Monday, 29 September 2008

  • TITHING WITHOUT A DEDUCTION?

    Seeing the news today about 30 Pastors who have organized together to protest not being able to speak a little politics and perhaps even make a suggestion from the pulpit got me thinking. If you haven't heard yet, these 30 Pastors all sent copies of their sermons to the IRS after giving them. They are protesting the IRS trying to keep politics out of the church.

    So, if your church leadership decided to pursue this type of protest and ended up losing their 301(c) catagory which allows for a deductable contribution, which could also lead to the church actually being taxed...

    Would you still give to your church?

Comments (2)

  • show_me_your_glory

    I personally feel that Pastors should have the same freedom of expression that everyone else from DC to Hollywood has.


    But I also believe that Pastors should only speak that which they are directed to speak by the Holy Spirit.  And I don't believe the Holy Spirit is going to condemn politicians and their supporters, as He is in the business of edification and instruction.  I cannot say whether these Pastors are speaking in error or out of turn, because only God and themselves know their hearts, but what I do know is that I have heard Pastors backing Sen. Obama and I have heard Pastors backing Sen. McCain.  This is a contradiction, and again, the Holy Spirit isn't in the business of contradiction.  So, though I feel the Pastor should have freedom of expression, I think that discretion and discernment should be in the forefront.  Pursuing this protest steps away from that, and into division.


    Having said all of that (which really isn't answering your question so far I guess) I have to say I'm not sure.  My commitment first is to honor God and obey His Word, and His Word tells me I am to give 10% of what God has given me back to Him.  But, would God require that offering of me to support a ministry operating in division?  Probably not, because as Jesus said, a house divided among itself cannot stand.  I had originally intended to say yes to this question, but the more thought I put into, the more I am leaning to no.  But the real issue I think is whether or not God would expect me to remain a member of a church that is part of such division.  It's quite likely He would have me give not only my tithes, but my time and membership, to an altogether seperate ministry.


    Thank God my Pastor and our church does not fall into the category of churches in your example.

  • show_me_your_glory

     Wow, that ^^ was really long.  Sorry!



    Be blessed!

  • Choose Identity

  • Give eProps (?)

  • Post a Comment

  • Say it with Minis! (?)

  • Profile Pic

    Default | Choose » (?)
  • New! You can now edit your comments for 15 minutes after submitting.

Who recommended?

Who gave the eProps?

2 eProps from: