Ask, Seek, Knock

[Minimalist]

but they wouldn't fight a war for the sake of having a war.

Um.....





Really?

[Darkstar]

What is the "should" level?

Everything that I am.

Why are you uncomfortable or unwilling to discussing the financial expectations of your church?

Or does he literally mean everything, like Jesus said about selling everthing you own? (I doubt it, but who knows)

---

but they wouldn't fight a war for the sake of having a war.

Um.....





Really?

I've heard enough 'bush-isms' to know he's no genius, but I don't know if I can disagree with you with any confidence, so... you win [maybe?]

[Cyberman]

What is the "should" level?

Everything that I am.

Why are you uncomfortable or unwilling to discussing the financial expectations of your church?

I wonder that, too. The fundy doth protest too much, methinks.

[Drich]

What is the "should" level?

Everything that I am.

Why are you uncomfortable or unwilling to discussing the financial expectations of your church?

I have been completely open, in that we are expected to give our all in all. If one does that then what does it matter what dollar amount that comes to at the end of the year? What if my less than 1/2 effort is greater than than what another puts in over a life time? Who's gift is valued greater by God? (their is an actual parable to this senerio.) It was a compareson between a lowly old woman who gave what amounts to 1/2 a cent (but it was all she had) against a pharasee who made a big deal about the 'large gift' that he gave which amounted to less than what he could have done.

I've saved you the trouble here in tring to lable me a pharasee and have given myself this title. Because I know my giving is not where it should be. I have in the past given all that i was and had. It's harder to do that with employees and a nearly all consuming business to run.

---

[quote='Darkstar' pid='349388' dateline='1350265797']

Or does he literally mean everything, like Jesus said about selling everthing you own? (I doubt it, but who knows)

---

The order issued by Christ was to the deciples. The only one who need sell all that he has and follow Him is one looking to literally follow Christ.

[tokutter]

Why are you uncomfortable or unwilling to discussing the financial expectations of your church?

I have been completely open, in that we are expected to give our all in all. If one does that then what does it matter what dollar amount that comes to at the end of the year? What if my less than 1/2 effort is greater than than what another puts in over a life time? Who's gift is valued greater by God? (their is an actual parable to this senerio.) It was a compareson between a lowly old woman who gave what amounts to 1/2 a cent (but it was all she had) against a pharasee who made a big deal about the 'large gift' that he gave which amounted to less than what he could have done.

I've saved you the trouble here in tring to lable me a pharasee and have given myself this title. Because I know my giving is not where it should be. I have in the past given all that i was and had. It's harder to do that with employees and a nearly all consuming business to run.

---

Or does he literally mean everything, like Jesus said about selling everthing you own? (I doubt it, but who knows)

---

The order issued by Christ was to the deciples. The only one who need sell all that he has and follow Him is one looking to literally follow Christ.

Blah,blah,blah more christian three card monty,shuck and jive bullshit. The going rate in Christianland is 10% of your gross income. Of course your never explicity told this ,your just made to "feel" this way. I've got more than a couple idiot relatives chin deep in this lie and a couple of them own me money for bills they couldn't pay. ......Or maybe the big guys just testing them.......yeah give me some of that koolaid papa Jim Jones and make it a double....Now you can retort with the standard " I can't speak all christians but in my little neck of the woods.yada...yada...yada

[Tino]

I have been completely open, in that we are expected to give our all in all. If one does that then what does it matter what dollar amount that comes to at the end of the year? What if my less than 1/2 effort is greater than than what another puts in over a life time? Who's gift is valued greater by God? (their is an actual parable to this senerio.) It was a compareson between a lowly old woman who gave what amounts to 1/2 a cent (but it was all she had) against a pharasee who made a big deal about the 'large gift' that he gave which amounted to less than what he could have done.

I've saved you the trouble here in tring to lable me a pharasee and have given myself this title. Because I know my giving is not where it should be. I have in the past given all that i was and had. It's harder to do that with employees and a nearly all consuming business to run.

Apparently you are feeling guilty about something that wasn't on my mind at all. I'm just interested to know what your church expects from its members financially. I'm not interested in how much you personally give or calling you a pharisee. What guidance does your church give its members on how much to donate?

[Cyberman]

Drich played the martyr - or pharisee - card far too soon. Defensive much?

[The Grand Nudger]

It's better not to set an amount. Interestingly, when no defined amount is set this leaves a person wondering if they are giving as much as they should (or as much as the next guy) without the comfort in knowing that they have at least "met the defined obligation". Better to say, "give what you can" and let the marks mind go wild with that.

[Drich]

Apparently you are feeling guilty about something that wasn't on my mind at all.

Not guilt. responsiablity. Guilt implies shame. I have given: money, time, work, effort, study, and of myself repeatedly and from my heart. I have nothing to be a shamed of. My 'boasting' of all that I have given will not be used as source of shame for those who can not give what I have. that is why I turned to what Christ said about giving rather than handing you over to my accountants ledger.

I'm just interested to know what your church expects from its members financially.

I told you the first time you asked. Nothing. They simply put envolopes by the door and as one leaves they give what they can. there isn't even a collection.

I'm not interested in how much you personally give or calling you a pharisee.

Then why did you not accept my first answer?

What guidance does your church give its members on how much to donate?

We are to give as we are 'lead to give.' If we can not give from the heart then it is better not to give at all.

---

Blah,blah,blah more christian three card monty,shuck and jive bullshit. The going rate in Christianland is 10% of your gross income.

Christian or Jew? For Christians are told to give of their increase (not gross) Jews are told to give from gross.

Of course your never explicity told this ,your just made to "feel" this way. I've got more than a couple idiot relatives chin deep in this lie and a couple of them own me money for bills they couldn't pay. ......Or maybe the big guys just testing them.......

or maybe they should just open their bibles and read it for themselves before the follow benny hinn on his next crusade.

yeah give me some of that koolaid papa Jim Jones and make it a double....Now you can retort with the standard " I can't speak all christians but in my little neck of the woods.yada...yada...yada

It was actually 'purple Flav-o-aide'

---

[quote='Stimbo' pid='349571' dateline='1350324122']
Drich played the martyr - or pharisee - card far too soon. Defensive much?

Actually no. I could not answer in good conscience. My bragging would have conflicted with a teaching of Christ. Which I am sure one or more of you is well aware.

[festive1]

[quote='Darkstar' pid='349388' dateline='1350265797']

Or does he literally mean everything, like Jesus said about selling everthing you own? (I doubt it, but who knows)

---

The order issued by Christ was to the deciples. The only one who need sell all that he has and follow Him is one looking to literally follow Christ.

Yeah... and that whole parable about a rich man having an easier time entering heaven than a camel passing through the eye of a needle...
Being that Christianity is a global religion, let's use global standards. If you have running, clean water, regular access to food, and electricity, guess what? By global standards you, my friend, are a rich man. No heaven for you.