Christian Theological/Philosophical Book Club discussion

Galatians 6:6-10

6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a person sows, this he will also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
9 Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.
10 So then, while we have opportunity, let’s do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

Observations:
* Those who are taught the Scriptures should share all good things with their teachers
* Believers should especially do good to other believers
* Christians should do good to everyone
* NOT giving is connected with deception and mocking God
* NOT giving is connected with sowing and reaping
* NOT giving is connected with destruction

What do you say?

If you are implying that this passage has anything to do with money, you are missing the point. In the preceding context we are told to bear one another's burdens, to test our own works, etc. In sharing with the one that teaches, we are told what that refers to in verse 8, that we are talking about sowing to the flesh or the Spirit, and them verse 10 that we are to do good to everyone.

The discussion here is about how we live with one another. as Jesus said, "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35. So Paul is telling us that we are to love one another, not that we need to give money to the person who teaches us. That is a huge overreach of this passage. If you want a place in Scripture where Paul permits (Not commands) people to pay the teachers and preachers, you can go there, this isn't it though.

From my observation of your recent posts, it seems as though you are very heavily interested in tithing right now. Are you possibly finding things in passages where they are not?

I quoted the Bible... you gave multiple paragraphs of your opinions.

I reckon I will stick with the Bible.

I would correct you, you quoted Scripture and then gave your opinion of what it meant, based on your hermeneutics. I did the same. I believe a discussion typically works that after the two parties have each given their idea of what a passage says, then there is debate on which hermeneutic is correct. Not a silly statement like that. Also, you specifically asked the question "What do you say?"

I begin to see already why this group has so little discussion if this is what the responses are like...

Thank you for your continued opinions.

But I will continue to agree with what the Bible says and not your opinions.

Galatians 6:6 - "The one who is taught the word [of God] is to share all good things with his teacher [contributing to his spiritual and material support]."

2 Corinthians 11:8 - "I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service.

1 Timothy 5:17 - "The elders who perform their leadership duties well are to be considered worthy of double honor (financial support), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching [the word of God concerning eternal salvation through Christ].

I understand hermeneutics very well and have been studying the scriptures for nearly four decades.

Those were all Bible verses that were quoted.

What error do you find with the scriptures?

Melodi wrote: "2 Corinthians 11:8 presents taking money from others as a negative thing."

No, it does not! Perhaps hermeneutics would be helpful to you.

Melodi wrote: "I’ve read the verse about “double honor” several times, and never thought of it referring to money either."

Here is the definition of the Greek words:

double Strong's G1362 - diplous - διπλοῦς diploûs, dip-looce'; from G1364 and (probably) the base of G4119; two-fold:—double, two-fold more.

honor Strong's G5092 - timē - τιμή timḗ, tee-may'; from G5099; a value, i.e. money paid, or (concretely and collectively) valuables; by analogy, esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself:—honour, precious, price, some.

Going to the definitions of the original language words is part of solid hermeneutics.

Melodi wrote: "No error in scriptures. Just no mention of money in those passages."

Poor hermeneutics.

Melodi wrote: "“Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge? I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; a..."

Where does this say receiving money was EVIL.

Paul says he took wages from others!

Are you saying that Paul did EVIL in his ministry?

Melodi wrote: "Nice word study! Looks like the Greek word may be referring to money. I’d always thought of it as just referring to honor (as in “honor your parents”) or dignity, but you may have something there."

Thank you.

Consider this:

1 Corinthians 9:13-14

13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

Melodi wrote: "Paul did not tell of his needs to the church in Corinth so as to not be a burden.

The one who has the resources, should give (the double honor verse).
The one who doesn’t, perhaps is being encou..."

Hmmm... it appears that God's ways are not our ways...

1 Corinthians 16:2 - On the first [day] of each week, let each one of you [personally] put aside something and save it up as he has prospered [in proportion to what he is given], so that no collections will need to be taken after I come.

2 Corinthians 8:1-4

1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints—

Melodi wrote: "**And not expect or ask.

I’ve noticed that Goodreads sometime leaves out words, and so there may be some mistakes in what you typed out earlier."

I have done an extensive study on giving in the New Covenant, and this book is the result of that study:

To Tithe or Not To Tithe? That is the Question

There is so much in the New Testament about money and giving, I could easily add another 5 chapters since this was published.

Melodi wrote: "Looks like you’ve given this a lot more thought than I have. God bless!"

:-)

Yes, I started writing that study in 2013 and finally published it in 2020!

LOL, I did not work on it consistently. I did a couple of other Bible study books in between.

Melodi wrote: "George Muller believed that you should never ask anyone but God for money, and God provided for him always, through generous people or people who had no idea that they were being used by God. My pa..."

Hmmm... that is not what the Bible teaches... this is what Jesus commands:

1 Corinthians 9:14

14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

Melodi wrote: "I’d argue that that command is for the sending church to know obey, but not for the sent missionary to expect. But I’ll look into it further."

The missionary not to expect...hmmm... that is not what the Bible teaches... read 1 Cor 8 and 9 and 2 Cor 8 and 9...

This sound like Paul is expecting the gift...

2 Corinthians 9:3-6

3 Yet have I sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, ye may be ready:

4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Melodi wrote: "I’m curious as to know what purpose Paul had in writing the verses that follow v 14 (1 Corinthians 9:15-19)?"

Do you think Paul was invalidating what he taught previously?

A personal choice does not remove the right.

If a person chooses not to vote, that does not negate the right to vote.

Melodi wrote: "I’m curious as to know what purpose Paul had in writing the verses that follow v 14 (1 Corinthians 9:15-19)?"

Let me know if you are interested in a FREE ebook copy of this book. There will be a give-away promotion on Amazon soon.

To Tithe or Not To Tithe? That is the Question