Religious Tithing

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studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,706
594
113
#61
OK, I understand but how do we know how much we should give. My Church calls giving "tithes and offerings", this suggests that tithing is still observed in the new testament Church.

I don't know of any new testament passages where tithing was abolished or done away with. It seems to remain as a guide as to how much of our money we should give. I don't want to confuse this with some of the other old testament requirements which were abolished, such as dietary etc.
This is what Paul said

1 Corinthians 16:2 EXP B

2 On the first day of every week [C Sunday], each one of you should put aside money ·as you have been blessed [or what you can afford; L whatever one prospers]. Save it up so you will not have to collect money after I come.


This is Barnes Commentary on this Scripture ---

https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/28779/eVerseID/28779/RTD/barnes

It is universally agreed that this here denotes the first day of the week, or the Lord' s Day.

Let every one of you - Let the collection be universal. Let each one esteem it his duty and his privilege to give to this object. It was not to be confined to the rich only, but was the common duty of all. The poor, as well as the rich, were expected to contribute according to their ability.

Lay by him in store - ( ̓ ̔͂ͅ ́ ́ par' heautō tithetō thēsaurizōn ). Let him lay up at home, treasuring up as he has been prospered. The Greek phrase, "by himself," means, probably, the same as at home. Let him set it apart; let him designate a certain portion; let him do this by himself, when he is at home, when he can calmly look at the evidence of his prosperity. Let him do it not under the influence of pathetic appeals, or for the sake of display when he is with others; but let him do it as a matter of principle, and when he is by himself. The phrase in Greek, "treasuring up," may mean that each one was to put the part which he had designated into the common treasury. This interpretation seems to be demanded by the latter part of the verse. They were to lay it by, and to put it into the common treasury, that there might be no trouble of collecting when he should come. Or it may, perhaps, mean that they were individually to treasure it up, having designated in their own mind the sum which they could give, and have it in readiness when he should come. This was evidently to be done not on one Sunday only, but was to be done on each Lord' s Day until he should come.

As God hath prospered him - The word "God" is not in the original, but it is evidently understood, and necessary to the sense. The word rendered "hath prospered" ( ̓͂ euodōtai ) means, properly, to set forward on one' s way; to prosper one' s journey; and then to prosper, or be prospered. This is the rule which Paul lays down here to guide the Christians at Corinth in giving alms, a rule that is as applicable now, and as valuable now, as it was then.

That there be no gatherings when I come - No collections ́ logiai , I Corinthians 16:1). The apostle means that there should be no trouble in collecting the small sums; that it should all be prepared; that each one might have laid by what he could give; and that all might be ready to be handed over to him, or to whomsoever they might choose to send with it to Jerusalem; I Corinthians 16:3 - In view of this important verse, we may remark:

(1) That there is here clear proof that the first day of the week was observed by the church at Corinth as holy time. If it was not, there can have been no propriety in selecting that day in preference to any other in which to make the collection. It was the day which was set apart to the duties of religion, and therefore an appropriate day for the exercise of charity and the bestowment of alms. There can have been no reason why this day should have been designated except that it was a day set apart to religion, and therefore deemed a proper day for the exercise of benevolence toward others.

(2) This order extended also to the churches in Galatia, proving also that the first day of the week was observed by them, and was regarded as a day proper for the exercise of charity toward the poor and the afflicted. And if the first day of the week was observed, by apostolic authority, in those churches, it is morally certain that it was observed by others. This consideration, therefore, demonstrates that it was the custom to observe this day, and that it was observed by the authority of the early founders of Christianity.

(3) Paul intended that they should be systematic in their giving, and that they should give from principle, and not merely under the impulse of feeling.

(4) Paul designed that the habit of doing good with their money should be constant. He, therefore, directed that it should be on the return of each Lord' s Day, and that the subject should be constantly before their minds.

(5) It was evident that Paul in this way would obtain more for his object than he would if he waited that they should give all at once. He therefore directed them honestly to lay by each week what they could then give, and to regard it as a sacred treasure. How much would the amount of charities in the Christian churches be swelled if this were the practice now, and if all Christians would lay by in store each week what they could then devote to sacred purposes.

(6) The true rule of giving is, "as the Lord hath prospered us." If he has prospered us, we owe it to him as a debt of gratitude. And according to our prosperity and success, we should honestly devote our property to God.

(7) It is right and proper to lay by of our wealth for the purposes of benevolence on Sunday. It is right to do good then Matthew 12:12; and one of the appropriate exercises of religion is to look at the evidence of our prosperity with a view to know what we may be permitted to give to advance the kingdom of the Lord Jesus.

(8) If every Christian would honestly do this every week, it would do much to keep down the spirit of worldliness that now prevails everywhere in the Christian church; and if every Christian would conscientiously follow the direction of Paul here, there would be no lack of funds for any well-directed plan for the conversion of the world.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,412
13,756
113
#62
This is what Paul said

1 Corinthians 16:2 EXP B

2 On the first day of every week [C Sunday], each one of you should put aside money ·as you have been blessed [or what you can afford; L whatever one prospers]. Save it up so you will not have to collect money after I come.


This is Barnes Commentary on this Scripture ---

https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/Bible.show/sVerseID/28779/eVerseID/28779/RTD/barnes

It is universally agreed that this here denotes the first day of the week, or the Lord' s Day.

Let every one of you - Let the collection be universal. Let each one esteem it his duty and his privilege to give to this object. It was not to be confined to the rich only, but was the common duty of all. The poor, as well as the rich, were expected to contribute according to their ability.

Lay by him in store - ( ̓ ̔͂ͅ ́ ́ par' heautō tithetō thēsaurizōn ). Let him lay up at home, treasuring up as he has been prospered. The Greek phrase, "by himself," means, probably, the same as at home. Let him set it apart; let him designate a certain portion; let him do this by himself, when he is at home, when he can calmly look at the evidence of his prosperity. Let him do it not under the influence of pathetic appeals, or for the sake of display when he is with others; but let him do it as a matter of principle, and when he is by himself. The phrase in Greek, "treasuring up," may mean that each one was to put the part which he had designated into the common treasury. This interpretation seems to be demanded by the latter part of the verse. They were to lay it by, and to put it into the common treasury, that there might be no trouble of collecting when he should come. Or it may, perhaps, mean that they were individually to treasure it up, having designated in their own mind the sum which they could give, and have it in readiness when he should come. This was evidently to be done not on one Sunday only, but was to be done on each Lord' s Day until he should come.

As God hath prospered him - The word "God" is not in the original, but it is evidently understood, and necessary to the sense. The word rendered "hath prospered" ( ̓͂ euodōtai ) means, properly, to set forward on one' s way; to prosper one' s journey; and then to prosper, or be prospered. This is the rule which Paul lays down here to guide the Christians at Corinth in giving alms, a rule that is as applicable now, and as valuable now, as it was then.

That there be no gatherings when I come - No collections ́ logiai , I Corinthians 16:1). The apostle means that there should be no trouble in collecting the small sums; that it should all be prepared; that each one might have laid by what he could give; and that all might be ready to be handed over to him, or to whomsoever they might choose to send with it to Jerusalem; I Corinthians 16:3 - In view of this important verse, we may remark:

(1) That there is here clear proof that the first day of the week was observed by the church at Corinth as holy time. If it was not, there can have been no propriety in selecting that day in preference to any other in which to make the collection. It was the day which was set apart to the duties of religion, and therefore an appropriate day for the exercise of charity and the bestowment of alms. There can have been no reason why this day should have been designated except that it was a day set apart to religion, and therefore deemed a proper day for the exercise of benevolence toward others.

(2) This order extended also to the churches in Galatia, proving also that the first day of the week was observed by them, and was regarded as a day proper for the exercise of charity toward the poor and the afflicted. And if the first day of the week was observed, by apostolic authority, in those churches, it is morally certain that it was observed by others. This consideration, therefore, demonstrates that it was the custom to observe this day, and that it was observed by the authority of the early founders of Christianity.

(3) Paul intended that they should be systematic in their giving, and that they should give from principle, and not merely under the impulse of feeling.

(4) Paul designed that the habit of doing good with their money should be constant. He, therefore, directed that it should be on the return of each Lord' s Day, and that the subject should be constantly before their minds.

(5) It was evident that Paul in this way would obtain more for his object than he would if he waited that they should give all at once. He therefore directed them honestly to lay by each week what they could then give, and to regard it as a sacred treasure. How much would the amount of charities in the Christian churches be swelled if this were the practice now, and if all Christians would lay by in store each week what they could then devote to sacred purposes.

(6) The true rule of giving is, "as the Lord hath prospered us." If he has prospered us, we owe it to him as a debt of gratitude. And according to our prosperity and success, we should honestly devote our property to God.

(7) It is right and proper to lay by of our wealth for the purposes of benevolence on Sunday. It is right to do good then Matthew 12:12; and one of the appropriate exercises of religion is to look at the evidence of our prosperity with a view to know what we may be permitted to give to advance the kingdom of the Lord Jesus.

(8) If every Christian would honestly do this every week, it would do much to keep down the spirit of worldliness that now prevails everywhere in the Christian church; and if every Christian would conscientiously follow the direction of Paul here, there would be no lack of funds for any well-directed plan for the conversion of the world.
This is good information, though the context limits its applicability. It was for a special offering for the support of the Jerusalem church, which, if I recall correctly, was enduring a famine during this period. It was not instruction for regular support of the local congregation.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,273
9,321
113
#63
Better men than I have gone back and forth for a long, long time about "Is a Christian required to tithe to the church?" Both sides have their scripture and their favorite lines.

Me, I pay my tithes to my church because my church does a lot to help people. And I don't mean helping with an overdue light bill. (Our community has a joint fund that all the town's churches contribute to, to prevent leeches from going from church to church and bleeding each one in turn, while still being able to help those who are really in need.)

My church helps people who need God. That's important, and I want my church to keep doing it. I want my church to keep the lights on, keep gas in the bus, even down to being able to buy fried chicken for a church dinner. I want my church to be able to actively reach out to people who need help.

"But what if your pastor is misusing that money?" Well he's not. We have a business meeting regularly and they lay out all incoming and outgoing money. But if he did, that would be his problem. I contributed that money in good faith that it would be used for God's work. If the pastor misused it, he'd have somebody more important and more powerful than me to deal with.

The whole "Are we required to pay tithes" debate is a red herring. If I love people and my church helps people, I don't have to be required to. I do it because it goes to further an effort I think is important. If I don't love people I don't have any reason to pay tithes, regardless of whether or not I'm officially required to. And if I know for a fact my church is misusing the money, I need to find a better church.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,412
13,756
113
#64
Better men than I have gone back and forth for a long, long time about "Is a Christian required to tithe to the church?" Both sides have their scripture and their favorite lines.

Me, I pay my tithes to my church because my church does a lot to help people. And I don't mean helping with an overdue light bill. (Our community has a joint fund that all the town's churches contribute to, to prevent leeches from going from church to church and bleeding each one in turn, while still being able to help those who are really in need.)

My church helps people who need God. That's important, and I want my church to keep doing it. I want my church to keep the lights on, keep gas in the bus, even down to being able to buy fried chicken for a church dinner. I want my church to be able to actively reach out to people who need help.

"But what if your pastor is misusing that money?" Well he's not. We have a business meeting regularly and they lay out all incoming and outgoing money. But if he did, that would be his problem. I contributed that money in good faith that it would be used for God's work. If the pastor misused it, he'd have somebody more important and more powerful than me to deal with.

The whole "Are we required to pay tithes" debate is a red herring. If I love people and my church helps people, I don't have to be required to. I do it because it goes to further an effort I think is important. If I don't love people I don't have any reason to pay tithes, regardless of whether or not I'm officially required to. And if I know for a fact my church is misusing the money, I need to find a better church.
I agree with your motivation. :)
 

Edify

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2021
1,559
655
113
#65
I go to a church of about 15-20, so I give according to their needs. I would not give much to a megachurch, however, because anyone that pays $80 - $250,000 or more pastor salary has no financial needs of money. They DO however need to go back to the old paths & start over like the rich young ruler needed to.
So everybody is going to have a different answer acording to their church's needs & ministries.
But tithing? Not taught in the NT. Giving? Taught all over the place. God loves a cheerful giver. (
2 Corinthians 9:6-7)


Matt. 10:5These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans, 6but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’c 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers,d cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. 9Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts, 10no bag for your journey, or two tunicse or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food. 11And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. 12As you enter the house, greet it. 13And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. 15Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

V8 doesn't have to be considered as doctrine, but I believe Jesus set a standard here for ministry..... and it generally hasn't been followed by the ministers or the churches.
 

Billyd

Senior Member
May 8, 2014
5,217
1,620
113
#66
Call it a tithe or an offering. It belongs to God. Find a way to use it for his glory.

What did the first congregations do with what they had? What happened to God's kingdom? What are Christian congregations doing with what God has blessed them with? What I see is a bunch of tight wad people claiming to be Christians, telling others to keep what they have, and let the government take care of God's kingdom.

If you call yourself a Christian, pay attention to the early church. Get off your pocketbook, and your backside and put that what God has blessed you with.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,412
13,756
113
#67
Call it a tithe or an offering. It belongs to God.
This is misleading at best. According to the Law of Moses, the tithe belongs to God:

Leviticus 27:30 “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord."

However, Christians are not under the Old Testament law; we are under the new covenant in Christ's blood. Further, this verse says nothing at all about monetary income, which is how it is applied by many modern teachers. There isn't a single verse of Scripture that says an offering belongs to God prior to it being submitted to Him. While in principle, everything belongs to Him anyway because He is the Creator, He has assigned stewardship of goods and resources to humans along with the authority to decide what to do with them.

There simply is no scriptural precedent for calling a monetary offering a "tithe". There is no Scripture that requires the submission of money and calls it a "tithe". Tithes in Scripture were always goods.

Find a way to use it for his glory.
No argument there.

What did the first congregations do with what they had? What happened to God's kingdom? What are Christian congregations doing with what God has blessed them with? What I see is a bunch of tight wad people claiming to be Christians, telling others to keep what they have, and let the government take care of God's kingdom.
Really? Who is saying such things? Please quote them.

If you call yourself a Christian, pay attention to the early church. Get off your pocketbook, and your backside and put that what God has blessed you with.
Don't make the asinine mistake of assuming that because someone doesn't call their monetary offerings to their local church a "tithe", that they don't give anything at all, or that they give very little.
 

Burn1986

Active member
Mar 4, 2024
918
212
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#68
Brothers and Sisters,

My Lord said:

Luke 19 45And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, 46saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”

Matthew 21 13 And He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

Where is the house of the Lord? Where does he dwell?

https://www.britannica.com/topic/tithe

The term “tithe” (Heb. “maaser”)—meaning, the one tenth part of something given to charity—appears often in the Torah

Is it wrong to tithe? That would depend on what it is used for wouldn’t it? Is it used for the body first? For those in the body who are in need? Or is it to build a large empty building with fancy furnishings. With leaders who stuff themselves and theirs first before sharing what is left with the body, if they share at all? Showing love for each other and care, instead of like the world? That would make the world see something they don’t have, a true living community, a family who takes care of each other. This is the way!

If they did do that, then the Lord would provide a greater bounty for them to also share for those outside the body. To be able to show love and compassion for those outside, as you too once were outside! Not to become wasteful, boastful, and haughty. He will provide what you need, least you become distracted from what is truly important!

Yet many say, the law doesn’t apply, especially of the old Jewish laws…. Oh, well, maybe only select laws do.

At the same time one of the 10 commandments, thanks to man’s religious traditions which was never removed in the reformation, which was written by the hand of God first, then rewritten by Mosses is ignored by many in religion. Then sometimes, when they do “observe it” they add to the law just as the Jewish religious did.

Whose commandment was it? Who blessed that day and made it Holy? Tell me of all the commandments listed which one seems like it would be the easiest, if it were possible to keep?

Maybe it depends on who is feeding you?

‘Tis the season, the Lord is not a gene, he is not santa clause, here to grant you wishes while you live your life for you. He gave his Son for you, who laid down His life for His flock. The victory is won, the deed is done, will you pick up your cross and stand as one with the Father and Son? Or eat, drink and be merry? Who is your King, who do you follow?

The Lord is the Way!
blessed be the name of the Lord forever and ever!

Love, your brother in Christ
Its one of the basics of Christianity 101 to tithe. Abraham tithed to Melchizedek. This happened even before the 10 commandments. He didn’t worry about what Melchizedek did with it, he obeyed and trusted God to use it. If you don’t tithe, the devourer will take it. It’s scary to think about not tithing.

I need to make sure I’m in the right forum. This is a pretty basic topic for a pastor or small group leader. Wow
 
May 12, 2016
226
32
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#70
Who's going to pay the expenses? Who's going to gas in the van or bus? Who's going to feed the elderly widows or the young mother whose husband was killed in an accident? More importantly. Who's going lead the lost of the community to Christ when the door's of the church close. I see the doors of the churches of your true bible believing Christians, that refuse to give to the church, close on a regular basis.
Who will pay the bills? Who will lead? Who will care for the widowed?

The ones who always pay and give. The body of true believers in Christ. Who are giving anyway. Who don’t wait till Sunday to “do God’s will”. Or wait till the beckon of a leader who wants gas in his car, or his bills paid.

Those in the body who work. Who have vehicles. They can transport people. They can feed the widowed, the homeless.

If those in the body of Christ, the true church, already love and give according to the greatest commandments.
If they are already doing these things, which they should to even the least!

Then why do believers who want to help need to give money to people and a building to pay bills, in order to give money to feed the widowed or fill up the gas tank of a poor man, instead of the church van?

It is good to hear that someone wants to help people! Think of all the resources that could go to doing those things mentioned instead of keeping empty buildings open, unused van tanks full, and private jets paid for?

Who will lead them, the lost? Being born again, one should know who the Shepard is. Who leads His church! If they are born again, they need no man to lead them because they are led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will minister to who He shall minister, and save who He shall save.

Love, a brother in Christ.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,275
3,606
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#71
When you give overseers the right and ability to dictate how much a person must give, it's a recipe for all kinds of abuse and fraud. It's not taught in the New Testament; there's not a single reference or teaching telling New Testament believer to tithe, only freewill giving. Yes, giving is definitely taught; but it's up to the individual how much they want to give, not the overseers.
 

Burn1986

Active member
Mar 4, 2024
918
212
43
#72
When you give overseers the right and ability to dictate how much a person must give, it's a recipe for all kinds of abuse and fraud. It's not taught in the New Testament; there's not a single reference or teaching telling New Testament believer to tithe, only freewill giving. Yes, giving is definitely taught; but it's up to the individual how much they want to give, not the overseers.
Why not tithe? God says tithe your first fruits and the give offerings above that. Either way, if you don’t something will come up that will take that money anyway. You’re giving that money to God in obedience. Not everyone hears God and has the faith to tithe. It doesn’t mean you’re not saved, it just means you’re stubborn. I guess everything has to be spelled out, “The Bible never said ‘ Don’t smoke marijuana or shoot heroin or beat my dog’. I guess it’s okay. Hey God, should I drink Lite beer or regular? I may have to fast and pray over that one.” What a teacher. Cmon man,
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,275
3,606
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#73
Why not tithe? God says tithe your first fruits and the give offerings above that. Either way, if you don’t something will come up that will take that money anyway. You’re giving that money to God in obedience. Not everyone hears God and has the faith to tithe. It doesn’t mean you’re not saved, it just means you’re stubborn. I guess everything has to be spelled out, “The Bible never said ‘ Don’t smoke marijuana or shoot heroin or beat my dog’. I guess it’s okay. Hey God, should I drink Lite beer or regular? I may have to fast and pray over that one.” What a teacher. Cmon man,
If a person wants to commit to giving 10%, that's between them and God; never said there was anything wrong with it. All I said was it's not up to the overseers to dictate the amount a person has to give. And yes, everything does have to be spelled out. Why else would God have given us His word? You're using scripture yourself, wrongly interpreted though in my opinion.
 

Burn1986

Active member
Mar 4, 2024
918
212
43
#74
If a person wants to commit to giving 10%, that's between them and God; never said there was anything wrong with it. All I said was it's not up to the overseers to dictate the amount a person has to give. And yes, everything does have to be spelled out. Why else would God have given us His word? You're using scripture yourself, wrongly interpreted though in my opinion.
Then give it where you feel led to give it. You’re right, it’s between you and God. Do you not trust God to get your money to where He needs it to go? God doesn’t need your money since you’re just giving Him back what He already owns. It’s about your faith and trust in God, if you haven’t been tithing then it’s gonna be a little tough, so start with what you feel you can give. It’s important to hear God on where He tells you to tithe. If you’re not sure, then give to your local church and ask God to confirm it to you that day, either in scripture or through some other means that you have done the right thing. The Bible is true that He will pour out on you a blessing that you won’t have room to receive it. New jobs, kids don’t get sick, washing machine lasts longer, car doesn’t break, etc
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,275
3,606
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#75
There's a basic formula for balancing a budget; it's surprisingly simple. When things don't balance, you can either: 1) Increase income; 2) Decreasing spending and expenses. Mostly these days you see people opting for number 1. If they can't acquire extra income legitimately they resort to crime, fraud, credit cards, borrowing from friends or relatives, begging, etc. This is the approach most of the church world has adopted; even resorting to underhanded, unscriptural teachings to squeeze more out of people. There are some Christian celebrity speakers and authors who say that 10% is only the start; you should actually give 20% or more.

Why is it you see so few churches opting for number 2? They could. They could get rid of their big fancy buildings with all the overhead that comes with them. Meeting in homes or public places was good enough for the first believers. Why isn't it good enough for us? There's a very simple answer. If you choose number 2, the gravy train dries up. You see, it has nothing to do with God's church; it's a big ponzi racket.
 

Burn1986

Active member
Mar 4, 2024
918
212
43
#76
There's a basic formula for balancing a budget; it's surprisingly simple. When things don't balance, you can either: 1) Increase income; 2) Decreasing spending and expenses. Mostly these days you see people opting for number 1. If they can't acquire extra income legitimately they resort to crime, fraud, credit cards, borrowing from friends or relatives, begging, etc. This is the approach most of the church world has adopted; even resorting to underhanded, unscriptural teachings to squeeze more out of people. There are some Christian celebrity speakers and authors who say that 10% is only the start; you should actually give 20% or more.

Why is it you see so few churches opting for number 2? They could. They could get rid of their big fancy buildings with all the overhead that comes with them. Meeting in homes or public places was good enough for the first believers. Why isn't it good enough for us? There's a very simple answer. If you choose number 2, the gravy train dries up. You see, it has nothing to do with God's church; it's a big ponzi racket.
Not all churches are like that. So there’s no prayer or seeking God in there at all? Then I guess you need to come out of that church. Remember, tithing is between you and God. God already has a place for you to tithe, and it sounds like He is already closing and opening doors for you to go through. Sounds like you have more going on than just tithing. You may need to go on an extended fast and seek God to open up a door for you and your family.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,275
3,606
113
#77
Not all churches are like that. So there’s no prayer or seeking God in there at all? Then I guess you need to come out of that church. Remember, tithing is between you and God. God already has a place for you to tithe, and it sounds like He is already closing and opening doors for you to go through. Sounds like you have more going on than just tithing. You may need to go on an extended fast and seek God to open up a door for you and your family.
I disagree with you so now I have a lot of issues going on and need to go on an extended fast? lol Too much. I do agree with you on one thing though. Not all congregation have been corrupted; however, corruption is becoming the norm.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,412
13,756
113
#78
Its one of the basics of Christianity 101 to tithe. Abraham tithed to Melchizedek. This happened even before the 10 commandments. He didn’t worry about what Melchizedek did with it, he obeyed and trusted God to use it. If you don’t tithe, the devourer will take it. It’s scary to think about not tithing.

I need to make sure I’m in the right forum. This is a pretty basic topic for a pastor or small group leader. Wow
Abraham tithed a single time, and it wasn’t even on his ‘income’ but on war spoils. That’s hardly a model for Christian practice. Circumcision also was commanded prior to Sinai; are you going to preach that too?

You use fear as a motivation for tithing, which tells me both that you don’t understand the Christian’s relationship to the Sinai law and also that you don’t truly trust your heavenly Father.

Voluntary giving is a basic teaching for Christians; tithing is old covenant law misinterpreted and misapplied. Any Christian pastors who preach tithing haven’t done their homework.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
13,767
7,765
113
#79
Then give it where you feel led to give it. You’re right, it’s between you and God. Do you not trust God to get your money to where He needs it to go? God doesn’t need your money since you’re just giving Him back what He already owns. It’s about your faith and trust in God, if you haven’t been tithing then it’s gonna be a little tough, so start with what you feel you can give. It’s important to hear God on where He tells you to tithe. If you’re not sure, then give to your local church and ask God to confirm it to you that day, either in scripture or through some other means that you have done the right thing. The Bible is true that He will pour out on you a blessing that you won’t have room to receive it. New jobs, kids don’t get sick, washing machine lasts longer, car doesn’t break, etc

He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Blessings
 

Burn1986

Active member
Mar 4, 2024
918
212
43
#80
Abraham tithed a single time, and it wasn’t even on his ‘income’ but on war spoils. That’s hardly a model for Christian practice. Circumcision also was commanded prior to Sinai; are you going to preach that too?

You use fear as a motivation for tithing, which tells me both that you don’t understand the Christian’s relationship to the Sinai law and also that you don’t truly trust your heavenly Father.

Voluntary giving is a basic teaching for Christians; tithing is old covenant law misinterpreted and misapplied. Any Christian pastors who preach tithing haven’t done their homework.
Why is it so tough to tithe? Look, you don’t have to do it. You can justify anything bro, if you want to bad enough. Why are you getting mad? It’s true that if you tithe God will rebuke the devoured for you sake. If you don’t then He won’t. Let’s be honest, if you’re whining this much about giving a tenth, we know you certainly won’t voluntarily give anything lol.