Tithing, yes or no? Would you give to God if "tithe" wasn't

[returntosender]

There was a tithing thread not long ago, I can't find it. There were pro's and con's.
The biggest argument against was that it is in the OT only.
One of the ministers I watch on occasion was discussing it today. He said:
It is in the NT....Mathew 23:23.
It was a good thread so maybe those against tithing would like to reply to this added info?

Matthew 23:23 New International Version (NIV)
23 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

you need to add one more choice:

-10% isn't enough

(Luk 6:38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

if you believe that the measure you use to give will be the measure used as you are given to, and if you can give with a 15% measure, why would you give with a 10% measure instead?

 

[NerdGirl]

Is there a difference between answering "yes" and answering "dedicated to tithing"?

 

[Pavel Mosko]

I'm for it. But only that it is a kind of a model or guide to Christian financial stewardship, especially for people growing up in their younger years. I do believe God also blesses the tithe etc. like the famous passage in Malachi. But I believe in other things like free will offerings etc. And some people give much much more than the tithe in the Book of Acts etc. or today.


I am a little less dogmatic on the tithe than I was years ago after hearing some other more understanding on giving from the wife of an Orthodox deacon or priest whose position was much more Catholic as far as understanding that some people on fixed incomes etc. may have problems giving etc. That was something I didn't really appreciate till I had some of my own financial problems etc. that caused me to rethink things etc. Anyway it was an interesting point of view that the Catholics and Orthodox accepted that people gave in more ways than just money. I'm talking about volunteer work, and in the days of the Early Church to medieval times the people contributed things like the Communion bread and wine, candles or lamp oil, altar flowers etc.

 

[xaris]

There was a tithing thread not long ago, I can't find it. There were pro's and con's.
The biggest argument against was that it is in the OT only.
One of the ministers I watch on occasion was discussing it today. He said:
It is in the NT....Mathew 23:23.
It was a good thread so maybe those against tithing would like to reply to this added info?

In Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42, Jesus is describing the actions of the hypocrites under the old Covenant. The Church begins at Calvary (or Pentecost-your choice) and since then 'tithing (a tenth) is never mentioned, yet God loves a cheerful and free giver.

 

[Greengardener]

Just the usual thoughts, possibly a bit more random than usual, but offered for whatever good they can offer. I've heard many sermons on tithing, but the Scriptures give a clearer and cleaner view of what the original purpose was and how it was to be done. It's not hard to find all the Scriptures that deal with the topic, so I won't list them here, but I will note that I don't recall there being a patrol to assure that everyone gave their appropriate amount. I hear folks talk about how those OT people were "under the law," but when you realize how little government and scrutiny was over them, I'm wondering if they weren't as free as a society could be. The IRS definitely looks over most of us to assure we've paid our fair share of taxes!

The best remark I can remember of all the sermons I've heard on tithing was the astute man who brought out how God, who gave us everything needed for life and godliness, the ultimate sacrifice for our worthless conditions, and a blessed hope and calling freely allows us to keep 90% of the increase He gives us!

It might be that Jesus's remarks about the hypocrites had to do with picking apart every tenth mint leaf, and I can assure you mint leaves in my yard are quite small, while those same hypocrites were neglecting the bigger picture which included how the law was set up to encourage people to help each other and do the right things instead of struggling to have status above others and power over people. Clearly in the story of the widow's mite, we see that God takes notice about what we set as financial priorities, whether or not there is a "New Testament tithe." The concept of giving a tenth seems to show up well before the Old Covenant, when Jacob mentioned it. Maybe it is indeed a timeless principle.

 

[com7fy8]

This is our Christian advice place; so I advise, if you tithe, that you evaluate if your tithes are being used the way the early scriptures directed.

 

[Sabertooth]

Tithing, yes or no?

I don't believe that it is mandated in the NT, but I believe that God still blesses the tithe and honors His Malachi 3:10-11 promises.

He won't necessarily make one richer, but He will help the remaining 90% go farther. (I am not WOF, but that has been our experience.)

 

[Jesse Dornfeld]

I voted yes for two reasons:
1. I just started tithing about a month ago.
2. I don't think I can go without missing any time to tithe, but I'm sure going to try!

 

[NerdGirl]

Are we including "giving" or "offering" in this topic as well? Or just tithing, as in giving 10% as a rule, regardless of one's financial situation?

 

[Gary O']

After praying, and after proving out my mustard seed faith
I have begun tithing..... started not all that long ago

Cannot believe the rewards.....ten fold

I cannot afford to not tithe

'You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things.
Enter into the joy of your lord.'

So true....so very true

 

[Sabertooth]

I don't think I can go without missing any time to tithe, but I'm sure going to try!

(I made it a budgeted item...)

 

[Jesse Dornfeld]

(I made it a budgeted item...)

Yes, I try and do that as well. Any time I get money, I give 10% to my church. I try and make a habit of this, but there's no guarantee that I will never miss because I am not a robot.

 

[Sabertooth]

Yes, I try and do that as well. Any time I get money, I give 10% to my church. I try and make a habit of this, but there's no guarantee that I will never miss because I am not a robot.

If you send it through your bank's bill-pay system (instead of waiting for the plate on Sunday morning), it is really easy.

 

[Jeshu]

i think spiritual tithing is what Scripture really means. There are 24 hours in a day 10 percent of that is 2.4 hours a day in God's service. Be it worship or be it acts of love. If all Christians spend 10 of their spiritual time with God/True Love in Heaven, or do acts of love on the earth below, i know it will go well with such a soul.

Malachi 3:8-11
“Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it."

Peace.

 

[Jesse Dornfeld]

If you send it through your bank's bill-pay system (instead of waiting for the plate on Sunday morning), it is really easy.

I try and do it via paypal through the payment app my church has to give to them on their website.

 

[returntosender]

you need to add one more choice:

-10% isn't enough

(Luk 6:38) Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

if you believe that the measure you use to give will be the measure used as you are given to, and if you can give with a 15% measure, why would you give with a 10% measure instead?

I didn't want to put any limit on it.
.The OT mentions 10 percent but I do know what it is in the NT. I don't limit myself when I tithe, God doesn't limit when he gives to us.

 

[Sketcher]

If you're living in a prosperous country and paying your bills, then you should make it a goal to give 10%. It's anti-selfishness and anti-consumerism. Some people can of course afford to give more, and should if convicted. Typically, these people are rich.

 

[returntosender]

This is our Christian advice place; so I advise, if you tithe, that you evaluate if your tithes are being used the way the early scriptures directed.

You mean the OT?

 

[Jesse Dornfeld]

I cannot afford to not tithe

I got a chuckle out of this.