Tithing

[irishcowboy]

I appreciate this debate based on scripture! The tithe has an interesting history, for certain.

I believe strongly in the tithe and I've done it for the last ten years. It has nothing to do with my spouse's profession because he gets a base salary no matter what, nothing more or less. I see for myself that tithing keeps the church doors open, the heat on, the coffee perking...

I had to learn firsthand what tithing is all about. It's about faith because, imho, tithing means 10% of any income I receive (including monetary gifts, tax refunds, etc) PLUS sum... NO MATTER WHAT, it's the first check I write. The plus part is determined by the Spirit. I can always sense what it needs to be. The additional part is the part I give to others directly... and to whom, how much and where varies. Often, it's determined by the needs that are revealed to me.

The blessing that comes with tithing are astounding...from being financially sound to a unique sense of purpose with my money. The plus part simply enriches that feeling.

Hi, ThePastorsWife.

Perhaps you can point me to the Scripture that says that tithing was for the upkeep for the tabernacle? From what I read, the tithe was specifically for the Levites who were not allowed to have an inheritance and not for the upkeep of the tabernacle. I would think freewill offerings would be more for the upkeep of the Church, etc..

Again, I do not believe that tithing means 10% of any income as the only tithe God required was of crops, flocks and herds. Many would be shocked to find that neither Christ, nor His Disciples were required to tithe according to the laws God set forth concerning tithing.

you may wish to read Haggai about when Israel was building their own homes vice working on the House of God, using their resources for their own use.... in Malachi, are we stealing from God?

as far as Tithing, it was on the INCREASE... ... and the word Tithe means 10%, or one tenth.

mike

[Believer1997]

We have done a traditional tithe for a long time. Then we felt led to do additional things to supplement programs we felt were deserving of our gifts. I don't think we should limit ourselves to 10% when sometimes the Lord lays a burden on our hearts to do more. It's always worked out - sometimes it's a monetary gift and sometimes it's 'sweat equity', but it's always worthwhile!!

[Born Crucified]

you may wish to read Haggai about when Israel was building their own homes vice working on the House of God, using their resources for their own use.... in Malachi, are we stealing from God?

as far as Tithing, it was on the INCREASE... ... and the word Tithe means 10%, or one tenth.

mike

The levites were the subjects being cursed in Malachi, not the congregation. The Levites were cursed no less than 3 times in the book of Malachi for their evils in the temple. In Chapter 3, they were wronging the widows, the orphans, the strangersin the land by not feeding them from the storehouse.

Numbers 18 and Leviticus 27 are clear that the INCREASE was of the fruit and grain, flocks and herds. It was not frum all trades.

Where is the Scripture that states that the tithe was changed from crops, flocks and herds to money?

[Born Crucified]

I am just trying to find the answers. IN the Old Testament, I see no evidence that tithe was required outside the boundaries of national Israel.

In my Bible studies, I was always told that if something is not in the Word of God, we should not preach it or teach it. People constantly preach and teach that the tithe of money is required by God and yet none have verses to substantiate their teachings.

Why is this? Are we to teach outside God's Word? Is there not a curse pronounced to those who add to or take away from the wonderful truths of God's Word?

Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Edited April 18, 2009 by Born Crucified

[stacey c]

For starters I believe in tithing.

So now for my real confusion, and I don't mean for this thread to go off course. I don't understand how so many christians can hold to some of the OT laws to the tee, but when it comes to tithing and money, the response is "Oh that's only OT we don't have to follow it."

Are we as christians so stingy with what the Lord has provided for us that we can't return to the Lord His due.

And just as a side note, if every one had the idea we don't need to tithe money, how would the doors of our churches stay open and the Gosple go forth?

[Born Crucified]

For starters I believe in tithing.

So now for my real confusion, and I don't mean for this thread to go off course. I don't understand how so many christians can hold to some of the OT laws to the tee, but when it comes to tithing and money, the response is "Oh that's only OT we don't have to follow it."

Are we as christians so stingy with what the Lord has provided for us that we can't return to the Lord His due.

And just as a side note, if every one had the idea we don't need to tithe money, how would the doors of our churches stay open and the Gosple go forth?

Actually, I don't hold myself to any of the OT Mosaic Law. Paul taught that those who put themselves under the Law were to follow 'all the law.' He said the Galatians were foolish to allow themselves to be bewitched into following the law.

But even so, where is the command in the Old or New Testaments that tells us we are to tithe our money? Surely there must be at least one verse that states such?

As to keeping the doors open, why not do that through offerings? Tithes were never for the upkeep of the Tabernacle/Temple... they were for feeding the ministers of the Tabernacle themselves.

Perhaps someone can also tell me why the Church body in Acts 4 who sold their possessions and came and laid the full price at the Apostle's feet did not tithe 10% of that full price to the Church maintenance fund? There is no mention by Peter that they were supposed to tithe part of that increase of money they received for selling goods. When Ananias and Sapphira kept back part of the price in Chapter 5 of Acts, why did Peter not tell them they were robbing God because they did not tithe? His only rebuke to the two of them was that they had lied to the Holy Ghost.

The only mention I find of tithing in the New Testament after the cross was the tithe by Abraham to Melchizedek. And that was of the spoils of war and not of Abraham's own property. Why did none of the Apostles teach that tithing of money was required... or even necessary... in any of their epistles?

Edited April 19, 2009 by Born Crucified