Often times people do not like to go to church because of the tithe. They feel that the church is taking their money and it puts a negative vision of church in a person's mind. Others take the attitude that "I would tithe if I could but I can't right now." Others just do it once in a while.
The problem with that is that is another way for people grow dependent on the government. There never used to be welfare or other government assistance agencies. The church took care of that. They were able to because everybody tithed.
1 Chronicles 29:11-17 states;
11 Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, Lord, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.
12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.
13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.
14 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.15 We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 17 I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
God knew what he was doing when he made the rule 10%. If everybody gave that amount, that would be enough to provide for those who are in need. Unfortunately, we now have a very small amount of people tithing and that has resulted in churches just being able to pay their staff with the tithe.
As a result that has forced the government to have to step in and create those assistance agencies. There are a couple problems with that. First, every time you add government you add spending. That creates debt. Second, when you add government you become more dependent on it. The more dependent you become on government, the more you allow it to control you. That means less freedom.
These are just some things to think about next time you don't feel like tithing.
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