• Starting today August 7th, 2024, in order to post in the Married Couples, Courting Couples, or Singles forums, you will not be allowed to post if you have your Marital status designated as private. Announcements will be made in the respective forums as well but please note that if yours is currently listed as Private, you will need to submit a ticket in the Support Area to have yours changed.

  • CF has always been a site that welcomes people from different backgrounds and beliefs to participate in discussion and even debate. That is the nature of its ministry. In view of recent events emotions are running very high. We need to remind people of some basic principles in debating on this site. We need to be civil when we express differences in opinion. No personal attacks. Avoid you, your statements. Don't characterize an entire political party with comparisons to Fascism or Communism or other extreme movements that committed atrocities. CF is not the place for broad brush or blanket statements about groups and political parties. Put the broad brushes and blankets away when you come to CF, better yet, put them in the incinerator. Debate had no place for them. We need to remember that people that commit acts of violence represent themselves or a small extreme faction.

To tithe, or not to tithe. That is the question!

Should Christians tithe?

  • Yes, we should give 10%.

  • No, we should give whatever the Lord Places upon our hearts.

  • No, we should not give anything to the church.

  • Other (please explain)


Results are only viewable after voting.
Status
Not open for further replies.

FoundInGrace

God's sparrow
Dec 27, 2003
5,341
942
✟38,472.00
Faith
Christian
I wonder how much i would be giving if i was to give all i had to live on to God.
its a challenge to think about what it would mean to follow her example

she is an inspiration that she did (to me she is)
she must have loved and trusted and been grateful to God an awful lot to do that

and it obviously meant a lot to Jesus
He saw her heart that she gave everything, it is amazing and very beautiful
 
Upvote 0

jamadan

Newbie
Jan 1, 2009
711
32
✟23,566.00
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Married
I always heard she became a rich widow after it, because of the law of giving and receiving. Not the law of tithing, just: give and you shall receive. She must have become part of the church in Acts and they cared for the widows.

You "heard" that? No one has any idea what happened to her, whether or not she even followed after Christ. If you heard that she became rich, it's a fictional story made up by someone trying to manipulate people to tithe. Truly deceptive. The early church was not known for its wealth, it was known for people caring for one another to provide shelter, food and love and being content with that.

The poor were never meant to tithe. They barely have enough to keep themselves feed day to day. That's one of the reasons the tithers can't preach their false message among the truly poor today. Giving, even sacrifically, 'yes'. Tithing, 'no'.
 
Upvote 0

Frogster

Galatians is the best!
Sep 7, 2009
44,343
3,067
✟81,817.00
Gender
Male
Faith
Charismatic
Marital Status
Widowed
Politics
US-Republican
Yep.

Jesus said
that the widow gave all she had to live on.

BTW apparently believes he has more insight than our Lord and Savior on this particular matter. I mean, it wasn't really all she had to live on. She probably had family, and the tithe, and widows were taken care of donchaknow... Jesus must've been unaware of all that when He made the very clear and unambiguous statement that this widow gave all she had to live on. ;)

:cool:

The widow story is a beautiful indicative, but here are imperative directives in 2 Cor 8, if the widow story was to be followed as a rule, or standard, why did Paul says give out of extra, and don't be burdened?
 
Upvote 0

Messy

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2011
10,027
2,082
Holland
✟21,082.00
Gender
Female
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Single
Maybe the widow story is a standard: give everything you have: yourself, not 10 %.
I think Maleachi with offering in righteousness is about this:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0

Faulty

bind on pick up
Site Supporter
Apr 23, 2005
9,467
1,019
✟87,489.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
I guess I read that story differently.

Jesus was teaching in the Temple that day and warned against the scribes there who devour the widow's houses.

Shortly after, Jesus is watching the offerings and points out that on one hand they have those who are coming to the Temple who are prideful, and make great show concerning their abundant giving, and on the other hand there is a widow compelled to give all she has to live on. Both types of giving were contrary to any command given by God, especially of those to care for the widowed and poor, and it was an instance of a widow being devoured, taking from her, rather than providing as was their charge.

As Jesus leaves the Temple, He curses it, proclaiming not one stone will be left upon another.
 
Upvote 0

seekthetruth909

Veteran
Dec 14, 2005
1,253
80
✟24,313.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Marital Status
Married
I did a study on this for a bible class a few years ago:

THE THREE MAIN ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT OF TITHING.

1. Tithing was a pre- Mosaic Law because Abraham tithed.
Was Abraham commanded by God to tithe? Did Abraham tithe only one time? Did Abraham tithe his personal property or just the spoils of war? Read Gen 14:20, Hebrews 7:3-5 If we follow all the examples of Abraham should we also practice polygamy, give burnt offerings and practice circumcision? Did Abraham teach his children to always tithe? If Abraham taught his children to tithe why did Jacob make a proposal to God?
He would tithe only if God would bless him first with good fortune. Read Gen 28:22
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
2. Jesus told the Pharisees to continue to tithe their spices.
Matt 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.

Jesus also told the leper he cured to offer burnt offerings as Mosaic Law commanded.

Luke 5:14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Matthew 8:4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don't tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Exodus 10:25, 20:24

Why do no Christian churches today offer burnt offerings as sacrifices?

Why did Jesus on these two occasions recommend keeping Mosaic Law?
Was it because the leper and the Pharisees were still under Mosaic Law until the crucifixion of Christ? Galatians 4:4
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Was the life of Jesus the fulfillment of The Law and his dying on the cross the abolishment of The Law? Colossians 2 16 Are we now under the new covenant of Grace? Romans 6:14 Ephesians 2:8

Galatians 4:4 “But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law”

3. Jesus came to fulfill the law not change it.
Matthew 5:17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” [Written before the crucifixion of Christ] [Dictionary: Fulfill: 1.To measure up to; satisfy. 2.To bring to an end; complete]
If the law has not been abolished should we still practice all 613 Old Testament laws including tithing? What does the word “fulfill” imply in this context? Consider Ephesians 2:15 [written after the crucifixion of Christ] “By abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace.”
Matthew 5:17 and Ephesians 2:15 seem to contradict each other so we must search more scripture for clarification. Consider the following passages:
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Galatians 3:25 “Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.”

2 Corinthians 3:6 “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant–not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”

Galatians 3:23 “Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.”
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Galatians 3:11 “Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” [ Heb. 2:4]

Hebrews 8:7 “For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another.”
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Galatians 5:18 “But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.”

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

Galatians 3:2 “ I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?”

Hebrews 10:8 First he said, “Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them” (although the law required them to be made).
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Galatians 5:3 “Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.”

Galatians 3:10 “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written:” “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.”

Romans 7:2-4 “Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another -- to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God."

What do the previous passages imply in regards to the Old Covenant laws?
If we follow one law are we then obligated to follow all the law?
Has the death and resurrection of Christ abolished all Old Testament commandments and regulations?

[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Additional notes[/FONT]


Even Jewish Rabbis who follow the old covenant today refuse to collect tithes. Why? Only direct descendants of Levites are permitted to collect tithes according to the law and the temple in Jerusalem with all the genealogy records was destroyed. Hebrews 7: 5 Deuteronomy 18:1, 26:12

Who are the new priests of Christ and where is their temple? Is every single believer is now a priest?

1 Peter 2:5 “you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:9

1 Corinthians 6:19
19 “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”
[FONT=&quot]There are more Old Testament scriptures on tithing implying that there are three tithes resembling a taxation system, [[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Deut. 14 26-29[/FONT][FONT=&quot]] and that tithes are to be eaten, [[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Deut.14: 22-26[/FONT][FONT=&quot]]. Do any modern tithing churches eat their tithes as the bible commands? [/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]

Note: In relation to Deut14: 22-26. Some churches claim food was tithed because ancient Israel was an agricultural society and there was no money to tithe. Is this true?
[FONT=&quot]Genesis 17:12[/FONT]

“For the generations to come every male among you who is eight days old must be circumcised, including those born in your household or bought with money from a foreigner—those who are not your offspring.”

New Testament instructions on giving:

2 Cor 9:7-10 “Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Cor 8:13-15 “ I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written, "The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little."

1 Corinthians 16
The Collection for God's People
1 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.



3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem.
[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][/FONT]
Galatians 5: 4 “You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5 But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love
Note: Please read all scriptures quoted here in their complete context to have a better understanding of God’s word. A more complete study by a theologian and pastor can be found at: Shouldthechurchteachtithing.com
 
Upvote 0

therebelprophet

Senior Member
Apr 21, 2007
910
91
✟24,200.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
This debate will go no where fast, but it's always worth pointing out that the principle of tithes and first fruits preceded the law, and Abraham, the father of faith paid tithes.
Hebrews 7:8 lets us know that Jesus still receives tithes.
It's the wisdom of the internet that tithing is bondage from the law. But its a blessing intended for the church.

Wow. Straight from the mouth of Kenneth Hagin and his ilk. "Tithing" as it is taught (in most WoF churches, at least) is unBiblical, destructive, and totally against God. Paul said we weren't to give "grudgingly or of necessity". Why would Paul tell us not to give "of necessity" or, as another translation puts it "under compulsion" if we are REQUIRED to give?
 
Upvote 0

DMW

Well-Known Member
Feb 4, 2005
421
35
Michigan
✟24,180.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Word of Faith
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Republican
Most all churches and denominations teach tithing, it isn't a Word of Faith or Kenneth Hagin invention. The Bible also commands us to love our wives, forsake not assembling together with the saints, flee from fornication, avoid speaking evil of others, and more. If we comply with any of these, are we doing so under compulsion? Will it mean we are trying to work out our salvation?
 
Upvote 0

BeforeThereWas

Seasoned Warrior
Mar 14, 2005
2,450
59
Midwest City, OK
✟25,560.00
Faith
Word of Faith
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution
If you're so strong in your beliefs, why all the acrimony with the church?

Perhaps clarifying certain terms is in order here. What you call "...the church," is not the same thing as THE Church.

THE Church is completely off limits to unbelievers and pseudo-believers (the religious). What you call "...the church," is open to unbelievers and pseudo-believers alike.

I don't blame you for the historic, traditional nonsense of referring to man-made, religious church institutions as "...the church."

THE Church populates some of the pews and chairs in religiuos church organizations, but not all. Dr. D. James Kennedy and many others throughout history have declared this very truth.

Look at how you are addressing your brothers in Christ - parts of the very same body you are in.
While there are hirlings, few and far between, here you do a disservice and ill respect to hundreds who are called to the ministry and lay doen their lives for what they believe God is calling them to.

Indeed? You choose to believe that most institutional "pastors" are not hirelings, even though their job description, or function if you prefer, as organizational heads is nowhere found in scripture. I find that wanting.

You see, rising above emotional thought tends to shed a more jaundiced revelation upon that which is man-made, and that which is not. When the distinction becomes more clear, we begin to see the actual intermixing of wheat with chaff where historic doctrine in concerned.

Please don't cast desparity upon my stated vantagepoint simply because of a presumption of infallibility of historic teachings on the basis of antiquity. Historic doctrines are not infallible simply because they are older than others. Antiquity proves nothing by itself. Roman catholicism originated, from paganism, the existence of a so-called clergy class of men, never minding (of course) the silence of scriptures. Nowhere does the NT protray to us a singular man, or group of men, hired to do what we ALL should be doing outwardly and inwardly toward one another.

If that comes across as being too radical to your sensibilities, then it may warrant further study on your part to see if what I've said aligns with what's actually written.....which will only work if you honestly set aside historic bias and the many, many extra-biblical teachings that fill all our thoughts and understanding.....at least until one finally gets to the point that he asks the Lord that He fill him with HIS thoughts and truths in the place of man's thoughts and truths. After all, it's written that we let every man be a liar, and God be true.

Good intentions tend to sway the majority, but not God.

You're right when pointing out there are many well-meaning men out there behind pulpits, but when they teach the Lord expects believers to hand over to them the primary, largest portion of their giving in support of their religious organizations, with only the leftover morsels utilized for the meeting of needs, then a truly biblical believer is left with calling such things into serious question.

The proof of proportions is in the statistics. When Christianity Today did their nationwide poll of church organizations back in the late 80's, 93% of 10,000 responded that they absorb, on average, 87% of what's handed over to them for institutional expenditures. I don't know if you're mathematically challenged, but to those of us who aren't, that's significant.

Given modern, economic difficulties, the percentage of absorption by religious church organizations is more than likely higher than 87%, as it was back in the late 80's.

Simply stated, pulpiteering is something we all can take or leave. In our fellowship, all the men share in the resposibility for shepherding new babes in Christ Jesus, raising them up to a mature level of understanding and spiritual life so that they can spread their wings and fly on their own to do the same for others.

To those of us in the fellowship where I meet together with other believers, perpetual sheepdom is a meaningless concept created by evil men whose function is realistically no better than that of Diotrephese, of whom John wrote about in 3 John, who himself wanted the preeminence among believers, with the perpetual sheep constantly reliant upon him for spiritual feeding and direction, as if none of the perpetual sheep could ever aspire to the same spiritual level as himself, and much less surpass him.

Nowhere does scripture speak of such men hired to do what we ALL should be doing, one toward another, especially the babes.

Ahh, but man has always considered himself smarter than deity. We've historically HIRED men (since about the fourth century) to that position, and commission them to function in a vicarious manner.

To me, that's a serious problem. It's therefore only natural that bleeting sheep, drinking milk for 70 years of their lives, will see that as arrogant and condescending. They look up and see the eagles soaring, and the resultant longing lowers them to an even lower level of thought and belief, like the monks who crawled around cities on their knees, thinking that doing so would make them more holy and acceptable before the Lord. Dare anyone shine the light of TRUTH upon their useless works, and their unspiritual followers naturally gravitate to accusations of arrogance and condescention on the part of those who dare stand upon scriptural truths.

I agree with you that there are many out there who desire greater spiritual growth for themselves and others, but the historic system has within its construct many flawed premisses upon which it's built, and few are willing to venture out and discover for themselves something better.

One last note: A hireling isn't necessarily a bad thing, and it certainly isn't mere name-calling. People have every right to possess a communal facility and hire a professional staff to fulfill what they want done in that organization. The problem is when they try and errect such things upon the foundation of scripture....as if such things are mandated by God through His written word. That clearly is not the case. Many don't see it that way because of their inability to see beyond the brainwashing of traditional thought. Group-think is a powerful force, of which I do not underestimate, as many are in the habbit of doing.

BTW
 
Upvote 0

BeforeThereWas

Seasoned Warrior
Mar 14, 2005
2,450
59
Midwest City, OK
✟25,560.00
Faith
Word of Faith
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution
I have faithfully tithed for as long as i can remember, God has blessed me in my finances because of this. I have been able to buy a home, a car that needs minimal maintenace, bills paid in full all with an average job. I stick to around 10% of my gross income as a rule. Its a principle that works.

There's nothing new about the assumption of works-based blessing in NT times. Many non-tithers share the same testimony of God's blessing toward them, which is ample reason to question the idea that a gross tithe is the reason for such blessing. What prohpet revealed to you that your stated testimony is based upon something other than emotional thought?

BTW
 
Upvote 0

therebelprophet

Senior Member
Apr 21, 2007
910
91
✟24,200.00
Faith
Christian
Marital Status
Married
Most all churches and denominations teach tithing, it isn't a Word of Faith or Kenneth Hagin invention. The Bible also commands us to love our wives, forsake not assembling together with the saints, flee from fornication, avoid speaking evil of others, and more. If we comply with any of these, are we doing so under compulsion? Will it mean we are trying to work out our salvation?

I have never heard a Baptist church (which I grew up in) teach that you have to give 10%. I have also never had anywhere NEAR as much pressure put on me to give as I did when I went to a WoF church. And I went to a church that was only once removed from the founder of WoF. As in, my old pastor was discipled by KH.

Abraham giving to Melchizedek is irrelevant. Abraham and lots of other people who were "men of faith" had sex with just about everything they could get their hands on. Does that mean that it's okay for us or that we should be doing what they did? I mean, come on, it PREDATES THE LAW!

Yeah, that doesn't make any sense either. Tithing as a requirement for believers is bondage. Period. It's by grace through faith. Giving will flow naturally if you keep the main thing the main thing. In fact, I know a pastor who had a very small church in a mostly Mormon community in Idaho. The converts from Mormonism were very hurt by the Mormon leadership basically demanding their money every pay check. They even required their members to turn in their tax statements and paystubs!!! :eek: So my pastor friend, to combat this kind of treachery, simply put a box in the back of the sanctuary and when the time came when they would normally "pass the plate" he told them simply, "You are not required to give, but if you would like to do so there is a box in the back and envelopes in the pews and by the box." ....They never lacked for money in a church with like 100 members.
 
Upvote 0

BeforeThereWas

Seasoned Warrior
Mar 14, 2005
2,450
59
Midwest City, OK
✟25,560.00
Faith
Word of Faith
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution
I always heard she became a rich widow after it, because of the law of giving and receiving. Not the law of tithing, just: give and you shall receive. She must have become part of the church in Acts and they cared for the widows.

I can't say from where that claim originated about that widow since I don't recall scripture saying any such thing about her personally.

However, the OT system of tithing and gleaning was geared toward ALL the poor, which goes ignored by those who want to read into scriptural silence what they want to believe in their own minds about her. She could indeed have nothing to claim as her own, but to assume into it all that she had no family or anything else upon which to rely, which takes away nothing at all from the fact that she had nothing, is still the height of presumption on the part of some.

Some seem to want to assume that she was then left with nothing more than to go out, lie down in a gutter, and die from starvation, as if the Lord is so callouse and uncaring, even though His stated system of tithing clearly demonstrates otherwise.

I question NOT the Lord, but rather those who foolishly assume into scriptural silence whatever they want it to say to us by ruling out possibilities that happen to deny the knowledge of things they assume to know, and yet know nothing.

BTW
 
Upvote 0

BeforeThereWas

Seasoned Warrior
Mar 14, 2005
2,450
59
Midwest City, OK
✟25,560.00
Faith
Word of Faith
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Constitution
I have never heard a Baptist church (which I grew up in) teach that you have to give 10%.

Southern Baptists certainly taught such. They've toned down what they once hammered upon vehemently when I was younger.

Abraham giving to Melchizedek is irrelevant.

True.

Abraham and lots of other people who were "men of faith" had sex with just about everything they could get their hands on. Does that mean that it's okay for us or that we should be doing what they did? I mean, come on, it PREDATES THE LAW!

Umm. This is where I depart from your train of thought. Abraham did indeed have multiple wives, but there was nothing immoral about such. If plural wives had been a moral crisis, then the Lord would certainly not have stated what is written in Genesis 26 about Abraham after his death, and the Lord would CERTAINLY not have given to David at least two of his already plural set of wives.

Tithing as a requirement for believers is bondage. Period.

True.

It's by grace through faith. Giving will flow naturally if you keep the main thing the main thing.

True.....I think.....assuming what you call "...the main thing..." is consistent with what's actually written.

In fact, I know a pastor who had a very small church in a mostly Mormon community in Idaho. The converts from Mormonism were very hurt by the Mormon leadership basically demanding their money every pay check. They even required their members to turn in their tax statements and paystubs!!! :eek:

(snicker, snort) Yep. That brings back memories. I laugh now because when they demanded such things of us, I just looked the other way and continued on with life, never handing any such things over to them. They could always demand it of me, but I didn't have to comply. They were simply looking for more of the people to write up for "temple recommends." I never had any desire to gain access to the Salt Lake City temple or any other. I had no desire to be where men put their hands (for blessing, of course (rolling eyes to ceiling)) on the genitalia of newlyweds-to-be. The sheer paganism of mormonism drove me away to reclaim for myself the Bible as God's very word.

BTW
 
Upvote 0

New_Wineskin

Contributor
Jun 26, 2004
11,145
652
Elizabethtown , PA , usa
✟13,854.00
Faith
Non-Denom
Most all churches and denominations teach tithing, it isn't a Word of Faith or Kenneth Hagin invention. The Bible also commands us to love our wives, forsake not assembling together with the saints, flee from fornication, avoid speaking evil of others, and more. If we comply with any of these, are we doing so under compulsion?

If one complies simply because it was written ( just as circumcism ) , then it is under compulsion . If one refrains from killing only because it is written , Jesus stated that such a one is still guilty of murder .
 
Upvote 0

probinson

Legend
Aug 16, 2005
24,607
4,612
48
PA
✟211,902.00
Country
United States
Gender
Male
Faith
Word of Faith
Marital Status
Married
Politics
US-Others
I can't say from where that claim originated about that widow since I don't recall scripture saying any such thing about her personally.

However, the OT system of tithing and gleaning was geared toward ALL the poor, which goes ignored by those who want to read into scriptural silence what they want to believe in their own minds about her. She could indeed have nothing to claim as her own, but to assume into it all that she had no family or anything else upon which to rely, which takes away nothing at all from the fact that she had nothing, is still the height of presumption on the part of some.

Some seem to want to assume that she was then left with nothing more than to go out, lie down in a gutter, and die from starvation, as if the Lord is so callouse and uncaring, even though His stated system of tithing clearly demonstrates otherwise.

I question NOT the Lord, but rather those who foolishly assume into scriptural silence whatever they want it to say to us by ruling out possibilities that happen to deny the knowledge of things they assume to know, and yet know nothing.
Mark 12:42-44 (KJV)
And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury. For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Mark 12:42-44 (NIV)
But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Mark 12:42-44 (AMP)
And a widow who was poverty-stricken came and put in two copper mites [the smallest of coins], which together make half of a cent. And He called His disciples [to Him] and said to them, Truly and surely I tell you, this widow, [she who is] poverty-stricken, has put in more than all those contributing to the treasury. For they all threw in out of their abundance; but she, out of her deep poverty, has put in everything that she had—[even] all she had on which to live.
No need to assume anything. This is not "scriptural silence". Jesus was pretty clear and unambiguous here. The woman was poverty-stricken and she gave all she had to live on. Pretty straightforward statement.

The "height of presumption" is in questioning whether Jesus really knew what He was talking about when He said she gave "all she had to live on."

:cool:
 
Upvote 0
Status
Not open for further replies.