advice on tithing

[Musician4Jesus]

I know the Bible says to tithe. However people are telling me it's OT law, and so it's voluntary not required.

I'm confused by this because the Bible says you should give to the poor/needy. The minimum amount is 10% however according to people the amount you can give is however much you can afford. Is this true?

I also owe debts to ppl. I've been told paying ppl off what I owe would be more honoring to God than tithing.

If I pay off portions of the debt I owe ppl, and don't tithe while paying off the debt, is this going to dishonor God in some way?

If I were to tithe, I wouldn't be neglecting to pay off the debts I owe ppl.

It's also not a matter of I can't afford to pay off the debts and tithe. I just don't know what the correct thing to do is.

 

[Fireinfolding]

I know the Bible says to tithe. However people are telling me it's OT law, and so it's voluntary not required.

I'm confused by this because the Bible says you should give to the poor/needy. The minimum amount is 10% however according to people the amount you can give is however much you can afford. Is this true?

I also owe debts to ppl. I've been told paying ppl off what I owe would be more honoring to God than tithing.

If I pay off portions of the debt I owe ppl, and don't tithe while paying off the debt, is this going to dishonor God in some way?

If I were to tithe, I wouldn't be neglecting to pay off the debts I owe ppl.

It's also not a matter of I can't afford to pay off the debts and tithe. I just don't know what the correct thing to do is.

Theres some great posts on this, I'll try to find one for you, but yeah study the tithe its not what its made out to be. Its worth looking into.

 

[Fireinfolding]

Have you ever read this thread?

http://www.christianforums.com/t7594369/

This might be a help to you, theres alot of back and forth in there but it was sorta my favorite on the topic, GaryArnolds posts are always pretty good on it.

 

[eachallberg]

Peace be to you,

"Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back."
So if the church asks for your money, give it to them.

Christ asks us to give it all away.
Take the NT over the OT.

Try to pay off your debts, but always put God first.
The correct thing is not to worry about anything, and always pray about everything.

Maybe use your money to honor your debts. Using your time and energy to honor God. You won't go wrong. If you can't pay off your debts keep in mind, "freely you have received, so freely you shall give".

Peace and grace be to you.

 

[drjean]

Owe no man anything, because then you indebted to them (in more ways than monetarily.) People have debt because they live like they have more money than they do. If people would only spend cash, and not use credit, well, eyes would be opened eh? Live within your means.

The tithe is not required any more.
However, we are to give cheerfully to God.

Most people who tout tithing only give 10% of their money... but if you are truly a tither, you give of your time, talent and money imo. (and attending church to worship doesn't count)... if people would support charities (including, especially their church) then there would be no need for government hand outs.

How you do this, with Bible guidance, is up to you. Once you have all your debt paid off, then you are truly free to give cheerfully to God for the rest of your life.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

I personally don't tithe. Not money anwyays because I and disabled and need what little I have to pay for meds and rent.

But, in exchange I give my time to the church and "donate" items I may have for church sales. My pastor told me that giving your time is just as valubale, if not more valuable to God. He said people can give money quickly and not have to do much else, but in a fast paced world giving time is really shows God you care since time seems to have a value for people. More so in the USA.

A recent example is the girl I am with from out of country. I got $240 in Christmas money from my family. So instead of spending it on myself I sent it to her. She in turn got it and put 10% towards tithing! So it worked out well!

Sadly though most people don't take tithing seriously in terms of money. People forget churches cost money to run and a pastors salery (if any exists) comes from the church! One church we went to the pastor made about 21k a year which is considered poor. He had a wife and three children! Most of the churchs we went to, when the tithing tray was passed around about 30%-40% gave something, and usually it was the older members.

So, try to do something whether its giving money or time. Its the least someone can do since God gave everything for us!

 

[Sketcher]

Tithe, and pay your debts off. You'll be building the habit of giving while getting back into the black, and you're also opening a door of possible blessing on your life. 10% is sacrificial enough to make a difference, easy to calculate, and yet it still leaves plenty for paying off debt and the necessities of life.

 

[tturt]

While on earth in human form, Yeshua watched the offering plate and noted who gave and how much - so that's NT enough for me to give. But I encourage you to pray and ask Him what you should do.

 

[briareos]

God loves a cheerful giver and whether tithing is OT only is not really the final word on the topic. The reason tithes existed are still real tody (to support the ministry and house of God and fellow believers) God loves a cheerful giver. You should always honor God first, trust him also that serving and giving to his cause will not break you, rather he will support you

Luke 6.38
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.”

You cannot out give God, do not be greedy, support your fellow believers, support the cause of Christ and always serve God, he will then ensure that everyone else is taken care of.

and remember that when the Pharisee gave sparingly only what he could afford and the poor woman gave all she had, both were not pleasing to God. Give and it will be given back to you.

 

[briareos]

Now if someone says

"Thuuuuuuuus sayeth the Lord, pay me 500 dollars and your prayers will be answered"

That's probably not God but please don't feel that that is all tithing consists of either.

 

[TheProject]

My pastor touched on this a few weeks ago and stated that you can tithe in 3 ways: your money, your time, and/or your talent. If you feel compelled to give and your funds are tight, try to find another way to contribute to the Church. Just offering to clean once or twice a month could be huge b/c you would be giving of your time and your self.

 

[Fireinfolding]

I dont know why they call it a tithe, they should just call it giving, because a tithe is a tenth and its not used today as it was meant in respects to the Levites which had no land (thus food) and were commanded to recieve a tithe from their brethren. The mint, dill and cummin (food stuffs) even as Jesus himself pointed out. Which apears to be in contrast to the widows mites and/or the others abundance cast into the treasury. However it seems the devouring of the widows home and substance through manipulation existed then just as they twisted "honour your mother and father" Jesus saw them after whatever they were to honour their parents with twisted to be that which become a gift devoted TO GOD (meaning us) Gods servants. And one could very easily see how that could be done, simply by diverting the words father to mean spiritual father (in that sense) where they could undermine the commandment and void the word of God by calling it Corban (or that which is meant to honour ones own parents) becomes that which belongs to us (your spiritual parents). Thus, they no longer suffering them to do ought for their parents as the Lord intended. Theres just alot of slippery slopes and twists (whether wittingly or unwittingly) around money and gifts through the manipulation of words, especially the tithe. I would just say study it out for yourself so your whole attitude toward giving isnt this exacting measure of weight (leaving you with a little doubt). It encompasses so much more and lifts that whole thing off your shoulders. That wouldnt be to say, do not give (or cheerfully) God loves a cheerful giver, but when it come down to devouring the widows home and like things covetousness (which is idolotry) and the twisting of Gods words as a cloak for covetousness can be a common place from the seat from top trickling downward is all.

 

[GaryArnold]

My pastor touched on this a few weeks ago and stated that you can tithe in 3 ways: your money, your time, and/or your talent. If you feel compelled to give and your funds are tight, try to find another way to contribute to the Church. Just offering to clean once or twice a month could be huge b/c you would be giving of your time and your self.

It might help if your pastor could quote some scripture, but he can't. What he said is not Biblical.

NO ONE, absolutely NO ONE pays the Biblical tithe today.

THE FIRST TITHE
Leviticus 27:30-33 defines this tithe as a tenth of crops and animals in herds and flocks.
Numbers 18 gives the ordinances, or instructions, for this tithe, and commands this tithe be taken to the Levites.
Purpose of this tithe: to support the Levitical Priesthood.

SECOND TITHE
Deuteronomy 14:22-27: aka The Festival Tithe - a tenth of crops, plus add to that the firstborn animals, and take for the yearly feast.
Purpose of this tithe: “that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always”

THIRD TITHE
Deuteronomy 14:28-29: aka The Three-Year Tithe aka The Poor Tithe - a tenth of crops, kept at home, and invite the Levites, widows, orphans, stranger to eat.
Purpose of this tithe: to feed the poor.

Now, tell me. Which of the above three tithes commanded by God does anyone follow today?

The ONLY people in the Old Testament that were commanded to tithe were those who INHERITED THE PROMISED LAND WITH EVERYTHING ON IT. They got the land, house, animals, crops, etc. ALL FREE AND CLEAR. No mortgage payment or rent to pay. And THEY were commanded to tithe on the crops and animals and take it to the Levites who INHERITED the tithe INSTEAD OF the promised land with everything on it. No one else tithed. Wage earners did not tithe. Jesus did not tithe as a carpenter. Paul did not tithe as a tent maker. Peter did not tithe as a fisherman.

 

[BFine]

Pay your bills, and give some money, time and talent to your church.
As your bills are paid off this will free up a bit more money that you
can use to further the gospel and or help those in need etc.

Pray and see how/where the Lord wants you to donate money, time, talent.

 

[TheProject]

It might help if your pastor could quote some scripture, but he can't. What he said is not Biblical.

NO ONE, absolutely NO ONE pays the Biblical tithe today.

THE FIRST TITHE
Leviticus 27:30-33 defines this tithe as a tenth of crops and animals in herds and flocks.
Numbers 18 gives the ordinances, or instructions, for this tithe, and commands this tithe be taken to the Levites.
Purpose of this tithe: to support the Levitical Priesthood.

SECOND TITHE
Deuteronomy 14:22-27: aka The Festival Tithe - a tenth of crops, plus add to that the firstborn animals, and take for the yearly feast.
Purpose of this tithe: “that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always”

THIRD TITHE
Deuteronomy 14:28-29: aka The Three-Year Tithe aka The Poor Tithe - a tenth of crops, kept at home, and invite the Levites, widows, orphans, stranger to eat.
Purpose of this tithe: to feed the poor.

Now, tell me. Which of the above three tithes commanded by God does anyone follow today?

The ONLY people in the Old Testament that were commanded to tithe were those who INHERITED THE PROMISED LAND WITH EVERYTHING ON IT. They got the land, house, animals, crops, etc. ALL FREE AND CLEAR. No mortgage payment or rent to pay. And THEY were commanded to tithe on the crops and animals and take it to the Levites who INHERITED the tithe INSTEAD OF the promised land with everything on it. No one else tithed. Wage earners did not tithe. Jesus did not tithe as a carpenter. Paul did not tithe as a tent maker. Peter did not tithe as a fisherman.

I should have clarified my comments a bit. She wasn't endorsing tithing in anyway (we don't even pass a collection plate, we just have a basket in the back that people can put donations in if they so desire). She was stating that if you felt moved to give you could do so in ways beyond money. She's never preached on or pushed tithing. Truth be told, I'm actually quite unsure of where she stands on it.

I should have substituted "donating" or "giving" for tithing as I don't think she even said tithing. My apologies for the bad choice of wording.

 

[Paxton25]

I know the Bible says to tithe. However people are telling me it's OT law, and so it's voluntary not required.

I'm confused by this because the Bible says you should give to the poor/needy. The minimum amount is 10% however according to people the amount you can give is however much you can afford. Is this true?

I also owe debts to ppl. I've been told paying ppl off what I owe would be more honoring to God than tithing.

If I pay off portions of the debt I owe ppl, and don't tithe while paying off the debt, is this going to dishonor God in some way?

If I were to tithe, I wouldn't be neglecting to pay off the debts I owe ppl.

It's also not a matter of I can't afford to pay off the debts and tithe. I just don't know what the correct thing to do is.

If you truly are a Christian (one who belongs to Christ), how can you tithe something that Christ already owns? You are His steward, and being the guy that people in the street call "the guy who owes me money" should not be thinking about giving money away that isn't yours. Pay your debts so people will say, "That is an honorable Christian that pays his debts" rather than "There goes that deadbeat Christian hypocrite who borrows money and doesn't pay it back."

You cannot worship God and money (Mt. 6:24). Pay off your debts, so you only have one master to serve.

 

[Avniel]

Tithe, and pay your debts off. You'll be building the habit of giving while getting back into the black, and you're also opening a door of possible blessing on your life. 10% is sacrificial enough to make a difference, easy to calculate, and yet it still leaves plenty for paying off debt and the necessities of life.

I agree but to just add to what you were saying tithes and offering is not the same thing. When I get a check I automatically take out 10% I don't even view it as my money, that is God's money, then I take two months of rent, two months of water, electric, gas, cell phone, cable, ect...., then I take out 200 for groceries, then 200 for gas, then I put 25% of that in savings, 15% for future traveling, then I take the rest and have fun/offering(really depends because normally I get paid once a month so I kinda have to stretch it out so on the 13 of every month I pay it rigiht after bills) /shop/luxury/helping others ect.....

 

[GaryArnold]

When I get a check I automatically take out 10% I don't even view it as my money, that is God's money

Why do you view 10% as God's money? Doesn't it all belong to Him? And IF you view the 10% as God's money, what do you do with it? Give it to the church which is essentially giving it to man? IF so, you've been a victim of false teaching. NO WHERE in the scriptures does God say giving to the church is giving to Him.

Do you have ANY scripture at all to justify what you do with your money? OR, do you just follow whatever your pastor says INSTEAD of following the scriptures?

 

[Nienna_Lady_of_Tears]

Owe no man anything, because then you indebted to them (in more ways than monetarily.) People have debt because they live like they have more money than they do. If people would only spend cash, and not use credit, well, eyes would be opened eh? Live within your means.

The tithe is not required any more.
However, we are to give cheerfully to God.

Most people who tout tithing only give 10% of their money... but if you are truly a tither, you give of your time, talent and money imo. (and attending church to worship doesn't count)... if people would support charities (including, especially their church) then there would be no need for government hand outs.

How you do this, with Bible guidance, is up to you. Once you have all your debt paid off, then you are truly free to give cheerfully to God for the rest of your life.

"Live within your means."

Without borrowing money I would have no food, no roof over my head, and I would have been naked because I could no longer fit my clothing. I lost six sizes because I was too poor to afford more than one meal a day and my pants were falling off of me.

I am now thousands of dollars in debt; still haven't found a job, and it can't be helped because I need food too you know. I use the church pantry as often as I can, but it's not enough; not even my allotted food stamps are enough because I'm allergic to pretty much all the cheap stuff.

What would you say to someone in THIS situation? Starve? Go homeless? I've been homeless before.

 

[Phillipi419]

"Tithe" literally means "tenth." That's why you give a tenth.

And Proverbs says honor God FIRST with your increase... whatever that may be, and you will be OVERFLOWING.

Jesus says, give and it will be given UNTO you (pressed down, shaken together and running over will men give unto your bossom.)

The more you GIVE (as the Lord leads and guides you), the more you RECEIVE from God and from others.

And if God commands you to give and it becomes a conviction to you to give the FIRST of your increase... you will see... that because God is your Source... you cannot AFFORD... NOT to give the way He commands you <3 God bless you <3