Are Christians commanded to tithe?

[Bluelion]

Actually, Jesus, in His flesh and bone body, was required to keep all laws that pertained to Him. Had He been a farmer or herder while here on Earth, He would have been required to tithe of the increase of His crops, herds & flocks like all other Israelites.

But, because He was a carpenter, He was not required to tithe. His being God in the flesh had no bearing on whether He had to tithe or not. Remember, the Jews did not see Him as Deity.

and yet his disciples were not breaking the fasting laws because Jesus is God.

I argue Jesus was not required to pay himself, there was a temple tax which he paid as not to offend them, not to keep the law, and he freed all his people from ever having to pay a temple tax.

I would suggest that the so called tithe to day with collection plates past out is no more than a temple tax. This does not mean the flock should not support the church or take care of the preacher Paul was clear they should, but i think it is wrong to demand it from people and teach people they will get rich if they do.

 

[charles1014]

Actually, Jesus, in His flesh and bone body, was required to keep all laws that pertained to Him. Had He been a farmer or herder while here on Earth, He would have been required to tithe of the increase of His crops, herds & flocks like all other Israelites.

But, because He was a carpenter, He was not required to tithe. His being God in the flesh had no bearing on whether He had to tithe or not. Remember, the Jews did not see Him as Deity.

Stated very correctly. I am amazed at the number of pastors that have been aghast with my statement about Jesus not be a tither. The ignorance of pastors on this subject just blows me away, but it is only because they do not get a tithing education from the universities they attend, they actually get their training from their pastors before going off to the schools. The pastors in turn hold the universities hostage on the teaching. If they teach tithing (the sound doctrine way) the university or college loses its students and its funding.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Tithe? No. Give sacrificially so that the cause of Christ can be advanced? Yes. A tithe was a Jewish law. The New Testament church goer should give more than the 10% tithe, whenever possible. Giving should be sacrificial. If it won't be missed, it isn't a sacrifice. And we are to give cheerfully and without resentment.

Ms. Kat:

I think strictly speaking, tithing was under the old economy. If today under grace the New Testament believer wants to give more than a tenth, then this is commendable, but as a legal obligation it does not make dispensational sense (yes, I admit to being dispensational) to invoke a practice which was for presentation to Levites, the system of which has been changed (Hebrews 7.12). While Malachi deplores the lack of tithes in his prophecy, this was still under the old economy. To try to go back to the formal tithe system on the shaky grounds that 'reverend gentlemen' are simply reinvented Levites, would be to imply a calling into question the whole New Testament notion of the nature of priesthood.

Now, grace rules in giving (and in a whole lot else), not law. It's easy, though, to see how Christendom can fall back into Old Testament modes of thinking, when vested interests seem to be involved.

But yes, if someone wants to give even more than a tenth, then it's commendable, but this is a Godward exercise, not a manward obligation or even public relations stunt.

Blessings to you and yours.

 

[faroukfarouk]

Stated very correctly. I am amazed at the number of pastors that have been aghast with my statement about Jesus not be a tither. The ignorance of pastors on this subject just blows me away, but it is only because they do not get a tithing education from the universities they attend, they actually get their training from their pastors before going off to the schools. The pastors in turn hold the universities hostage on the teaching. If they teach tithing (the sound doctrine way) the university or college loses its students and its funding.

We do also need to make a distinction between the church and Israel, between grace and law. Dispensational distinctively will undoubtedly illuminate and alter one's view of tithing and the supposed need to engage in law-keeping.

 

[Studious One]

God doesn't expect us to operate under the guidelines of the Mosaic/Levitic Law.

We have been brought into a new Covenant with God. The old is no more.
Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
So many pastors and teachers today attempt to keep their congregations under the guidelines of the Mosaic/Levitic Law, when that is not God's plan for the Church at all.
God has given us His direction concerning our giving... and it is not a giving that is forced on us. Notice:
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 8:12-13 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
God wants us to choose for ourselves, the amount that we want to give. The word "purposeth" in the above verse is translated from the Greek word, "proaireomai," and it simply means... to choose for oneself. Now ask yourself, if you are giving 10% of your money because your pastor has told you that that that is what God wants, have you chosen for yourself? or have you let someone else choose for you? When you give 10% for any other reason than because it is what you chose to give, you are giving under the wrong motives. If you give because you don't want to be cursed, you give for the wrong reason. If you give because Pastor Rex Torshunest told you God expects it, you give for the wrong reason.
The second set of verses reveals that God does not want your giving to ease others and place you under a burden at home. You make sure you take care of family needs first... then give what you feel you are able to give. That is the giving that God expects of you. Not a giving because of being bullied. Not a giving that leaves you struggling. Take care of family first.
1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
And who knows? God may want your giving to go to that poor widow on your street who is struggling. He may want your giving to go to an orphan at your local school. Or to a foreigner who is barely making it. Open your eyes to those around you. They just may need that money before your Church does.

Matthew 25:34-40 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 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.
Now, don't get me wrong. I do know the Church needs finances to operate, and if you want to give to meet those finances that is wonderful! But be careful not to neglect those who are in need in your own community if you are able to do so. Many times we give $5, $10, $20, even $50 to missionaries to other lands and turn our eyes and hearts away from those in need in our own neighborhoods.
Maybe its time we should all begin to remember the old cliche, "Charity begins at home." -- Boldproclaimer's Blog | Sharing the Truth as it is written in God's Word