CHURCHES TO STRENGTHEN EACH OTHER

Towards Unified Christianity in America

(Sharing the Tithe To Form Strong Churches – TITHE IN — TITHE OUT

1,500 words                                                                       – Mary A. LaClair

1/18/2023

To strengthen and unify the Christian church in America and then the world, we need not to fight amongst ourselves. We should serve and love one another in the church in unity.

Divided we are weak. United we are strong. Many of us, and many churches, are on the same team but have different play positions to the same end. We need to join hands in unity in this spiritual battle. The wagons are circling.   

A certain thought has brewed in my mind for several years. One may initially disagree with this unusual idea, but upon reflection and deep thought, it may seem inspired and maybe even practical.

People tithe to a church.

“Shouldn’t one church tithe to another church? If they share one tenth of their received tithe to another church doing the Lord’s work, then receive one tenth of different church’s tithe, that would keep things keep flowing.” 

A church keeping its own entire tithe becomes no more than a pond, however large, with no continuing outlet refreshing others and not being spiritually refreshed or encouraged by other churches.

There are many denominations within the Universal Church for a reason. People come in at different stages in their life, and as such each may require different levels of teaching. People also have different intellectual levels and are at different spiritual levels.  We need churches which will accept people at their entry level and help them along the trails to the main path.  Some denominations  or local churches may do well with introductory level and not grow beyond that, continuing to welcome new people who will later move on when they find there is more. And this is fine. Some churches feed spiritual milk for babes (think kindergarten), some feed solid food (think of middle school)  some feed the meat of the Word (think high school), or think first base, second base, third base , all on the way to Home!  We can’t neglect first base. They may struggle by themselves through feast or famine. It is up to other churches to help others through the thin times.

If large churches supported smaller churches, and if small churches supported larger churches, things would balance out. There is a reason the smaller churches would balance out because they would be being supported by larger ones.

1 Cor 12:20-27

 “ But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.   And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”   No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary……..  that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.   And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.” NKJV

  “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.”   NKJV

Small churches who tithe to a bigger Church would share in the spiritual blessings of the big church: “One who welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet, receives a prophets reward.”  They would share in the spiritual blessings of the larger churches, being a part of them through their support to them, even tho it be meager. Big churches who give to little churches, sustain and enable others to be feeding the lambs while they themselves still feed the sheep. 

This would work as long as each church within the circle honors Jesus Christ both as Savior and Lord as the only way to Heaven. There should be no elimination from tithing to them because of smaller issues of  ‘local codes’,(doctrine) if you will. Not to be included in this circle would be the non-Christian Christian churches who wink an eye at abuse, abortions and acceptance of same sex issues; to do so would be to take part in their sin and its punishment.

However, other matters of codes, doctrine, should fall into the category of being different parts of one body, i.e. the eye cannot say to the foot, etc.

I have always chuckled to myself each time I see a pastor reach into his own pocket and put the money in his own basket. Seems like isolationism to me. If you tithe to yourself you’re really going solo. It is sink or swim alone which does nothing for church unity in a time when we need a strong united front. 

Find a fruit producing church, in whose fruit you would like to share, give to that one and share in their blessings. This should be different from supporting missions which is considered alms and offerings and is different from tithing to a formal church body,

Picture this:    Christian churches holding hands in a large unbroken circle – strength in unity.  Consider this: Tithe to each other locally, prior to missions work –   and see if  Churches holding hands with each other doesn’t enlarge the circle of Christianity in the nation to everyone’s benefit.

To answer a question before it’s asked, yes let the evangelicals tithe to the Baptist and let the Baptist tithe to the Evangelicals, and let the local Community Church tithe to a larger evangelical Church and share in its rewards; each helping each other and each growing and sharing blessings thereby. 

When we support a ministry we share in the blessings and gifts of the ministries we support and get some credit for the work they do because we support it. We become part of it. Pick a ministry in whose blessings you would like to share. Both we and they will benefit.

“He who welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet, receives a prophet’s reward.” Matt 10:41

I have always chuckled to myself each time I see a pastor reach into his own pocket and put the money in his own basket. Seems like isolationism to me. If you tithe to yourself you’re really going solo. It is sink or swim alone which does nothing for church unity in a time when we need a strong united front. 

To answer a question before it’s asked, yes let the evangelicals tithe to the Baptist and let the Baptist tithe to the Evangelicals, and let the local Community Church tithe to a larger evangelical Church and share in its rewards; each helping each other and each growing and sharing blessings thereby. 

Hebrews 7:7 :“For without a doubt, the inferior is blessed by the superior.” 

Let there be no division amongst the brethren.

Now if the First Baptist Church of Upper Oswegatchie gives to the Second Baptist Church of Lower Oswegatchie and the Second Baptist Church of Lower Oswegatchie gives to the First Baptist Church of Upper Oswegatchie,  that would be forming their own separate circle and not be part of a larger national circle.

I am amused when I see a Pastor give to his own church, it comes from his right pocket to his left pocket and doesn’t go anywhere. 

“Those who love peace must learn to organize as effectively as those who love war.” . Martin Luther King Jr.

Recognize others talents and works and be blessed thereby. It may be like having stock in a company –  you support it, it does well,  you do well, and without having to make business decisions for that company. You trust in the president of that company to direct it. In this case the president of the main company is Jesus Christ

God says:  “Test me in this (issue of tithing to God’s work) and see if I don’t open up the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing so large you cannot contain it”   Malachi 3:10

John 17:20-23

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. NKJV

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20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that th

P.S. 1/21/2023

A comment came in from Ruth in another state:

“I was told of a Christian School that was struggling financially until the school determined to tithe to another Christian school. It ended up blessing them both.”

P.P.S. 2/02/2023A

A popular large TV Ministry after interviewing a growing pro life ministry did present that group with a sizeable check, A point was made when the presenter confirmed the fact that the recipient of the gift does tithe from their income.

So this is being done – but this writer would encourage more of God’s churches to support each other from the tithe by not keeping it within their own walls but to strengthen the whole body, not just the foot or the arm…

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