No wonder the body of Christ is hurting so. It saddens me to see all the excuses people are giving to not give. This is beyond the money we give but the obedience we give to God as well.

Very many people in the church are so worried about legalistically getting their 10% in the plate that they don't even think about there brother or neighbor that is struggling. You aren't paid off just because you give your tithe. God doesn't even care about that. What are you doing with your money and TIME to help all those in need.

My tithe to God's work doesn't just include giving money to my church --- it includes money I give to any charity that helps the poor, disabled, or disadvantaged. So maybe these numbers come across as skewed?

Ladies and gentlemen, There are churches that preach tithing for the NT. Yet there is nowhere any direction to do so! Most misquote the OT references to tithes which have nothing to do with church giving. ALL the OT tithing requirements were taxation to the theocracy of Israel and amounted to not 10% but approximately 23%. Its interesting to me also that "storehouse' means the "church" to promoters within a church body, but means "any of Christ's ministries" to those in parachurch organizations. So which is it? The very best instruction I have ever seen and which has impacted me to increase my voluntary offerings (17% recently) is from Dr. John MacArthur and his book and series on "Giving God's Way." Study that for the real answer to NT giving.

American evangelicals spend lot of dough on food, dress, entertainemnt and holidays; but are stingy when it comes to support church and missions. No wonder God is punishing them by making them pay more taes, more for health, more for education and more for a decent lifestyle. At the end of the month, their purses are empty. Life is also barren with children struggling with the pain of mental depression. The only remedy to enjoy a full life is to give tithe so that they may not encounter unavoidable expenses and health problem. A.Yeshuratnam India.