Ur thoughts on Tithe.

[wild01]

Tithing was part of the law. We are no longer under the law.

HOWEVER,
We are called to be responsible for supporting those who minister to us, feed/clothe the poor and help spread the gospel. If you don't think you should be required to tithe you are right. If you don't think you need to help support your church financially, don't feel responsible for helping carry that load, you should take a serious look at your relationship with God. because this is a symptom of spiritual sickness.

 

[Godslilgurlalways]

I personally feel that we are suppose to pay our tiths which our 10%. I feel that if I am not paying them than I am robbing God of his own money. Yes your right God doesn't need it but we are suppose to give it from the heart to God giving thanks for hat he has given us. I feel that if I do pay I will be curse with a curse. I believe it's impportant to do this. I do it when I had money like when I work for it during the summer. When you need someone from God think about did you pay your tiths? Sometimes that is the downfall for many(for what I have seen and leardned over the years) Just b/c it's in the new testment doesn't mean it won't happen or that it's not true God gave us a bible and it has an old and new I like to use both

 

[SteelDisciple]

Here's a good way to look at it.

A rising band comes out...you can either BUY their cd and support them so they can continue their work.

Or you can download it, not only stealing from them...but ultimately being partially responsibile for their failure when they can no longer support themselves because you didn't BUY the DANG cd.

So...who are you ripping off lately?

 

[wild01]

I have no objection to churches teaching that it is every christians responsibility to support the church.

thats the truth.

but the 10% tithe is part of an old testament law.

Don't get me wrong, theres nothing wrong with giving 10% of your income to support the church. In fact it is probably a good base line reference point.

But I find it frustrating when I hear someone preaching that as a christian I am required to donate 10% of my income to my home church, and that my "tithe" cannot be used for anything else.

If we are going to keep preaching the law where do we draw the line?

oh and BTW the tithe law was a 3 year cycle of 20% 20% 30%

year 1 10 to church 10 to temple pilgramage to be used as a celebration of what God has done for you and every third year another 10 to the poor
see duet for original wording

 

[SteelDisciple]

I keep hearing some people say that we are not under the old law.

Just wondering...when did Jesus say he abolished the old law? Can someone give me a scriptural reference.


Just trying to learn.

 

[wild01]

I keep hearing some people say that we are not under the old law.

Just wondering...when did Jesus say he abolished the old law? Can someone give me a scriptural reference.



Just trying to learn.

[bible]Romans 7 NASB

Believers United to Christ

1Or do you not know, (A)brethren (for I am speaking to those who know the law), that the law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? 2For (B)the married woman is bound by law to her husband while he is living; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband.
3So then, if while her husband is living she is joined to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress though she is joined to another man.
4Therefore, my brethren, you also were (C)made to die (D)to the Law (E)through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God.
5For while we were (F)in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were (G)aroused by the Law, were at work (H)in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.
6But now we have been (I)released from the Law, having (J)died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in (K)newness of (L)the [a]Spirit and not in oldness of the letter. [/bible]

the law is not aboilished and it never will be, but if we are in christ we are no longer under its authority.

 

[Amisk]

I am a firm believer in tithing. I learned tithing at an early age while still in the Church of the Nazarene. In those early years I didn't always follow the teaching, partly I suppose because I was young both in faith and age.

When the Newf. (my wife) and I were married I headed us back to tithing. The Newf.'s parents had not be Christian in those years and they forbid her to tithe on her income. She did as her parents instructed her, which was of course the correct thing to do.

We run into some hard times and I gave up tithing although I did make somewhat of a list of what we owed.

Owed is the correct word according to Malachi 3:6-10:"Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. "

I find no place in the Bible where the law on tithing was ever revoked. So Malachi's warning spurred me into tithing again.

We were struggling at the time and every dollar had to be counted twice to make ends meet. Oh, the phone bill was getting paid, the bill collectors where not coming to the door, although we had to send a few credits cards back to the gas companies and say, "we are returning this until we get our bill paid up, but we would like it back when we have the account paid off." When the bills were paid the cards came back.

I was haunted some what by the fact that we were shirking our duty as Christians by not paying tithes as the Bible commanded in Malachi. Finally I said to the Newf. we have to change things around here. Tithes get paid first. It seems rather foolish to some, I suppose.

We not only started paying tithes we began paying back tithes on the installment plan. No, I don't believe in prosperity Christianity. No, we didn't get rich, nor did we suddenly have a lot of money. Some times the gas company had to wait to the next month because God got his portion first, but on a whole we had less money problems. We still had to be careful with each dollar but we didn't go hungry. Nobody declared us bankrupt.

We have pretty well stuck to that decision through the years, for we believe what Malachi said when he quoted God as saying, when we don't tithe we are stealing from God.

I found it interesting to hear a former pastor quote statistics that "the majority of people who tithe are those in the low income bracket. That higher incomes families are more likely to give less than their their 10%."

I noted a few years ago I heard one of the Canadian T.V. Evangelists say that their most regular supporters came from what is known in Canada as the 'have not' provinces. Makes one wonder doesn't it?

The late Dr. Oswald Smith of the famous People's Church in Toronto once said that when he first went to People's Church that it was in debt. He said he suggest to the church board that they ought to be tithing and when they took the leap of faith and began tithing to missions on the church's income, the church came out of debt. It was never in debt again as long as he was pastor.

I have sat on church boards struggling with debt. The preacher got up and told his congregation that they needed to pay their tithe and yet the church board didn't set the example in their own spending. I have told some of these boards what Dr. Smith had said, and they looked at me with weak smiles and answered we don't have enough money to tithe. The church board has to be an example in all moral issues, including tithing.

As some have mentioned here, they disagree with the money that their church board wastes on big fancy buildings, etc. In many cases I agree, on the other hand the Bible still tells us to bring our tithe into the store house (the church). With the obedience of bring the tithe in the store house goes the responsibility of making sure that the church board spends that money properly. That means standing up at board meetings, and congregational meetings asking (politely) where the money is going. Congregations need to hold the board and pastor accountable. To often congregations rubber stamp board budgets and spendages without asking questions. At such times the congregation is as much to blame as the board.

Over paid pastors. There are some, particularly among T.V. ministers. We need to note that Malachi didn't say give the tithe to T.V. ministries, he said bring it into the store house (the church). Therefore money going to T.V. ministries (as important as they are) should be offerings only, not tithes. There is a difference, offerings are what we choice to give, tithes are what we owe (remember Malachi 3:6-9).

Some mentioned that they were upset when told that they should tithe. Well, any minister who fails to preach on tithing is not preaching the full gospel message. He is also doing his congregation more harm than good.

 

[wild01]

Some mentioned that they were upset when told that they should tithe. Well, any minister who fails to preach on tithing is not preaching the full gospel message. He is also doing his congregation more harm than good.

Um not sure if you are talking about me but I did make a similair statement in my post above. I also showed why biblically. Preaching the 10% tithe is not part of the gospel. it is a part of the old testement law. and on top of that the tithe message is changed from what the tithe law was in the ot.
Financially supporting the church and its workers is something that Paul did teach. and should be taught, but I just don't understand why we as christians have to keep preaching all these things that are not part of the gospel while ignoring most of the actual things that the gospel teaches.

 

[megg]

We tithe every week. It really isn't about whether or not the church is abusing the money. It comes down to the fact that everything comes form God and we need to give back to him. If you are concerned about how your church is spending money, tithe to another church.

 

[Mathison]

Tithing has absolutely nothing to do with being saved.

However...

SOME churches DO IMPLY that it does (ya know, evidence of being saved, etc) .

A friend of mine was sent a letter from his church-leaders who were concerned about his NOT giving his 10% to them (which they QUITE noticed) , and were VERY concerned about his salvation.

I've also heard 'greedy ones' say that a TRUE gift to the church would be ANYTHING above and beyond the MANDATORY 10% .

("If anyone preaches another gospel...")

 

[BearerBob]

I keep hearing some people say that we are not under the old law.

Just wondering...when did Jesus say he abolished the old law? Can someone give me a scriptural reference.


Just trying to learn.

Jesus said he came to complete the law, and Paul said we were no longer under it.

 

[Mathison]

If you are concerned about how your church is spending money, tithe to another church.

What about...

GIVING TO THE POOR ???

(instead of 'fattening the pastor')

 

[BearerBob]

I am a firm believer in tithing. I learned tithing at an early age while still in the Church of the Nazarene. In those early years I didn't always follow the teaching, partly I suppose because I was young both in faith and age.

When the Newf. (my wife) and I were married I headed us back to tithing. The Newf.'s parents had not be Christian in those years and they forbid her to tithe on her income. She did as her parents instructed her, which was of course the correct thing to do.

We run into some hard times and I gave up tithing although I did make somewhat of a list of what we owed.

Owed is the correct word according to Malachi 3:6-10:"Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. "

I find no place in the Bible where the law on tithing was ever revoked. So Malachi's warning spurred me into tithing again.

We were struggling at the time and every dollar had to be counted twice to make ends meet. Oh, the phone bill was getting paid, the bill collectors where not coming to the door, although we had to send a few credits cards back to the gas companies and say, "we are returning this until we get our bill paid up, but we would like it back when we have the account paid off." When the bills were paid the cards came back.

I was haunted some what by the fact that we were shirking our duty as Christians by not paying tithes as the Bible commanded in Malachi. Finally I said to the Newf. we have to change things around here. Tithes get paid first. It seems rather foolish to some, I suppose.

We not only started paying tithes we began paying back tithes on the installment plan. No, I don't believe in prosperity Christianity. No, we didn't get rich, nor did we suddenly have a lot of money. Some times the gas company had to wait to the next month because God got his portion first, but on a whole we had less money problems. We still had to be careful with each dollar but we didn't go hungry. Nobody declared us bankrupt.

We have pretty well stuck to that decision through the years, for we believe what Malachi said when he quoted God as saying, when we don't tithe we are stealing from God.

I found it interesting to hear a former pastor quote statistics that "the majority of people who tithe are those in the low income bracket. That higher incomes families are more likely to give less than their their 10%."

I noted a few years ago I heard one of the Canadian T.V. Evangelists say that their most regular supporters came from what is known in Canada as the 'have not' provinces. Makes one wonder doesn't it?

The late Dr. Oswald Smith of the famous People's Church in Toronto once said that when he first went to People's Church that it was in debt. He said he suggest to the church board that they ought to be tithing and when they took the leap of faith and began tithing to missions on the church's income, the church came out of debt. It was never in debt again as long as he was pastor.

I have sat on church boards struggling with debt. The preacher got up and told his congregation that they needed to pay their tithe and yet the church board didn't set the example in their own spending. I have told some of these boards what Dr. Smith had said, and they looked at me with weak smiles and answered we don't have enough money to tithe. The church board has to be an example in all moral issues, including tithing.

As some have mentioned here, they disagree with the money that their church board wastes on big fancy buildings, etc. In many cases I agree, on the other hand the Bible still tells us to bring our tithe into the store house (the church). With the obedience of bring the tithe in the store house goes the responsibility of making sure that the church board spends that money properly. That means standing up at board meetings, and congregational meetings asking (politely) where the money is going. Congregations need to hold the board and pastor accountable. To often congregations rubber stamp board budgets and spendages without asking questions. At such times the congregation is as much to blame as the board.

Over paid pastors. There are some, particularly among T.V. ministers. We need to note that Malachi didn't say give the tithe to T.V. ministries, he said bring it into the store house (the church). Therefore money going to T.V. ministries (as important as they are) should be offerings only, not tithes. There is a difference, offerings are what we choice to give, tithes are what we owe (remember Malachi 3:6-9).

Some mentioned that they were upset when told that they should tithe. Well, any minister who fails to preach on tithing is not preaching the full gospel message. He is also doing his congregation more harm than good.

You either follow the law or you don't, and I suspect that you don't even tithe properly. It wasn't taught by Paul or Peter, BTW.

 

[BearerBob]

What about...

GIVING TO THE POOR ???

(instead of 'fattening the pastor')

That would be in the third year. On the other years you just give to the poor.

 

[genestealerbroodlord]

I used to pay tithing and must admit i was blessed for it. I suppose it would depend, if i felt the church would use it for God i would pay it other wise i would give it to a charity which i believed in.
I believe Christ said to the rich man sell your possesions and give the money to the poor and follow me.
in other words God doesnt need the money but knows there are people that do.

 

[Amisk]

I used to pay tithing and must admit i was blessed for it. I suppose it would depend, if i felt the church would use it for God i would pay it other wise i would give it to a charity which i believed in.
I believe Christ said to the rich man sell your possessions and give the money to the poor and follow me.
in other words God doesn't need the money but knows there are people that do.

The three biggest hindrances in Christians missions is Christians who don't pray for missions and Christians who don't feel that missions is important enough to give money to their church. The third is Churches who also lack the same concern for missions.

Dr. Oswald Smith used to say, "If you can not go to the mission field yourself then it is your responsibility to send a replacement."

 

[frenchy]

I do believe in tithing.
God's word doesn't change.
It does state somewhere in the new testment about giving...and also.....when they asked Jesus..."Is it lawful to pay taxes to ceasar"?
Jesus said...give to Ceasar what is Ceasars' and give to God what is Gods'.....They are talking about ...MONEY .

I also believe in the Promises of God...and His Prosperity on His children.

 

[genestealerbroodlord]

The three biggest hindrances in Christians missions is Christians who don't pray for missions and Christians who don't feel that missions is important enough to give money to their church. The third is Churches who also lack the same concern for missions.

Dr. Oswald Smith used to say, "If you can not go to the mission field yourself then it is your responsibility to send a replacement."

I think i understand you but not sure.

basicly i believe in tithing and know that im blessed when i do it but i no longer pay tithing to a church as im not in one at the moment, however i do feel its my duty to help those not as fortunate as me, so give my tithes to charity instead.

All im saying is that you dont have to give to a church but you should give in other ways ie. your time.

Thanks

 

[Nadiine]

I used to pay tithing and must admit i was blessed for it. I suppose it would depend, if i felt the church would use it for God i would pay it other wise i would give it to a charity which i believed in.
I believe Christ said to the rich man sell your possesions and give the money to the poor and follow me.
in other words God doesnt need the money but knows there are people that do.

Let's face it, IT COSTS MONEY to spread the gospel. That's a fact.

My mom does the accounting at her church; you wouldn't BELEIVE the cost of running a church today.
Air conditioning, heat, repairs, supplies, cleaning, groundskeeping, church vans, etc. etc.
Not to mention separate outreach programs incl. missionary support.

I hear this excuse used alot... I don't give cuz I don't like what my church uses it for...
oK, DO YOU KNOW SPECIFICALLY WHAT IT'S USED FOR??
We still pay our Govt. taxes & they spend it on EVIL that we'd never agree to! Not only is it wasted, it's spent on immoral things.

If you don't give a whole tithe to your local church, I HOPE you at least give SOME if you go there & reap its benefits & service to YOU???

Feel free to give the other portion directly to other ministries elsewhere - there's Christian missionaries out there, radio ministries, homeless-single mothers aid,... so many things we can do thru the Lord.

What I find sad is that many Christian churches are "poor" & struggling, while the Mormon & Islam adherants GIVE HUGE AMOUNTS to their churches.

Why do they give MORE than the religion who claims it's the ONLY truth of God?? I'm not even talking about amounts here... I'M SPEAKING TO ATTITUDES ABOUT GIVING.

I understand churches aren't perfect - in fact, we found out some stuff about how our own church was spending it's $ and I was a little miffed (not major stuff.. but paying outrageous fees for guest speakers we didn't need, etc).
What we do now, is keep giving to our church, but with some of the tithe we hold back, we give to other ministries within the church - we have a 'hands on' approach where we get the things one ministry needs so it's not cash that can be used in ways we wouldn't want.

Ministries still get what they need, but it's not by loose cash.

Anyways, this isn't to judge or attack anyone; what we give & don't give is our personal business with GOD alone.
I will not attack or accuse!!:o

But I WILL ask, if anyone doesn't have a willing heart to Give back to God what God gives them (to further His gospel), WHY NOT?

 

[ronmathison]

Tithing was a LAW under the Old Covenant.

Christians are NOT under the law.

Christianity is NOT about MONEY , and about buying your way to heaven.

Pastor's driven by greed, will tell you that it is.

I've heard garbage like that myself come right from the

pulpit. Shame on them.

If anyone preaches another gospel...

I've also had non-Christian friends ask me why people

have to give money to get to heaven.

That IS the impression they're given modern-Christianity, as a whole.

Christianity is a FREE GIFT.

Jesus paid it all for us.

"It is FINISHED."

IF you must give money, please give it to the STARVING CHILDREN of the world.