What Do We Do With Ministry Tithes?

Sent: May 2006

Greetings to you dear sister. My husband and I have only recently discovered your website and have been greatly blessed by the things we have read so far. It has been a breath of fresh air to get a confirmation on several things which I (and my husband) will share a later time.

My husband and I have been in this walk for about 8 years...waiting upon the Lord to direct us. Over the past year we have been leading house meetings and ministering day and night with a small group of people coming out of the mainstream churches in search for a deeper walk.

Not long into our ministry, we were faced with having to minister to these individuals concerning tithes and gifts and the differences. XXX (my hubby) works a 40 hour a week job as a factory supervisor and we make it fine. We are by no means wealthy, basically living from pay check to pay check. We asked two couples in particular to pray about whether the Lord would have them give us their tithes or not (they are getting all of their spiritual food from us)...in our carnal mind we really didn't even want the responsibility of taking them but it was not for our sakes, but for theirs.

Both couples said they felt led to give their tithes to us. We have come in contact with  people recently who believe that tithes are of the Old Covenant. My husband had no problem with that since he was sure the Lord had instructed him thus far and he was doing the right thing. So I let it go (for the most part) and when I read your article on-- tithes and almdeeds, the differences-- I was relieved and set free even more.  

Now to get to my main question...what are we "allowed" to do with the tithes that we get? We have a mortgage and car payment which by the world's standards is quite low. Do we let the tithes go to that? So far we have only felt free in putting it towards gas to go back and forth to the meetings and phone bills. And of course we tithe or almsdeed these tithes we get. I do not want to operate out of a bondage or fear in doing the wrong thing with this money...isn't it GOD's money?

When I say "so far we have only felt free" I am not sure if this "freedom" has been stifled by fear (that is not of God) or if it is true, that the Lord is wholly directing us to not spend it on general things and our carnal mind is not currently involved. I feel by knowing some scripture behind what we are "allowed" to do with this tithe, it will overthrow any amount of carnal mind, and bring us both true Freedom.

Our spiritual mother, who passed away a year ago, spent her tithes on her basic needs, but we really can't use her for an example because she was 80 and with out any other source of income except her S.S.check.

I really hope you can shed some truth on this matter.

My husband has been told by several that they feel he will not be working at the factory for much longer, because of where God is taking us...so I would feel much freer then using the tithes for general purposes.

Thank you for taking the time to read this I know it is long and you are busy so may the Lord bless you and quicken the truth in me that you may go on with your responsibilities and we may go FREE!

I realize you are out of town, as I called and spoke to XXX on Mon. So I won't expect an answer right away.

We look forward to learning more about this Promised-Land walk!