Tithing

[ryanpw]

You have often been told that tithing means to give 10%. And that is correct. But what makes the churches think we still have to tithe?

Tithe was the inheritence of the Levi tribe while all the others got land and to do whatever occupation they wanted. The Levi's were to serve as Priest, with one High Priest. But after Christ came there inheritence and duties were taken away. Christ became the new High Priest and everyone was allowed to become a Priest.
Also, as an interesting fact, the words "tithe" and "tithing" are no where in the NT. Rather, Christ and his disciples gave us a new way to give to the Church. Give only out of Generosity and not to recieve. Give what you feel called to give, could be nothing 10% or 100%. And not to give becuase you feel like you have to.
So why is it that the Churches preach tithing even though it is against the NT teachings on this matter?

 

[Jon_]

As a Christian, I am convicted to generously honor God with what he has given me by giving at least 10% of my wages to the church.

Very often I go above and beyond this, not just in giving to the church, but in giving to Christian ministry or individuals. Though it was terribly misapplied, Karl Marx's maxim, "From each according to his means, to each according to his needs," applies very well to Christian generosity. The temporal church organization needs funds in order to function. It is my blessed duty to return a portion of that dispensation that God has graced me with to the church.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[Chief117]

I fully agree with the above post. But to add to it, I just want to say that anyone who believes that the Old Testament is somehow "not as important" because Christ changed so much, then I rebuke them.

The New Testament may not use the word "tithe" but it also does not teach against it. There is no reason to believe that we should have stopped. Also, the concept of tithing does NOT go against NT teaching. Not in any way.

And for those who feel "led to give nothing," I'd have to question the genuineness of their faith. I imagine that there are very VERY few circumstances where you would give nothing back to the One who gave it to you. The Christian thing to do would be to give AT LEAST your tithe, and probably offer more.

God Bless.

 

[ryanpw]

Tithing by definition means 10% and tithing was the inheritence of the Levi's. And since we are no longer required to give them tithe then tithe becomes void. Don't get me wrong, i'm all for giving to God 10% and more. But that doesn't neccessarily have to be to the church nor does it have to be 10% or more, but less as well.
My whole problem is that the churches teach to tithe, which is against the NT teachings. Rather, like i said, it says to give as you feel called to give, both when and what amount. And for whatever reason, issues that God knows about and we don't neccessarily realize, he may tell you not to give anything, or maybe he'll tell you to give everything but what you owe. Tithe both restricts God, goes against the NT teachings on this issue, and puts a feeling of requirement on the individual ( against the NT).
You say that only a person with weak faith wouldn't tithe, i would argue that it takes someone with strong faith. Because by not tithing, i mean not giving 10%, you are going against a lot of church teachings and tradition and are insteed alowing yourself to be led by God. It means not allowing others to limit God's power in you.
And as for giving at LEAST your tithe, i agree that at least you can donate money to the church. But that's not what God wants, is it? No, he wants you.

 

[Egghead]

I dont know....being ''rebuked'' by someone who doesnt seem to understand that tithing is from a dead covenant, well, that just wouldnt bother me much.

NT giving is giving with a cheerful heart. THAT is the way we do it now.

The NT DOES teach against tithing when it says a NEW covenant.

By the saying "new ," He has made the first obsolete. And the one becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish.
(Heb 8:13 EMTV)

I fully agree with the above post. But to add to it, I just want to say that anyone who believes that the Old Testament is somehow "not as important" because Christ changed so much, then I rebuke them.

The New Testament may not use the word "tithe" but it also does not teach against it. There is no reason to believe that we should have stopped. Also, the concept of tithing does NOT go against NT teaching. Not in any way.

And for those who feel "led to give nothing," I'd have to question the genuineness of their faith. I imagine that there are very VERY few circumstances where you would give nothing back to the One who gave it to you. The Christian thing to do would be to give AT LEAST your tithe, and probably offer more.

God Bless.

 

[linden77]

I fully agree with the above post. But to add to it, I just want to say that anyone who believes that the Old Testament is somehow "not as important" because Christ changed so much, then I rebuke them.

The New Testament may not use the word "tithe" but it also does not teach against it. There is no reason to believe that we should have stopped. Also, the concept of tithing does NOT go against NT teaching. Not in any way.

And for those who feel "led to give nothing," I'd have to question the genuineness of their faith. I imagine that there are very VERY few circumstances where you would give nothing back to the One who gave it to you. The Christian thing to do would be to give AT LEAST your tithe, and probably offer more.

God Bless.

The OT is the Word of God, it just so happens that the unique spitual life is learned in the NT, mainly in the epistles.

Tithing is part of the law. We are not under the law. So we do not tithe. We give. A big big big difference.

Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.


There are times when unbelievers believe by following the law, tithing being part of the law, think that they are doing something good for God and justify in their souls that they are going to heaven. The Bible says otherwise:

Gal. 2:16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified.

So you need to pay for your children's shoes and clothes, and you have bills that need to be paid. What do you do when the plate is passed? Do you give because you heard from another christian that you need to give 10% and God will bless you? Not so fast, take a look at this verse:

1 Tim. 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Wow, even in the english one can understand this verse.

I personally believe that when someone in the age of grace starts spouting about giving 10% of their income to the church, that person has no clue what the Bible states about giving. Not only that, they set up a guilt trip on a believer who may have just been regenerated and does not know how to respond to the issue of giving. Giving is between the believer and the Lord.

2 Cor. 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly (you have to pay for your dauhter's shoes) or under compulsion (the church needs this _____), for God loves a cheerful giver (mental attitude).


Linden

PS: If a ministry charges for the Word of God, that is a clue that they may not undersatand grace. I can not see myself charging a brother or sister in Christ who wants to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Savior. I would not want to be at the Bema and have that issue come up.

 

[king-priest]

Tithing by definition means 10% and tithing was the inheritence of the Levi's. And since we are no longer required to give them tithe then tithe becomes void. Don't get me wrong, i'm all for giving to God 10% and more. But that doesn't neccessarily have to be to the church nor does it have to be 10% or more, but less as well.
My whole problem is that the churches teach to tithe, which is against the NT teachings. Rather, like i said, it says to give as you feel called to give, both when and what amount. And for whatever reason, issues that God knows about and we don't neccessarily realize, he may tell you not to give anything, or maybe he'll tell you to give everything but what you owe. Tithe both restricts God, goes against the NT teachings on this issue, and puts a feeling of requirement on the individual ( against the NT).
You say that only a person with weak faith wouldn't tithe, i would argue that it takes someone with strong faith. Because by not tithing, i mean not giving 10%, you are going against a lot of church teachings and tradition and are insteed alowing yourself to be led by God. It means not allowing others to limit God's power in you.
And as for giving at LEAST your tithe, i agree that at least you can donate money to the church. But that's not what God wants, is it? No, he wants you.

I agree.
Have you noticed they use the word offering as well? Offering is O.T. as well for the sacrifices. The offerings were anilals without blemish, such as turtledoves or bullocks or lambs.

In fact there are many churches today that make you fill out papers so to keep track of which believers are not giving.
They say that in order to get a bigger blessing you must give more and so those that have little are somewhat not as blessed.
I know of a few that even go so far as getting church members to follow believers out to the cars to trap them into feeling guilty for not giving.
They have a brochure of how much you can give according to their bracket of earnings, wanting to know how much you make a week and year and even get them to leave their estate to the church instead of their children, saying how they will be blessed even more for doing it.
They use ploys like giving them a name on wall or such so everyone can see that they tithed in the most category.
One lady explained how make sure not to leave out your 401 k and stocks and bonds and your collections.
What part of freewill-giving do they not understand?

Though , I do believe in giving, it's nobody's business of how much and no one should be treated different according to how much or even if they do not. Some churches get too personal that other believers are encouraged to pat themselves on their backs while snubbing those who don't or can't.
Grace is God's policy so believers should not feel harrassed, pressured, excluded or deceived to give.

When believers are moved by the Holy Spirit to give they do it without a grudgingly heart and are happy to do it because they are doing of their own positive volition to glorify God.
I believe believers are suppose to support a pastor so they do not have to have a second job, so they may use their time to study and prepare bible studies for his sheep.
But definitely of their own accord.