My DH and I are assistant pastors in our church. Tithes and offereings are important for the reasons that someone stated earlier....the churches have bills that need to be paid as well. They ahve the utilities, the mortgage and the supplies that get used, just like all of us have. The only way they get their money is from the offerings accepted. HOWEVER, I won't go to a church that begs, pleads and screams for not tithing. Our head pastors don't take a paycheck from our church at all and I really respect that.
I'm confused about the comments on the mormon church though. One of my best friends is mormon and doens't get to go into the temple or whatever it's called because she isn't a full member cause she doesn't tithe. :huh:
As to the low income family comment....it's something that unless you are tithing you don't fully understand, but there is a principle of sowing and reaping that really does take affect. When we started tithing, our income level went up, our bills started going down and our money stretched further than ever before. It's not a concept we can fully understand with our minds until you take that step of faith and do it.

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