Tithing:

[9-iron]

I can't argue this biblically but as an 'ordinary' member of my church, I just give what I can because I want to see the church prosper in the work of the Lord.

By far this is the best example of a heart for giving to Lord I have witnessed on this board. If everyone had this attitude, tithing arguments would be irrelevant.

 

[Andry]

Post count is not an indication of knowledge. The fact that you think so, once again, speaks volumes about you.


My sense is there is much that you are 'reading' (and writing) incorrectly.

We can go jabbing back and forth till the cows come home......I've got lots of time.

You read me incorrectly. "Post count is not an indication of knowledge" -Where did I say it was? Doesn't that speak volumes of you also? There is still a tendency on this board, when it comes to the issue of tithing, that tithers think one way of non-tithers and vice versa. You wouldn't know that, because of your number of posts. Would you at least concede that? Nothing to do with your knowledge of the subject.

Have you looked at the number of threads this board has had on tithing. All these arguments are recooked, rehashed, recut/pasted, and you missed my original qualifier regardless.

 

[FollowingJesus]

By far this is the best example of a heart for giving to Lord I have witnessed on this board. If everyone had this attitude, tithing arguments would be irrelevant.

Agreed!!

 

[wunnerful]

After reading all the posts, some very good btw I only have 1 question for every believer. Do you think, if every believer tithed (or gave faithfully), would the real needs of our communities be met(like homes for the homeless, the widows and orphans,) libraries and hospitals and schools. These were ministries of the church at one time. It seems the "more we discuss" our giving the "less gets done".Mat 22:21 They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and unto God the things that are God's.
Jesus was asking for obedience, like in most places in the Word. If you must, TEST Him in this. Decide what in your life belongs to God and give accordingly, it really is a simple concept.
blessings to all
wunnerful aka john

 

[NewSong]

I haven't read the posts here and yet I want to comment and so if I have repeated someone else by all means forgive me because I am sure God has inspired someone besides me to say this....

I believe that if every believer gave what God told them to give that there would be no problems. I never know whether I tithe or not. I don't sit down to check the balance in my accounts with God like that. I do believe that if he tells me to give 10.00 that I am not supposed to give 11.00 and if he tells me to give 11.00 that I am not supposed to give 10.00. I firmly believe that all my giving is to be done cheerfully, and under the direction of the Holy Spirit. I don't always do it that way but I try to. I do not go by the 10% thingy but I do go by what the Holy Spirit tells me to give and who knows how much that is ??? I don't know and I don't want to know. There having said that, I guess then I do believe in it but I don't believe in it and I don't know if I answered the question.



NewSong

 

[New_Wineskin]

I believe that if every believer gave what God told them to give that there would be no problems.

I understand what you are saying here and somewhat agree . Yet , I also disagree . I would think that everyone posting is giving as they consider the Lord is telling them to give . And , we are having problems . It seems that some people think that *others* are *not* giving as the Lord desires . I don't care if people "tithe" in whatever definition they wish to give for that word . Only when *some* people consider that *I* must give a particular way other than what the Lord leads me to give ( even if that differs from their own doctrines ) do I have problems .

Of course , there is also the general discussion . It does become interesting at times .

 

[Andyman_1970]

Since Jesus said this...“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." Luke 11:42

How do you come to the conclusion that the Tithe is not a part of the NT covenant?

So I take it you tithe herbs, animals, grain and wheat at church...............because that's the tithe Jesus is specifically referring to, not currency as it is falsely taught today.

 

[Andyman_1970]

I'll bet a tenth of your paycheck this thread hits 5+ pages....

Wow 9-Iron your a prophet..........................

 

[Andyman_1970]

I was lead to believe that tithing applied only to that income that was a result of your labor, or work.

The Bible says to tithe off your increase, our labor is not increase it is money paid in exchange for a service rendered - increase would be like money made on an investment in which no work was done to make the money.

 

[Andyman_1970]

Please understnd that no one is talking about tithing under law here. Of course we are no longer under the law, and we don't tithe becos of some law or rule. We tithe out of grace, as Abraham, Isaac and Jacob did. We are under grace, under the Melchizedek priesthood of Jesus, who received tithes from Abraham, not becos of some law, but becos Abraham wanted too.

Hey Andrew, to equate that tithing is under grace becaues of Abraham is a hermenutical stretch at best. He only tithed once, so if you're going to use that as prescriptive did you only tithe once? Since he only tithed off of stuff he captured and not off his income do you tithe off of stuff you capture?

So it's tithing under grace that tithers here are refering to.

This idea has no Biblically basis, in context of course not lifting the Text out of the context it was given.

 

[Andyman_1970]

But I have been convicted that what God wants from me is not just my money, but my time. To me that is a bigger sacrifice.

.......................

But what if God says I want you to give 20 hours to My work. Ouch!

All time is God's time for a Christian. Colossians 3:17, everything a Christian does is in Jesus' name, from going to work, to taking out the trash, to going to the pool with your kids, everything we do is for God (except when we sin of course).

 

[Andry]

Good to see you Andyman....I'll assume you got my PM?

 

[Andyman_1970]

Good to see you Andyman....I'll assume you got my PM?

Thank you and yes I did..............

This 3 week break from our favorite sport is really getting me down.......LOL

 

[SNPete]

All time is God's time for a Christian. Colossians 3:17, everything a Christian does is in Jesus' name, from going to work, to taking out the trash, to going to the pool with your kids, everything we do is for God (except when we sin of course).

I agree with you, just as all of our money belongs to God, so does our time. However, we spend God's money for all sorts of personal things like cars, food and fun. Hopefully we set aside part of God's money for His work or ministry.

In the same sense, we should be willing to set aside some of our time, as we are led, to activities that are directly concerned with God’s work or ministry. Activities such as church related stuff, volunteering your time at a Christian camp or ministering to people in need, just to name a few.

 

[Andyman_1970]

I agree with you, just as all of our money belongs to God, so does our time. However, we spend God's money for all sorts of personal things like cars, food and fun. Hopefully we set aside part of God's money for His work or ministry.

In the same sense, we should be willing to set aside some of our time, as we are led, to activities that are directly concerned with God’s work or ministry. Activities such as church related stuff, volunteering you time at a Christian camp or ministering to people in need, just to name a few.

The problem is the stuff you listed, cars, food and fun is for God as well. Our whole life is spiritual not just the part we spend at church doing "God's work" we do God's work anytime we're not sinning.

Every Christian is in the full time ministry where ever they go, when I do my job as an engineer it's for God, when I pick my son up from the sitter on my way home it's for God, when I mop the floor tonight in the kitchen it's for God...........are you starting to see a pattern here?

The idea that part of our life is spiritual and part of it is not is a hold over from Gnostisim and still has a huge influence on the church today sadly.

 

[SNPete]

The problem is the stuff you listed, cars, food and fun is for God as well. Our whole life is spiritual not just the part we spend at church doing "God's work" we do God's work anytime we're not sinning.

Every Christian is in the full time ministry where ever they go, when I do my job as an engineer it's for God, when I pick my son up from the sitter on my way home it's for God, when I mop the floor tonight in the kitchen it's for God...........are you starting to see a pattern here?

The idea that part of our life is spiritual and part of it is not is a hold over from Gnostisim and still has a huge influence on the church today sadly.

I understand what you are saying. But are you implying that it is not necessary or good for the Christian to give of their time and money, a portion set aside-so to speak, for (non personal life activities sort of) ministry?

 

[Andyman_1970]

I understand what you are saying. But are you implying that it is not necessary or good for the Christian to give of their time and money, a portion set aside-so to speak, for (non personal life activities sort of) ministry?

Everything we do is for God, we are in the ministry 24/7 whatever we are doing.

 

[NewSong]

I understand what you are saying here and somewhat agree . Yet , I also disagree . I would think that everyone posting is giving as they consider the Lord is telling them to give . And , we are having problems . It seems that some people think that *others* are *not* giving as the Lord desires . I don't care if people "tithe" in whatever definition they wish to give for that word . Only when *some* people consider that *I* must give a particular way other than what the Lord leads me to give ( even if that differs from their own doctrines ) do I have problems .

Of course , there is also the general discussion . It does become interesting at times .

I think I understood that And I agree with you~

 

[probinson]

Ah, the tithing debate. It's astounding to me how people can read the same Bible, the inspired Word of God, and come up with 400 different "interpretations" of what it says.

First, I believe in tithing. I tithe 10% of my gross income (read: first fruits). I do so because it is a direct commandment from God. Since I love God with all my heart, I want to honor his commandments. That's the attitude with which I tithe. I never consider tithing as an obligation. It's all in your attitude, and God knows your heart.

That said, I believe that tithing is just the beginning. Many times, God will speak to me or my wife to give to a person or a ministry. This is what is called an offering. These amounts are between me and God. But my tithe is non-negotiable.

Why do I believe this? Because it works! God's word is true. In Malachi, God asks us to challenge him. He tells us to bring all the tithes AND offerings into the storehouse and see if he won't open the windows of heaven and pour a blessing out that you won't have room enough to receive. But is it simply for personal gain? No. It's so that you will be able to be an even bigger blessing in the future.

I have seen over the years in my own life, that no matter what financial setbacks we've experienced, God has always provided a way of escape. I believe this is because it also states in Malachi that when you tithe, God will rebuke the devourer for your sake. Why on earth would God do away with tithing when it is clearly an avenue for him to bless us?

A lot of people say they can't afford to tithe. It's been my experience that you can't afford not to tithe.

 

[swifteagle]

Ah, the tithing debate. It's astounding to me how people can read the same Bible, the inspired Word of God, and come up with 400 different "interpretations" of what it says.

First, I believe in tithing. I tithe 10% of my gross income (read: first fruits). I do so because it is a direct commandment from God. Since I love God with all my heart, I want to honor his commandments. That's the attitude with which I tithe. I never consider tithing as an obligation. It's all in your attitude, and God knows your heart.

That said, I believe that tithing is just the beginning. Many times, God will speak to me or my wife to give to a person or a ministry. This is what is called an offering. These amounts are between me and God. But my tithe is non-negotiable.

Why do I believe this? Because it works! God's word is true. In Malachi, God asks us to challenge him. He tells us to bring all the tithes AND offerings into the storehouse and see if he won't open the windows of heaven and pour a blessing out that you won't have room enough to receive. But is it simply for personal gain? No. It's so that you will be able to be an even bigger blessing in the future.

I have seen over the years in my own life, that no matter what financial setbacks we've experienced, God has always provided a way of escape. I believe this is because it also states in Malachi that when you tithe, God will rebuke the devourer for your sake. Why on earth would God do away with tithing when it is clearly an avenue for him to bless us?

A lot of people say they can't afford to tithe. It's been my experience that you can't afford not to tithe.

Yeah, what he said!!

swifteagle ><>