Is tithing an outdated Old Testament commandment?

No one likes talking about giving money to the church. That includes me.

But does tithing matter? The commandment to Abraham in Genesis 14 and also in Leviticus 27 would seem to fall squarely in the realm of Mosaic Law–something most New Testament following Christians don’t follow terribly closely. Of course, the extend with which we follow Mosaic Law might even make a good topic some time, and may be a follow-up to this week depending on how the conversation goes.

Before coming Tuesday, I encourage everyone to take a peek at 2 Corinthians 8-9 and spend some time thinking about how we should address this issue in our own lives.

• Do we need to tithe? If so, why?
• Does giving/tithing only include money? What other ways can/do we give?

See you all Tuesday at 7!

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PS: I’ve signed up to put together a team for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, October 30th. Yes, that’s “Halloween Eve!” If you’re interested, call or text or email or something; I need about 10 people, and so far I have me and my wife!

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Topic for Tuesday, May 11th: Salvation

So next week we’re gonna go for salvation. This one can be broad too; I’m interested in seeing where it goes. Issues relating to salvation can include:

1. How is one saved?
2. What happens when one is “saved” and then only goes on to be a complete scumbag anyway?
3. Is baptism important and/or necessary for salvation? If not, what’s the point? Is so, why?
4. Can one be “unsaved?”
5. I was just telling a very conservative Christian on Monday about Bible and Brew and she seemed concerned at first, and then said suddenly, “Well, Jesus went where the sinners were, I think that’s great.” Although I appreciate the vote of confidence, I am kind of offended on behalf of everyone at my favorite pub that they’re “sinners” because they go to a bar. So why is it we assume a regular Pub-attender is unsaved?
6. How much of salvation is something we do and how much of it is God? It’s easy to say God does it all, yet why isn’t everyone saved then? Clearly we are responsible for something at least.

Okay, I’ve run out but I’m sure there’s more. Go find your favorite salvation verses…Paul’s letters, the Gospels are a place to start…although I think I’m going to hit up Genesis and Revelation again. I’ve noticed a fun trend that in every week’s topic, I’ve found something valuable at the very beginning and the very end.

Till next Tuesday!

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Weekly Topic – Wednesday, April 21st: Human Nature

I’m still hoping to collect more data from the survey, so take it if you haven’t yet. Although Tuesday and Thursday appear more popular than Wednesday, I’m leery of changing our established day without more data.

For this week’s topic, though, I’m delving again from the survey responses. Next up? Human Nature: essentially sinner or saints by nature? It’s a thinking topic folks, so put your thinking caps on and then come and share your thoughts and/or questions.

As I ponder this matter, I find myself turning to the first two books of Genesis to see how man was originally intended to be. Revelation 20-22, on the other hand, deals with “the end” of this world and has some interesting stuff to unpack as well.

But of course, we know the Bible has quite a bit to say about hunan sinfulness. It would be a long list indeed if I tried to list them out, but for myself, I know I’ll be taking a peek at Genesis 3 to see the fall of man,Romans 3 and Romans 5 has some good stuff too, and maybe some 1 John thrown in, but there’s really too much to even list here.

Happy hunting! Comment or leave me a message for me if you have thoughts you’d like to share with the group before Wednesday night. Otherwise, see you there!

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