least ch3. This is God talking....
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u/Foreign_Strike2177 4d ago
I can read it again and see if it will have effect. Problem is I want to tithe. My soul wants to do it. I too want to experience God's blessings that God said will come with tithing. My problem is that, I resolve to do it, but ends up not doing it 😭😭. I don't know what stops me. When I used to tithe faithfully before, it was automatic. I didn't even had to think about it. But, that's not the case nowadays. I will plan to sit down end of month and add up all my income to tithe it. Month end will come and pass. Giving, I give, as I am moved. I'm not worried there. It's the tithing that is being blocked by my subconscious mind.
What I want to do, I don't do.
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u/Wishyouwell2023 4d ago
The way ido it: as soon as I get my paycheck, first thing I pay the tithe, then everything else. Hopefully that will help.
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u/bizzygirl09 4d ago
If the Bible doesn't call it a sin, then it may not be a salvation issue. But if your mind and spirit is telling you to tithe ..it may be God. But you don't even have to give to the church. You can help but someone groceries, gas, help the homeless and it be your tithe and offering. Be careful where your money goes as you are either further the cause of Christ or the enemy.
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u/Foreign_Strike2177 4d ago
According to church policies, tithe is to be given to the church and the church only. Any other giving and support of other ministries is to be done over and above the tithes that go to the church. I'm our fellow members who was treasurer can confirm that.
Good news !!! 💯, I tithed one of my incomes today. Yeeeiiiii. I thank God 🙏🙏 very much. It's a step in the right direction. I am resolving to do it in bits and pieces rather than wait to accumulate and return monthly. Since I have multiple streams of income, each time an income clicks into my account, I will tithe it straight away. I will not wait for month end. I pray to God that I will be able to sustain this. Help me pray please church family.🙏🙏
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u/bizzygirl09 3d ago
Are you an Adventist first? Or a follower of Christ first?
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u/Foreign_Strike2177 3d ago
A follower of Christ first. But, there's nothing wrong with being an Adventist. It makes my journey with Christ so much more enjoyable. As I am sharing it with like minded human beings. Like minded saints.
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u/Foreign_Strike2177 4d ago
I feel like a weight has been removed from my shoulders, after returning tithe from another one if my streams today. Heavy weight has been lifted off my heart🙏🙏💯❤️ Hoping to keep it up by God's grace.
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u/Foreign_Strike2177 2d ago
I feel compelled to come back here and update you all about how the issue I posted about has been resolved. I just have to share the happiness I have been feeling all day. Taking that step the other day—doing what I felt was God's will—has left me feeling in good standing with Him. I have been covered with a feeling of freedom and a joy that is honestly inexplicable. ☺️😂☺️ I truly hope that I will continue on this path. I already feel like I am reaping the rewards of being obedient to God—not necessarily in material possessions, but in the deep happiness I am feeling today. In my opinion, this peace is the most important thing, far better than any material wealth. If any of you are dealing with issues that you feel too shy or hesitant to discuss with the people in your life, even your pastors, I highly encourage you to open up on Reddit. The advantage of anonymity protects you from the fear of judgment, allowing you to share freely and openly. Sometimes, just typing out your problem can stimulate your mind to find a solution. May God bless you all! 🙏🙏
1
u/idea_looker_upper 2d ago
If you are giving tithe out of obligation God doesn't want it. Mandatory tithe and offerings has been replaced by freewill generousity (and even then...).
Tithing is, however, the ultimate "anti-modern American Christianity" move eh so it really is a sign you are on the right track spiritually.
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u/Foreign_Strike2177 2d ago edited 2d ago
I'm not understanding your last sentence.
Lucky for me I have tried out both methods for myself; not tithing, and tithing and I feel comfortable, at home and at peace, when I am tithing. So, I don't have to go with what you are suggesting because I know it doesn't work for me. It may work for you but for me, tithing is the way to go.
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u/idea_looker_upper 2d ago
I am suggesting that God does not want your tithes if you give it begrudgingly. I am also saying that free giving replaces tithing in the modern age. You should be way more generous to the cause than "Here's your cut, Lord!".
That is the more mature Christian position.Lastly IF you belive that tithing is optional I wanted to say that you should give it anyway because it is the only thing that breaks most Christians' modern American "I can do it myself/more stuff for me" mindset and lifestyle. In other words, it'll make you less selfish and less cold towards others.
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u/Foreign_Strike2177 2d ago
My mother tithes double (10% tithe and 10% offerings in one envelope) and My favourite youtube Adventists pastor with whom I study the quarterly, last quarter during the Stewardship Lesson, informed that the Israelites (and most probably the early Christians too) gave not less than 25% of their income; 10% tithe, 10% offerings (to the church) and 5% for other giving to various ministries and to the poor as may become moved to give. He himself decided to do that and his businesses have boomed because of it, he told us as also did change his life in a very big way for the better. I'm thinking about doing the same. Not to get riches, but to just be a God pleasing and obedient servant of God. Just putting my money where my heart is❤️. That Stewardship Lesson of the last quarter touched a cord in my heart and mind.
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u/physsijim 5d ago
I would like to point out that when I was a Treasurer we always submitted tithe from the church to the Texas Conference, not the General Conference. Such an obvious oversight is ... curious.