BeliefNet item three: tithing based on a sense of obligation
- Do Christians struggle to give out of a joyful heart rather than obligation?
The longest article discussion: tithing treated as obligation versus joyful generosity. The hosts argue Western Christians are terrible with money because they chase comfort and security instead of trusting God. Stories carry the point: a church adopting an Afghan refugee family of eight with a year of groceries; a man who handed his whole wallet's cash to buy Boova a car without registering the loss; a grandmother who honored God with little and always saw provision. Malachi's 'test me on this' promise is cited as one of the few places God invites testing. Practical notes: plan for generosity, keep a slush fund for it, and don't complain about church spending while eating the donuts other people bought.
More on Generosity
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Dear LFTP: the $4,200 loan that never came back
- How do I get past the sadness over the $4,200 loan my friend never repaid — do I just let it go?
The final Dear LFTP letter: a year ago a supposed friend asked to borrow money — her husband had left the country to renew his visa, her car was repossessed, she had no way to get to work.
From No. 603 · Found Out
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Dear LFTP: the $600 lawnmower and buying them a mower
- My nephew's wife took my $600, lied about it, and is avoiding me. Should I say something or let it go?
Mike reads a letter from someone who gave a nephew's wife $600 for a self-propelled lawnmower; she spent it, never bought the mower, and now avoids them.
From No. 587 · Coffee After Sunday
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Dear LFTP: the neighbor Tim and boundaries without guilt
- How can I end the friendship with my difficult neighbor Tim without sending him into a spiral?
Mike reads a letter from a self-described clean-freak friend of a hoarding, narcissistic, government-program neighbor named Tim: how to end the friendship without sending Tim into a spiral.
From No. 582 · Risky Business | Christian Risk-Taking, Community Engagement, Faith in Action
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Dear LFTP: the $99 birthday bill and "Jesus always pays"
- Was it wrong to be taken aback when I was expected to split the cost of a friend's birthday dinner?
Mike reads a letter from a man invited to a friend's birthday dinner at a popular restaurant: after the birthday boy excused himself, the waiter presented the bill and the nine…
From No. 580 · Not Sure | Old Testament Law, Holy Spirit Guidance, Christian Discernment