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I agree. Let's give to the care of those in need  directly as we have opportunity. In no way do we need fancy buildings to do this. Every individual can help those in need directly. Tithing makes people think they've done their duty to those in need even though only about 5 percent of the...

The elders, deacons, and pastors oversee a group edifying one another in a home church in the New Testament.

There are Christians meeting in these types of buildings without AC and bathrooms every week in other countries. In a house church, its no different expense wise than hosting football night at your house. Hospitality is a virtue and for the first three centuries of Christian history, believers...

Each male in the assembly of church could participate and share, not just the pastor. It can easily be done.

We do not want to have that perverse incentive. The money's going back to those with urgent needs where it belongs. So let's do what is right. Freely we have received, freely we give. We shouldn't peddle the gospel or make merchandise of people but serve God in Spirit and in Truth. This can...

That sounds amazing and I would attend a house gathering just like that. Who knows, my husband and I may even start one. They now have churches with entry fees. Even if churches don't mandate tithing, they will often guilt trip members for not tithing with verses like Malachi 3:10. The one...

2 Corinthians 9:7 King James Version 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. We give, not "of necessity" or "under compulsion" but cheerfully. Tithing is usually done under social compulsion. And give...

Good catch, though.

This is what it means to live from the gospel: if you travel you can expect food, shelter, and perhaps clothing. Many of the the women would minister to them and prepare food and beds for the Lord and the disciples. But there is no where in Scripture where ministers get salaries from ten...

This is not a tithed salary. They gave them food, a place to stay, and attended to the needs of them traveling. None of them received a salary, their dependence was on the hospitality of others when traveling.

I have no issue with a pastor earning a fair wage provided he work for it on his own time. Paul made tents and there are still pastors who work a regular job and do ministry on weekends. They can make as much money as they want. I'm against pastors making money off of preaching. The ox needs...

Your version of "holding people accountable", I don't like. If that's what youre intending, Im not sure the indirect statements you tend to make really do that.

I went by Wynona before

You often say things to test people or provoke a reaction. I don't always appreciate it.

I would say this is what Im currently doing. It may be mostly my husband and I, but we do serve others, study the Bible, and give regularly. God has given us a specific ministry that is challenging at times but it has taught us so much about how meaningless it is to worry over money.

I don't know yet

Scripture can make you part ways with church

I believe our souls consciously are with the Lord when we die faithfully but we won't get our resurrected bodies till the end comes.

...Well we really gave the church thing a good run. But my conclusion is that no church today, including Orthodox, is getting is right as far as the practices and beliefs of the Early Church. However, the truth is difficult but simple: God wants us to be the living stones of a spiritual...