Tithing

[Burninglight]

I notice at my church they preach tithing at the collection, but I think it is wrong to bind tithing on Christians. I don't want to stir up trouble, but if they teach and dwell on it that we should do it, I'll say something. Right now all the congregation thinks it is mandated, but no where do we see followers of Jesus exhorted to tithe in the NT or for the NT saints. We are encouraged to give generously. We are free to give as we purpose in our heart; we can give 100%, 50%, 20%, or 10% or less, but binding tithe on believers is like imposing the law and severing us from Christ.

 

[dalconn]

For those who haven't taken notice that covenant made with the Jews has been fulfilled in Christ, we are not under law but grace

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

What test is used in the bible to see if you are in faith?
Answer...Luke 16:9-13

Christians are tested with the least in the Kingdom of God which is money.
Considering what Jesus has said here (Luke 16:9-13 NKJV), I think it would be difficult to overstate the significance of this down to earth, practical teaching, that applies to everyone. If a person cannot be trusted with money, and in any capacity, Jesus plainly says, he cannot be trusted with Salvation, i.e., "true riches." In view of the seriousness of what is being said, we would do well to heed carefully.

In these passages (Luke 16:9-13), Jesus is saying that irrespective of how loudly and how often we profess our Godliness, if it does not show up in our practical, every day living, and especially in the matters of money, and our responsibility toward others, our profession is vain. This statement is plain and clear, if we are unfaithful in these things. "Who will commit to our trust the true riches?"

The scripture says, "Jesus watched as they placed their money into the treasury (Mark 12:41)." Question? Is He watching today?

Jesus has a large fan club but few followers.[SUB][/SUB]

 

[mailmandan]

Many churches teach that we as Christians, under the New Covenant, are commanded to give a minimum of 10% of our income to our church. Others teach that preachers of these churches are turning the 10% tithe in the Old Testament into a legalistic prescription for Christians under the New Covenant. I even heard a Pastor make a challenge to his congregation to give 10% of their income for 90 days and if God does not bless them then he will give them their money back.

In 2 Corinthians 9:5-7 we read: Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. I don't see a "specific percentage" given anywhere for Christians "under the New Covenant," but I certainly believe in giving and not just to our church. I also believe that everything we own belongs to God.

 

[Enow]

I notice at my church they preach tithing at the collection, but I think it is wrong to bind tithing on Christians. I don't want to stir up trouble, but if they teach and dwell on it that we should do it, I'll say something. Right now all the congregation thinks it is mandated, but no where do we see followers of Jesus exhorted to tithe in the NT or for the NT saints. We are encouraged to give generously. We are free to give as we purpose in our heart; we can give 100%, 50%, 20%, or 10% or less, but binding tithe on believers is like imposing the law and severing us from Christ.

When the epistles to the church at Corinth states that the Lord loves a cheerful giver, then there can be no tithing.

It is nobody's business if you give or not.

1 Timothy 5:[SUP]8 [/SUP]But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

That is in reference to taking care of widows in your own family. If you take money away from them to keep up the tithing, then that is denying the faith in God to provide for the church.

The church is supposed to apply faith that God will raise up cheerful givers to provide for what He would have that church minister by. That is supposed to be God's indescribable gift.

It is hard for a church or pastor to profess their faith in God's Providence to raise up cheerful givers when their sights are on congregational members to tithe. It is hard for the church or pastor to preach about trusting in the Lord to provide when a church as a whole is not doing that when placing confidence in tithing from the members to provide. That would be what James was talking about in verbalizing faith in God's Providence and yet not leading by example.

 

[Burninglight]

When the epistles to the church at Corinth states that the Lord loves a cheerful giver, then there can be no tithing.

I am getting some good responses on this thread. You said it. Tithing is not considered giving. We pay a percentage to the government (Taxes) which is a mandated form of tithing; that is not considered giving to the government. Those that impose or bind tithing on believers are doing that without Biblical justification. Some use the excuse that Jesus saying to the Pharisees "this you ought to have done (Tithing) but not left the other undone" But Jesus was speaking to them rhetorically as those who follow the law. Jesus was showing that they failed to keep the law.

 

[Enow]

I am getting some good responses on this thread. You said it. Tithing is not considered giving. We pay a percentage to the government (Taxes) which is a mandated form of tithing; that is not considered giving to the government. Those that impose or bind tithing on believers are doing that without Biblical justification. Some use the excuse that Jesus saying to the Pharisees "this you ought to have done (Tithing) but not left the other undone" But Jesus was speaking to them rhetorically as those who follow the law. Jesus was showing that they failed to keep the law.

More like failed to keep the spirit of the law for which is why we need God as the Saviour under the New Covenant.

 

[Dino246]

I notice at my church they preach tithing at the collection, but I think it is wrong to bind tithing on Christians. I don't want to stir up trouble, but if they teach and dwell on it that we should do it, I'll say something. Right now all the congregation thinks it is mandated, but no where do we see followers of Jesus exhorted to tithe in the NT or for the NT saints. We are encouraged to give generously. We are free to give as we purpose in our heart; we can give 100%, 50%, 20%, or 10% or less, but binding tithe on believers is like imposing the law and severing us from Christ.

I think you're on the right track, and I suggest you do your homework before challenging the congregation's teaching on the subject. The passages most-commonly used in support of tithing are in Malachi 3 and Hebrews 7. A little contextual study demonstrates that neither supports it for Christians. Unfortunately, many pastors and preachers have conflated OT tithing with NT giving. I had one pastor, who was otherwise sound in his biblical understanding, ask me, "If people don't tithe, how will the church pay its bills?"

 

[dalconn]

the tithe was not just 10%, more like 30% +

 

[Denadii]

For those who haven't taken notice that covenant made with the Jews has been fulfilled in Christ, we are not under law but grace

LOL This is the most common argument against tithing given.....Does it really apply? or did you just borrow that?

 

[Denadii]

Many churches teach that we as Christians, under the New Covenant, are commanded to give a minimum of 10% of our income to our church. Others teach that preachers of these churches are turning the 10% tithe in the Old Testament into a legalistic prescription for Christians under the New Covenant. I even heard a Pastor make a challenge to his congregation to give 10% of their income for 90 days and if God does not bless them then he will give them their money back.

In 2 Corinthians 9:5-7 we read: Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. I don't see a "specific percentage" given anywhere for Christians "under the New Covenant," but I certainly believe in giving and not just to our church. I also believe that everything we own belongs to God.

You do realize that there is a difference between gifts and offerings and the tithe don't you. The ten percent belongs to God...Thus giving tithe is not a gift. However a gift,or an offering is given out of the other ninety percent that belongs to you.

I do not see where tithing is required in the New Covenant but the principle applies...If you give tithes to God, it becomes the key to receiving all blessings
Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tenth into the storehouse, so that there will be food in my house, and put me to the test,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. “See if I won’t open for you the floodgates of heaven and pour out for you a blessing far beyond your needs.

Yes this is Old Covenant but its a principle that still applies If you will give tithe...God will bless to the point where you cannot contain it all

So the question remains......Can you afford not to title? Really?

 

[maverich]

look to melchizedek, abraham returned and met him, melchizadek brought out bread and wine (communion) or word and spirit, in return abraham gave a tenth to the prince of salem. If your not fed bread and wine in your gathering then why would you pay to get less of nothing

 

[Denadii]

look to melchizedek, abraham returned and met him, melchizadek brought out bread and wine (communion) or word and spirit, in return abraham gave a tenth to the prince of salem. If your not fed bread and wine in your gathering then why would you pay to get less of nothing

I think you should elaborate on that one.

 

[iFlourish]

The first question anyone should ask is, was tithe a principle before or after the law? Your answer here will solve a whole lot of misconception. Secondly, who was given the law, Abraham or Moses? I believe the tithe came before the law and therefore is an obligation you must do.

 

[iFlourish]

Tithe was in operation before God gave Moses the Laws

 

[Billyd]

Let's face it people. If you aren't looking for an excuse not to give (call it a tithe or an offering) to your church's ministry, start one of these threads, and you'll be provided with plenty.

Forget the excuses, give.

 

[Billyd]

Let's face it people. If you aren't looking for an excuse not to give (call it a tithe or an offering) to your church's ministry, start one of these threads, and you'll be provided with plenty.

Forget the excuses, give.

CORRECTION Change aren't to are

 

[mailmandan]

You do realize that there is a difference between gifts and offerings and the tithe don't you. The ten percent belongs to God...Thus giving tithe is not a gift. However a gift,or an offering is given out of the other ninety percent that belongs to you.

I do not see where tithing is required in the New Covenant but the principle applies...If you give tithes to God, it becomes the key to receiving all blessings
Malachi 3:10
Bring the whole tenth into the storehouse, so that there will be food in my house, and put me to the test,” says Adonai-Tzva’ot. “See if I won’t open for you the floodgates of heaven and pour out for you a blessing far beyond your needs.

Yes this is Old Covenant but its a principle that still applies If you will give tithe...God will bless to the point where you cannot contain it all

So the question remains......Can you afford not to title? Really?

Malachi 3:8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. The whole nation of Israel. Malachi is written to Jews under the Old Covenant.

That same Pastor I mentioned in my previous post legalistically uses the 10% tithe to brow-beat people in that church with guilt. He even handed out pledge cards for people to fill out so they can pledge to give extra money on a monthly basis over a three year period above and beyond the 10% tithe directly to the "moving forward" project to build a new mega church. More than a few people have left that church because all that Pastor mainly talks about is money (primarily the 10% tithe) and building that new mega church.

During one sermon, he even mentioned that a member of that church came into his office one day somewhat irate and said that he is leaving that church because he is tired of hearing about money all the time and needs to find a church where he can go deeper in the Word. The Pastor mentioned that the word "deeper" is a code word for "I'm not tithing 10%." The Pastor went on to say that he checked the records and sure enough that member of the church was not giving 10% and some months gave nothing at all and then acted like good riddance to him! I was not impressed. Whatever amount of money that you wish to give is between you and God, but we should not turn giving into a legalistic prescription.

 

[Test_F_i_2_Luv]

look to melchizedek, abraham returned and met him, melchizadek brought out bread and wine (communion) or word and spirit, in return abraham gave a tenth to the prince of salem. If your not fed bread and wine in your gathering then why would you pay to get less of nothing

How much did Abram keep?

Next, what percentage did Abram give on occupational work? Scripture reference?

Third, assume someone lived far from Salem and the time is still pre-Levitical law, which means the Levitical, Poor, and Festival tithes were not yet in affect. Who were God's people supposed to take their tithes to when Melchizedek wasn't close by? Scripture reference?

Fourth, who were tithes to be taken to before Melchizedek was born and/or before his preisthood? Scripture reference?

 

[Denadii]

Malachi 3:8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. The whole nation of Israel. Malachi is written to Jews under the Old Covenant.

That same Pastor I mentioned in my previous post legalistically uses the 10% tithe to brow-beat people in that church with guilt. He even handed out pledge cards for people to fill out so they can pledge to give extra money on a monthly basis over a three year period above and beyond the 10% tithe directly to the "moving forward" project to build a new mega church. More than a few people have left that church because all that Pastor mainly talks about is money (primarily the 10% tithe) and building that new mega church.

During one sermon, he even mentioned that a member of that church came into his office one day somewhat irate and said that he is leaving that church because he is tired of hearing about money all the time and needs to find a church where he can go deeper in the Word. The Pastor mentioned that the word "deeper" is a code word for "I'm not tithing 10%." The Pastor went on to say that he checked the records and sure enough that member of the church was not giving 10% and some months gave nothing at all and then acted like good riddance to him! I was not impressed. Whatever amount of money that you wish to give is between you and God, but we should not turn giving into a legalistic prescription.

I agree that this is a bad thing. The man was putting his people under the law. He was dead wrong. He is in the business for money not for souls. The more income the better minister you are. So he spouts corporate lies. That is a putrid way to save souls. What I said still stands though. If you give a tenth of your increase, God will still bless you to the point where you cannot contain it all. LOL Then your tenth increases. and you have to build bigger barns to contain it and you can't contain it. so your problem.....becomes ......what do I do with all this? Give it away to those in need! Along with your ten percent. Now you have tithes and offerings. You get to enter a contest. They say "You can't outgive God" But now you have the pleasure of trying to out give God. You can't do it but look at the fun you're having with trying to. God blesses us so we can be a blessing.

Or you can keep your money and hope you can get by on it...