Looking for a church that doesn't teach Tithing? Please help

[godson777]

Some people are saying that since God is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb 13:8), that tithing is still for today because it was back then. By using your logic we can therefor assume that God still wants all males to be circumcised, still wants us to observe Jewish feasts and holy days, still requires us to offer animal sacrifices, still requires us to shunn unclean meats, and and still wants us to keep the Sabbath day etc.

However, we don't do these today, because the covenants have changed. God has not changed in His nature or love or compassion on the sick etc, but His requirements have changed because of the change in covenants. We have passed from a legalistic covenant (in which people were required to be circumcised, observe the passover and pay tithes), to a covenant of grace where we have freedom in christ, where Jesus has become our one and only pasover lamb, and we are no longer required to tithe because it is legalistic.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 8:7-8 NLT says: Since you excel in so many ways--you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us--now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. I am not saying you must do it, even though the other churches are eager to do it. This is one way to prove your love is real. The bible is clear that the legalistic requirement to tithe has been done away with under our new covenant. There is no commandment to give anything at all.


However, that does not mean that we are free to be stingy! We need to give generously to show our love is real (see above bible verses). Instead of basing our giving on a legalistic tithe that was abolished, we should now base our giving on a the non-legalistic principles of: generosity, sacrifce, consistancy, and cheerfulness. These are all new testament principles of giving.


God is still the same today in nature and love etc, but we are under a different covenant now, that does not require us to tithe legalisticly, but give generously.

 

[riverpastor]

Are you also looking for a church that doesn't believe in "giving"???

God is a Giver and when the Giver lives on the inside of you....

He does the same thing through you that is in His Nature and Character to do.

And that, is to give.

I believe the Answer can be found in His Character.

The fruits and gifts of the Spirit are simply the manifestation of His Life in you and through you.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he held back His only Son...


Giving is Who God is. He is Love. Love gives. And if He's loving with His Love through you, then you will suddenly find yourself giving from the heart of the Giver on the inside of you.

There is freedom in Giving and bondage in hoarding!

 

[StevenL]

Pretty good, godson777. But I don't think we should "give generously to show our love is real.." but rather we should give because our love is real. When we give like Jesus said, we don't show anything at all.

 

[goy]

Please don't automatically equate non-tithers = non-givers.

Agreed. Likewise, not all who tithe are legalistic.

I give more now than when I "tithed" before.

Thank God for people like you!

 

[godson777]

Pretty good, godson777. But I don't think we should "give generously to show our love is real.." but rather we should give because our love is real. When we give like Jesus said, we don't show anything at all.

I definitely agree that we should give because out love is real and not necessarily for the purpose of showing the world that our love is real (although that's not entirely a bad thing), yet when i said that we should give generously to show our love is real i was merely requoting what Paul said in 2 Corinthians 8:7-8 NLT. He says:

Since you excel in so many ways--you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us--now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. I am not saying you must do it, even though the other churches are eager to do it. This is one way to prove your love is real.​

I was just trying to re-emphasise what Paul said about giving to show or prove (to God) that your love is real.

God bless!

 

[riverpastor]

We don't "give" to "prove" anything.

We have a Force on the inside of us Whose Character is to give.

GOY, you hit that thing square on the HEAD!!!!

Non-tithing doesn't necessarily mean non-giving. BUT at the same time, those who tithe AND give do NOT necessarily give themselves over to legalism and bondage either.

When I tithe, I tithe BY FAITH. I give IN FAITH.

If you do not tithe, then it should be by faith. If you do not give, then that should be by faith as well.

My point was to simply say that whether we tithe or don't tithe, that certainly doesn't change God's Nature!!!

 

[godson777]

I don't mean to be rude, but as far as i am concerned, it is an inescapable fact that tithing is legalism. Even though you may be tithing in faith, or tithing in joy etc, it doesn't change the fact that you are giving yourself a set, legalistic amount (usually 10%) by which to give of your finances. It may not feel legalistic if you do it in joy and faith etc, but it doesn't cange the fact that a set amount of 10% is legalism.

BTW: that's all somewhat beside the point since we are no longer required to tithe anyway. (see my previous posts for further proof and discussion of this).

 

[Svt4Him]

My family and I are about to move to Charleston, SC due to the military. I got saved 4 years ago in the Penecostal church which I love dearly but which I also strongly disagree with concerning Tithing, being cursed, etc. I really feel it holds us back as far as recieving from the Pastor who is also my best friend. After studying what the Bible says about tithes it broke my heart to find out what the tithe was all about and how the the church throws it around like it's for our day, we don't believe it is. Are there any charasmatic bible teaching churches that DO NOT teach tithing? Thanks in advance

So when Jesus was talking about the tithe, and missing the greater like mercy, He said 'These things are good to do, just don't neglect the others', so you're looking for a church that will teach 95% of what Jesus taught?

Sorry, have to word it like that, although I don't believe in the tithe as we know it either, I don't believe one should judge where one is to go to church over one debatable doctrine. The perfect church has no members, and if you want to join it, you'll ruin it.

 

[riverpastor]

If it is not "required" for us to tithe, then why is it legalism if some choose to BY FAITH.

It can be if someone coerces you and makes you feel as though you "have" to...

Just like it is bondage and legalistic for someone to say that you "shouldn't".

 

[riverpastor]

There IS freedom and liberty in Christ and Christ alone.

There is freedom to tithe or not tithe (if you have the faith as such).

Why is it that we are to conform to each other's belief systems?

I don't see that anywhere in scripture or in the Word.

If I have Grace to tithe and DO NOT, then, to me, it would be sin would it not???

Paul stated that you can eat meat if you have faith or don't if you have the faith for that...

I believe a lot of people are attempting to find this freedom and liberty in "doctrine".

There is just as much bondage and legalism in the "don't tithe" message that I am hearing here as there is in the "must tithe" message.

 

[Asaph]

You want to know why my offering is usually ten percent? Because I'm doopy and ten percent is real easy for me to calculate!.. But if I don't have it to give, I just don't sweat it at all. God will give me what He wants to give me regardless of my own giving. He's kind of generous like that.

Asaph

 

[9-iron]

Why is it that we are to conform to each other's belief systems?

Because everyone wants to be right. It seems like most Christians get some sort of 'justification' by saying our group or our train of thought on scripture is right and you are wrong. I have found most people to be obtuse to this fact, but that seems to be the pattern. Just look at how passionately people defend their believes on this forum.

 

[Andry]

You want to know why my offering is usually ten percent? Because I'm doopy and ten percent is real easy for me to calculate!.. But if I don't have it to give, I just don't sweat it at all. God will give me what He wants to give me regardless of my own giving. He's kind of generous like that.

Asaph

That's a good answer!! One of my accountant friends thinks the same way. He does his 10% as it's easier to calculate, and his wife tops it up to whatever in a seperate cheque. That way they both know it meets whatever "tithing" requirement, but is over and beyond the tithe (ie. 10%) and into generous giving.

 

[godson777]

So when Jesus was talking about the tithe, and missing the greater like mercy, He said 'These things are good to do, just don't neglect the others', so you're looking for a church that will teach 95% of what Jesus taught?

Notice that Jesus had not been crucified yet, so the old covenant was still in place. Jesus and the Pharisees and everyone were still required at this time to pay the tithes (all three). Now that Jesus has been crucified and has been resurected, the old covenant with its laws (including tithing) have been abolished. We are no longer required to tithe and that's why the new testament church never tithed.

If it is not "required" for us to tithe, then why is it legalism if some choose to BY FAITH.

It can be if someone coerces you and makes you feel as though you "have" to...

Just like it is bondage and legalistic for someone to say that you "shouldn't".

Friend, I think you are slightly misunderstanding me. If one feels that the Holy Spirit has lead them to give 10% of their income, then they should definitely do that! However, it should never be taught that God requires His people to pay tithes. I am not saying that it is wrong to give God 10% (if He is leading you to do that), but i am saying that tithing has been abolished and God now wants us to give generously, sacrificially, cheerfully, and consistantly.

God will give me what He wants to give me regardless of my own giving.

This is not entirely true. The bible is very clear that you will reap according to what you sow. This principle extends to every area of your life, including your relationship with God, the way you treat other people, your health, and your finances etc. Galatians 6:7 says: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. If you sow finances you will reap finances, but to reap you must first sow. 2 Corinthians 6:9 says: (keep in mind that the context is financial giving) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. The size of the financial harvest in your life is largely determined by the size and generosity of the seed sown.

God will not simply give you whatever He wants to give you regardless of your own giving. Before God pours abundant blessing into your life, God wants to see that you are giving generously, putting Him first with your wealth, and have a revelation of the power, purpose and potential of your wealth to make a difference in this world. When you start to get this right, and sow generous seed, only then will you reap a generous harvest.

God bless.

 

[Asaph]

This is not entirely true. The bible is very clear that you will reap according to what you sow. This principle extends to every area of your life, including your relationship with God, the way you treat other people, your health, and your finances etc. Galatians 6:7 says: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. If you sow finances you will reap finances, but to reap you must first sow. 2 Corinthians 6:9 says: (keep in mind that the context is financial giving) Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. The size of the financial harvest in your life is largely determined by the size and generosity of the seed sown.

God will not simply give you whatever He wants to give you regardless of your own giving. Before God pours abundant blessing into your life, God wants to see that you are giving generously, putting Him first with your wealth, and have a revelation of the power, purpose and potential of your wealth to make a difference in this world. When you start to get this right, and sow generous seed, only then will you reap a generous harvest.

God bless.

OK, let me get this straight. We are no longer required to tithe because the Law has been completed in Christ. All except this law right? It's OK to pull this scripture out of context and say that your blessings depend upon your own works, but to take other scriptures out of context to say that the tithe is still in effect is not right?

So then you sowed a seed that got yourself saved? By your logic, how did you get saved if you didn't sow a seed?

Here is a parable for you:

Luke 17:5-10
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." 6 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? 8 But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' "
NKJV

God is a Generous God, and He doesn't need you or I to "do" anything. How could one improve on Perfection?

May God richly bless you today beyond your wildest dreams,
Asaph

 

[godson777]

OK, let me get this straight. We are no longer required to tithe because the Law has been completed in Christ. All except this law right? It's OK to pull this scripture out of context and say that your blessings depend upon your own works, but to take other scriptures out of context to say that the tithe is still in effect is not right?

So then you sowed a seed that got yourself saved? By your logic, how did you get saved if you didn't sow a seed?

Here is a parable for you:

Luke 17:5-10
5 And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith." 6 So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come at once and sit down to eat'? 8 But will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink'? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.' "
NKJV

God is a Generous God, and He doesn't need you or I to "do" anything. How could one improve on Perfection?

May God richly bless you today beyond your wildest dreams,
Asaph

Sorry Asaph but i really don't understand what you're saying. Would you mind explaining again what you said in your previous post?

Do you think that i am saying that we should tithe? Im suggesting that tithing is no longer a requirement.

I think we've got slightly offtrack with the discussion of sowing and reaping but anyways... im definitely not suggesting that you need to sow financial seed to be saved (if that's what you think im saying). What i was saying was that the level that God materially blesses you in life is largely determined by how you use your material blessing. That's why God promises to give you a generous financial harvest when you sow generous financial seed. In a sense, your faith was your seed that allwed you to receive the harvest of salvation. I am not suggesting that we sow financial seed to receive salvation.

Have i totally misunderstood what you were saying? I hope not. But if i did, please clarify for me, so that i can better explain.

God bless.

 

[Andry]

What i was saying was that the level that God materially blesses you in life is largely determined by how you use your material blessing. That's why God promises to give you a generous financial harvest when you sow generous financial seed.

I must jump in.....you were doing so well until this line.

So wealthy Christians are those who have been good stewards of their material blessings, then ergo...... poor Christians are those who have not been good stewards of their financial blessing?

Is this what you're suggesting?

Like you, please clarify before I presumptiously respond to something you didn't mean.

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

I don't mean to be rude, but as far as i am concerned, it is an inescapable fact that tithing is legalism. Even though you may be tithing in faith, or tithing in joy etc, it doesn't change the fact that you are giving yourself a set, legalistic amount (usually 10%) by which to give of your finances. It may not feel legalistic if you do it in joy and faith etc, but it doesn't cange the fact that a set amount of 10% is legalism.

BTW: that's all somewhat beside the point since we are no longer required to tithe anyway. (see my previous posts for further proof and discussion of this).

Question: Is it that you feel the tithing, literal definition of giving 10% (www.m-w.com) is legalism or that giving any amount of money at all is legalism?

As someone mentioned above, a lot of people will figure out a budget, and give a percentage, not necessarily 10%, because it's what they can afford. Because they know they can afford to give 7.5% every week, and that's what they do, is considered legalism??

 

[Andyman_1970]

literal definition of giving 10% (www.m-w.com)

With all due respect the literal definition of tithing is found in the Bible............oh and it's not currency in case anyone was wondering

 

[MrsGnomeCrusher]

With all due respect the literal definition of tithing is found in the Bible............oh and it's not currency in case anyone was wondering

Thanks. I don't have a bible handy so perhaps you can do the honors. Care to enlighten and teach?

However, I was responding to a post that someone made, in which he was talking financially.