Tithing. Is it necessary for the chruch

[Inkachu]

I believe the Bible gives an example to follow, that we are to support our local body of believers (Acts 2:44-46 "All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts." Malachi 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.") Some people still call it "tithing", some call it giving or the offering; point is, it's money or resources given to support the church. There's a whole other debate about whether tithing still applies, or if we should just give as we feel led, etc. Not going to get into that.

I think giving to charities is great, but should not replace your first priority, which is your local church.

If you aren't comfortable in your own church, as far as their wealth or spending is concerned, why are you still there? If your church is bursting at the seams, so to speak, it's time to plant a new one.

 

[ezeric]

Tithing is NOT required, its OT teaching and trying to keep it will put you under the obligation of keeping the entire Law. Which is something only JESUS could do as HE is our offering and sacrifice and our perfect tithe.

And the end of the law. Romans 10:4

Now, we are led by GRACE.
The SPIRIT of GOD lives in us, and we are motivated by LOVE (which is HIMSELF).
We become givers not tithers.
We are under no obligation but do so willingly as the SPIRIT takes over us /leads us.

Paul and the NT church did NOT tithe but they gave out of freedom and love.

Our DADDY (FATHER) is a giver, and so are we but it is led by HIM and not a guilt thing and we dont do it to gain either, you dont give to your children to get something out of it...and either did Paul who said, "really I'm your father, and what father takes from his children, but rather brings then something".

Paul said "My boast is to offer the Gospel without charge".

Not many Christians or Preachers can say what Paul said, as their ideas and thoughts are mostly selfish gain, and they sell the LOVE of GOD, thus making it a prostitute.

Harsh words, sure the Pharisees did the same, devouring widows homes - cant see that done anywhere today?

You don't tithe, but GOD will teach you how to give without expecting anything in return except more of HIMSELF which there is nothing greater!

"Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less? " 2nd Corinthians 12

Imagine the Gospel Preacher/Teacher saying this today?

I don't want anything but you!
And really dont give me anything, as I am your spiritual parent, and I would gladly spend everything I have on you, because I love you

Never - too many love money too much!


-eric

 

[madetoworship]

Tithing has benefits to you. Giving something up, especially money, to the church or any organization for God's Kingdom blesses you as well.

If you want to give to a specific ministry within the church, I am sure you can put it in an envelope and designate where you want your offering to go.

 

[Aibrean]

Tithing, no. Giving, yes. Who said it was all about money? Time and talents are also contributions.

 

[Mcgarick]

AMEN ezeric!!!!

I looked into this too! and yes the word of God does NOT tell us to Tithe.

But give to the poor and widows and help the vulnerable!

People who say you are to tithe really don't know their bible at all on this subject, they cannot refute this becuase they will come up empty handed. The best they do is eisegete old testament passages.All of that is talking to jews under the law, not us!

Tithing was for the Levite tribe in the OT and they weren't even given money, it has food. Farmers and herdsmen tithed the flocks and produce.....NEVER MONEY! That was not the command.

Tithing has become the sacred cow of the Christian faith, and the un-Biblical teaching of most all pastors and teachers today. If you know how to divide the word of God using hermeneutical principles you will plainly see it does not apply to us.

Jesus step dad was a carpenter and therefore was not required to tithe under Hebrew law, unless he had animals and crops.

At the same time, we are to give to those in need and not be greedy with our money.

I just do not appreciate to be told to do something God never said to do..that's all.

Especially by people who teach out of the bible! Learn the art and science of interpretation to any book. A science, as rules apply and an art in that the more you do it the better one gets.

OK, done ranting!

 

[Urbanredneck]

Now this is just me, I wont tithe to a church unless I am allowed access to the books. A good church should give all members a carefully itemized and independently audited financial record every year or at least have some way of letting them look at it. Yes that means you should know the salaries of all the staff including pastors.

Now not all churches do that. If you feel you can trust your churches leadership then by all means. As for me, my family has been burned way too many times.

Example, our last church, I called up and asked to see the books and the church accountant said they didnt do that but said "You need to have faith, when you are giving you are giving to God". I told him while I had faith in God, I didn't have trust in man and thats all he was. He didnt like that answer and we left. That church went thru some big scandals shortly after.

 

[Urbanredneck]

On a related note I have in the past given a lecture to the children in the church about church spending. I draw a picture of a dollar bill on the board then proceed to break down a dollars worth of giving. For example, the pastors salary might be 5 cents of that, the light bill 2 cents, the toilet paper maybe a half cent... and so on.

 

[CGL1023]

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.

The main question to answer is: Is my tithe going into good ground that is advancing the kingdom. If yes you will be blessed for your giving. If your giving and that of others is being wasted or squandered then don't tithe here and don't attend there. This place is not being faithful in a little and cannot be expected to be faithful in a lot. We have to vote with our attendance.

 

[TheDag]

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 .

And a bigger heresy is that we are supposed to give 10%. if we have to follow that OT instruction then we have to follow all OT instructions.

 

[TheDag]

I will say for those who want to know yes indeed you should pay those who spiritually feed you. Paul trlls us this. while it is true Paul did not take money he did say he was entitled to demand money from them just that he chose not to.
NT teaching is that when you give it should be willingly which is also mentioned in the OT and why Caibs offering was not acceptable to God.

 

[Mcgarick]

I know of a church close to me were the pastor was making a decent living well above the average person in the pew. It is a poor neighborhood. People were/are in poverty and the pastor told them ten percent is a good place to start! Then all the while I get a vibe from him that he is superior and the people are beneath him(like the poor at least have me to guide them). I remember him telling a single mom this and it made me BURN with anger.... He should have given her money! She had nothing, when he started he bought a home in a decent part of town and had been doing ok.( I helped him move in) I can't see poor people paying a pastor wages that are above them,sorry. I think a lot of this goes on too. Yes, Paul does say they are entitled to some pay, but what??

 

[TheDag]

What was Paul entitled to? I don't know to be honest but i don't think it was much as any visiting speaker was entitled to this.

 

[Aibrean]

I know of a church close to me were the pastor was making a decent living well above the average person in the pew. It is a poor neighborhood. People were/are in poverty and the pastor told them ten percent is a good place to start! Then all the while I get a vibe from him that he is superior and the people are beneath him(like the poor at least have me to guide them). I remember him telling a single mom this and it made me BURN with anger.... He should have given her money! She had nothing, when he started he bought a home in a decent part of town and had been doing ok.( I helped him move in) I can't see poor people paying a pastor wages that are above them,sorry. I think a lot of this goes on too. Yes, Paul does say they are entitled to some pay, but what??

They give what they can. As mentioned, time and talent is just as important if not more so because volunteers are hard to find.