Quote Originally Posted by Hulud
yes it keeps a chruch alive, but you shouldn't be REQUIRED to give 10% or your hard earned money. What do they do to earn it? Nothing, they give you a 'place' to worship, but you could just a easily do it at home.
once again, im not forcing..or anything like that. just stating some facts i know and some of my opinions....dont wanna offend anyone....

the church doesnt MAKE you give money. its in the bible.....God tells us that if we give up the first 10% of what we have to him (which is so little compared to what he's done for us..but we arent getting into that) and he will continue to bless us financially and in other ways. ive had it happen/work/whatever for me. i wasnt going to church for a while.but started back up... didnt tithe for a bit. pastor preached a sermon on tithing, wish it was recorded so you could here where im coming from. but anyway. i started to tithe the next sunday. and the monday after that i recived a $480 check from my school for extra funds that were left over from the year before that they have to give up to me that i could do what i wanted to with. coinencidence.... to me.. i think not. i personally felt God was blessing me..

just my two cents in on this... im glad we're keeping all of this civilized and not yelling at each other. lets keep it that way!