Tithing

highlife said:

I understand the difference but since Malachi is OT I am not sure its relavent. I understand the church needs money to run but the circumstances of OT times are much different from now. Like an early poster said and then a follow up by another poster, the OT people inherited EVERYTHING and now we are subject to so many liabilities it makes it hard to live even if you make good money.

So while giving nothing is not good, I question the legalistic 10%, especially on gross.

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You are correct that neither Malachi nor the tithe is relevant today.

Malachi, being part of the Old Testament, does indeed have some relevance today. All Scripture is given for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness.

We can learn from Malachi. We are not to just dismiss it's teaching, but rather we should learn to rightly divide the Word of Truth, not applying that which was meant for Israel's land only to those who live outside of Israel.

We have many principles and applications in Malachi that can help us, we just need to keep it all in its proper context.

there was a parable where a poor lady gave her money and was happy and the other guys who were rich donated money. Anyway the idea that she gave and wanted to give was more of what is wanted of us. People who donate because they think they have to donate or to look good or feel pressured really shouldn't. yes i think we should give to those less fortunate then ourselves and no it doesn't have to go to the church we go to.

Tithing is not always money. Some of us do not have any excess money. I have education, and the gift of teaching. Serving is a form of tithing. It is hard to tith in most chuches today because of the misuse of the money and the unbiblical actions and doctrines most have incorporated.

If you'll read the entire book of Malachi you'll see that God was rebuking the Priests for offering up blind, lame, and sick animals to Him instead of offering up the best ones and by doing so they were robbing Him of what was rightfully His.

Once you understand the context of the Scripture you can understand its meaning.

Blessings,

Alan

papaJP said:

Tithing is not always money. Some of us do not have any excess money. I have education, and the gift of teaching. Serving is a form of tithing. It is hard to tith in most chuches today because of the misuse of the money and the unbiblical actions and doctrines most have incorporated.

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Tithing was never money under the Law, and there is no indication in the New Testament that it was ever changed to money.

Also, there is no indication that 'serving' is a form of tithing. Tithing only consisted of crops, flocks and herds.

Tithe if you can. If you are wealthy, give more than 10%. If you cannot spare 10% don't do it. I'm sorry - I'm personally against the whole passing the plate around during worship services anyway. Seems a bit out of place. Had a pastor tell me once that tithing is a way of worshipping God and that He would bless me for it. Really? So, in essence, I can "pay" God to bless me? I "pay" God as a way of worshipping? Don't think so.

For me, tithing is an act of worship that I choose to do. I don't feel obligated, and I'm not trying to earn brownie points with God/the church/etc. by giving 10% or whatever amount of my income. It is an act of faith and worship for me, something between me and the Lord, to say that I love Him and I trust Him and I am willing to give Him the first and best of what I have, not only in tithes but also with my gifts, talents, etc.

I've actually only recently begun monetary tithing, and I've found it to be a very rewarding experience. Being able to serve the Lord and give to His church, it's a gift for me and not something I ever want to give up.

miss.leanne said:

I've actually only recently begun monetary tithing, and I've found it to be a very rewarding experience. Being able to serve the Lord and give to His church, it's a gift for me and not something I ever want to give up.

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In other words, you GIVE, you don't PAY the Biblical tithe. Many of you are confusing giving with the Biblical tithe. You are confusing the two because of ignorant and/or dishonest pastors who teach tithing from the Old Testament rather than giving from the New Testament.

This merry-go-round is still going in circles I see. Nice to know some things of such dire importance will never change. At least not in this life.

If you want to tithe, tithe. If you don't, don't. God doesn't love you any more or less because you do or do not tithe.

I think it is biblical to tithe and the Lord will bless those that do, but I do not think it affects our standing before Him in anyway, we are righteous apart from works, tithing is a work. I have though saw my mom particularly blessed many times ever since she started giving 10% of all her income.

SoldierOfSoul said:

I think it is biblical to tithe and the Lord will bless those that do, but I do not think it affects our standing before Him in anyway, we are righteous apart from works, tithing is a work. I have though saw my mom particularly blessed many times ever since she started giving 10% of all her income.

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On which Scriptures do you lean to come to your conclusion that tithing of money is Biblical?

Studious One said:

On which Scriptures do you lean to come to your conclusion that tithing of money is Biblical?

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Matthew 23:23

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cummin. 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.”

Luke 11:42

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”

Genesis 14:18-20

"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all."

The Israelites in the OT were told to tithe and they would be blessed by God, I believe this still holds true today but like I said I do not think it is a commandment to Christians.

We are only told to give what we have decided in our hearts to give, out of love, not of necessity:

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

6But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

SoldierOfSoul said:

Matthew 23:23

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cummin. 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.”

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Money was not tithed, spices were.

Luke 11:42

“Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.”

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Money was not tithed, herbs were.

Genesis 14:18-20

"Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all."

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Abraham tithed of the spoils of war, not of his own property. Nowhere does the Bible say Abraham ever tithed again except that one time to the king of a pagan country.

The Israelites in the OT were told to tithe and they would be blessed by God, I believe this still holds true today but like I said I do not think it is a commandment to Christians.

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Hebrews 7 states that the law has been disannulled, so it is impossible that it 'still holds true today.' What the Israelites were told to tithe was crops, flocks and herds... nothing else. Who they were to tithe to were the Levites except the third year tithe which was to be given to widows, orphans, Levites living on one's property, and visitors from other countries. The seventh year, there was no tithe of crops for the land was to rest.

God never authorized anyone to receive money as a tithe, nor did He ever demand anyone tithe their money. The LORD's tithe was always crops, flocks and herds.

We are only told to give what we have decided in our hearts to give, out of love, not of necessity:

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

6But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
7So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

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We are not told to give tithes.

Try again.

The LORD's tithe was always crops, flocks and herds.

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That was their money back then. They gave to the Lord from what they had in their possessions before money was instituted. God demanded a tenth.

But like I said I do not believe this still holds today, you are right the law has been fulfilled in Christ and if we try to give hoping to get favor from God out of it, it becomes a work and a offence to God.

But the point is if we give in faith out of a cheerful heart (even 10%), trusting the Lord with our income and finances, He will reward this faith and bless us.

SoldierOfSoul said:

That was their money back then. They gave to the Lord from what they had in their possessions before money was instituted. God demanded a tenth.

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Are you joking? Not only was the tithe not money, but it wasn't income.

The Bible shows they not only had money, but that money was used as a common way of doing business.

According to the International Bible Encyclopedia, the days of mere bartering ended before the days of Abraham.

Here are just a few examples from The Word to show they did, in fact, use money in Biblical times.

The tithing law itself proves they had both money and a marketing system for buying and selling their crops and animals (Deuteronomy 14:24-26).

THE PURCHASE OF LAND WITH MONEY BY ABRAHAM - Genesis 23:15-16

THE PURCHASE OF LAND WITH MONEY BY JACOB - Genesis 33:19

JOSEPH WAS SOLD TO THE ISHMEELITES FOR MONEY - Genesis 37:28

A MONEY OFFERING TO BE USED FOR THE SERVICE OF THE TABERNACLE - Exodus 30:14-16,

USING SHEKEL OF SILVER TO VALUE A RAM - Leviticus 5:15

THE FOLLOWING VERSES REFER TO WAGES: Genesis 29:15, Genesis 30:28, Genesis 31:7-8, Genesis 31:41, Exodus 2:9, Leviticus 19:13, Malachi 3:5, etc.

THEY HAD A MONEY STANDARD

There are several places in Scripture indicating that scales were used to weigh metals and other items. The Law of Moses, for example, commands Jews not to use dishonest standards, but instead, to use honest scales and honest weights. (See also Deut. 25:13-15; Job 6:2-3; 31:6; Psa. 62:9; Prov. 11:1; 16:11; 20:10, 23; Isa. 40:12; 46:6; and Jer. 32:10).

Leviticus 19:35-36 – Do not use dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt.

In order for money to be an exchangeable equivalent for other commodities in today’s society, there must be a standard in place. Likewise, the Old Testament also had a set standard both prior to the law and during the law. A reference to a pre-law standard is in Genesis 23:16.

Merchants in biblical times traveled from place to place conducting business. According to the written law, the standard weight for metals was set according to the sanctuary shekel (See also Ex 30:13, 24; 38:24-26; Lev. 5:15; Num. 7:13-86; 18:16).

Leviticus 27:25 – Every value is to be set according to the sanctuary shekel, …

In addition, 2 Samuel 14:26 shows that the weight standard for the shekel was set by the royal standard. No matter which era in history is studied, there existed a standard for the weight of precious metals.

Money was also used throughout the law. For example, God’s people gave money to support the tabernacle (Ex. 30:14-16; 38:24-31). There are many other examples that illustrate money’s place within the written law and indicate that money was indeed a part of everyday life. Exodus 35 provides such an example.

Exodus 35:5, 21-22 – From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze;

And there are many more examples to show that money was used for everyday transactions well before the Levitical tithe.

Exodus 35:5, 21-22 – From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze;

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Yes, they did use gold, silver, and other metals as money among herbs, spices and livestock, but it was not a government currency and really this is just a side point.

SoldierOfSoul said:

Yes, they did use gold, silver, and other metals as money among herbs, spices and livestock, but it was not a government currency and really this is just a side point.

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But the TITHE was NEVER money OR INCOME. The tithe HAD to be paid with GOD'S miraculous increase of the crops and animals, NOT from the income the farmers received from selling the crops and animals.

The Temple Tax HAD TO BE PAID WITH MONEY and could NOT be paid with crops or animals.

Since they had money and income, and neither could be used for the tithe, it's really a simple matter. ONLY assets (crops and animals) could be used to tithe on.

TODAY, we can use money to pay for goods, OR we can barter and pay for the goods with our labor (performing services), OR we can barter exchange for our purchases. Exactly the same as under the OT.

GaryArnold said:

But the TITHE was NEVER money OR INCOME. The tithe HAD to be paid with GOD'S miraculous increase of the crops and animals, NOT from the income the farmers received from selling the crops and animals.

The Temple Tax HAD TO BE PAID WITH MONEY and could NOT be paid with crops or animals.

Since they had money and income, and neither could be used for the tithe, it's really a simple matter. ONLY assets (crops and animals) could be used to tithe on.

TODAY, we can use money to pay for goods, OR we can barter and pay for the goods with our labor (performing services), OR we can barter exchange for our purchases. Exactly the same as under the OT.

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But the point I am trying to make is that the Lord will still bless us if we choose to give a tenth of our income. I have already said that I do not believe that Christians must tithe, I am just saying that giving a tenth of what you earn, already have, however you want to say it, is biblical and God will bless you if you do it.