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RE: Helping parents - 10/20/2009 10:57:19 PM
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creationtalk
Posts: 480
Joined: 6/9/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
Does anyone think giving money to family is viewed by God the same as tithing or is it irrelevant?
The purpose of the tithe is to grow your faith. If giving to family is furthering your relationship with God or if a family member is in true need, then it might fall under that heading.
The tithe has three purposes (see Deut 14:22-29), 1) care for the widows, orphans, and "aliens" who live in your town, 2) Provide for the Levites (the tribe of the Children of Israel that was set aside for service to the Lord--they did not get an allotment of the land of Canaan when Israel took it over because they were to be dedicated to service to the Lord)--there is a parallel to our pastors/priests, and 3) Grow your relationship with the Lord. One third of the tithe is to be dedicated to the first two of the three purposes, with the balance to be used for growing your faith and dependence on God and providing for the Levites in your life, should the 1/3 not be sufficient to provide for those in need as well as the Levites.
Jesus criticized the Pharisees and Sadducees for "giving to God" instead of caring for their families--primarily because for a pharisee to 'give' is kind of like Al Gore saying it's OK for him to use more energy in a year than 240 average households because he buys "energy credits" (from himself).
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RE: Helping parents - 11/16/2009 8:52:15 PM
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michele_erin
Posts: 105
Joined: 5/8/2006
Status: online
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quote:
I agree, as well. At some point, you may prayerfully and carefully make it clear that your willingness to provide very limited assistance is conditioned on them making a clear written budget AND sharing it with you. No disclosure? No cash. No budget? No help. (Of course, making a budget and following a budget are two separate things ... but baby steps are a good start.)
I agree with this. What if you went through your monthly budget (you and your husband), figure out what you can afford to help with, then stick with the limit. I liked the idea of paying one of their actual bills (utility, phone, cable) rather than giving them cash. Even giving them a "gift" card to a grocery store so that the money is only spent at the grocery store, and limit the money on the card to say $50 per week or $50 twice a month (I don't know) --
Just some ideas that I had. Best wishes to you!
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