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Jeff wrote:
And your refusal or inability to open the Scriptures and give a logical defense of your position only tells me it is time for me to shake the dust of my shoes and move on to something more productive.

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and this:
Here's what I think.... the "tithe" (defined as: 10% of one's gross income given specifically to the Church) is for some a "Golden Calf"; it is the "11th Commandment" to which those who are of a superior and more mature faith practice. It includes some of the "prosperity gospel" ideas in that those who give a tithe to a Church will surely be blessed of God beyond what they give in this life. (I call this type of thinking the "Celestial Vending Machine Doctrine"). But the truth of the matter is that the "tithe" doctrine is nothing more than what Paul calls "will-worship" (Col 2:23) and can become a type of Legalism by which men's spirituality is judged and even their spiritual state called into question. If someone chooses to give a "tithe" (10% of their gross income to the church) that is perfectly legitimate and they are free to do so. But such a decision should be made from the heart and not based upon an obedience to a non-existent mandate of God nor with the idea that God will infallibly bless you more according to how much you are faithful in giving a tithe.

So, I bid you adieu and leave you to whatever it is you believe on this matter, which at this point is anyone's guess. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/igiveup.gif" alt="" />

Man, Jeff. You are one tough customer when it comes to this thread. Me thinks you doth protesteth to much, but . . . . as you have CLEARLY pointed out to me before, I don't know your heart. To that, I concur.

Two lines of Scriptures leap to my mind:

(1) "do not harden your hearts" from:

Psalm 95:8 - do not harden your hearts, as at Meribah,as on the day at Massah in the wilderness,

Hebrews 3:8 - do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,on the day of testing in the wilderness,

Hebrews 3:15 - As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

Hebrews 4:7 - again he appoints a certain day, "Today," saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."

(2) something I've quoted over and over again in this thread:

Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 12:34 - For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Jeff, are you OPEN to what the Bible teaches about stewardship? (You know, just because the words "tithing" and "stewardship" are NOT used in the New Testament doesn't mean that there isn't something to learn about EACH in the New Testament . . . . )

And, if we opened your checkbook, where would we see your heart is at?

With Christ's love for you,
Ted