How do you feel about tithing?

[Sabertooth]

Tithing was done with crops/food, not money

That was a currency of the day.

 

[Presbyterian Continuist]

Although it's not directly stated as a 10% tithe we're supposed to sell all and follow after Jesus the Christ, Ananias and Sapphira were killed for withholding an amount as a lesson for us, which appears severe. But the Lord taught a much larger tithe than 10%:

Luke 18:22

If you read the reference carefully, it was not because they withheld part of the proceeds, but they lied in that they made it appear that they were giving the whole amount. Peter told them that their money was theirs to do whatever they wished with it, but to lie to the Holy Spirit about how much they were giving is unacceptable.

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Now in that lesson we were instructed how that man could have treasure in heaven. But the Apostles had similar requirements for the raising of the church. At least that's how I currently understand the following passages:

Acts of the Apostles 5:1-11

Jesus gave that instruction to that particular person. He did not teach the same thing to everyone in the crowd. The fact is that Jesus had knowledge that the man's heart was in his wealth, and that to follow Jesus he needed to have a change of heart about his wealth. Because his wealth was his god, he walked away from Jesus instead of following Him. This reference has nothing to do with tithing at all.

When Paul was collecting money for the relief of those in Jerusalem, he said that people gave what they could afford, and so set the standard for New Testament giving.

In reality, if we want our church to have the resources it needs to function, and for the pastor to receive a reasonable and livable salary, then church members need to contribute. That's why we have an offering in our churches. Some put much in the offering bag (or plate); others put less. In our church we let the manse to a family and collect the rent. We have another congregation using the building, and so collect revenue from them. In times past we had an annual church fair which brought in more funds. Through all these, we have kept our church running and our ministers paid. When we ran short of money, our previous minister had to resign because we didn't have enough money to pay her, and so we became an elder-run church. Elders preached but didn't get paid, but our church rules specified that visiting preachers were to be paid a "pulpit supply" fee, which we did.

But we never taught tithing as a religious requirement, as some churches do. Of course, if you want to become a member of a club, you need to pay a subscription to provide funding for its operations. That is seen as normal in society, so a church could conceivably set a subscription for its members, if they all agree to it. But it would not be a religious or Scriptural requirement. It would merely be a practical way of keeping the church financially afloat.

 

[topher694]

What are Pharisees under?

What are Christians not under?

**Topher, you yourself do not have to answer this.

Who said to give to God what was God's?

What are Pharisees under?

What are Christians not under?

**Topher, you yourself do not have to answer this.

OK, by that logic let's throw out everything Jesus said in response to the Pharisees... There goes a good portion of the gospels.

 

[nanookadenord]

I could actually care less if the church or even the N.T. told me to tithe or not. I'd do it, or something close to it, anyway.

I would think that would be true for any child of God.

Okay.

 

[His student]

If I chose to tithe (and I do) - there is no way that I would be of the attitude and be a poor steward of what the Lord has given to me - by simply throwing my 10% or so in the plate of my local assembly or my denomination and think that I had done a good job with the Lords abundance to me.

If you're to be a good steward of the Lord's provision - you really need to try to get the most spiritual bang for the buck that you know how to get.

Actually a good reason that it behooves the giver to do that is because the Word tells us that we will experience a return based on our productivity with what we have to work with from the Lord in the first place.

 

[nanookadenord]

Who said to give to God what was God's?

OK, by that logic let's throw out everything Jesus said in response to the Pharisees... There goes a good portion of the gospels.

You didn't answer my actual questions.

The Pharisees were under the Rabbinic law and were required to tithe. As Christians we are not required to do so as we do not follow the rabbinic law.

 

[Sabertooth]

...as we do not follow the rabbinic law.

But rabbinic law can still afford us wisdom and guidelines. (Hand-washing turned out to be a really good idea...)

 

[Saint Steven]

No, not any more than spending business assets on fertilizer to grow the fruits in question. Those assets never made it into your home.

I was talking about giving based on income, not the balance of your business P&L statement. Personal income, before tax (gross) or after tax (net).

 

[nanookadenord]

But rabbinic can still afford us wisdom and guidelines. (Hand-washing turned out to be a really good idea...)

I agree. Somethings are a matter of common sense and washing hands is healthy.

 

[Saint Steven]

Jesus said to give to any one who asks, so i give to any one who asks, If we care more about our money, a earthy token, then we do not deserve the kingdom. Why? Because God created human life is more important then money.

Giving money to anyone who asks is the same as tithing.

Can I have $500 ??? (please)

 

[topher694]

You didn't answer my actual questions.

The Pharisees were under the Rabbinic law and were required to tithe. As Christians we are not required to do so as we do not follow the rabbinic law.

You know how many times I've heard if Jesus didn't rearticulate something in the NT it does apply (which I don't entirely agree with) yet here he does, and now it still doesn't apply?

What belongs to God is not a conenant thing or a law thing, it is a God thing. This is why the tithe also existed BEFORE the law you mentioned as well.

 

[nanookadenord]

What belongs to God is not a conenant thing or a law thing, it is a God thing. This is why the tithe also existed BEFORE the law you mentioned as well.

It is still not required of Christians.

Also, the tithes that you speak of were one time things. Do you see anywhere it was mentioned where it was continued after the initial one time in the OT before the law?

Look, I really don't have a dog in this hunt. I cannot tithe or give anything at this time. I am being taken back for more child support and am going through bankruptcy because I cannot afford to pay my bills because the cost of health care keeps going up. So, everything I have is to keep the lights on in my home and food in the stomachs of my children when I have them, as well as gas in my car so I can make the little bit of money that I get after everything else is taken out.

 

[PaulCyp1]

Anyone who benefits regularly from attendance and participation in a church should feel a responsibility to contribute to the costs of running such an institution, which are substantial. And the institution certainly has a right to make its financial needs known, and to request assistance from its members or frequent attendees. However, tithes must be freely given. A church should not require a specific amount, or a specific percentage of income. Any such requirement will be less than some members could easily afford, yet more than other members can reasonably afford.

 

[Saint Steven]

This is why the tithe also existed BEFORE the law...

Did the tithe really pre-exist?
Or did the tithe in the law point back to Abraham?
Like the Sabbath pointed back to the creation week. (not the other way around)

 

[Sabertooth]

..., not the balance of your business P&L statement.

In simplest terms, taxes [can be considered] a business loss. Said balance is one's increase.

 

[topher694]

Uggg, as I said. Every. Single. Time.

That's ok ya'll can do all the mental and scriptural gymnastics you want to argue against generosity. That's ok, you can be wrong. But, I'm out.

 

[nanookadenord]

Uggg, as I said. Every. Single. Time.

That's ok ya'll can do all the mental and scriptural gymnastics you want to argue against generosity. That's ok, you can be wrong. But, I'm out.

I have mentioned that I am generous, just not with money as I don't have it to be generous with. I am supposed to provide for my family, no?

Somehow that is an issue?

 

[GodLovesCats]

I voted for "my money is my money" because I can't even pay my own living expenses and know a lot of other people are in similar situations. If you can't buy your own food, drinks, medications, etc. you aren't going to pay any monetary donations to the church. But those who can afford to tithe absolutely should if they belong to churches.

 

[Sabertooth]

I am supposed to provide for my family, no?

Not as a spiritual requirement, but the people of Mal. 3 had families, too. We have always been on the poverty line. We even went bankrupt. But God has blessed our tithes. Even though we are still on the poverty line, I have a credit score of 800+!

 

[nanookadenord]

Not as a spiritual requirement, but the people of Mal. 3 had families, too. We have always been on the poverty line. We even went bankrupt. But God has blessed our tithes. Even though we are still on the poverty line, I have a credit score of 800+!

You're a better person than I, I guess.

Don't need to give my ex anymore ammunition, because next she'll take the kids from me.