Can I split my tithe?

Strix said:

Hi guys

quick question, I currently tithe 10% of my income to my church, which is obviously what I'm supposed to do, however, I've recently started going to a second church as they run an Alpha course I'm currently attending and a lot of my friends go there.

Now, 10%, I can just about manage but it is a struggle, but I couldn't give 10% to both churches, as that would just about cripple me financially.

So my question is this, can I split my tithe between the two churches, and give both 5%? I can find no Biblical guidance and its starting to concern me.

So does splitting it seem the right way to go, or does it have to be 10% to each church?

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Well, since tithing is no longer required, you can do whatever you want to.

it has been correctly pointed out that 10% tithing is an OT law.

So what percent should (if that is the right word) a Christian give?
Answer: 100%

You are Christ's, all of you
even your money

edit - and don't be motivated to give out of fear of a curse
Christ has redeemed you from the curse.

Bro_Sam said:

Well, since tithing is no longer required, you can do whatever you want to.

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Bro_Sam said:

Well, since tithing is no longer required, you can do whatever you want to.

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Leviticus says 'the first 10% of your income is holy and belongs to the Lord', which doesn't specify ONE church. how about this part: If you're going to two churches (good on you btw), which one needs the money more? We'd all like to think that 'my few dollars doesn't count', but the truth is that there are churches out there (mine's one of them) where one person's offerings can make the difference between red and black each month.

look into your heart, pray about it, and come up with a decision. the easy answer seems to be split, but I don't know your whole situation.

The answer to this question is really simple - yes.

You can split your tithe, you can increase your tithe, and, yes, you can decrease it - and God really won't bless you or smite you. If you are not giving cheerfully then God really doesn't take any pleasure in you. It is all about attitude and gratitude.

Leviticus also doesn't apply to us. Do you shave?

Strix said:

Hi guys

quick question, I currently tithe 10% of my income to my church, which is obviously what I'm supposed to do, however, I've recently started going to a second church as they run an Alpha course I'm currently attending and a lot of my friends go there.

Now, 10%, I can just about manage but it is a struggle, but I couldn't give 10% to both churches, as that would just about cripple me financially.

So my question is this, can I split my tithe between the two churches, and give both 5%? I can find no Biblical guidance and its starting to concern me.

So does splitting it seem the right way to go, or does it have to be 10% to each church?

Click to expand...

MY OPINION:
1) JESUS SAID TO TITHE (MATT 23:23 AND ALSO LUKE 11:42)
MATT 23:23 (NASB) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

ALSO: LUKE 20:22-25 (NASB)
22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 23 But He detected their trickery and said to them, 24 “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

2) If you don't tithe you are robbing God (Mal. 3:9-10 (NASB))
9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

3) No thief can enter the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:10)
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NASB) Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

My advice is to tithe to your local church; the other church you attend give them offerings. If you give offerings to God it will return back to you multiplied. The most likely reason, I believe, that this blessing doesn't happen is that you don't ask God for it. (Keeping asking and you shall receive (Matt 7:7-8), and you have not because you ask not (James 4:2)).

Also ask God to tell you clearly when this blessing happens that He was behind it so you will not steal His glory and it will also encourage you to keep praying.

Pray for God to declare the power of the blood of Jesus in the spiritual realms. This will destroy any demonic resistance.

Luke 6:38 (NASB) Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour [literally "Give"] into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

God Bless,

Alex

Strix said:

Hi guys

quick question, I currently tithe 10% of my income to my church, which is obviously what I'm supposed to do, however, I've recently started going to a second church as they run an Alpha course I'm currently attending and a lot of my friends go there.

Now, 10%, I can just about manage but it is a struggle, but I couldn't give 10% to both churches, as that would just about cripple me financially.

So my question is this, can I split my tithe between the two churches, and give both 5%? I can find no Biblical guidance and its starting to concern me.

So does splitting it seem the right way to go, or does it have to be 10% to each church?

Click to expand...

Hi Strix,

Tithing is OT law, and if you read Leviticus, the tithe was always food and produce, which was eventually eaten in thanksgiving and celebration.

There is nothing in the NT that says that we HAVE to give 10% and have to give to one church only. In fact if you read Acts 2:44-45, the believers had everything in common, sold all their possessions and gave to one another as they had need. They also later took a collection which was sent to poorer churches.
Paul says that each should give what they have determined in their heart it is right to give - not under compulsion - because God loves a cheerful giver, (2 Cor 9:7)

So if you want, and are able, to give 10%, that is good; if you want to give it to your own church, that is good too. But the Lord won't strike you down if you are only able to give 8%, or 5, or 15; or 2% to 5 different charities/churches/organisations.

My Opinion:
Abraham tithed to Melchizedek out of a loving act to God, which was before the law.

When Paul said to give what you have determined in their heart; heart here is not dealing with your emotions, but your will/decision. He was talking about an offering; not tithing.

I believe that withholding all or part of your tithe is stealing from God. (tithing is 10% before tax, not after. First fruits, not second fruits. ("First" means before anyone else get's some). Give to Caesar [tax department] what is Caesar's; and to God what is God's.)

Tithing is your decision. Your church won't hold a gun by your head and make you tithe, or demand a financial audit. Tithing is between you and God.

I urge you to ask the Holy Spirit if He want's you to tithe. e.g. Lord, do you want me to tithe? Please speak to me giving me the answer and clearly identifying yourself when you speak to me. Thank you Lord in Jesus' name. Amen."

Strix said:

Hi guys

quick question, I currently tithe 10% of my income to my church, which is obviously what I'm supposed to do, however, I've recently started going to a second church as they run an Alpha course I'm currently attending and a lot of my friends go there.

Now, 10%, I can just about manage but it is a struggle, but I couldn't give 10% to both churches, as that would just about cripple me financially.

So my question is this, can I split my tithe between the two churches, and give both 5%? I can find no Biblical guidance and its starting to concern me.

So does splitting it seem the right way to go, or does it have to be 10% to each church?

Click to expand...

I would not think it has to be an even split.

Which church are you the most committed to. Learn the most consistently from.

The best way is ask the Holy Spirit what to do.

He is our Helper, He will Help you.

apmercer said:

1) JESUS SAID TO TITHE (MATT 23:23 AND ALSO LUKE 11:42)
MATT 23:23 (NASB) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.

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Jesus didn't say we had to tithe. Look at the verse you've just quoted:

"Woe to you, Scribes and Pharisees",
Who was he talking to?

The Scribes and Pharisees were under the Jewish law; the law given to the nation of Israel when they were at Mount Sinai. This law, as I said in my earlier reply, spoke of tithing, which was always produce. People were required to take 10% of their produce to the temple in Jerusalem, the priests would dedicate it to God, and the people would sit down and eat that tithe - being instructed not to forget about the levites, who did not have allotments, and the poor.
The only time people took money to the temple was if they had such an enormous crop that they could not physically carry 10% of it. Then they were to take their tithe, sell it,take the money to the temple and use that money to buy food to feast on - as way of celebration and thanksgiving for God's goodness.

The Pharisees still kept this law faithfully and meticulously - but Jesus criticised them for not being as quick and eager to show mercy. He also said that HE was the fulfilmenmt of the law.
There is no NT verse which says that Gentiles have to tithe, and if we are to tithe according to OT law, we need to take 10% of the food we grow to the temple in Jerusalem; then we can eat it.

apmercer said:

ALSO: LUKE 20:22-25 (NASB)
22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 23 But He detected their trickery and said to them, 24 “Show Me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” 25 And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

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That's not about tithing.
ALL things belong to God, including the money we have from the jobs, and gifts, he gives us.

apmercer said:

If you don't tithe you are robbing God (Mal. 3:9-10 (NASB))
9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

Click to expand...

The nation of Israel were required to tithe under their law, yet they weren't. They were promising God one thing and not delivering.
How does this verse say that Gentiles - people not under the law - have to tithe?

apmercer said:

No thief can enter the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:10)
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NASB) Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

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i) Everything we have comes from God. The NT pattern was that the believers had EVERYTHING in common; selling all their possessions and giving to whoever was in need.
ii) As described above, tithing according to Biblical law, is giving produce to be dedicated by the priests in Jerusalem and then eating that which you have just given. If you are insisting on tithing as taught is Scripture, this is what you have to do. Scripture says nothing about giving money to only one church, or even a church at all.

apmercer said:

My advice is to tithe to your local church; the other church you attend give them offerings. If you give offerings to God it will return back to you multiplied.

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That's not a good motive for giving. As Paul says, each person should give what they have decided in their heart to give. God loves a cheerful giver.

We give out of gratitude for what God has given us, and not fromm compulsion. If we are, however unconsciously, saying "Lord I am giving you this because I need to be blessed by you; I need money and am giving to receive - that is wrong."

apmercer said:

Pray for God to declare the power of the blood of Jesus in the spiritual realms. This will destroy any demonic resistance.

Luke 6:38 (NASB) Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour [literally "Give"] into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

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This sounds suspiciously like prosperity teaching; the belief that we have a RIGHT to a certain amount of money from God, and we should keep speaking out in faith and rebuking unbelief until we get it.

That's not Scriptural either.

considering it is an offering to support any financial costs of the Church it is probably better to split it if you feel so inclined.

It really saddens me to see people who call themselves christians arguing with each other over something that should be taken to God and to Him alone. Is it not Jesus who told us to love one another as he loved us? (John 13:34 for those who need a reference). Stop arguing and dishonoring the Love of God and start showing the true love of God that is supposed to be in your hearts.

As for the split tithing, I also believe that it should be where God calls you to place it. Go into your prayers and ask Him where He wants you to put your tithe. Never forget that the tithe is God's alone and what He says about it is all that matters.

As for you who claim that tithing does not pertain to us, instead of stating that out of your own will, make sure you are stating that out of the will of God and of Him alone. It is not for us to decide if or when or how much we tithe. That is God's decision. Keep this in mind.

Remember Love one another and show the world that you are the disciples of Jesus.

Strix said:

Hi guys

quick question, I currently tithe 10% of my income to my church, which is obviously what I'm supposed to do, however, I've recently started going to a second church as they run an Alpha course I'm currently attending and a lot of my friends go there.

Now, 10%, I can just about manage but it is a struggle, but I couldn't give 10% to both churches, as that would just about cripple me financially.

So my question is this, can I split my tithe between the two churches, and give both 5%? I can find no Biblical guidance and its starting to concern me.

So does splitting it seem the right way to go, or does it have to be 10% to each church?

Click to expand...

If you were able to find biblical guidance for tithing to *any* "church" , I am absolutely positive that you could find biblical guidance for your current situation without any help from the rest of us . That being said , help could still be helpful .

Frogster said:

Should he mail his check to Jerusalem?

Only tithe in the place God has chosen as the dwelling place for his name, that is Jerusalem (Deuteronomy12:11)

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No, you need to read the proper procedure if he is too far from Jerusalem!

He needs to use it for a big feast, including some strong drink if he wants to, and then remember the Levites in his town.



Deu 14:23 And before the LORD your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always.
Deu 14:24 And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the LORD your God blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the LORD your God chooses, to set his name there,
Deu 14:25 then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the LORD your God chooses
Deu 14:26 and spend the money for whatever you desire—oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household.
Deu 14:27 And you shall not neglect the Levite who is within your towns, for he has no portion or inheritance with you.

Stryder06 said:

Why would Paul have to teach tithe when God had already instituted it?

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Because the predominantly gentile churches he was talking to did not already have it instituted, didn't have Levites assigned to their town by law, etc.


And according to the Acts council they were not under the law of Moses.

On the other hand Acts 21 indicates that the Jewish believers in Jerusalem who kept the whole law had a concern for the Jewish members in the diaspora to live according to Jewish customs.

They did not include the gentiles in this. They only reiterated the requirements of the council.

Having said that, if at all possible, why not try to give more than the faithful of the OT?