Matthew:

If I and others only gave when we felt good about it then our church wouldn’t be able to feed as many poor and hungry as we do.

I wish I knew of a church who spent itself on feeding the poor and hungry. But I’m probably one of those nasty somethingists who thinks giving is about giving yourself to others, not necessarily about cash. And maybe Jesus was serious about that “I was hungry/thirsty/naked/in prison and you did/didn’t help me out.” thing.

“Why I Speak-Out Against Error and the Advocates of Error…”
“Beware of false prophets, which inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

Now why didn’t I think of that. I could consume my time with being a self-appointed “enforcer of everything that I know to be true and can prove with proof-texting” rather than doing this hard work of loving people.

Kurt,

Ok, you’re right, that deserves a little more bait. I used to be an avid tither and I stopped to the relief of my conscience before God. I find more than a little obnoxious the disgruntled exhasperation of those who tithe out of obligation against those who don’t tithe out of either ignorance, apathy, or genuine conviction. “One who does not tithe” is not synonymous with “one who does not give.” In fact, a friend of mine insists on not tithing because he finds that he is less generous with what God has entrusted to him when he needs to keep an accounting of it.

I will read Desiring God eventually, its on my list of things to do. In the meantime, can you tell me if Piper points out that the Bible tells us to invest our money? And to use money to win friends and influence people? And to give everything away? And for evangelists to not take money with them, expecting those whom they evangelize to cater their meals? I just point these out to illustrate that we can use the Word to proof-text any peculiar point of view of money that we’d like.

The Question: Agree or Disagree: Those who claim to be specially “anointed” are promoting an Old Covenant view of the work of the Holy Spirit.

“Office” based ministry rather than “as-the-Spirit-moves” based ministry. Office of the Prophet rather than the gift of prophecy for the moment, Office of the Pastor rather than the gift of pastor for a season. 99.9% of churches seem to operate on “Official” positions rather than a “whole-body” or holistic church paradigm.