Religious Tithing

I’ve seen people who don’t tithe blessed in highly favoured ways. I’ve also seen pastors attribute blessings to tithing but when non-tithers get blessed, the pastors have nothing to say. It’s called confirmation bias.

And when Abraham tithed, his faith was in whom?

By faith we are of Abraham's lineage.

"Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham."

And further:

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

This is not a natural lineage. It is a spiritual one. So, we can understand the culture of faith ("Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness") by examining the actions of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. Actually, the Book of Hebrews Chapter 11 takes us back to righteous Abel for understanding.

The wisdom of this is lost on the the Western church.

To give or not to give? Glad God didn't pause on this question.

“Giving” has nothing to do with “tithing”. That’s an erroneous conflation many Christians make.

This topic seems to resonate with you alot. While I agree with what you stated, any giving should be lauded. Nothing belongs to us anyway. We are but humble stewards.

When the widow gave her mite to the Temple treasury, Jesus approved because it was done out of obedience and honor. He was of course looking at her heart. While I agree that no one has to tithe or give out of their funds, it is certainly mentioned in the NT to help the poor and also support the Church. I like to attribute my outright miraculous blessings to the Lord, while at the same time appreciate the fact others may gain treasures by hard work, luck and/or monopolies. I have no argument here but to your comment on post #91 about it takes no faith to tithe, in my case at times, it absolutely does, lol.

I agree.

Yes, this topic does resonate with me because I have seen firsthand the damage that is done to Christians by leaders who promote “tithing”. I bristle when I hear someone say, “tithes” or “tithes and offerings” in the context of the local church… because at best it is incorrect and at worst it is controlling, neither of which have any place.

Why would Jesus make references to Abraham, specifically to the Saducees indicating that Abraham Isaac and Jacob were living and in Heaven with God? Also, why would Jesus meet with Abraham and Elijah on the Mount if Transfiguration? Jesus came to Fulfill the law, meaning that He would live His life through Christians fulfilling the law. Not completely discounting the law. You won’t go to Hell for not tithing, but there are benefits to tithing. If a church demands a tithe, then you need to question if you should remain at that church. Tithing is 100% voluntary just like giving. Also, a person should hear God for themselves on where to tithe and/or give. God is not telling us to give to literally every ministry.

He met with Moses, not Abraham.

Scripture doesn’t say that or anything like it.

Such as?

Under the covenant of Law, tithing was not voluntary. Under the covenant of the blood of Jesus, tithing is only mentioned in a historical context, in only one passage, which is not directive.

Well… we agree on something!

I was wrong on Abraham instead of Moses.

Jesus Himself said in Matt 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

Benefits of tithing Malachi 3:10 “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”

But that’s in the Old Testament which according to you is null and void.

Divorce is also part of the law, so is it okay to get divorced? Why was divorce mentioned in the Bible?

Yes... and He did fulfill the Law. It is now obsolete, according to Hebrews 8:13.

"For as many as the promises of God are, in Him they are yes" 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NASB). The promised blessing is through Christ, not through obedience to the Law.

Quote me where I wrote that... or apologize for your blatant dishonesty.

Is divorce clearly addressed in the epistles? Yes. Is tithing as a requirement, recommendation or even suggestion? No.

Have you sought God on tithing, before crusading against it in front of your followers? Why are you so against it.

Yes… back when I believed as you do but heard ridiculous misrepresentations of Scripture from various pastors and speakers. I did my homework and the Lord revealed the truth to me.

I stand against the misuse of the term ‘tithing’ and the erroneous teaching that tithing is in any way required or recommended of Christians.

Required by whom? Were you in a church that “required” tithing? We both know that’s not right. Did God reveal the truth to you by your observance of the church you were in, or did He give you a specific scripture?

The church I was in taught (on this subject) a combination of biased testimony, emotional manipulation and distortions of Scripture. They ‘required’ it for membership.

I studied Scripture, prayed, and sought out everything I could find on the subject. Every argument I came across in favour of it incorporated one or more factual errors, hermeneutical errors, or plain fallacies; none was sound. In contrast, the (best) arguments against it were consistent, biblically sound, and free from errors and fallacies. The Lord spoke clearly to me.

Well, the church was wrong. You heard God right about that church, and any church that requires a tithe. That’s just insane. In fact it’s a mirror of the Pharisees. But tithing itself is not wrong. Sounds like you were in a pretty toxic church.

It was indeed toxic, and sadly it took me a long time to accept it. You and I disagree on tithing, but I appreciate your conciliatory tone.

Nothing of the Old Testament law has been done away with. It is still applicable today for the Christian Church. Who shouldn't be eating pork, or breaking the sabbath.

Matthew 5:18
For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

There are two parts to the " Law ".
There is the ceremonial and the civil law.
Then there is the moral law.

The ceremonial law was completed by Jesus. That is why we don't offer animal sacrifices, eat kosher food, make fire, cook etc on the sabbath. ( to a strict Jew, using your phone on the sabbath is making fire and forbidden. )

The moral law, the ten Commandments are still inforce as Christians we obey them as a sign of our love for Jesus.

Jesus showed us that we are to worship in spirit not by keeping to places, times, rituals etc.