Tithing

Stringfellow_Hawke said:

Malachi 3:10 comes to mind each time its brought up. I have failed in this regard.

Could anyone share testimonies on tithing with me? We're not doing so well financially, my wife and I. Its hard to wrap my head around making it and not having to duck bills by paying out more money. Just being honest as a human who is slow to learn.

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it's not required

Ask God to show you/reveal to you what to give. And then when He gives you and your wife the unction, give what He directs you to. Praying for both of you and your household and that God blesses you both, and that His blessings fall like rain on y'all (((hug)))

Stringfellow_Hawke said:

For salvation, no. My salvation is not in question.

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I never mentioned anything about salvation.

It was a requirement for the Old Testament Hebrew religion (in order to provide financial support for the Hebrew priestly class). Tithing was done away with by the new covenant, and this is not mere speculation; we have the clear advice of the New Testament and also the actions taken by the early Christian Church.

Stringfellow_Hawke said:

Malachi 3:10 comes to mind each time its brought up. I have failed in this regard.

Could anyone share testimonies on tithing with me? We're not doing so well financially, my wife and I. Its hard to wrap my head around making it and not having to duck bills by paying out more money. Just being honest as a human who is slow to learn.

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You should give as the need arises and as you are able. Always be as generous as you are able to be. If you don't have a lot of money then give of your time.

Your family comes first, the church second and everyone else after that.

Stringfellow_Hawke said:

So Malachi 3:10 is no longer valid? Sounds like that is what you're saying.

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That's right. Not only do we no longer have a Levitical priesthood, but some scholars insist that the contributions given to them were to be in kind anyway, not in cash, which no one ever advocates be done today anyhow. But Romans 14 and other verses in the NT indicate that the Christian churches and people were not under these and similar OT regulations any more. That is not to say that we are not supposed to help support the church, but I know that that related issue was not part of your question.

Albion said:

It was a requirement for the Old Testament Hebrew religion (in order to provide financial support for the Hebrew priestly class). Tithing was done away with by the new covenant, and this is not mere speculation; we have the clear advice of the New Testament and also the actions taken by the early Christian Church.

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Hi Albion, can you give me a reference or two from the New Testament please...it sounds interesting. I know here in th UK the government looks after the poor, widows and orphans to a certain extent, which used to be the job of the Church. Admittedly there are plenty of homeless and destitute, always.

Stringfellow_Hawke said:

Malachi 3:10 comes to mind each time its brought up. I have failed in this regard.

Could anyone share testimonies on tithing with me? We're not doing so well financially, my wife and I. Its hard to wrap my head around making it and not having to duck bills by paying out more money. Just being honest as a human who is slow to learn.

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Today's temple of God is within you so this vers would mean to use the 10% for yourself if applied directly .

People say tithe was for priest of OT Levi priesthood that is aswell not true because Abraham prior to that priesthood alredy tithe to Melchizidek .

Imo we should follow what Paul said , give as much as we want to for collection , the collection used for the poor of church or for these who evangelise and preach gospel .

Tithing isn't bad but is not required of us as mandatory .

I had to laugh at “Your family comes first.” It does not. God comes first. Always. Yes tithing is mentioned in the OT, so a lot of people think it’s old fashioned. If we follow that logic, then what does Jesus say in the NT? He says sell everything, give it to the poor, and follow me. In that light, tithing doesn’t look so bad.
My wife has spoken at a couple of conferences about tithing. We were not making very much money in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but we made a decision that since everything comes from God, 10% wasn’t too much to give back. The first tithing check we wrote was very scary. But we noticed after a few weeks that we still had enough to pay all our bills. We’ve been giving 5% to our church and 5% to various Catholic charities ever since.
It’s all a matter of priorities and trust in God.
Tithing may not be a concrete rule, but making God your first priority is.

musicalpilgrim said:

Hi Albion, can you give me a reference or two from the New Testament please...it sounds interesting. I know here in th UK the government looks after the poor, widows and orphans to a certain extent, which used to be the job of the Church. Admittedly there are plenty of homeless and destitute, always.

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Hi, MP. I am not quite sure how to elaborate on the previous post although I understand the request for specific verses. SO, I am going to suggest the following article which I think covers pretty well what you are interested in.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-reasons-christians-not-required-to-tithe/

Stringfellow_Hawke, I believe this material will help answer your initial inquiry, too.

Albion said:

Hi, MP. I am not quite sure how to elaborate on the previous post although I understand the request for specific verses. SO, I am going to suggest the following article which I think covers pretty well what you are interested in.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/7-reasons-christians-not-required-to-tithe/

Stringfellow_Hawke, I believe this material will help answer your initial inquiry, too.

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Thank you for the link, it certainly puts things in perspective...

I posted something similar in another thread about giving. I have struggled and for years had nothing to even give. I feel guilty for it at times too, having only $3 for the week to give to church or buy bread, milk, and cheese from Dollar Tree for a week. I just know that God knows my struggles, my heart, my mind. He knows the conflict within this human body I am in, and those are the times I take comfort over guilt.

AvilaSurfer said:

My wife has spoken at a couple of conferences about tithing. We were not making very much money in the ‘80s and ‘90s, but we made a decision that since everything comes from God, 10% wasn’t too much to give back. The first tithing check we wrote was very scary. But we noticed after a few weeks that we still had enough to pay all our bills. We’ve been giving 5% to our church and 5% to various Catholic charities ever since.

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Well don't answer this but one might ask what type of income your wife and you were bringing in. So you gave the 10% but you would agree the 90% you had left might be an entirely different thing than someone extremely poor. Some people's 90% at barely minimum wage they might be making might be a whole different world than what you're living in. Jesus actually mentioned this about the woman who gave all she had but the rich or more wealthy gave a lot more in money value but really less in how it effected them.

Stringfellow_Hawke said:

Malachi 3:10 comes to mind each time its brought up. I have failed in this regard.

Could anyone share testimonies on tithing with me? We're not doing so well financially, my wife and I. Its hard to wrap my head around making it and not having to duck bills by paying out more money. Just being honest as a human who is slow to learn.

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Malachi was speaking to Jews under the Law of Moses. Christians are not under the law. Rather in this regard in place of tithing we practice generosity. Tithing is an obligation under the Law and as such is not of grace. Generosity is of grace and not of law.

Principle of Generosity:
2Cor 9:6,7 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Bobber said:

Well don't answer this but one might ask what type of income your wife and you were bringing in. So you gave the 10% but you would agree the 90% you had left might be an entirely different thing than someone extremely poor. Some people's 90% at barely minimum wage they might be making might be a whole different world than what you're living in. Jesus actually mentioned this about the woman who gave all she had but the rich or more wealthy gave a lot more in money value but really less in how it effected them.

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I get what you’re implying. And you would be wrong.

Stringfellow_Hawke said:

Malachi 3:10 comes to mind each time its brought up. I have failed in this regard.

Could anyone share testimonies on tithing with me? We're not doing so well financially, my wife and I. Its hard to wrap my head around making it and not having to duck bills by paying out more money. Just being honest as a human who is slow to learn.

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People that have been tithing long-term often say I can't afford not to tithe! They can be making a reference to either their spiritual condition, financial condition, or both—both are correct references.

The meaning of Malachi 3:10 apparently takes a little spiritual maturity to grasp, since a lot of people want to hold onto their money so badly that they hunt Scripture to find an excuse not to tithe (e.g., 2 Corinthians 9:7). This attitude does not come from God or a heart of generosity (that results from drawing closer to God long-term).

Malachi 3:10 is a remarkable verse, because it tells us that there is an exception to the command to "not put the Lord to the test" (Deuteronomy 6:16, Matthew 4:7, et al.) It means that the Lord is going to pour out blessing into your life even if, in your heart, you don't want to tithe, but choose to do so, anyway! Wow. That is (on the surface) so contrary to the revelation of God in the New Testament.

However, what we really need to do with Scripture is get to know God through it. The goal God has for Scripture is not to understand the rules we "need" to follow. It is (1) so we can know what is an offense against God and what is not, and (2) to lead us to God himself. The Bible is a revelation of God's nature which never changes (which is easiest to see in the OT, since we can read it knowing we are not under Law).

Malachi 3:10 shows us what God's nature is, regardless of what a person or people does or doesn't do regarding tithing—or anything else for that matter. (Sometimes God's nature is better understand as "the way the universe is designed to behave.") God's nature is love. He wants people to tithe so he can bless them. God blesses everyone no matter what they do (Matthew 5:45), but there are rewards for those that do certain things, and here God is telling us what he will do for people that fully tithe whether or not they view tithing as a command.

So the question, "Do I have to tithe" or "Must I tithe" shows a lack of understanding of what our (new covenant) relationship to God is like. God has set us free so now we have the ability to choose or reject God. (A choice someone cannot have if he doesn't believe God is real.)

A more accurate question about tithing to our new covenant God is: Do I want the blessings that come from fully tithing or not?

Fully tithing is one of the simpler-to-understand facets of building our lives on the rock (Matthew 7:24-27). It requires faith. Malachi 3:10 is referring to a spiritual reality that is much broader than just financial blessings. Whenever it costs you something to love God or others, God will reward you with much more than it cost you (sooner or later).

Given that, hopefully it is easier to see why people say I can't afford not to tithe. It stems from the changed perspective that comes from receiving what God promised for tithing. Not only will God provide the finances you need, but you can trust that he will take care of you if you aren't making enough money, can't find work, or if the economy crashes (pay attention preppers). Note that it is still the case that sin will push God farther away from you, which hinders you from receiving from God what he has chosen to give you.

If you are committed to living to please God, then do yourself a favor and start asking God to help you tithe and provide what you need (and want). Then start tithing even if you have to cut pleasures out of your life. If you've already done that and still don't have enough money, then persist in asking God to help you fully tithe, but give something—what you can give weekly no matter how little it is. No matter how hard it is now, you will eventually see it was well worth it. The key is to let yourself get into a position where you are trusting God to provide for you (Genesis 22:14).