Tithing

[TheBear]

I was just on another forum and read an interesting discussion about Tithing. (This may alread have been discussed in this forum. I don't know.)

To tithe or not to tithe. Is 10% the minimun requirement? Are we still under the law of tithing?

What are your thoughts?


John

 

[Didymus]

I don t hink we are "required" to give God anything but we should want to. Since tithe means 10% of that is why it is probably used. actually it s not that much.We tithe and encourage others to try it.We tithe on the grosspay not after everything has been taken out.

 

[bananaman]

A lot of people don't really understand what the law required for tithing and giving in general.It was more than just 10% of your gross income.Also how the tithes were distributed was more complicated than what is commonly understood.
For a lot of christians ,10% of their gross income works for them because it is simple.
I have to point out though that the teaching on tithing in most churches is not the same tithing that was practiced in old testamant times under the law.
There are principles that churches attempt to follow. But actually following the tithe prescribed in the law is not something that is done by any church that I know of in our generation.
Churches at best, try to apply what they understand to be biblical principles when it comes to tithing.To give our best and our first portion. To have faith in G-d to meet our needs.To be reminded that G-d is first. There are many good principles taught regarding tithing in churches.However, it is not the same tithing practiced under the law, that is being practiced.
Some will point out that Abraham practiced tithing and Jacob too. Ive even heard it taught that the forbidden tree in the garden was a foreshadow of the tithe.Therefore , they draw a biblical principle of tithing that supercedes the law.
I'm not against all tradition because some of it is good. But tithing has been applied to our Christian sub-culture in a very dogmatic way at times.I have heard heated debates about whether a person can legitimately give their tithes to a ministry other than their "home" church.About whether it has to be the gross or the net income.About whether birthday and christmas gifts need to be tithed on.Or produce grown in a person's garden.
It seems to me that ultimately, whatever we give to G-d is between us and G-d.If we are going to make a list of rules for our churches , then we should at least admit that is what we are doing. Of course every church wants to support what they do with scripture and espeacially wants to at least not be unbiblical or anti-biblical in their traditions.
The Pharisees had rational behind their rules too that had their roots in some biblical command.The authority of the oral law and the interpretations of the rabbi had alot of scripture and spirtual sounding principles involved too.I mean study sometime what they did with the sabbath. the sabbath was a command of G-d himself. but how it was applied became very complicated.
Not all tradition is wrong. But it becomes wrong when we elevate it to the level of scripture.There is a subtle jump in many churches teachings to where that churches doctrine becomes infallible. Because after all it is based on the Bible.But no church doctrine is equal to G-d's word.

 

[Droobie]

Malachi 3:10

"Bring the whole tithe in to the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this" says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

I believe that giving is a lifestyle that we should adopt. Why give? So that the kingdom of God can be extended into areas we ourselves cannot reach. To sow into the lives of others according to His will and purpose. Our mission or the reasons we are christians is to be God's representatives where he is not. We are His hands and feet in the world, and it is up to us to spread word of the Gospel, and do his miracles/outreaching to all ends of the Earth. All this of course requires money, and where does this money come from; tithing.

 

[Terri]

Hi John,

I don’t believe in tithing!

I don’t believe in placing myself under any part of the law because I feel by doing so, you are denying Jesus—you are saying he died for nothing!

Gal 2:21 I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

I think you should give as much as you want. You can give 10% if you want but when you call it tithing you are saying you are under the law and thus denying Jesus. Even if you don’t feel you are under the law by using the word tithe, I feel others who hear this word used will take it to mean you are under the law. You could confuse them into believing they are under the law rather than saved by grace.

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

Love you in the Lord,

Terri

 

[Ceegee]

What if you are not financially able to tithe? What do you do then, stay home and not go to church at all?

 

[Dave Ulchers]

Originally posted by bananaman
Ive even heard it taught that the forbidden tree in the garden was a foreshadow of the tithe.

I wonder how that is supposed to work....

The Pharisees had rational behind their rules too that had their roots in some biblical command.

Didn't Jesus call Pharisaical tithing "straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel"? He seemed to be saying they had missed the point. I mean, how come people always say they give 10%, and never say they keep 90%?

 

[zamar]

When did Jesus do away with Tithing? Didn't He commend the Pharasees for tithing?

Who does tithing benefit? Us or God?

Z

 

[Droobie]

Originally posted by Ceegee
What if you are not financially able to tithe? What do you do then, stay home and not go to church at all?

2 Corinthians 9:6-11 NIV
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

You need to believe for a change in your financial situation. Would you think that God wants you to be in debt? Would He want you to always be behind on bill payments? Would God want you to always be wondering when would you have food on your table? Of course not! God wants you to prosper in every aspect of your life! Your relationship with Him, your health, your finances, your family, your ministry! Our God can't wait to bless you, so in turn you can do what he has planned for your life.

 

[Hervey]

Droobie:

That is a give to get , or stay poor you dern fool concept , that is not to be found in the scriptures anywhere !

Read context before you use one verse out of context !

Love IN Christ - Hervey

 

[TheBear]

There is something to be said of a man who spends his last five dollars on a money belt.

John

 

[Droobie]

Hervey, describe a scripture where it says we need to live in debt/poverty. So you're saying people who are poor are poor because God wants them to be poor?

 

[Droobie]

Oh, by the way, please don't get me wrong, I'm not saying 'give to get' at all. The purpose of giving is not so that we can be rich, but so that God's will and purpose has adequate resource to do what needs to be done. I would then point to Malachi 3:10

 

[Terri]

Poor Paul he only learned to be content with what God provided him--if he only had of had enough faith he could have been rich all the time!

PHP 4:10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Love you in the Lord,

Terri

 

[Droobie]

Paul was indeed blessed by the giving of other churches:

Philippians 4:16
'for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.'

The Lord provided for Paul towards his mission and outreaching ministry through the giving of others.

 

[Me4him]

Folks, don't you know that the "Church" is the "Bride of Christ" which gave "birth to you".

Who among you would not financially help "YOUR NATURAL MOTHER" to raise up "Brothers and Sisters", or give "BIRTH" to other "Brothers and Sisters"????

Is your "SPIRITUL MOTHER" any different???

 

[JohnR7]

>>Is 10% the minimun requirement?

Yes, we are required to tithe 10% of our increase. God is the one who give's us the increase. The only reason NOT to tithe is if we do so under compulsion. But if we can not give joyfully, then out attitude is not right with God anyways. He will not accept it if we give under obligation.

Abraham paid tithed to Melchisedek, king of Salam, which is the modern day Jerusalam. That was 700 years before the law was given to Moses. The law was added because of transgression. Our covenant with God is through Abraham.

 

[JohnR7]

>>Folks, don't you know that the "Church" is the "Bride of Christ" which gave "birth to you".

We are born of the Holy Spirit. The church is an assembly of the people of God. The Church is made up of those who have the mind of Christ. They are only a church when they are one mind and one accord.

There is division in the harlot church, not the church of God. We only become a part of the church through, love, unity in the spirit of grace and truth. We are united together when we worship, honor, glorify, gives thanks & praise onto God. Thanks, JohnR7

 

[truthseeker2758]

I had this tithing crap crammed down my throat so much that I rebelled against it. The Christian people have never ever really studied out the Word in its fullness to understand this. Know who was being rebuked in Malachi. It was the Levictical Priesthood that was being rebuked for not paying tithes. A lot of people are going to hell becuase they equate tithing with salvation. NO way Jose.
All I have ever seen in people who tithe is a bunch of self-righteous legalism. I am free and I am going to stay that way. I choose give out of love to my Lord and Saviour. You should try it.

 

[truthseeker2758]

God does not want 10 percent he wants 100 PERCENT.