Paying Tithes

[foundsheep]

I just happen to be flipping channels today and I caught this guy named Mark Chironna on. His whole message and ministry seems to be based on getting people to pay tithes. Something he said confused me though. Basically his attitude was that you ruin yourself eternally if you dont pay em. More specifically he said poor people ruin themselves more because they dont want to be broke so they dont pay. One other thing, He says wealthy folks are better off because they dont have to worry about money and they pay thiers. So basically if we cant pay we need to improve our job and wealth so we can.

Now heres my question- Isnt harder for the richman to enter than he who has nothing?

P.S. I know the station is TCC owned by TBN. Oh and I almost forgot, Benny Hinn was saving Tammy faye Baker on Tbn. :P

[Katholikos]

Sounds like he was preaching the "health and wealth" gospel and asking for donations. These guys make me barf. More Sola Scriptura bull-oney. He's interpreting the scriptures for his audience -- and the scriptures say we should give him our money.

Have you seen those $500 shirts Paul Crouch wears? He and his wife own free and clear the biggest TV network in the world -- bigger than NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox combined. The AOG doesn't own it -- Paul and his lovely wife Jan personally own it. Their two sons will inherit it. Paid for mostly by donations from little old ladies on Social Security.

If we follow the teaching of the Catholic Church, we can't go wrong.

QUOTE

TITHES. In Canon Law, a tenth part of the goods, computed in money, which the faithful should give for the maintenance of the clergy and religious services. The Church's common law directs that the particular laws and customs of each region or nation should determine tithing. In many countries the clergy and Church edifices are supported by voluntary contributions rather than by tithing. Modern Catholic Dictionary, by J. A. Hardon, SJ

END QUOTE

[Donna]

Re: tithes. We must support our own priests etc; (although in these times, we must make sure they are Catholic not in name only).

But you do what you can and give what you can.

Everyone can give alms because everyone can pray.

Once on TBN I saw this little preacher who shamed the audience, especially those women who do the baking and what-not for fundraising. He said the nickels and dimes were offensive little crumbs to the great God, now hand over a contribution that's really gonna make a difference.

That was a huge red flag to me about TBN and Protestantism.

[Ash Wednesday]

Yes, we should support the church financially and set aside part of our income on a regular basis. This guy, however, is talking like someone can BUY their way to heaven. He just as well be a scientologist. God commends those that give what they can and doesn't measure the amount you contributed in dollars and cents, but the generosity of your heart. The widow with the mite was more honorable than the wealthy man in the temple.

Edited October 29, 2003 by Ash Wednesday

[foundsheep]

Me and a co-worker where driving to our next destination and he pointed at a church he used to attend. I asked him why he didnt go there anymore and he said he didnt like it when the pasture would re-send the basket around because it felt "light". He said sometimes he would continue to do it several times untill it was heavy enough. :o

[CatholicAndFanatical]

for some reason, that is like one of the hardest things for me to do. I have no real excuse except that I dont have it..but maybe I dont have cuz i never gave it to begin with..err, some messed up logic like that.

[foundsheep]

Let me add a question , Does volunteering count as tithing?

[BLAZEr]

My parish priest had a pretty good system:

He asked everyone to give 10% of their income to God.

5% to the Parish (of which 1% could be volunteering)

and 5% to other Charities (but they must support the mission of God, no planned parenthood, UNICEF, other stuff)

It was cool . . . a lot of people did it.

[cmotherofpirl]

In my Church it does!

Father said money is good, people are better.

[CatholicAndFanatical]

hmm, i would definitly tithe my time and energy to the Church

[jasJis]

Our parish is big on volunteering. And they too only ask for 5% to the Church or School. The other 5% should be another Charity of choice. Though it is pointed out the Church has a number of charities. We support two orphanages, food center, medical center, and general pastoral care in the Dominican Republic plus lot's of other stuff. It's still common fact that 15% of the parishioners give 85% of the $$. If every adult gave $5 a week extra (that includes those who give nothing) we would have excess funds but we still have tight finances.

[M.SIGGA]

That guy is nuts. He is a former Catholic from new york and he has that crazy evangelical glare in his eyes when he's hypnotizing his congregation though the t.v. screen. We tithe b/c it's in scripture, and we are called to support our pastors and our church community. The apostles dropped everything they owned and followed Jesus and I think that it is that example we are supposed to follow- not necessarily selling all our stuff, but giving away what we have that is bountiful to the poor and people who are lacking. This includes time and works too because money is not always the most important thing.

[Damien]

Our priest at our Church one Sunday stressed the point that tithings doesn't nessasarily mean money..He said what ever you want to give would be accepted in the little basket they pass along including notes of special deeds or thanksgivings to God. It was a cool sermon and had the kids at the edge of there seats... Anyways it was quite a surprise the next Sunday to see all the new items in those little baskets they passed around. Growing up attending a Catholic grade school we also put our offerings and thanks in note form in a little basket and one of the lucky ones in the class got to walk it up to the alter at our daily mass.

[Damien]

Sorry Damien

I just noticed I'm using your log-in....This is suSi (Damien and duSt's MOM)

[dUSt]

Sorry Damien

I just noticed I'm using your log-in....This is suSi (Damien and duSt's MOM)

Yo mom--I think they're offering a "Computer Basics 101" class at TCJC. Want me to sign you up?