I rarely, if ever offer a reply comment on your website. I have received many, many blessings from your teaching. From time to time I have disagreed with some comment you have made simply because you might have been correct and I might have been wrong. However, I have to take loving exception to your statement that “most people who argue against tithing are trying to justify their level of giving.” To make such a sweeping indictment against all who disagree with the “tithe” is not fair.

In many churches ill equipped financial leaders go into debt claiming to have “stepped out in faith” which results in driving the local church into financial trouble. Then they admonish their members to step out in faith and tithe so they might grow as Christians when in reality it’s so their dumb decisions might be underwritten. Tithing has also become a source of unhealthy pride as many “spiritually mature” church members have made sure that all the congregation knew they were tithers. In short it can become way too legalistic to older Christians and confusing to new ones.

After reading Psalms, Hebrews, and the life of Abraham, I think the Church existed prior to Christ and was based on the same grace and faith that saves all who believe. If we as Christians are imputed with righteousness just as Abraham, then grace existed for Abraham and us. It matters not what time it is when someone believes in the Messiah, we look back in time and see Him, while Abraham and others looked forward in time and saw him. God is not bound by time and His salvation is not either.

I read once, long ago, something about doing something “to a gnat and swallowing a camel.” I cannot find the verse, but I was wondering if you could and tell me exactly what does that mean???