Are Christians commanded to tithe?

[Bluelion]

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?

do you know the first tithe? It was from Abraham to Malkeniser sorry spelling not right, it is the Holy Priest line which Jesus is from. Abraham gave it declared that because God had given him victory in war he would give a tenth of all he received from that day forward.

If the question is should we give to God, yes. If the question is how, there are many ways.

 

[charles1014]

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.

First off, Christ told the Pharisees, who were under the Law, that they should keep it. Christians are not under any such law.

Second; How is it that I am to show my love to God by giving a tithe, when no such commandment was ever given any Christian to obey?

Third; you miss the purpose of what the tithe was for. The tithe was given to the tribe of Levi as their inheritance, since God gave them no land inheritance with their brethren. The tithe was incorporated into the ceremonial law so as to help to feed the poor, the stranger and the widows.

The tithe was for the Jewish people because only they could keep it, because only they were the owners of the Land of Israel. God only wanted what came from the fruit of the land and not any money that any master craftsman at that time earned with his hands. Only from the fruit of the land.

The reason for this is because of Jacob's vow to tithe from all that God would give him.
"...and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee." (Genesis 28:22b KJV)
And what did God give Him? God gave him all the land of Israel, just as He gave to Abraham and Isaac.
"And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed;" (Genesis 28:13 KJV)

Now Jacob made a vow to give God back a tenth of all that He would give him, if God would do certain things for him. God met the conditions that Jacob requested and so that bound Jacob to the tithe, because it now belonged to God. However, Jacob never took possession of the land, as it was his by promise only and so therefore it was impossible for him to meet his end of bargain personally. Now, since his children were still yet in his loins when he gave this tithe to God, it now bound his children to keep the vow, and this is why in Leviticus chapter 27, we see God telling the "children of Jacob" that they were to give God the tithe of the land. It belonged to God, because Jacob promised it to Him.

So, this is also why it is a bit of a warning to us also today, that you better be careful with your vows, because God will hold you to them or maybe even your children.

 

[Bluelion]

You must have missed a page back where I spoke of the first tithe which was give by Abraham. Through the Blood of Christ we are children of Abraham, what did you think God meant when he said he would make His descendants as numerous as the stars? Also John The Baptist said God could take any of these stones and make them a son of Abraham.

But what you speak of is the rules for Gentiles and Jews. It is true the council decided on for the gentiles the keep from sexual immorality, eating meat that had been strangled and from drinking blood. might be some others in there.

Are you under the Law of the Jews with Tithe if your a gentile no, but if you ask should we give to God the answer is yes, what ever we can.

Now the council is in the Bible, but I also know through the Blood of Christ we are grafted into the tree. but if your look for the commandment for the New Covenant they are this, Love God with all you are, and Love each other as your self. Those are the commandments for both Jews and Gentiles alike Under The New Covenant.

 

[charles1014]

do you know the first tithe? It was from Abraham to Malkeniser sorry spelling not right, it is the Holy Priest line which Jesus is from. Abraham gave it declared that because God had given him victory in war he would give a tenth of all he received from that day forward.

If the question is should we give to God, yes. If the question is how, there are many ways.

You have one little problem with your statement here, and that is you say that because God gave Abraham the victory, Abraham gave the tithe. I am sorry, but that is not in the Word of God. In fact, it is interesting that God never recorded any motive on Abraham's part as to why he gave this tithe.

Have you ever asked yourself why? Why would God not record the motive but just the event? Have you searched the Scriptures to try and find out what God had to say about this event and why it was important for Him to put it into the World of God?

Where else in the Scriptures do we find this account referred back to and why was it referred to? Go to Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 5, 6 and 7 and you will find that the focus that God placed on this event was not the tithe but on the priesthood of Melchizedek for the sole purpose of declaring Christ as our High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek because by law He could not be after the order of Aaron. Melchizedek's priesthood was greater because Abraham their father gave a tithe to him and since Aaron was still yet in the loins of his father Abraham, Aaron paid this tithe also, making Melchizedek greater than Aaron.

it is also interesting to point out here that this event took place in Chapter 14 just before Abraham's salvation in chapter 15. Now, why would you think that God chose that order for His master plan? Are you curious? God has a reason for everything. Why would we think different about the order of events here?

At this time, Abraham was fatherless, he had no children. Not even Ishmael was conceived yet. All of Abraham's children were still yet in Abraham's loins. Is it also interesting that through the NT Scriptures, Christians are referred to as the children of Abraham? We are not referred to as the children of Jacob but of Abraham only. Christians are of Abraham's spiritual seed. So, since Abraham tithed before he was saved then all those still yet in his loins, both physically and spiritually, also paid this tithe to Melchizedek.

Now, how many times did Abraham have to pay this tithe to Melchizedek in order for God to use his order as the order in which Christ's priesthood would follow? And the obvious answer to that is; just once. One tithe is all that God recorded and no motive was necessary on Abraham's part because the tithe was not the focus but the tool here. We as Christians paid this tithe also to Melchizedek and to his order, we do not need to pay it again.

This tithing account had more to do with our salvation than it did with some tithing law that others are trying to place us under.

 

[charles1014]

You must have missed a page back where I spoke of the first tithe which was give by Abraham. Through the Blood of Christ we are children of Abraham, what did you think God meant when he said he would make His descendants as numerous as the stars? Also John The Baptist said God could take any of these stones and make them a son of Abraham.

But what you speak of is the rules for Gentiles and Jews. It is true the council decided on for the gentiles the keep from sexual immorality, eating meat that had been strangled and from drinking blood. might be some others in there.

Are you under the Law of the Jews with Tithe if your a gentile no, but if you ask should we give to God the answer is yes, what ever we can.

Now the council is in the Bible, but I also know through the Blood of Christ we are grafted into the tree. but if your look for the commandment for the New Covenant they are this, Love God with all you are, and Love each other as your self. Those are the commandments for both Jews and Gentiles alike Under The New Covenant.

I am sorry if I missed your post, they are coming in so fast it is hard to keep up with them. You are correct in some of your points here because we are to give and we are to give cheerfully, but not out of any commandment from man. We are to give based upon the love of Christ in our hearts for our brethren.

Why do you suppose that so many want to see tithing instituted in the Church as opposed to freewill giving? Could it be that tithing makes people feel a little more comfortable? When was the last time you ever heard a sermon based on the passage below here:

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19 KJV)

Don't you think that that passage would make a few wealthy people in churches a little uncomfortable? I think it would.

 

[IchoozJC]

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.

Oh, OK...

 

[Bluelion]

You have one little problem with your statement here, and that is you say that because God gave Abraham the victory, Abraham gave the tithe. I am sorry, but that is not in the Word of God. In fact, it is interesting that God never recorded any motive on Abraham's part as to why he gave this tithe.

Have you ever asked yourself why? Why would God not record the motive but just the event? Have you searched the Scriptures to try and find out what God had to say about this event and why it was important for Him to put it into the World of God?

Where else in the Scriptures do we find this account referred back to and why was it referred to? Go to Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 5, 6 and 7 and you will find that the focus that God placed on this event was not the tithe but on the priesthood of Melchizedek for the sole purpose of declaring Christ as our High Priest after the Order of Melchizedek because by law He could not be after the order of Aaron. Melchizedek's priesthood was greater because Abraham their father gave a tithe to him and since Aaron was still yet in the loins of his father Abraham, Aaron paid this tithe also, making Melchizedek greater than Aaron.

it is also interesting to point out here that this event took place in Chapter 14 just before Abraham's salvation in chapter 15. Now, why would you think that God chose that order for His master plan? Are you curious? God has a reason for everything. Why would we think different about the order of events here?

At this time, Abraham was fatherless, he had no children. Not even Ishmael was conceived yet. All of Abraham's children were still yet in Abraham's loins. Is it also interesting that through the NT Scriptures, Christians are referred to as the children of Abraham? We are not referred to as the children of Jacob but of Abraham only. Christians are of Abraham's spiritual seed. So, since Abraham tithed before he was saved then all those still yet in his loins, both physically and spiritually, also paid this tithe to Melchizedek.

Now, how many times did Abraham have to pay this tithe to Melchizedek in order for God to use his order as the order in which Christ's priesthood would follow? And the obvious answer to that is; just once. One tithe is all that God recorded and no motive was necessary on Abraham's part because the tithe was not the focus but the tool here. We as Christians paid this tithe also to Melchizedek and to his order, we do not need to pay it again.

This tithing account had more to do with our salvation than it did with some tithing law that others are trying to place us under.

never heard that before. I would have to do some research. I disagree with the whole tithing in church. The pass the plate around and I was told i did not give enough when i gave all that I had on me, and think I only had a dollar or two in the bank at the time.

But you make interesting points and I need to study the matter.

 

[charles1014]

never heard that before. I would have to do some research. I disagree with the whole tithing in church. The pass the plate around and I was told i did not give enough when i gave all that I had on me, and think I only had a dollar or two in the bank at the time.

But you make interesting points and I need to study the matter.

Brother, if all you had was a dollar and you gave it, then you gave more than most in that congregation. However, don't get discouraged, love God and give to him and be mindful of the brethren around you, in seeing how you can be a blessing to them even if you have little to give as far as money.

The tithe is an interesting topic to study, unfortunately I believe it is frowned upon by many when we do. Abraham is always referred back to when trying to justify the tithe for believers today but no one seems to bother with mentioning anything about Jacob's vow to tithe as well. Abraham's tithe is misrepresented and Jacob's vow to tithe is a matter many care to leave out because no one can find a passage where Jacob kept his vow to tithe and therefore has missed out on the blessings of trying to understand it.

If you find yourself coming to the conclusion that tithing is not for Christians, just beware, the wrath of all pastoral staff will come down upon you. I had the honors of serving in the church until I found myself coming to a different conclusion than the pastor on this one topic. He kind of reminds of Diotrephes, whom John spoke of in 3John.

I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. (3 John 1:9-11 KJV)

But never get discouraged because God is still on the throne.

 

[Skala]

I believe the concept of tithing came from Philippians when Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, thanking them that they provided gifts to him while he was imprisoned.

 

[Bluelion]

I believe the concept of tithing came from Philippians when Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, thanking them that they provided gifts to him while he was imprisoned.

That being said, Paul did say that is the responsibility of the congregation to support the minister. Paul said he was not a burden to them and ask them for nothing but worked another job so as not to be a burden to them, but he said those who work must be fed. It does fall on the congregation to take care of those God sends to give His message.

 

[lismore]

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Cor 9:7

It seems that there is freedom to give whatever sum you desire, not a rigid tenth, of most importance is our attitude. We should be cheerful and happy in giving.

Don't give any amount under compulsion.

 

[Bluelion]

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Cor 9:7

It seems that there is freedom to give whatever sum you desire, not a rigid tenth, of most importance is our attitude. We should be cheerful and happy in giving.

Don't give any amount under compulsion.

I think that is about the best answer yet, and it does sound like our Fathers will.

 

[charles1014]

I believe the concept of tithing came from Philippians when Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, thanking them that they provided gifts to him while he was imprisoned.

Unfortunately, I do not see any way that the passage in Philippians could ever be misconstrued into giving anyone a belief that that was about tithing. Fellow believers stepped up and ministered to Paul in his time of need. Paul had given much to the church and here we find that others in the church came to meet his need when he had one.

This passage reinforces what I have been trying to get across to so many people for so long now. Christian giving is not tithing. Christian giving has the purpose of giving to others who have specific needs that we at a time may be able to meet. Christian giving is performed out of the love of Christ in our hearts. Christ gave His all to meet our needs and therefore, if we have the love of Christ dwelling in us, then we too will also meet our brother's needs. We show our Lord how much love Him, when we show our love toward the brethren. If you have no love for the brethren, then you have no love for Christ.

 

[charles1014]

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Cor 9:7

It seems that there is freedom to give whatever sum you desire, not a rigid tenth, of most importance is our attitude. We should be cheerful and happy in giving.

Don't give any amount under compulsion.

Thank you brother. You are absolutely correct.

 

[katautumn]

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.

 

[1watchman]

Right on, Kat! One has said: "we should give liberally as we are able, but not less than a tithe (tenth) if possible; and not withholding (as Ananias -Acts 5:4); so we are not under law, but grace and privilege to serve the Lord."

 

[charles1014]

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.

Jesus said that if you have two coats and you see your brother has a need for a coat, then you give him one of your coats. That is a 50% gift and possibly a sacrificial gift to meet his need.
However, if I own a coat store and I have a hundred coats on my shelves and I see that a brother has need of a coat and I give him one of the coats off my shelf, then that is a 1% gift and not so sacrificial.

Let me ask you a couple of questions. Was the brother's need met? Do you believe that the man with 100 coats should have given him ten coats or was the one coat sufficient?

When a sacrificial gift is necessary, then we are allowed to give sacrificially. However, we are not commanded to do so because it could cause us to be in great need ourselves. If I only had one coat and I saw my brother had need of a coat and I gave him my only coat, that would be a true sacrifice, but not a requirement.

 

[charles1014]

Right on, Kat! One has said: "we should give liberally as we are able, but not less than a tithe (tenth) if possible; and not withholding (as Ananias -Acts 5:4); so we are not under law, but grace and privilege to serve the Lord."

We are not to give less than a tithe? Can you direct me to the Scriptures from where you got that from?

If I had a hundred coats and I saw my brother in need of a coat and I gave him a coat, did my 1% gift meet my brother's need? And did my gift satisfy the Law of Christ?

Everybody seems to be stuck on the 10% as though that is some magic number, that if one hits it they magically become more righteous than the guy who did not. The magic number is hidden in what your brother's needs are. Are you willing to meet a brother's need if God points it out to you, or will you hide your eyes?

Would you be willing to make a few mortgage payments for your brother if you saw him about to lose his house to foreclosure or will tell him to get in touch with the pastor of your church, so that he can take care of it?

 

[Bluelion]

We are not to give less than a tithe? Can you direct me to the Scriptures from where you got that from?

If I had a hundred coats and I saw my brother in need of a coat and I gave him a coat, did my 1% gift meet my brother's need? And did my gift satisfy the Law of Christ?

Everybody seems to be stuck on the 10% as though that is some magic number, that if one hits it they magically become more righteous than the guy who did not. The magic number is hidden in what your brother's needs are. Are you willing to meet a brother's need if God points it out to you, or will you hide your eyes?

Would you be willing to make a few mortgage payments for your brother if you saw him about to lose his house to foreclosure or will tell him to get in touch with the pastor of your church, so that he can take care of it?

You make Good points, it is by the heart, this is what Jesus spoke of when He said to the Pharisees you are careful to tith the smallest amount from your garden, but they don't follow more important parts of the Law. I think Jesus is more concerned with us loving each other and if we do that we will always give to our brothers and sisters, we will always keep the Law.

Also if we would be perfect we should sell everything we have and give to the poor, or make a sacrifice to give then we will have treasure in Heaven. That was not a commandment but a call to be perfect, how we should live and how to have treasure in heaven.

 

[charles1014]

You make Good points, it is by the heart, this is what Jesus spoke of when He said to the Pharisees you are careful to tith the smallest amount from your garden, but they don't follow more important parts of the Law. I think Jesus is more concerned with us loving each other and if we do that we will always give to our brothers and sisters, we will always keep the Law.

Also if we would be perfect we should sell everything we have and give to the poor, or make a sacrifice to give then we will have treasure in Heaven. That was not a commandment but a call to be perfect, how we should live and how to have treasure in heaven.

I would be careful with that one, because as a steward over those things which God has entrusted into your care, you need to make wise decisions. Wisdom comes from God and His Holy Spirit, so if the Holy Spirit indeed was to lead you that way, then by all means do, but I don't believe the Holy Spirit would lead you to do it if it put your family in the poor house, thus requiring help themselves. Be wise my friend in all your decisions and do not neglect the needs of your own family.