Christians Don't HAVE TO Tithe (or fast)!
September 19, 2007
About My Book: Reflections on Fasting and Tithing Turmoil

Through this book I hope to help separate the wheat of God’s Word from the chaff of distorted doctrines circulating in the Charismatic church world. Some doctrines are legitimate and have their place. But problems arise when peripheral doctrines (doctrines not essential to salvation) dominate a believer’s life. In order to exalt one thing, something else must “take a lower seat” (Luke 14:9). Minor doctrines (or false traditions) which take the believer’s focus off “Christ and Him crucified” (I Cor.1:30-31; 2:2) have become harmful, not helpful.
Legalism is the spirit of slavery, and God has called His dear children to liberty in Christ Jesus (Gal.4:21-31; 5:1).
Christians greatly differ on such topics as ways to finance the church, Sabbath observance, ascetic practices, etc. Some say certain doctrines must be kept as commandments. Other equally sincere believers feel some issues are less important doctrines which are not binding commandments, but permitted things (I Cor.7:6). At times it’s a matter of YOU MUST. Other times, it’s a matter of YOU MAY. It takes prayerful discernment to spot the difference. After the Flood of Genesis, God gave mankind permission to begin eating meat (Gen.9:3). But that doesn’t make it a sin to be a vegetarian!
The one commandment which encapsulates all others is “love one another” (Rom.13:8; Gal.5:14; I John 4:7-8). Whenever Christian believers do disagree on nonessential issues, it should be in a spirit of love, rather resorting to name-calling or questioning the personal consecration of the person you’re disagreeing with. Our ancestors fought for freedom of speech, and even if we don’t always agree with what the other person thinks, we should defend his/her right to the liberty of their own conscience.

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Patricia Backora has written hundreds of articles dealing mainly with problems in society and the Christian church in particular. Born on April 12, 1951, Patricia is a native of the U.S. and currently resides in Derry, N. Ireland.

Her websites include:
http://kingdomage.tripod.com
http://banpreachergreed.tripod.com
http://boogerbucks.tripod.com
http://toughlovebook.tripod.com
Christians Don't HAVE TO Tithe (or fast)!

About the Press Release
Reflections On: Fasting and Tithing Turmoil uses Scripture to unchain Christians from religious legalism and sets them free to enjoy their faith. Biblical articles are punctuated by funny cartoons.


 
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