meditatio at the water's edge

If you read what I wrote on Feb 29, you might, as I have been, scratch your head and wonder what the implications might be for church budgets and giving, etc. I am getting more brave now, so I am going to put out a suggestion to which I welcome response (and, where necessary, correction).

Recommendation 1: If churches insist on teaching tithing, then they ought to start appropriating those 'tithes' in ways that are clearly consistent with the use of the tithe in the scriptures they quote. That will mean that, since we no longer offer grain, livestock, and cooking oil, the money will go to support those who cannot support themselves (this could justifiably include paid staff, local and global missionaries, and people who are unable to provide for themselves, such as some senior citizens, the unemployable, etc.) and to throw parties.

Recommendation 2: If churches insist on having additional conveniences such as buildings, flashy brochures, etc., such expenses would be afforded by uncoerced 'non-religionized' giving that is beyond the 'tithe'. This would prevent churches from neglecting those in need in the name of 'church-growth'.

Is Water's Edge going to do this? I don't know. I hope we will be courageous enough to recognize the extent to which the American church (in general) has neglected those who cannot provide for themselves because they have been handcuffed to the American dream of the pursuit of happiness (or property, as I think the author intended). I am not saying that churches should not own buildings or spend money on shiny brochures. What I am saying is that we should not have such things at the expense of neglecting our responsibility to those who are truly in need.