How do you feel about tithing?

I don't practice tithing, I practice charity.

I think 10% of my salary is a reasonable amount for me (I don't call it tithing though) . I have at times given less, and other times given more. I think giving is a big part of being a Christian, but not only money also through service to the Lord and people. If I get an unexpected gift or if I sell something, I normally give part of that money or value. It's not just about numbers, we are supposed to be generous with what we have. Each of us have to find out what that means.

topher694 said:

It's absolutely there, but I'm not interested in debating the point with people whose sole interest in what I'm saying is to argue. Which happens, every. Single. Time.

I will always err on the side of generosity and I have yet to see anyone who opposes the tithe who is also exceedingly generous. In fact quite the opposite.

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I also like to know where tithing is in the NT. I believe tithing is great, I just don't see it in NT.

Strong in Him said:

He's not teaching tithing.
OT tithing was not money.



They, and almost everyone around them, were under OT law so of course they tithed. But you've just stated that Jesus was talking about money, and the OT tithe was never money.

This verse doesn't teach tithing - unless you read into it and give it an application that Jesus didn't.

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The tithe was food, right? blah, blah, blah... that doesn't dismiss the case for the tithe it actually strengthens it.

I could address all of this, some of it I have, but I'm not going to (for real this time) it is simply not worth it.

In response to an earlier post, it's not making a deal with God. "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." Mal 3:10. ...Prove Me? Wow. The only time God said this in Scripture.

The widow gave all (Mark 12) Since Jesus was watching her and really knew her situation, why would He allow her to give all unless He planned to bless her as promised in Mal 3.

Jesus said, "But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." ...not leave the other undone.

The food - that's like saying the Scriptues with numerous topics aren't applicable anymore because it's not our lifestyle now.

It's not our money anyway PSA 50.

A cheerful giver reflects a submitted attitude. Ii Cor 9

So, for those saying to tithe or give abundantly, are you willing to pay for my lawyers fees when I have to fight my ex when she either tries to take my kids or does take my kids because I have no electricity in my home and/or no food in the home?

nanookadenord said:

So, for those saying to tithe or give abundantly, are you willing to pay for my lawyers fees when I have to fight my ex when she either tries to take my kids or does take my kids because I have no electricity in my home and/or no food in the home?

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If I knew your situation, and that it was the right thing to help you I would. I helped a guy over the net before, to realize he was tricking me for money. Won't do that again. We are to be generous, not dumb.

zoidar said:

If I knew your situation, and that it was the right thing to help you I would. I helped a guy over the net before, to realize he was tricking me for money. Won't do that again. We are to be generous, not dumb.

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That's understandable! I'm not actually asking for help, but rather wanting people to think of the consequences. I have seen someone tithe and I have seen someone give abundantly and they did so right into financial ruin. I am already at financial ruin and don't need to lose my kids on top of it.

nanookadenord said:

That is your choice and I respect it.

I do not tithe or give currently as I do not have much to give as it is. I am having to file for bankruptcy it is that bad.

Maybe once that is done, I will start to give again, but it probably won't be near as much as you do.

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That’s ok friend the scriptures also say we should be good stewards of what we have been given. I will pray that The Lord blesses you with prosperity.

nanookadenord said:

So, for those saying to tithe or give abundantly, are you willing to pay for my lawyers fees when I have to fight my ex when she either tries to take my kids or does take my kids because I have no electricity in my home and/or no food in the home?

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Listen, I believe whole heatedly in the tithe. But, it is still about the heart and not obligation. I will tell you what I have told others to do in similar situations. Abundant giving for you might be a single dollar right now, fine then do that, but give something. Yes, you need to take care of your family, absolutely. But, giving still needs to be a priority at some level, even if it is that dollar. Because, if you take the mindset that I'll give when I have more, you'll always have an excuse.

topher694 said:

Listen, I believe whole heatedly in the tithe. But, it is still about the heart and not obligation. I will tell you what I have told others to do in similar situations. Abundant giving for you might be a single dollar right now, fine then do that, but give something. Yes, you need to take care of your family, absolutely. But, giving still needs to be a priority at some level, even if it is that dollar. Because, if you take the mindset that I'll give when I have more, you'll always have an excuse.

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Thank you for your response.

When I am able to start attending church I will at least give a dollar.

Right now I do not attend church as I have my kids and my ex doesn't approve of the church that I would take them to. It's to close to Catholicism as far as she's concerned. She has final say in their religious upbringing and have to do what she wants per the divorce decree.

If I can get that changed during the child support stuff, I will and start attending church again.

I watched an online church service. I liked the preacher’s message and donated with credit card on their webpage.

Have been fortunate to be able to support Christian missions to the poor. I stayed in a homeless shelter for a couple weeks during the 1980’s, thus I donated to them sometimes. They brought an elder from one of the seventeen churches supporting them to preach one day. I remember his sermon about some people who were homeless in the past found places in the community. I own my own home now.

ilovejcsog said:

Lets try this again the right way. Hopefully staff will delete the first one.

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I believe that everything that I have has been granted to me by God. I believe that, for His work to be done on earth... that piddly amount that I eek out myself not included... but for His work and will to be done... it's takes money.. so... I give at least 10% of my gross.

Call it unscriptural... say it's not necessary.... say whatever....

But, over the years, what my father told me, has came to be true..."If you think you cannot afford to tithe..... I say I cannot afford not to".....

So, I tithe.... and give above that, which is offerings and gifts...

Even if that's all I do, at certain times... is give..... it is a fruit and I am helping God's will be done.

Just make sure that whatever you give your tithe to... that you do the research and ensure that it is not some fly by night TV scandal... but that it is solid work of the Lord.. where your money is going .

Guojing said:

As long as you recognize Paul's teaching on giving, do people really care the difference in terms? Just treat it as giving, instead of tithing.

If you are arguing against tithing because you want to keep all the money in your own pocket, that is a silly justification.

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I don't oppose tithing to keep money in the bank. For me and nanook, it is all about having some money. If we give it, we don't have it, period.

Strong in Him said:

That sounds more like bargaining with God - "I'm going to tithe because I don't have much money and I want you to give me more; so if I give to you, you will give to me".

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It is.

But He outright challenges us to test Him in this way in Micah.

"Test Me in this, says the Lord of Hosts. See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out for you a blessing without measure." Malachi 3:10

In the gospels He simply tells us about a basic financial principle in the Kingdom of God.

"Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6:38

In 2 Corinthians He tells us the reason we should try to enter into all God has for us by faith in His Word concerning the handling of our finances.

"You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:11

We are to ask to be blessed to be a blessing to others.

On the other hand - don't let the person who gives for the wrong reasons expect to have God give to him in return.

"You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures." James 4:3

But if your heart is right He will honor His Word. He always does.

IMO - it seems that those who won't at least give to God out of obedience and thankfulness in the manner of the tithe - don't have their heart right. It won't do any good to give until they do.

But then that's why I'm bothering to put forth the Word of God on the matter so people can and perhaps will do these things by faith.

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God and acting on it's promises not by drumming up some vague human feeling or hope or even by prayer itself unless that prayer aligns with His Word.

I have tithed my whole working life. I have been well off and so poor I couldn't tithe. But, God takes care of me. I received money from miracles. God has never let me down. I did pray his word and challenged him to fulfill his word. I told him that if he did not come through according to his word that when I die I will ask him face to face why. I was not going to let it slide. He took what I prayed and delivered! Jobs, income, it all went up by a good bit. I love God and live for him but I expect both of us to keep our word. He always has and I try as a Christian. Bottom line is he is involved in our lives and takes GREAT PLEASURE in answering our prayers. It is not a burden or going out of his way. He is our father and delights in helping us. I say to hold him to his word! He does not mind. Jesus constantly quoted OT in holding God to his word and using his word to teach about God. Remember, God is NOT some uninvolved God. He loves us and takes care of us.

topher694 said:

The tithe was food, right? blah, blah, blah... that doesn't dismiss the case for the tithe

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I didn't say that we should dismiss the case for the tithe; if someone has decided, before God, that they wish/it is right to give 10% of their wages to the church; fine.
I was pointing out that some people seem to insist that tithing should be practised, as it says so in the OT; but that no one today actually follows the OT instructions on how to tithe. They gave 10% of their crops to God - fine. Yet when they had done that, they sat down and ate the crops that had just been dedicated, remembering to include the priests and the poor in their meal.

No one does that today; people say "10% of crops, that must be equal to 10% of my wages", and they are told that they need to give that to the church". The temple treasury was not filled with carrots, leeks and herbs. The buildings did not benefit from the tithe; the priests did, because they got fed.

topher694 said:

I could address all of this, some of it I have, but I'm not going to (for real this time) it is simply not worth it.

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Not worth correcting my view of Scripture, which you clearly feel to be wrong?
Up to you.

topher694 said:

Great.

And it IS NT, OT and pre law

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I enjoyed reading your comments in this thread last night and have similar views.

For you folks that don't want to tithe that is perfectly fine but it is foolish to be against tithing for others.


1) Saint Paul mentions that the OT was a pedagogue for believers (a slave that escorted children to school). The tithe in that way, I believe gives people a basic example and instruction in what stewardship looks like. It is an ancient standard, technically based on taxation from the very, very early days but it should not be discarded according to other principals like "moving the ancient boundary stones" saying of Proverbs. Some people, I would argue, especially insecure people benefit from having an obvious standard. That is not mean that they are limited to that standard but having it does provide a basic norm (and no this is not "works righteous" saint Paul in the epistles talks about similar things regarding church worship and conduct).


2) Saint Paul's passage regarding "ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN FOR CORRECTION AND INSTRUCTION..." was made in context of the OT! At the time, that was written there was no NT! There were gospels and some epistles being circulated they would not be called NT until roughly 3 centuries later when they would all be gathered and literally canonized into one codex (book) called the New Testament. But until that time, the early Christians had to work largely from the Old Testament when it came to their preaching and teaching because those were the scriptures that were available they had to basically do what Philip the Evangelist did with the Ethiopian Eunuch show how NT truth was predicted and symbolized in the OT.

Pavel Mosko said:

I enjoyed reading your comments in this thread last night and have similar views.

For you folks that don't want to tithe that is perfectly fine but it is foolish to be against tithing for others.


1) Saint Paul mentions that the OT was a pedagogue for believers (a slave that escorted children to school). The tithe in that way, I believe gives people a basic example and instruction in what stewardship looks like. It is an ancient standard, technically based on taxation from the very, very early days but it should not be discarded according to other principals like "moving the ancient boundary stones" saying of Proverbs. Some people, I would argue, especially insecure people benefit from having an obvious standard. That is not mean that they are limited to that standard but having it does provide a basic norm (and no this is not "works righteous" saint Paul in the epistles talks about similar things regarding church worship and conduct).


2) Saint Paul's passage regarding "ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN FOR CORRECTION AND INSTRUCTION..." was made in context of the OT! At the time, that was written there was no NT! There were gospels and some epistles being circulated they would not be called NT until roughly 3 centuries later when they would all be gathered and literally canonized into one codex (book) called the New Testament. But until that time, the early Christians had to work largely from the Old Testament when it came to their preaching and teaching because those were the scriptures that were available they had to basically do what Philip the Evangelist did with the Ethiopian Eunuch show how NT truth was predicted and symbolized in the OT.

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Thanks, you make good points and I agree with your statement in bold completely.

If I come across as defensive on this topic it is because of the vitriol I have personally received over it. I actually don't talk about the tithe much, I generally preach on being a cheerful giver, but the two are not unrelated. However, I and other ministers I know well have actually been accused of preaching heresy for even mentioning the tithe. That is not something I take lightly and these discussions online almost inevitably devolve into some form of that.

Why do so many people think tithing is any kind of monetary donation when the Bible clearly defines it as 10% of your monthly salary?