In order to prevent the 3 children of my wife’s sister from going into foster care when she and her husband split up, my wife and I took them in, even though we already had two children of our own. It has put such a tremendous strain on our budget that we haven’t been able to pay our tithe for several months. Our pastor and other members of the church have slipped us cash and gift cards from time to time to help us get by. I know that tithing is not required, but I feel guilty about not contributing some amount of money to my church. I want to do right by my church but I need to do right by my family. Should I tithe if it will stretch our monthly budget to its limits?

I am reading a book on prophecy by Tim LaHaye. He states that there is no substantiation that the fig tree in Matt 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 represents Israel. He further points out that Luke 21:29 refers to “the fig tree and all the trees.” And thus, the fig tree cannot be Israel. What are your thoughts?

According to a DVD I just saw, the Lord’s Supper was meant solely for healing and we really should be taking it every day (as often as you do this) and even more if our affliction, be it health, finances, marriage, or whatever, is ongoing. I always thought that 1 Cor. 11:25 (this do in remembrance of me) was just that; to remember what our Lord and Savior did for us on the cross. But evidently there is so much more; especially in the taking of the “elements”. According to this study, the bread is just bread, and the wine is just wine until we ingest it, at which point they become Christ himself. Have I been confused in my understanding?.

I have a question about post-church salvation. I think I agree with your view about OSAS being only for the church, I wonder how it would be possible for tribulation believers to maintain their own salvation. Isn’t it impossible in any context? Will the Holy Spirit be helping them keep up their strength?

Many are using the scripture “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4 NKJV) as a reason to not go to church. What is the actual meaning of this verse, and is this an appropriate use of it?

I’m interested in your perspective on the “emerging church”, and “new Christianity”, etc, that has come out of the ‘seeker friendly’ church movement. I believe that what is ‘new’ is not true and what is true is not new. My question is, do you see this movement tied to the end times? Is it one of the seven churches of Rev. 2-3? Or is it just a distraction that will soon fade away?

I found an article on a Christian site where the author claims that the Old Testament contains many prophecies that cannot be fulfilled and promises that have been forfeited because God’s promises to Israel were conditional. Am I correct in interpreting his teaching as replacement theology? What would you say in a rebuttal to this? I personally don’t believe in replacement theology and think it is a heretical teaching and was interested in your view. Thanks for your wonderful insight.

We are all sinners, and though I thank God every day for all he has provided me, and beg him to not leave me, how do I know when all is said and done and I am standing before God he will not say to me, “Be gone! I know you not.” Several of us were talking about this and I thought I would ask you. We do believe that Jesus is the son of God made man who came to earth and died for our sins that we may know everlasting life in heaven. It is only by the blood of Jesus washing us clean that we can ever hope to stand before God the father and hope and pray he tells us welcome. So there you have it. Can you help?

I screw up every day! What a surprise, huh? I feel bad and ask for forgiveness as soon as I mess up. I know the Lord forgives me, I just have a hard time forgiving myself! I never want to hurt my Father’s feelings, or cause Him shame, but sometimes I act before I think. Am I the only one who does this?

RE: Jeremiah 17:9-10. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Do we still face this? Or is this talking about after salvation?