Confused Now About Tithing

[waas_MI]

First of all TITHING works! Beleive me.

For those of you looking for scripture go to MALACHI 3:10 for a better definition of TITHING and also the promise God makes to you.
This is the only verse in the Bible where God says to TEST HIM on this.

In the new testament, Go to LUKE 6:38 and read the chapter. The
meaning is very clear. He says that you can not outgive GOD. This means,
The more you give, God will always give in return, an amount
much greater than what you gave him.

Now how much money should we give GOD ? When you pray daily
just keep on asking him and I bet he will push your mind to
give 10% out of the GROSS salary and any other income.

Keep in mind. Money should be given to Church. Not to some
charitable organization. The money belongs to GOD and it should
go to GOD.

 

[PollyAnna]

Also from what I've been able to dig up, the word "tithe" literally means 10%. Interesting...

 

[BlueisMyCat]

Quote from John MacArthur

"Two kinds of giving are taught consistently throughout Scripture: giving to the government (always compulsory), and giving to God (always voluntary).

The issue has been greatly confused, however, by some who misunderstand the nature of the Old Testament tithes. Tithes were not primarily gifts to God, but taxes for funding the national budget in Israel.

Because Israel was a theocracy, the Levitical priests acted as the civil government. So the Levite's tithe (Leviticus 27:30-33) was a precursor to today's income tax, as was a second annual tithe required by God to fund a national festival (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). Smaller taxes were also imposed on the people by the law (Leviticus 19:9-10; Exodus 23:10-11). So the total giving required of the Israelites was not 10 percent, but well over 20 percent. All that money was used to operate the nation.

All giving apart from that required to run the government was purely voluntary (cf. Exodus 25:2; 1 Chronicles 29:9). Each person gave whatever was in his heart to give; no percentage or amount was specified.

New Testament believers are never commanded to tithe. Matthew 22:15-22 and Romans 13:1-7 tell us about the only required giving in the church age, which is the paying of taxes to the government. Interestingly enough, we in America presently pay between 20 and 30 percent of our income to the government--a figure very similar to the requirement under the theocracy of Israel.

The guideline for our giving to God and His work is found in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver."

 

[RevKidd]

I will give a thought that I haven't read yet on here.

The act of tithing was started long before the Mosaic Law.

Abraham paid tithes to the King of Salem, Melchizedek.

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.
19 He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all.

The Mosaic law, I believe is based on this act. However, Abraham gave not because their was a commandment to give, not because he was being forced, rather Abraham gave out the abundance of his heart. Abraham was blessed, so then he blessed the priest of the Most High God with a tenth of his spoils.

How does this apply today? Yes, the NT does not specifically say, pay your tithes. Nor does it say, do not pay your tithes. Some of the people who say we are not commanded by the NT are the ones who play instruments in church when it does not command us too. (This is just a point).

The other point is this. The writer in Hebrews points out that Christ's priesthood is not of the Levitical Priesthood. But of the order of Melchizedek which is forever. Now, there is a lot of speculation of who Melchizedek was, but the writer of Hebrews states that Christ is even greater than Melchizedek, becoming our high priest.

If Christ is now our high priest, should we then give a tenth of what we are blessed with? I believe so. To say that we are not commanded by NT too pay tithes is lacking in the eternal perspective of trying to advance God's Kingdom.

People say that they give when they are moved. Shoot if I gave based on my emotions I would give about 5% of the time. That's the truth.

Here's a quick story. A short time ago my wife and I were struggling financially. We knew that when we paid our tithes that not only would the tithe come out but also the over draft fee. I struggled with it. I really did. I would say that God doesn't want us to pay anymore than we have too. Or ai would say, why doesn't God put the money into the bank. Or where is that mystery check at that everyone else talks about getting?

Then one night God told me to shut up and he broke me down. See I was expecting money as my blessing, as my miracle. But you know what he told me. Your miracle is that you still have a roof over your head, you still have food to eat, you still have gas to put in the car, you still have clothes to put on your back.... I like a little baby before God. I was like the lame man before the temple who was expecting Peter and John to give him alms. I was expecting God to give me financially. But Peter and John gave the lame man God and in that process gave him back his life. God was giving me back what we really needed. Not finaces, rather food and the things neccessary to live... I was ashamed.

It was about 3 month's later of listening to God that my wife was awarded with an unexpected promotion that gave her a pretty nice increase. Then the next month later we were able to restructure some debt and now for over a year and half we have been blessed. We are not wealthy by any means. But God still provides. And I know it's because we continued to pay our tithes.

 

[AlabamaMan]

I will give a thought that I haven't read yet on here.

The act of tithing was started long before the Mosaic Law.

Abraham paid tithes to the King of Salem, Melchizedek.

18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.
19 He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all.

The Mosaic law, I believe is based on this act. However, Abraham gave not because their was a commandment to give, not because he was being forced, rather Abraham gave out the abundance of his heart. Abraham was blessed, so then he blessed the priest of the Most High God with a tenth of his spoils.

How does this apply today? Yes, the NT does not specifically say, pay your tithes. Nor does it say, do not pay your tithes. Some of the people who say we are not commanded by the NT are the ones who play instruments in church when it does not command us too. (This is just a point).

The other point is this. The writer in Hebrews points out that Christ's priesthood is not of the Levitical Priesthood. But of the order of Melchizedek which is forever. Now, there is a lot of speculation of who Melchizedek was, but the writer of Hebrews states that Christ is even greater than Melchizedek, becoming our high priest.

If Christ is now our high priest, should we then give a tenth of what we are blessed with? I believe so. To say that we are not commanded by NT too pay tithes is lacking in the eternal perspective of trying to advance God's Kingdom.

People say that they give when they are moved. Shoot if I gave based on my emotions I would give about 5% of the time. That's the truth.

Here's a quick story. A short time ago my wife and I were struggling financially. We knew that when we paid our tithes that not only would the tithe come out but also the over draft fee. I struggled with it. I really did. I would say that God doesn't want us to pay anymore than we have too. Or ai would say, why doesn't God put the money into the bank. Or where is that mystery check at that everyone else talks about getting?

Then one night God told me to shut up and he broke me down. See I was expecting money as my blessing, as my miracle. But you know what he told me. Your miracle is that you still have a roof over your head, you still have food to eat, you still have gas to put in the car, you still have clothes to put on your back.... I like a little baby before God. I was like the lame man before the temple who was expecting Peter and John to give him alms. I was expecting God to give me financially. But Peter and John gave the lame man God and in that process gave him back his life. God was giving me back what we really needed. Not finaces, rather food and the things neccessary to live... I was ashamed.

It was about 3 month's later of listening to God that my wife was awarded with an unexpected promotion that gave her a pretty nice increase. Then the next month later we were able to restructure some debt and now for over a year and half we have been blessed. We are not wealthy by any means. But God still provides. And I know it's because we continued to pay our tithes.

This is a great post. This is how I believe 100%. God bless you Revvkidd.

 

[Foreigner]

I have a question.

First I want to say that I believe in tithing.

I have tithed for several years but have continued to struggle financially. Several months ago, I found myself able to pay only my tithes and pay rent, car payment, electric, food and gas for the car. But other responsibilities, like credit cards were not getting paid because after paying all that out there would be nothing left.

Well of course, the late charges and overdue charges, etc started racking up. Now, a few months ago, one of those credetors has started automatically taking money out of my bank acct. I've got a couple of other threatening me as well. By the time I see my check my I don't even have enough to pay my rent, car payment, auto insurance, and electric bill, and buy food and put gas in the car.

I've stopped going to some church things due to trying to make my gas in the car last. I have not payed tithes now in several months because it literally is not there.

Where did I miss it?

 

[Big Mouth Nana]

I have a question.

First I want to say that I believe in tithing.

I have tithed for several years but have continued to struggle financially. Several months ago, I found myself able to pay only my tithes and pay rent, car payment, electric, food and gas for the car. But other responsibilities, like credit cards were not getting paid because after paying all that out there would be nothing left.

Well of course, the late charges and overdue charges, etc started racking up. Now, a few months ago, one of those credetors has started automatically taking money out of my bank acct. I've got a couple of other threatening me as well. By the time I see my check my I don't even have enough to pay my rent, car payment, auto insurance, and electric bill, and buy food and put gas in the car.

I've stopped going to some church things due to trying to make my gas in the car last. I have not payed tithes now in several months because it literally is not there.

Where did I miss it?

What situation are your credit cards in, and are you still charging on them, making minimum payments etc.? The bible says that the borrower is servant to the lender. Believe me, I know, because I have cc debt that is scarey. My signature should say instead, Give Mastercard An Inch ~ They Will Be A Ruler........Same thing, LOL.

 

[Foreigner]

What situation are your credit cards in, and are you still charging on them, making minimum payments etc.? The bible says that the borrower is servant to the lender. Believe me, I know, because I have cc debt that is scarey. My signature should say instead, Give Mastercard An Inch ~ They Will Be A Ruler........Same thing, LOL.

No. I'm not still charging on them. I have not used them in years. And they were not used for frivolous things. Pay this bill, pay that bill because the cash is not there and now it's just a mess. I was not been able to keep up on them because after tithes, rent, electric, auto payment, auto insurance, and gasoline and food there was nothing left. And now that one of these have started taking it out automatically I'm juggling everything else. I'm not even paying the tithe now. It's like, which bill do I not pay now but still pay the tithe? Do I not pay the rent, of which I am already behind in? Do I not pay the electric bill? Which one? I have no family to help me. I don't feel that I can go to my church with this. I have told a few and the answer I get is "well, tell Jesus". Don't get me wrong. I do believe God is my only source of help but I don't know what else to do.

I have tried to mortgage my home but because of the debt I'm already in no-one will do it. I've tried to go through credit counseling but they have not answered me either. I don't want to run out on my bills. I want to pay them, but I don't know what to do. I work full time. I go to work everyday. I've tried to find someone to share the rent with me but no-onw has answered the ad's for months. It's just is not getting any better. I am so discouraged. I did everything as I believe I should, paying the tithe first but it just got worse. And I don't understand why? Where did I miss it?

 

[Andrew]

Good post Revkidd.

Just to add:
1. Melchizedek is actually the pre-incarnate Christ for his name means "King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace" and he is also " ithout father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually."
So, he can't be some mortal earthly king.

2. 8 Here tithes are received by mortal men; there, by one of whom it is testified that he lives.

When we bring our tithes to Jesus today, we declare that he lives. The OC Jews under Mosaic Law paid tithes under the Levitical priesthood. Abraham gave tithes under the Melchizedek order. We are today under the Melchizedek order. So we still give tithes, but not as a law. We give for the same reasons Abraham gave.

God's economic system is simply this: give him the firstfruit or 10% and you are actually giving him all. Just like if you give him your tongue, he has your whole body. Just like if you spend the start of your day reading your Bible and praying/fellowshipping with him, He blesses your entire day.

 

[Trish1947]

I have a question. Why is it that alot of women in churches today have the knowledge of titheing? And their husbands know about it too, but do nothing about it, and dont intend on doing anything about it. Yes, I have been "fighting" this for about 25 years, sneaking money to the Lord whenever I can, Praying to the Lord about it until I'm exausted with it. Whenever I get in a financial bind, I run to the Lord with my pitence, asking Him to rescue me AGAIN!. And He does. But I know it doesnt have to be this way, And I dont like sneaking around with my husbands money, I dont work, I'm a old lady, ha. I read about the abundance that the Lord wants to bless us with, but with things the way they are I'll never get there.

 

[waas_MI]

All you folks who are confused about giving. If you don't like the OT then
here is abother one from the New Testament.

Read LUKE 6:38 - Give and it shall be given to you......A good measure, pressed, shaken ... will be given to you

This is what Christ said about giving and it applies to money as well.
Here is the real meaning----->

If you give.....God will return back more than what you give using the same
measure.

Well then, if God makes a promise we know that he will keep to his promise ?
So why doubt him for giving 10% when he promises you more in return ??
I'd say forget about the OT law and just give that 10% and see how God
will return blessings to you ? I bet it works! But you must give it to the Church or religious organization. OK! but not to your friend or stock broker!