Tithing. Is it necessary for the chruch

[RightHandMan]

My stance is this why should I pay money to this beautiful church, which already has money. I would and do much rather give to homeless and charity's.

Question is can I choose to whom to tithe.

 

[Girder of Loins]

Yes. The Church is all of us. Tithing is merely giving to the Church what we can. Not to the church, but to the Church. Major difference. But, no doubt someone will disagree with me... Thus begins the Tithe War.

 

[Bella Vita]

God will bless you for your tithe because you are letting go of that money. It's not even your money it's Gods so essentially you are stealing form God. You should always tithe at least 10% of your income. It doesn't matter what you have going on God will be faithful to you if you have faith.

Tithing is in scripture it is biblical and is an important part of being a Christian. We can not get stuff done in the kingdom without money unfortunately it is necessary. Churches, charities, organizations, supporting your pastor it all revolves around money and is important in order to reach the lost and get stuff done. A church that is doing what it should be doing is always moving, growing, and reaching others it should never stop and that takes funds. I have also tithed to missionaries as well as Christian organizations, but that is extra giving on top of what I give my church. I always back my church with 10% first any extra is just my giving after that.

There have been many hard times for my husband and I but our tithe is the first check we write every week. And there have been times I never thought the bills would get paid but God provides every time. Tithing really shows you God's power and blessings you can really see him work.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

I can admit for most of my life I didn't tithe my money. Mainly because I literally had none. I was disabled and not on SSI. Still what little money I had (like $25) a month I kept to myself because i didn't have enough faith that God would somehow help me back. Then a sister in Christ helped me change some things in my life and I started giving 10% of my SSI check at the first of the month (yes, I started getting SSI).

I did it in pure faith that what scriptures say is true. I could go into a long story but I'll try to keep it short. The very same day I gave my check to the church my parents and I went to this burger place we normally go to. Well my burger came out missing bacon (not the end of the world lol). But the waitress brought it back to get bacon on it. Next thing I know the manager comes up and apologizes deeply for it. So he gives us are WHOLE bill (like $40+) for free. Plus free deserts if we wanted.

So I shocked. Ever since then all kinds of things started happening that I know are God. Another example is I had about $30 in my bank account. Well I called a lawyer and he said to help me with a spousal visa for my fiance he would need $300 up front. At first I thought "Where do I get that from?!?". So after I hung up the phone I literally got about 5 emails from diffrent items I had selling on Craigs List. Mind you these items had been up for months and gotten no offers.

By the end of the day people came and bought stuff. When I added the money up and included my bank balance...I had exactly $300! It blew my mind and I thanked God so much!! Does this mean you will always get what you need when you tithe? Well its up to Gods will. But none the less the blessings and provision I have had from Him are amazing. So I've gone from a man with excuses on tithing to a man who tells everyone tithing is amazing.

I remember maybe 2 months ago my fiances sister just had a baby. But she was unable to breastfeed. SO they needed formula which is expensive there. So I sent my fiance some money (what was left of mine) and it was just enough to buy her sis formula. They were so happy! And not a day later I happen to win like a $25 gift card for Chipotles. lol. Mind you before I sent her the money I was saying "If I do this I won't have money for Chipotles!".

---edit---
On another interesting note. When I was looking for that lawyer I had trouble finding one who was christian and honest. Well I got up that morning praying I'd meet a good lawyer. My daily bread talked about Abraham from the bible. So that name stuck with me. So when I called the lawyer who helped me get SSI I asked if he knew any trust able lawyers that deal with immigration. What did he say? He said "Theres a lawyer here named Abraham who deals in immigration!". Like I said the blessings are amazing.

 

[RightHandMan]

Yes. The Church is all of us. Tithing is merely giving to the Church what we can. Not to the church, but to the Church. Major difference. But, no doubt someone will disagree with me... Thus begins the Tithe War.

Love everything you said.

 

[jsimms615]

you can choose to designate your tithe to the church to help them do ministries for the poor or other outreach programs they have.

 

[timf]

Question is can I choose to whom to tithe.

The tithe was established for the nation of Israel. It was the mechanism to pay for the support of the Levities who worked in the temple and had no land.

The tithe does not apply to the church. As a Christian you are to be led by the Holy Spirit. If the Spirit leads you to give anything to your church, then do so. If the Spirit leads you to give nothing to a church but rather to some other Christian ministry, then do so. If the Spirit leads you to only give to individual Christians who are in need, then do so. The figure of 10% is meaningless for those not in Israel supporting the Levities.

 

[TheyCallMeDave]

My stance is this why should I pay money to this beautiful church, which already has money. I would and do much rather give to homeless and charity's.

Question is can I choose to whom to tithe.

Yes, you can choose where your tithe money goes but it should be to a distinctively christian based entity and one where there is some degree of accountability of it being used properly , wisely, and for Gods Kingdom here on Earth. It is customary however, for Christians to give to the Entity where they are being fed and christian growth is occuring ...and that is almost always the particular Church Body that they belong or frequent. The Church of Jesus Christ universal, is in the business of seeing Souls get saved ..and in order to accomplish that, requires the Church Buildings utilities / salaries / and christian education opportunities ... be funded because there are monetary requirements for such. Further, it is ok to have a beautiful appearing building to worship in, so long as the tithe money is being handled in a Godly manner and not friviously ; there SHOULD be very tangible examples of much of the money going toward the cause for Christ with outreach programs and other venues where the Lost is sought , where Missionaries are supported, and where ongoing discipleship is present for people to grow in their Faith Walk.

That said...I encourage everyone to be highly cautious about where they tithe even if its toward the Church you belong, as not all Churches handle money correctly ; in fact, i was once on a Trustee Board at a rather affluent Church and witnessed spending like it was a bottomless pit . So i think as good Stewards of Gods money he has allowed us, we should do everything in our power to be sure our tithe money is in fact being spent wisely , under Gods direction, and with great responsibility...and not just assume it is and not just rest assured it is because someone says so.

I personally, would like to see Churches err on the side of frugality when it comes to handling money made available to them , than grandiose irresponsible or un-needed spending for greater comfort , etc...

Regards.

 

[DiscipleHeLovesToo]

(2 Corinthians 9:7) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

this would have been a great place to talk about percentages, or who to give to...

if it bothers you to 'tithe', then you you won't be cheerful about it, and since God loves a cheerful giver, it could be assumed that He isn't pleased with a giver who is bothered by giving

if you 'tithe' so that you will be blessed, or so you won't be cursed, then you are giving of necessity - like paying off the mafia

give your gifts to God, and then let Him lead you on what He wants you to do with His money.

 

[TheyCallMeDave]

(2 Corinthians 9:7) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

this would have been a great place to talk about percentages, or who to give to...

if it bothers you to 'tithe', then you you won't be cheerful about it, and since God loves a cheerful giver, it could be assumed that He isn't pleased with a giver who is bothered by giving

if you 'tithe' so that you will be blessed, or so you won't be cursed, then you are giving of necessity - like paying off the mafia

give your gifts to God, and then let Him lead you on what He wants you to do with His money.

Yes..one of the biggest popular heresies of our time are Televangelists promoting 'giving to get more' for oneself. And of course for their own Ministry and personal pocketbook to grow thru the promoted mantra. Such people are Charletons .

 

[Bella Vita]

The tithe was established for the nation of Israel. It was the mechanism to pay for the support of the Levities who worked in the temple and had no land.

The tithe does not apply to the church. As a Christian you are to be led by the Holy Spirit. If the Spirit leads you to give anything to your church, then do so. If the Spirit leads you to give nothing to a church but rather to some other Christian ministry, then do so. If the Spirit leads you to only give to individual Christians who are in need, then do so. The figure of 10% is meaningless for those not in Israel supporting the Levities.

Tithe was established in the OT but it still shows up in the NT and still applies to us as Christians. Jesus himself tithed and spoke of it as something that should be done.


Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on. Luke 21 1:4

 

[dcb1101]

A) Yes, 15% belongs to God and His Church
B) Look at the Church budget which should be available to anyone. If the Church is taking in a lot of money and spending it all of staff salaries and lavish buildings, you may want to consider a different Church. Most Churches however give 15%+ of their budget to other missions i.e. Homeless Missionaries, Cooperative programs, etc.

 

[insurchoftruth]

You have to give the tithe in the church, where you receive your spiritual food, from the preaching and teaching of the leaders of your church. If you give to charity, that is not a tithe but a gift or an offering. The tithe always should go to the house of God, where you are spiritually norished. If you look in the Old Testament, you can see that the tithe was brought to the house of God. The tithe is like thanking God and recognising that everything we have and receive is from God.

 

[Albion]

You have to give the tithe in the church, where you receive your spiritual food, from the preaching and teaching of the leaders of your church. If you give to charity, that is not a tithe but a gift or an offering. The tithe always should go to the house of God, where you are spiritually norished. If you look in the Old Testament, you can see that the tithe was brought to the house of God. The tithe is like thanking God and recognising that everything we have and receive is from God.

True, charity and supporting the church are different, but no tithe is required today. It was an OT regulation for a purpose that doesn't exist anymore.

 

[Bella Vita]

True, charity and supporting the church are different, but no tithe is required today. It was an OT regulation for a purpose that doesn't exist anymore.

Are you serious? What Bible are you reading? Do you just ignore NT scripture that talks about tithing? Do you just ignore what Jesus himself says about tithing?

 

[Girder of Loins]

I agree with Bella. Tithing is a requirement, and the 10% Christ talked about is a guideline. Give more or give less, depending on your ability. Just remember the widow who gave a penny and laid down the greatest offering.

 

[EazyMack]

We are the Church, give where you feel lead to give.

But yes, "tithing" is necessary because Christian organizations have bills to pay, too.

 

[coons786c]

You have to give the tithe in the church, where you receive your spiritual food, from the preaching and teaching of the leaders of your church. If you give to charity, that is not a tithe but a gift or an offering. The tithe always should go to the house of God, where you are spiritually norished. If you look in the Old Testament, you can see that the tithe was brought to the house of God. The tithe is like thanking God and recognising that everything we have and receive is from God.

Where does it say that in the bible?

 

[coons786c]

A) Yes, 15% belongs to God and His Church
B) Look at the Church budget which should be available to anyone. If the Church is taking in a lot of money and spending it all of staff salaries and lavish buildings, you may want to consider a different Church. Most Churches however give 15%+ of their budget to other missions i.e. Homeless Missionaries, Cooperative programs, etc.

Where in the bible does it say I need to give 15%?

Christians are not commanded to tithe in the NT. Jesus mentioned it was concidered of the Law and he was speaking to the pharacees not the NT Church, dont fall for the lie to tithe and be blessed.

 

[stormdancer0]

If you attend a church, and are fed spiritually at that church, then you owe a tithe to that church. As a member, you are obligated to help support the place where you get "fed." Otherwise, there would be no music, no pastor, no Sunday School.

Too many people whine about having to pay tithe, then whine about how their pastor isn't "there" for them in emergencies. That's because he is having to work, and cannot get time off of work.

Anything over and above the 10% is an offering, and can be given anywhere to anyone. But that 10% was intended to support the priests and the expenses of the temple.

Do our churches have fewer expenses? Do our pastors deserve less?

If you don't want to tithe, fine. Don't.

But don't be upset when your tentmaker pastor cannot drop everything and support you if your kid, or your parent, is in an accident, or has cancer.