Blogging Ottinger (tim)

This is an old post. It was three churches ago for me, and since then I’ve not seen this pattern repeated. In fact, I understand it’s not being repeated at that church either. It’s good to see things change for the better. As new people pick up this blog and read the articles, I want to make sure that they know that this practice is old and stopped, and not part of my current church.

• Yes, I believe in tithe.
• Yes we tithe, and have since I was saved (at age 32).
• No, we don’t use the tithe envelopes, so as far as the church knows, it’s all offering.
• No, they don’t know that it’s our offering.
• Yes, the church talks about members’ tithing even though it is supposed to be between us and God, and
• Yes, that makes some people look down on us, assuming us to be non-tithers.
• Yes, it bothers me (hence blogging)
• Yes, that means that the current leadership limits our ability to participate in the church.
• Yes, it is a kind of rebellion. No, I don’t want to repent of it. I believe that dissent is necessary.

I am told that we should not let the right hand know what the left hand is doing in terms of giving, and that we are absolutely not (by commandment of our Lord and Savior) to give in order to be seen and respected. If we do, then the opinion of other people is “payment in full.” I think that’s far too cheap. Instead, if we give in secret “then your Father, who knows what is done in secret, will reward you.” THATS what I’m talking about — slice me a piece of THAT.

Sadly, at our church they use tithing records to decide if you can be on the praise team or on other ministry teams.

I agree that it’s a sign of spiritual maturity to tithe, but I disagree that the sign is to be public. Nobody other than the treasurer (for tax reporting) has any “need to know”. Any such requirement from any leader is manufactured from whole cloth. It may be a leader’s preference, but it’s not one that I’d want to defend on the last day.

If I gave in such a way that it was visible to the church, not in secret, and I did that in order to be given ministry opportunities, doesn’t it come dangerously close to simony? Maybe you disagree, and that’s okay, but from where I sit, it’s like this:
1) give in a recorded way to please men and “earn” volunteer office
2) give in a secret way to please God

I’ll take the chance on angering other people, thank you very much. I want to please God, not people. He will provide the opportunities one way or another.

No, I didn’t write this to impress you, but maybe I do hope to inspire you. Open your Bible, and work it out for yourself. And feel free to disagree.