Tithing - Another View

[BeforeThereWas]

In your opinion, do you think that would please God? This is just a question to get your point of view, nothing more.

Understood.

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of this whole issue is the fact that so many feel that they are being told to do with their primary giving what clearly is against the very word of God by way of the examples and commands in the Bible concerning that portion. That's why I ahve remained careful by staying away from blanket statements, in that ALL organizations abuse that portion. I know of at least one in another state that does not. So, if there is that one, I assume that there are more. So:

1) our first allegiance is to Christ above all else, and what He tells us to do in this life

2) if we sense that we are being told to do something, and that something doesn't line up with the word of God, or is found to be in conflict with the word of God, then we are commanded to TEST that spirit, and to PROVE ALL THINGS.

So many move upon an inclination that they assume to have come from the Lord, and cast all else aside, especially their responsibility to test that spirit to see if it os Christ. The scriptures are one such acid test (so to speak), but so many follow blindly what they choose not to test, even when confronted with the scriptures. That is pure folly, by any reasonable definition.

I would never recommend that anyone lay around in bed on Sunday morning if it is in their heart to attend an institutional gathering. If that is where they get their strength, then go, and support it secondarily with their giving, unless that organization truly has a heart for the truth of God's word and does with the giving what is consistent with the word of God. Anything less than that is disobedience. That is why I brought up those verses concerning Uzzah, when he reached up to steady the Ark from falling off the cart. He did what he thought was right and justified, and was still struck dead, regardless of his motives.

The problem is that so many want to continue justifying their motives and actions on the foundation of a contrived spiritual insight that clearly is contrary to God's word. This does not please the Lord when it goes against His express commands and teachings. They might even experience what they think are blessing in the midst of their disobedience. Hey, the Lord allows people to fool themselves, as was shown to us once again by Jesus when He recounted the story of the rich man in torment and the poor man in Abraham's bosom. That rich man was a Jew who knew the Torah, but that certainly didn't save his soul.

Go where the Lord leads you.....so long as you are sure that it is indeed the Lord. Jesus stated that the enemy goes about like a roaring lion, which paints a good picture of the fact that he has a strong voice that can push his message home loud and clear, and lead astray many who think they are hearing from the Lord, and never test that spirit.

BTW

 

[gypsyskyes]

Thank you BTW, nicely said. I appreciate your caring and concern.


Haaving tested it, I will continue to tithe though.

 

[gypsyskyes]

I mean no disrespect, but was it because of the tithe that they went into debt, or was it because they were not good stewards with their money?

A few years back, I went into debt because I made some stupid choices with my money. Used credit too much, bought things I didn't really need, etc. I put myself in a place where I could not "afford" to tithe when you looked at my checkbook versus my bills. But I've kept my faith in God and His word and continued to tithe faithfully. God has supplied my needs, because He is my source. Today, I am still paying the price for my financial missteps, but with God's help, I am on track to conquer this debt far quicker than I could if I tried to do it myself.

Pete, I, too, did the exact same thing. I find it to be rather awesome that having made the same stupid choices, I have the same attitude about tithing, and I use attitude to describe what God has put on my heart.

by the way, Pete, I was beginning to wonder if we went to the same church , but we have a little larger congregation, a lot of teenagers, and we don't own our space.
God Bless you and yours, it's great to meet someone that has had tithing and faith put upon their heart as you have had.

 

[KristiLee]

Tithing was not only part of the Old Testament. It was stated in a few areas of the New Testament as well. (The following emphasis' are mine)

Matthew 23:23
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Luke 11:42
"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.


It states in Hebrew that the descendants of Levi were required to collect a tenth from the people.

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, their brothers—even though their brothers are descended from Abraham.


Tithing is not only commanded by God but it also helps pay the bills of the church building: electric; water; heat/oil; maintenance projects; cleaning supplies; paper products (napkins, tp, plates, cups, etc.); children's ministry activities and snacks; communion supplies (cups, juice, and crackers); adult ministry activities and courses. The church also needs money to go towards evangelism, guest speakers, community projects to reach the lost, posters to put out into the community to bring people in, special occasions like christmas parties/dinners... all this stuff costs money. This is not including the salary of the pastor, who then has to meet their own personal needs. If people don't give their tithe, eventually the building they are meeting in will cease to exist.

 

[OXEN]

Jesus came to set us free, if you are not sure about tithing you could read Jn 14:26 and ask the teacher.
I cannot find where Jesus said we should tithe.
We need to do what He did (money from the fishes mouth) and to do the greater things too.
But until we can - unfortunately we all need money, to pay for all the expenses etc
Paul puts it all very nicely in 2 Cor 9:5-15.
It is great to have a generous heart for the Lord, you give because you love Him not just because someone tells you you have to.
Just how prepared are we? money is not much use where catastrophy's have taken place.
We need the miraculous powers of God to provide our needs and the needs of others.
Do you know the direct command from the Father to the disciples of Jesus.

 

[Andyman_1970]

Tithing was not only part of the Old Testament. It was stated in a few areas of the New Testament as well. (The following emphasis' are mine)

Matthew 23:23
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Luke 11:42
"Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.

Notice at no point is currency mentioned. Remember currency was available as far back as Abraham, remember he purchased Sarah’s grave for 400 shekels.

It states in Hebrew that the descendants of Levi were required to collect a tenth from the people.

This is also stated in the Torah, you are correct. Remember for Jesus and the authors of the NT the OT was the Scriptures. Notice also that these are not commands for His followers to tithe (which BTW if they were Jewish they did until the Temple was destroyed in 70AD), but Jesus’ commentary on the Torah.

Hebrews 7:5
Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, their brothers—even though their brothers are descended from Abraham.

Ok………………….

Tithing is not only commanded by God but it also helps pay the bills of the church building: electric; water; heat/oil; maintenance projects; cleaning supplies; paper products (napkins, tp, plates, cups, etc.); children's ministry activities and snacks; communion supplies (cups, juice, and crackers); adult ministry activities and courses.

You are correct that is it a command of God, not only is it a command of God but God also defines what the tithe is and who is to receive it – it is specifically to be grain/produce/animals, to be collected by the Levites, to be used to support the Levites/poor/fatherless/widow/alien (per Deuteronomy 14, Numbers 18 and Leviticus 27).

Biblically the tithe is not to be used for the things you list.

The church also needs money to go towards evangelism, guest speakers, community projects to reach the lost, posters to put out into the community to bring people in, special occasions like Christmas parties/dinners... all this stuff costs money. This is not including the salary of the pastor, who then has to meet their own personal needs. If people don't give their tithe, eventually the building they are meeting in will cease to exist.

While I agree that a church needs money to operate, the tithe is Biblically not the vehicle to accomplish this. The tithe was specifically commanded by God to take care of the needs (that would be food) of a specific group of people – it was never used to keep the Temple running or compensate those who worked at the Temple, in Jesus day that is what the Temple tax was for.

 

[lismore]

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.


If tithing floats your boat then thats up to you. Pressurising others to tithe is not good. Its hurting their relationship with the Lord.

 

[BeforeThereWas]

Tithing was not only part of the Old Testament. It was stated in a few areas of the New Testament as well.

I hope you don't mind my pointing this out, but ignoring everything within the context except the fact that Jesus made mere mention of the tithe is not an honest assesment of what was said in the NT verses you quoted. Jesus was not establishing the continuance of the tithe for those of us who are not under the Law. If you read those passages carefully, you will see that Jesus was addressing a people who were still under the Law, which included the Law governing the tithe.

It states in Hebrew that the descendants of Levi were required to collect a tenth from the people.

Just out of curiosity, do the decendents of Levi collect the tithe from you? Are your ushers descendents of Levi? If not, then why are you handing over your tithe to those who are not descendents of Levi?

Tithing is not only commanded by God

Yes, to those who were under the Law. However, the tithe never applied to money earned by wage earners. If you don't believe me, then please quote chapter and verse where any such requirement existed. The tithe was ONLY of the increase of the crops and herds, not of wages exchanged for labor.

but it also helps pay the bills of the church building: electric; water; heat/oil; maintenance projects; cleaning supplies; paper products (napkins, tp, plates, cups, etc.); children's ministry activities and snacks; communion supplies (cups, juice, and crackers); adult ministry activities and courses.

It appears that you have never studied the scriptures concerning the tithe. 100% of the tithe went for the meeting of needs and festival celebrations before the Lord. Not one crumb went for the temple upkeep. If I'm wrong, then I invite correction.

The church also needs money to go towards evangelism, guest speakers, community projects to reach the lost, posters to put out into the community to bring people in, special occasions like christmas parties/dinners... all this stuff costs money. This is not including the salary of the pastor, who then has to meet their own personal needs. If people don't give their tithe, eventually the building they are meeting in will cease to exist.

This clearly identifies the difference between the Church and organized religion. Organized religion stands or falls on the basis of money. The Church exists apart from the foundation of money.

Thanks for sharing. I hope you do some more study and share your findings.

BTW

 

[BeforeThereWas]

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.


If tithing floats your boat then thats up to you. Pressurising others to tithe is not good. Its hurting their relationship with the Lord.

I understand where she's coming from. She's only parroting what she was taught by those within the institution she attends. I think that if she takes the time to study on her own, she will come to understand the necessity of taking responsibility for what she believes by studying the scriptures on her own without the religious blinders of institutionalism.

God bless you, KristiLee. Don't take any of this hard. It's just that we don't blieve in the necessity of "tithing" because the NT scriptures simply don't teach any such requirement. If you want to tithe because it's what you want to do, that's fine. However, when you say that it's something all the rest should be doing, then you have to stand upon a more authoritative foundation than the misrepresentations of the sciptures you have been taught by your church.

BTW

 

[Andyman_1970]

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.


If tithing floats your boat then thats up to you. Pressurising others to tithe is not good. Its hurting their relationship with the Lord.

Well said brotha...............

 

[BeforeThereWas]

What is robbing God?

Didn't Jesus say that whatever one does to the LEAST of His brethren, he does unto Christ Himself?

So, if organized religion spends even one red cent of believer's primary giving on its own expenditures and expansion projects, then are they not robbing the poor, therefore robbing God?

Its Malachi all over again, speaking forward through the ages to the religious system that was corrupt back then, and most of which is corrupt once again to this very day. I'm not talking about the Law as a requirement, upon which Malachi stood, but rather the lack of consistent adherence to God's heart in where the primary portion of believer's giving should be going.

BTW

 

[BeforeThereWas]

2 Corinthians 9:7 NIV
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.


If tithing floats your boat then thats up to you. Pressurising others to tithe is not good. Its hurting their relationship with the Lord.

Good point.

What is interesting is that so many of the younger folks state that, for instance, tithing is something "that we all SHOULD be doing." They say this mostly without realizing that such a statement speaks of a requirement over all believers, not merely something they believe for themselves. If this is a requirement that all believers are to follow, and yet they have nothing better to point at other than an isolated conversation Jesus had with some people who were still under the Law, then they have no case, even though they are taught otherwise by their "pastor" or "Sunday school teacher," many of whom do not understand the fallacy of such a gross misrepresentation of God's word. Additionally, when you call them onto the carpet, they tend to resort to ad hominem, ad hoc, ad absurdum, and any number and combination of other biblical, logical, and interpretational fallacies rather than thoughtful, consistent, coherent reasoning from the scriptures; not to mention that the Spirit of the Lord certainly doesn't bear witness to such nonsense.

BTW

 

[probinson]

Good point.

For someone who claims to adhere to "context" of the Word, you sure missed the boat on 2 Corinthians 9:7.

So let's back up and see what Paul was talking about here:

2 Corinthians 8:16-24
Titus Sent to Corinth
16I thank God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative. 18And we are sending along with him the brother who is praised by all the churches for his service to the gospel. 19What is more, he was chosen by the churches to accompany us as we carry the offering, which we administer in order to honor the Lord himself and to show our eagerness to help. 20We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. 21For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
22In addition, we are sending with them our brother who has often proved to us in many ways that he is zealous, and now even more so because of his great confidence in you. 23As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brothers, they are representatives of the churches and an honor to Christ. 24Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it.

So we can see here that Paul is telling these people that he is sending Titus to them. We might call this a guest minister today, since Titus is coming to share something with them. So Titus, a guest speaker, is coming. That's important to the "context" of 2 Corinthians 9:7:

2 Corinthians 9:1-7

1There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. 2For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. 3But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. 4For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. 5So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.

Sowing Generously
6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Paul tells them someone is coming. Get ready. Be prepared to give to this guest speaker. Then he says in verse 7, Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give. Looking at the context, Paul is telling them that they should be ready to give to these guests as they purpose in their heart. This verse, in its proper context, has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with our regular giving at church, but everything to do with our giving to guest speakers.

What is interesting is that so many of the younger folks state that, for instance, tithing is something "that we all SHOULD be doing." They say this mostly without realizing that such a statement speaks of a requirement over all believers, not merely something they believe for themselves.

Count me in. I'm one of the "young folk" that believe all believers SHOULD tithe. You believe that none have to tithe. What makes your belief any better or more valid than mine? Why is your interpretation of scripture any more or less valid than mine? The fruit I've seen from tithing in my own life points to God's goodness. My testimonies from tithing have drawn my friends closer to God. God uses my obedience to tithe as a testimony to His greatness. There is no way, at my age and at my salary, that I should be able to do half of the things I've done financially.

If this is a requirement that all believers are to follow, and yet they have nothing better to point at other than an isolated conversation Jesus had with some people who were still under the Law, then they have no case, even though they are taught otherwise by their "pastor" or "Sunday school teacher," many of whom do not understand the fallacy of such a gross misrepresentation of God's word.

Believe it or not, tithers can think for themselves. This picture that you portray of tithers just following some pastor or teacher blindly is misleading at best. Jesus, speaking to the church people of the day, said this about the scriptures:

John 5:37-40
37And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Clearly, Jesus is putting much more emphasis on following Him, having a close personal relationship with the Father, than head knowledge of the scriptures.

Additionally, when you call them onto the carpet, they tend to resort to ad hominem, ad hoc, ad absurdum, and any number and combination of other biblical, logical, and interpretational fallacies rather than thoughtful, consistent, coherent reasoning from the scriptures; not to mention that the Spirit of the Lord certainly doesn't bear witness to such nonsense.

Jesus said this:

Matthew 7:20
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Everyone I know that tithes has testimony after testimony of how God protected them in their finances and provided for them. This is good fruit. It's not "nonsense".

A note to the reader: The only reason I occasionally respond to this nonsense is because I feel balance is needed. Many people lurk and read here. I want to make sure people see that there are those of us who think for ourselves, tithe, and see God's supernatural provision for us on a daily basis because of it. There are those of us that don't think of tithing as a "burden" or something we "have" to do but rather something that we "get" to do. It's a blessing to be able to obey God and He honors that obedience.

 

[Christina M]

Count me in. I'm one of the "young folk" that believe all believers SHOULD tithe. You believe that none have to tithe. What makes your belief any better or more valid than mine? Why is your interpretation of scripture any more or less valid than mine? The fruit I've seen from tithing in my own life points to God's goodness. My testimonies from tithing have drawn my friends closer to God. God uses my obedience to tithe as a testimony to His greatness. There is no way, at my age and at my salary, that I should be able to do half of the things I've done financially..

I haven't participated in this thread, another tired old debate, but had to respond to your post, Pete.

THANK YOU for being an obedient, lover of God! Your posts show that you are steady, constant, loyal and mature in the Lord.

Thank you for remaining so.

 

[probinson]

I haven't participated in this thread, another tired old debate, but had to respond to your post, Pete.

THANK YOU for being an obedient, lover of God! Your posts show that you are steady, constant, loyal and mature in the Lord.

Thank you for remaining so.

Thank you for your kind words, Christina. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt where I stand in Him, but it is nice every now and again to hear it from someone else! Thanks again and God bless you!

 

[Andry]

Clearly, Jesus is putting much more emphasis on following Him, having a close personal relationship with the Father, than head knowledge of the scriptures.

I half-agree. Here's the issue:

You say you have a close personal relationship with the Father. I say I have a close personal relationship with the Father. You say he says, "Tithe". I say he says, "Don't tithe."

All things being equal, with all sincerity of heart that we both are certain without a shadow of a doubt that that was what God said to us....who's lying? Or who's being deceived? You or me?

Which is why we have to go back to the Word. Always.

I can conceed or subjugate my belief to the Word. If it doesn't line up with the Word, then what I heard or experienced in that regard wasn't from God, and I was deceived. Simple as that. Are you willing to also conceed that if what you heard or experience doesn't line up with the Word that it wasn't from God and you were deceived?

And when I say go back to the Word, I don't mean just, as you phrase it, 'head knowledge'. But in popular Christianese, a "rhema" understandiing of the Word.

 

[Andyman_1970]

All things being equal, with all sincerity of heart that we both are certain without a shadow of a doubt that that was what God said to us....who's lying? Or who's being deceived? You or me?

Once again Andry you have hit the nail on the head.

Something to “chew” on, there are a lot of sincere Muslims (those folks flying airplanes into buildings were sincere about their experience with God), sincere Hindu’s, sincere atheists, sincere Mormons – sincerity and experience doesn’t necessarily equate the truth. Once again we know the truth but God’s Holy infallible, inspired written Word.

Which is why we have to go back to the Word. Always.

Amen brotha!!!

I can conceed or subjugate my belief to the Word. If it doesn't line up with the Word, then what I heard or experienced in that regard wasn't from God, and I was deceived. Simple as that. Are you willing to also concede that if what you heard or experience doesn't line up with the Word that it wasn't from God and you were deceived?

Well said and excellent question…………….

 

[probinson]

I half-agree. Here's the issue:

You say you have a close personal relationship with the Father. I say I have a close personal relationship with the Father. You say he says, "Tithe". I say he says, "Don't tithe."

All things being equal, with all sincerity of heart that we both are certain without a shadow of a doubt that that was what God said to us....who's lying? Or who's being deceived? You or me?

Which is why we have to go back to the Word. Always.

Here it is again:

John 5:37-40
37And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

The letters are red because Jesus is speaking. They are not my words. Jesus is telling people that they think because they diligently study scriptures, this is where life is. Jesus is clearly saying here that coming to Him is greater than studying scripture. Again, Jesus said it. Not me.

I can conceed or subjugate my belief to the Word. If it doesn't line up with the Word, then what I heard or experienced in that regard wasn't from God, and I was deceived. Simple as that. Are you willing to also conceed that if what you heard or experience doesn't line up with the Word that it wasn't from God and you were deceived?

Absolutely. If something I believed did not line up with the Word I would most assuredly concede that belief. However, when it comes to tithing, I've seen fruit that lines up with the Word and points to God's goodness. If I were in such grievous error, or had been deceived by the enemy, God would not be glorified.

It's not so much the amount of the tithe that God is interested in. Obviously God doens't "need" our 10% to function. It's the willing obedience that God is interested in. I've tithed when I could not "afford" to do so and EVERY time I do, God has provided for me without fail. Because of some stupid choices earlier in my life, I have put myself in a position where I must choose to either a) Trust God, or b) Rely on my own ability when it comes to my finances. When I tithe, I'm saying, God, I trust You and Your Word. I'm going to tithe, and I'm going to see you open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing. And he ALWAYS has. This is quite biblical. It's found in Malachi, whether you believe its taken in its proper context or not. I've never been forsaken or had to beg for bread. (Ps. 37:25).

The bottom line is, this affects ONLY me and my family, whom God has placed me the head over. It's a personal thing, between us and God. It has absolutely zero effect on anyone else. Even the fact that we believe all christians SHOULD tithe is between us and God. I don't run around condemning people for not tithing anymore than I run around condemning people for not being saved. But I still believe all should be saved, just like I believe all should tithe.

 

[Andyman_1970]

Here it is again:

[/font]John 5:37-40
37And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

The letters are red because Jesus is speaking. They are not my words. Jesus is telling people that they think because they diligently study scriptures, this is where life is. Jesus is clearly saying here that coming to Him is greater than studying scripture. Again, Jesus said it. Not me.

So without the Scriptures how can we know that we are coming to Him? Keep in mind with your interpretation of this passage, if Jesus in any way advocated discarding or ignoring Torah or did or said anything contrary to the teachings in the Torah He would have been a false Messiah.

So if coming to Jesus one on one (which the Scripture speaks against personal interpretation of the Scripture BTW) I “get” from that experience that say Jesus wasn’t born of a virgin then what do we do? Which is authoritative, and how do we know what someone “got” from coming to Jesus is actually true?

Once again we, if we are going to be as accurate as we can possibly be in our interpretation of Scripture need to go back to the historical, cultural and linguistic context. Oh and BTW, if someone hadn’t done that years ago you wouldn’t have an English translation of the Bible you’re reading. Remember there’s not a word for word equivalent from Hebrew to English or from Greek to English so someone had to do the research historically and culturally to determine the best English word to use for a translation.

The bottom line is, this affects ONLY me and my family, whom God has placed me the head over. It's a personal thing, between us and God. It has absolutely zero effect on anyone else. Even the fact that we believe all christians SHOULD tithe is between us and God. I don't run around condemning people for not tithing anymore than I run around condemning people for not being saved. But I still believe all should be saved, just like I believe all should tithe.

The problem comes when what you teach or advocate is contrary to God’s Word.

 

[probinson]

So without the Scriptures how can we know that we are coming to Him? Keep in mind with your interpretation of this passage, if Jesus in any way advocated discarding or ignoring Torah or did or said anything contrary to the teachings in the Torah He would have been a false Messiah.

Who said anything about discarding or ignoring anything? Jesus was saying your relationship is the most important thing. In other words, knowing scripture is useless without relationship.

So if coming to Jesus one on one (which the Scripture speaks against personal interpretation of the Scripture BTW) I “get” from that experience that say Jesus wasn’t born of a virgin then what do we do? Which is authoritative, and how do we know what someone “got” from coming to Jesus is actually true?

Irrelevant. If you "get" something contrary to scripture, then you "got" the wrong thing. The problem is, you've not been able to definitively show how tithing is "contrary" to scripture.

Once again we, if we are going to be as accurate as we can possibly be in our interpretation of Scripture need to go back to the historical, cultural and linguistic context. Oh and BTW, if someone hadn’t done that years ago you wouldn’t have an English translation of the Bible you’re reading. Remember there’s not a word for word equivalent from Hebrew to English or from Greek to English so someone had to do the research historically and culturally to determine the best English word to use for a translation.

All the more reason to have a relationship with the Father.

I ask then, how do we know what we should give biblically? If context is king, 2 Corinthians 9:7, taken in its proper context, is Paul writing to the Church at Corinth telling them to give as they purpose in their heart to the Macedonians he is sending them. It has NOTHING to do with our regular everyday giving when taken in context.

The problem comes when what you teach or advocate is contrary to God’s Word.

Again, you have not definitively shown how tithing is "contrary" to God's Word.