Tithing

[Starise]

10 minutes ago, Peterlag said:

I don't see a church structure in the New Testament. Nor do I see money being sent to an organization. The fellowships were small and governed by themselves. 

I don't see most organized church bodies as evil or wrong simply because they grew to larger organizations. Yes there are spiritually corrupted denominations. There are also plenty of good ones. I think we need to be careful who we send our money to and which groups are accountable.

Any church I've been associated with produced a quarterly statement for the congregation to see exactly where all the money was spent according to funds designation. This is how I think it should be. There should be accountability.

This is one of those areas where I read neither anything for or against money going to a larger organization.

Not to be overly sarcastic here, but if we insisted on doing everything exactly the way they did it in the NT we would still be riding donkeys around for transportation. The new church took awhile to grow. Isn't this what we would want for Christianity? Growth?

[OneLight]

1 hour ago, Peterlag said:

Right. Good point. They did not send their money to headquarters.

They helped out in every way they could, including sending help to Jerusalem (headquarters), as in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.  And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

 

[Riverwalker]

1 hour ago, Peterlag said:

I don't see a church structure in the New Testament. Nor do I see money being sent to an organization. The fellowships were small and governed by themselves. 

I imagine you don't see much, only what you want to see. 

[Peterlag]

On 2/4/2021 at 1:11 PM, Starise said:

I don't see most organized church bodies as evil or wrong simply because they grew to larger organizations. Yes there are spiritually corrupted denominations. There are also plenty of good ones. I think we need to be careful who we send our money to and which groups are accountable.

Any church I've been associated with produced a quarterly statement for the congregation to see exactly where all the money was spent according to funds designation. This is how I think it should be. There should be accountability.

This is one of those areas where I read neither anything for or against money going to a larger organization.

Not to be overly sarcastic here, but if we insisted on doing everything exactly the way they did it in the NT we would still be riding donkeys around for transportation. The new church took awhile to grow. Isn't this what we would want for Christianity? Growth?

It's not that the early church started out small and grew. There was never anyone sending money to a church. With the donkey we have transportation that started out small and grew. Money to the church was never there or taught.

[Peterlag]

On 2/4/2021 at 2:24 PM, OneLight said:

They helped out in every way they could, including sending help to Jerusalem (headquarters), as in 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.  And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

 

Can't tell from that verse who is getting the gifts. The people in Jerusalem which is what I think. Or the head leaders in Jerusalem which is what you think. Paul himself worked a job so he would not have to ask any of them for money.

[DeighAnn]

1  Timothy 5:18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

1 Thessalonians 5:13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.


 

Romans 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Romans 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
 

Luke 22:35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

Luke 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

Luke 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

 

[Peterlag]

On 2/4/2021 at 2:30 PM, Riverwalker said:

I imagine you don't see much, only what you want to see. 

I assure you I see a lot after all these years of looking at the Scriptures.

[DeighAnn]

Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
Acts 5:2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

Acts 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

Acts 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

Acts 5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.

Acts 5:6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.

Acts 5:7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.

Acts 5:8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.

Acts 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out.

Acts 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

Acts 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.

[JohnD]

On 2/2/2021 at 3:46 AM, Kristina said:

Do you believe you van still actively tithe in the community if you are not a church member..

Tithing is Old Testament (and originated even before Moses gave the Law) but it is not for the New Testament.

One can give 10% if they want to (or 90% I heard of  a chap who "reverse tithed" in this manner)... cheerful giving

with joy and sincere desire... but the New Covenant / New Testament did not begin until Christ died on the cross 

(according to Hebrews 9:16-17). No mention of tithing is made after that point. Offerings, cheerful giving yes.

Tithing, no.

But by all means tithe if you desire to or that is your calling...

As priests before God (Revelation 1:6 / Revelation 5:10 / 1 Peter 2:3-9) we all have a calling and spiritual gifts to

discharge that ministry. Tithing could be a ministry, doing the books for fellow believers, cutting yards or cleaning

up homes for the infirm... whatever the Spirit guides and gift you to do.

[Dennis1209]

My personal thoughts:

Tithe, tithes and tithing is recorded in at least 32 verses of the Bible. All instances are under the Old Covenant, or referring back to the Old Covenant. In most cases, tithing was not limited to only 10%. However; the Law was done away with and we have a new and better covenant now under Grace. Does that mean the Ten Commandments are no longer valid, what about tithing, is that still valid? 

My Baptist church still believes tithing is still voluntarily in effect, but not under the Law. A good knowledgeable Christian I follow on Youtube (Michael Pearl), claims tithing is a sin because it putting yourself back under the Law. There's so many hermeneutic view on this subject. 

There's some things that should be obvious: Your secret giving is between you and the Lord, what does the Lord love?

2 Corinthians 9:7 (KJV) Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

Just as a stable family household; a church needs a study dependable source of income to keep the doors open; to plan, pay the bills and Pastor, help the needy and community, support missionaries and community outreach programs, and proclaim the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

I own nothing, I will leave this world with the possessions I came into this world with. What I temporarily have, the Lord has graciously provided to me and for, in part, to expand the Kingdom of God, and being a tiny part in supporting those bringing lost souls to the Lord. 

Mark 12:41 (KJV) And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43. 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: 44. 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.