Are Christians commanded to tithe?

[charles1014]

I recently read in a Baptist publication where the author claimed that Christians have a commandment to tithe (even though no scripture reference was given). He also went on to say that tithing should be treated as a doctrine that should be defended just as the doctrine of Salvation.

My issue is, I cannot find any such commandment and therefore question the other aspect of his argument for defending it.

 

[1watchman]

I don't see any such commandment about tithing (which is really a privilege), and in fact I don't believe commandments in the nature of the OT is what we find in the NT. God sets standards and expectations today for anyone who has a desire to obey, honor, and serve God; otherwise there is forfeiture.

References to salvation may be presented as commandment at times, but it is properly saying it is the urgent criteria for salvation and any expectation of entering Heaven or obeying and pleasing God. If one does not embrace the standard God gives, he/she will forfeit hope and any part in God. We better know the standard (commandment?) of salvation!

 

[charles1014]

No argument on the subject of Salvation. However, you mention that tithing is really a privilege, but was it not a part of the curse of the law (Gal 3:10)? And if it was a part of the curse then why is it a privilege today? Did not the Apostles talk of the Law as being as a yoke upon the necks of their fathers? (Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?(Acts 15:10 KJV))
I believe that God has called us to a higher standard, but I cannot seem to find tithing as a part of it. It seems as though there is a big difference between giving to meet other's needs as in the New Testament and the giving of the tithe as prescribed under the Law of Moses. One appears to be given as a matter of duty and obedience to a law and the other as a matter out of love for the brethren.

 

[Bluelion]

Yes you should Jesus said so

Luke 11 NLT

37 As Jesus was speaking, one of the Pharisees invited him home for a meal. So he went in and took his place at the table.[l] 38 His host was amazed to see that he sat down to eat without first performing the hand-washing ceremony required by Jewish custom. 39 Then the Lord said to him, “You Pharisees are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and wickedness! 40 Fools! Didn’t God make the inside as well as the outside? 41 So clean the inside by giving gifts to the poor, and you will be clean all over.

42 “What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens,[m] but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

In another part but I can't find it Jesus says tithe is the least of the commandments, that does not excuse you from doing it, but more important is Love, Mercy and forgiveness of others.

Also no where is the Bible does it say tithe is giving to a church, it is giving 1 tenth to God and there are many ways to do this. If you give to the homeless in God's name that is tithe. what ever you give can be seen as tithe if you do it in God's name and break it up to a tenth. That said i do not have a system where i do this. I try to give to any one who ask, if they ask i give and I see that as giving back. I would love to have enough discipline to do this every month. I thought about giving to a christian radio station for my tithe every month. I feel guilty because i know i should but don't, but i can here God now, i would rather you love everyone as your self, first perfect that then worry about the smaller stuff.

Ok, prayed about this, because we should easy each other burden not bog down each other. This is what God said we are Spirit. I understand what He means. We worship in Spirit. So tithe can also be seen as donating your time to God, reading your Bible daily, tithe can be anything where you give back to God. It can be time, prayers, study, volunteering, helping a neighbor in His Name. Any thing where you give back to God for the purpose of tithe. That is the Spirit of the Law and we worship in Spirit. It does not have to be money or materiel.

I did not say that lightly, I made sure i was correct encase you become accused before God then say well bluelion said we worship in Spirit and keep The Law by Spirit. It is correct, and is my limited understanding of God. so go a head say blue lion said, i deffer to God

Peace and love brother
blu

 

[charles1014]

Thank you for your personal insight on this as I believe you hit much of the nail on the head here for me.

I totally agree that giving is not always money we can give in many different ways and it seems as though the N.T. Scriptures are loaded with these types of examples. One in which I recall was when Peter and John met the lame man at the gate of the Temple begging for money. Peter and John had no money to give him but were able to give him something else, something that would would meet his direct need. "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6 KJV)
Just as Christ met our direct need, so did the Apostles do so with this man. This is probably one of the most compelling examples of how we are to give than anywhere else that I have found. As we can see elsewhere, money was given by the brethren to other brethren, but it was always to meet a specific need and never given just to be given.
As for Luke 11, Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, and as we all know that these Pharisees were still yet under the Law, as well as Christ (Galatians 4:4). The tribe of Levi had a specific commandment from God to collect tithes from the other tribes as it was their inheritance (Heb 7:5 c.f. Num 18:26ff). However, I am having trouble finding such a commandment for any man in the church today, who was given this same commandment by God or by any of His Apostles to collect tithes of those who attend the same church.

What is confusing about this whole topic is that I am being told we are to tithe because we are suppose to, for whatever reason, but no Scripture is ever provided to drive this point home for me. Too often, I am finding reasons to tithe being given, but without any Scriptural backing so as to declare this a "Sound" doctrine. Sound doctrine is what we are to follow and to hold to, and Sound doctrine is a doctrine that is irrefutable because of its solid backing found elsewhere throughout the Word of God.

Along your point, I did present a situational example to a pastor one time when the topic came up. I asked him, if I was on my way to church with my tithe dollars in my hand, and I see that my neighbor's car had just broken down, with no money to fix it. Should I give it to the church or should I just take it right on over to him before I even leave for church? Would I be breaking the law of the tithe by giving it to meet another's needs instead of to the church?

 

[98cwitr]

another tithe thread If you'd do a search you'll see dozens of threads on the topic

 

[charles1014]

another tithe thread If you'd do a search you'll see dozens of threads on the topic

I am new to this forum as I became a member after stumbling on it during some Bible research on this particular topic. Yes, I did see several other posts regarding this topic, but since there is a section here for Baptist, I believed that it would be appropriate to post it here.

Baptist are suppose to be the foremost authority on the subject of tithing since they hold to it as if it is an ordinance of the church. I hear tithing promoted (not taught) almost every Sunday in church in some particular manner, and therefore if Baptist hold to it so closely, who would better for us to consult for insight on it.

If tithing is a doctrine, which I do believe it is, the question is, "Is it a sound doctrine?" Can those who hold to this doctrine (As they promote/teach it) exhort and convince the gainsayers (Tit 1:9) that what they believe is actually from the Word of God.

 

[Bluelion]

Thank you for your personal insight on this as I believe you hit much of the nail on the head here for me.

I totally agree that giving is not always money we can give in many different ways and it seems as though the N.T. Scriptures are loaded with these types of examples. One in which I recall was when Peter and John met the lame man at the gate of the Temple begging for money. Peter and John had no money to give him but were able to give him something else, something that would would meet his direct need. "Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." (Acts 3:6 KJV)
Just as Christ met our direct need, so did the Apostles do so with this man. This is probably one of the most compelling examples of how we are to give than anywhere else that I have found. As we can see elsewhere, money was given by the brethren to other brethren, but it was always to meet a specific need and never given just to be given.
As for Luke 11, Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees, and as we all know that these Pharisees were still yet under the Law, as well as Christ (Galatians 4:4). The tribe of Levi had a specific commandment from God to collect tithes from the other tribes as it was their inheritance (Heb 7:5 c.f. Num 18:26ff). However, I am having trouble finding such a commandment for any man in the church today, who was given this same commandment by God or by any of His Apostles to collect tithes of those who attend the same church.

What is confusing about this whole topic is that I am being told we are to tithe because we are suppose to, for whatever reason, but no Scripture is ever provided to drive this point home for me. Too often, I am finding reasons to tithe being given, but without any Scriptural backing so as to declare this a "Sound" doctrine. Sound doctrine is what we are to follow and to hold to, and Sound doctrine is a doctrine that is irrefutable because of its solid backing found elsewhere throughout the Word of God.

Along your point, I did present a situational example to a pastor one time when the topic came up. I asked him, if I was on my way to church with my tithe dollars in my hand, and I see that my neighbor's car had just broken down, with no money to fix it. Should I give it to the church or should I just take it right on over to him before I even leave for church? Would I be breaking the law of the tithe by giving it to meet another's needs instead of to the church?

no you would not be breaking the law, you should give it to your neighbor for that is the spirit of the Law.

 

[charles1014]

Jesus Christ is the perfect example of what our giving is to be like. Giving to meet the needs of others, whatever it may be. If it is within our power to give, we are to give. As for Jesus Christ, He saw that we had a need that we could not meet, but yet He could. He was the only one who could meet that need, and met He did, on the Cross of Calvary.

Meeting our need was out of an act of love which should also be the main motivation of our giving as well. We should never be forced or coerced by men as to how, when, or to whom we should give. As for Christians, Christ sent us someone to lead us and to instruct us, and that was the Holy Spirit. Just as the Spirit led Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 to help him with his particular need, we also are to listen to the Holy Spirit and have Him direct us as well.

We as saints of God are never to quench the Holy Spirit. If He lays it upon our heart to meet some need that another may have then we are to meet that need. The Holy Spirit will not have us meet a need that we are incapable of meeting, because as Christ taught, if you see a brother in need of a coat and you have two, then give your brother one of them. That would be 50% giving, but if I had 100 coats and I gave one, then that is only 1% giving but the lesser gift is as great as the greater gift because both gifts met the need.

We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:14, 17-18 KJV)

What I see in the above verses is that the greatest testimony that we could have for this lost and dieing world, is for Christians to show love for one another, not to build big fancy church buildings, that will only be burnt down one day in the fiery flames of judgement that will soon come down upon this world.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
(Matthew 6:19-21 KJV)

Where is our treasure? Is it in buildings or invested in the lives of others?

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
(Matthew 25:40 KJV)

Christians have but one law to follow and that is the Law of Christ or as James put it the "Royal Law."

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: (James 2:8 KJV)

So, if we meet the needs of others, with the direction of the Holy Spirit, then we will more than satisfy any kind of giving requirements that God has directed us to do.

 

[1watchman]

No argument on the subject of Salvation. However, you mention that tithing is really a privilege, but was it not a part of the curse of the law (Gal 3:10)? And if it was a part of the curse then why is it a privilege today? Did not the Apostles talk of the Law as being as a yoke upon the necks of their fathers? (Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?(Acts 15:10 KJV))
I believe that God has called us to a higher standard, but I cannot seem to find tithing as a part of it. It seems as though there is a big difference between giving to meet other's needs as in the New Testament and the giving of the tithe as prescribed under the Law of Moses. One appears to be given as a matter of duty and obedience to a law and the other as a matter out of love for the brethren.

Tithing was ONLY obedience by a real saint to honor, please, and serve God; not a commandment. It has nothing to do with salvation and eternal life, and is not for the New Testament. If a New Testament saint does not want to be faithful and serve, and give for the Lord's works, they will still go to Heaven as a "born again" saint, but will forfeit much at the "Judgment Seat of Christ" there.

 

[Awaken4Christ]

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV / 665 helpful votes

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.



Its a matter of the heart, not some automatic dispensing ritual. As a Christian we should desire to advance the kingdom and magnify his name.

The regenerating heart can give in a multitude of ways, but it is decided in the heart.

 

[charles1014]

In order to be obedient to God in the giving of tithes, there must first be some commandment located within the Scriptures. If you would please show me where Christians are commanded to tithe then I can be obedient in giving them. If you cannot find any such Scripture then you have a real problem because the Apostles had no kind words to say about those who tried to get the other saints to do things without any commandment from them.

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: (Acts 15:24 KJV)

So, where is the commandment for Christians to tithe? There are plenty of Scripture encouraging us to give but tithing is a whole different ball of wax, and you better be very careful as to what you are referring to. The Levites had a direct commandment from God to collect tithes of the people, but I can find no such commandment located anywhere in Scriptures where any member of your church, or mine, has been given such an authority.

 

[IchoozJC]

There is no such commandment in the NT. Tithing is Law. We are no longer under law. But if tithing was a topic in the sermon on the Mount I think we would all be embarrassed.

You have heard that you must give a tithe of all your increase, however I tell you to give it all away!
Or something like that.

 

[Bluelion]

In order to be obedient to God in the giving of tithes, there must first be some commandment located within the Scriptures. If you would please show me where Christians are commanded to tithe then I can be obedient in giving them. If you cannot find any such Scripture then you have a real problem because the Apostles had no kind words to say about those who tried to get the other saints to do things without any commandment from them.

Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: (Acts 15:24 KJV)

So, where is the commandment for Christians to tithe? There are plenty of Scripture encouraging us to give but tithing is a whole different ball of wax, and you better be very careful as to what you are referring to. The Levites had a direct commandment from God to collect tithes of the people, but I can find no such commandment located anywhere in Scriptures where any member of your church, or mine, has been given such an authority.

Now there was a temple tax and one could compare tith requirement in church as a temple tax, to which Jesus said about the temple tax, does the King tax His own people or those He has conquered. Peter said the people He has conquered, Jesus said well the citizens are free indeed then. but we do not want offend them so cast your line in the water and the first fish you pull up you find the money for both our temple tax.

 

[Bluelion]

There is no such commandment in the NT. Tithing is Law. We are no longer under law. But if tithing was a topic in the sermon on the Mount I think we would all be embarrassed.

You have heard that you must give a tithe of all your increase, however I tell you to give it all away!
Or something like that.

we are still under the Law, we are not condemned by it, but the Law is Good why should we be with out it? sin has lost its sting, death has no victory any longer. But we try are best to follow the Law out of Love for God, and not because it saves us. Jesus saves us and the Law once kept us but now Jesus keeps us, but yes we must still obey the law and do our best to keep it, but we have forgiveness and are heart can grow until we no longer break that Law, with out death.

We follow God because we Love him, its out of Love, and He keeps us in His Love.

 

[charles1014]

I know many who would have liked to have seen Jesus proclaim tithing for all people, for all ages in some part of His speech on the mount. However, He did not, so there is no need to speculate as to what it would be like today if He had.

Tithing was for the Jews and for them only because only from the fruit of land of Israel was the tithe to come. Not from any money earned from any profession, only that from the fruit of the land.

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD... And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. (Leviticus 27:30, 32 KJV)

This tenth was given to the Levites for their inheritance since they received none with their brethren. Today, we live in a completely different world, the age of grace and free from the law. Today, our giving is to meet the needs of the brethren, so that we may be a light unto the world. Just as Christ gave Himself for the brethren, He expects us also to give of ourselves to the brethren.

Giving and tithing are two different kinds of fruits and cannot be confused with each other. The tithe was of the Law, to be obeyed. Christian grace giving is from the heart that is pure and to show forth the love of Christ. Giving in the New Testament was always to meet a specific need so as to show the love of Christ.

 

[charles1014]

If churches want to call for a tax and declare that tax should be a tithe from all that a man earns, then that is their business. I can't see them calling themselves a church then, but rather an exclusive club with membership dues. You will not find any church with the guts to go that far. However, they do do it, and they do it by excluding members from key positions when they refuse to go along with their membership dues scheme. God will soon sift these charlatans out from the wheat and soon cast them in the flames of fire for all eternity for those shenanigans.

 

[charles1014]

I totally agree with you, but what does that have to do with tithing?

 

[Bluelion]

I know many who would have liked to have seen Jesus proclaim tithing for all people, for all ages in some part of His speech on the mount. However, He did not, so there is no need to speculate as to what it would be like today if He had.

Tithing was for the Jews and for them only because only from the fruit of land of Israel was the tithe to come. Not from any money earned from any profession, only that from the fruit of the land.

And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD... And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. (Leviticus 27:30, 32 KJV)

This tenth was given to the Levites for their inheritance since they received none with their brethren. Today, we live in a completely different world, the age of grace and free from the law. Today, our giving is to meet the needs of the brethren, so that we may be a light unto the world. Just as Christ gave Himself for the brethren, He expects us also to give of ourselves to the brethren.

Giving and tithing are two different kinds of fruits and cannot be confused with each other. The tithe was of the Law, to be obeyed. Christian grace giving is from the heart that is pure and to show forth the love of Christ. Giving in the New Testament was always to meet a specific need so as to show the love of Christ.

can't get pass the fact Jesus said we should do it. Why Jesus did not focus on it more is because like I said it is the Least of the commandments, He covered it because we are to obey the commandments, but all the Law is covered in to commandments, Love God with all you are, and Love each other as yourself. If you keep these two greatest commandment equal to each other, you keep all the Law.

So is tithe Loving God, yes, and we should keep it, but now where does it say to give it to the church or a temple but to God. If we give to those who God shows us to give to we are keeping it like I said. Jesus said yes we should.

Now you said free from the Law, I take issue with that, we are free from the victory of sin, we are free from the sting of sin, but the law never enslaved us, but it Kept us direct quote from the Bible"The Law kept you" and that is why it was given until Jesus could fulfill it. The Law is Good it will never pass away, Heaven and earth will pass before one of Gods words pass away.

It was the Law that gave sin its victory and It was Jesus who took that victory away. We do not need to be free from the Law but from Sin, The Law does not chain us, it is sin which chains us.

 

[charles1014]

we are still under the Law, we are not condemned by it, but the Law is Good why should we be with out it? sin has lost its sting, death has no victory any longer. But we try are best to follow the Law out of Love for God, and not because it saves us. Jesus saves us and the Law once kept us but now Jesus keeps us, but yes we must still obey the law and do our best to keep it, but we have forgiveness and are heart can grow until we no longer break that Law, with out death.

We follow God because we Love him, its out of Love, and He keeps us in His Love.

This particular law had nothing to do with the moral law contained in the 10 commandments but more so with the ceremonial and for the tribe of Levi to have an inheritance amongst their brethren. There is nothing here for the Christian to meet. It was never intended for the Christian because not one Apostle or even Christ Himself declared it for the church. For anyone to now declare it to be for the Christian lacks Scripture for such a declaration. Besides, who was given the authority to change it from agricultural products from the land of Israel to that of filthy lucre, that collects in our worthless pockets or bank accounts?