Do you know your scripture?

[Adam4Eve]

Straight question, straight answer...

Please tell me why, UNDER THE NEW COVENANT, Christians are OBLIGATED to give some of their income to the church.


If you think Christians are not obligated but that it's nice to contribute to your church, that's fine.
But that's not the question.

And remember, I'm asking about under the NEW covenant.

 

[Deuteronomy]

Hi @Adam4Eve, some NT verses and passages seem to strongly indicate that we are to give to church and pastor, and that there will be consequences if we do not (reaping/sowing), but obligated? If we were truly "obligated" to give a certain amount of $$ to pastor and church, then it seems to me that our "gift" would actually be a "tax", wouldn't it?

Here are some of the verses/passages that come to mind about this subject:

Luke 10​

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.​

2 And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.​

3 “Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.​

4 “Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way.​

5 “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’​

6 “If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.​

7 “Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.​

​

Acts 4​

32 The congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.​

33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.​

34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales​

35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.​

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),​

37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.​

​

1 Corinthians 9​

14 The Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.​

​

2 Corinthians 9​

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.​

7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.​

​

Galatians 6​

6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.​

​

1 Timothy 5​

17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.​

18 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”​

~Deut

2 Corinthians 11​

7 Did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?​

8 I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you.​

​

 

[Adam4Eve]

Hi @Adam4Eve, some NT verses and passages seem to strongly indicate that we are to give to church and pastor, and that there will be consequences if we do not (reaping/sowing), but obligated? If we were truly "obligated" to give a certain amount of $$ to pastor and church, then it seems to me that our "gift" would actually be a "tax", wouldn't it?

Here are some of the verses/passages that come to mind about this subject:

Luke 10​

1 After this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.​

2 And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.​

3 “Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.​

4 “Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way.​

5 “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’​

6 “If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.​

7 “Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house.​

​

Acts 4​

32 The congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them.​

33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.​

34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales​

35 and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each as any had need.​

36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),​

37 and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.​

​

1 Corinthians 9​

14 The Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.​

​

2 Corinthians 9​

6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.​

7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.​

​

Galatians 6​

6 The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.​

​

1 Timothy 5​

17 The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.​

18 For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”​

~Deut

2 Corinthians 11​

7 Did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you without charge?​

8 I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you.​

​

Yes but much of this is about being generous with various things, not just money, and is not a clear instruction from God which obligates people to give financially to church.

 

[Demi777]

Im not a fan of giving to churches. Giving all in all yes. The Holy Spirit will guide it

 

[JaumeJ]

Yes but much of this is about being generous with various things, not just money, and is not a clear instruction from God which obligates people to give financially to church.

Tithing is something that is no longer possible, that is unless you know of and assembly that is autonomous from any country and a country in itself. (the former Israel.)

However it is good to support your assembly if you are a member and approve of it. In this regard it is written a workman is worthy of his wage, and else wher do not muzzle the ox when it is traqmping out the grain...

 

[BenFTW]

Are you asking this so you don't have to give? I wouldn't say one is obligated to give, but to not do so, would be poor stewardship due to the principle of sowing and reaping.

 

[PS]

Straight question, straight answer...

Please tell me why, UNDER THE NEW COVENANT, Christians are OBLIGATED to give some of their income to the church.


If you think Christians are not obligated but that it's nice to contribute to your church, that's fine.
But that's not the question.

And remember, I'm asking about under the NEW covenant.

Speaking from personal experience, there are many who enter the ministry, in faith, trusting God to provide for them and their family. Likewise there are many who go onto the mission field, and are supported by their local church. Christian workers need support the same as Jesus and the disciples of the New Testament Church.

 

[John146]

Speaking from personal experience, there are many who enter the ministry, in faith, trusting God to provide for them and their family. Likewise there are many who go onto the mission field, and are supported by their local church. Christian workers need support the same as Jesus and the disciples of the New Testament Church.

And there are many who go into the ministry seeking a paycheck, and become a hireling.

 

[NayborBear]

Straight question, straight answer...

Please tell me why, UNDER THE NEW COVENANT, Christians are OBLIGATED to give some of their income to the church.


If you think Christians are not obligated but that it's nice to contribute to your church, that's fine.
But that's not the question.

And remember, I'm asking about under the NEW covenant.

Should the assembly you attend help you in your "walk?" Then you may wish to "contribute" "to the cause!"

 

[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 Malachi from the Old Testament for Israel into a monetary, 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 to give "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.

 

[jb]

Do you know your scripture?

Bit of a study on tithing can be found Here for those interested...

 

[Adam4Eve]

Are you asking this so you don't have to give? I wouldn't say one is obligated to give, but to not do so, would be poor stewardship due to the principle of sowing and reaping.

That's a loaded question in response to my question.
In fact it's more than that, because it assumed the answer to my very question.

"Are you asking do you do t have to give?"
Well, do you HAVE to give?

Does God want you...and your money?

 

[p_rehbein]

Straight question, straight answer...

Please tell me why, UNDER THE NEW COVENANT, Christians are OBLIGATED to give some of their income to the church.


If you think Christians are not obligated but that it's nice to contribute to your church, that's fine.
But that's not the question.

And remember, I'm asking about under the NEW covenant.

Yet? is dat u Bro. Yet?

 

[Adam4Eve]

Yet? is dat u Bro. Yet?

I'm sorry, you don't seem to be making sense?

 

[seed_time_harvest]

Straight question, straight answer...

Please tell me why, UNDER THE NEW COVENANT, Christians are OBLIGATED to give some of their income to the church.


If you think Christians are not obligated but that it's nice to contribute to your church, that's fine.
But that's not the question.

And remember, I'm asking about under the NEW covenant.

I wouldn’t use the word obligated but I WOULD use the word “Desiring“ the reason I say “desiring”Is because the Bible DOES say that anyone who has this hope In them will seek to purify themselves even as they are pure.

 

[Dino246]

I'm sorry, you don't seem to be making sense?

There was formerly a contributor here with the nickname "Yet". He was fervently against tithing as a requirement for Christians.

 

[Adam4Eve]

There was formerly a contributor here with the nickname "Yet". He was fervently against tithing as a requirement for Christians.

Oh I see.

 

[BenFTW]

That's a loaded question in response to my question.
In fact it's more than that, because it assumed the answer to my very question.

"Are you asking do you do t have to give?"
Well, do you HAVE to give?

Does God want you...and your money?

Nice dodge, lol. Let me word it plainly. Do you not wish to give of the money God has blessed you with?

One might suggest that it is irresponsible to not give, because of the reality of sowing and reaping (if your aim is to be a good steward).

 

[WalkingTree]

I don't see a "specific percentage" given anywhere for Christians to give "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.

Who will follow the words of Jesus and give EVERYTHING away? Luke 18:22

Everything is given by God, and everything will be taken away by him. We came into this world with nothing and we will leave it the same way. Physically speaking. If we seek to own or hold onto anything God will eventually remove it anyways. Why fight him? Give to others what was freely given you. And do everything with love and kindness in the fear of the Lord.

This is why we need a church, to help others reach this goal.

 

[Adam4Eve]

Nice dodge, lol. Let me word it plainly. Do you not wish to give of the money God has blessed you with?

One might suggest that it is irresponsible to not give, because of the reality of sowing and reaping (if your aim is to be a good steward).

It's not a Dodge, it just recognising that you answered my question with an almost accusatory question: suggesting I'm asking only because I don't want to give.

It's not that I want to or don't want to.
What I want is irrelevant.

I'll make it simple (as if it could be any more simple):
Can you please tell me if, a set the new covenant, Christians are obligated to give some of their income to the church.