Tithes & Offering

[JoshMal]

The Bible clearly states that giving of tithes and offering is a duty (from d heart, of course) as God's children.
I have seen some churches that say tithing (not offering) is not really necesarry. I even heard, late last year that a video of one pastor completely preaching against tithe. I didn't bother to watch him, bcos its plain that we rob God if we withold both tithes and offering. People that watched it said he was really making his point, bcos they claimed he defened himself with the scriptures too.
I have not seen any scripture that's against it. So, what do u guys think?
God bless.

 

[MatthewG]

From what I have been taught JoshMal, tithing is something that was done in the old testament.

It is not necessary to tithe, by any means. The Word of God should be taught free of charge, with out thinking you need to have to give anything, especially if you are on a fixed income. To demand tithing, is not biblical saying that others have to pay their tithe or ask them if they have paid 10%. That is wrong.

Unless you are led by the spirit to help out through donations, or whatever the case is, as long as you have gotten all your bills and things paid for.

God is not worried about how much money you have or are giving, God is more concerned about How you are doing, feeling, thinking, situations going around you, and about others around you.

Love God, and Love Others.

I don't consider anyone robs God withholding paying any amount of money to a church.

 

[Willie-T]

I don't believe it is a "necessity", of any sort for the Salvation we have received. But, I do think helping pay for the facility and utilities you use week after week is a responsibility you should shoulder.

 

[lastofall]

We ought to give as we are able: as for tithes, if we can then do so: notwithstanding we must also keep in remembrance the poor widow who gave all that she had, all her living: the chief matter in Christ is that we are not supposed to let our left hand know what our right hand is doing; another word we should not be counting it!

 

[DJ2]

The Bible clearly states that giving of tithes and offering is a duty (from d heart, of course) as God's children.
I have seen some churches that say tithing (not offering) is not really necesarry. I even heard, late last year that a video of one pastor completely preaching against tithe. I didn't bother to watch him, bcos its plain that we rob God if we withold both tithes and offering. People that watched it said he was really making his point, bcos they claimed he defened himself with the scriptures too.
I have not seen any scripture that's against it. So, what do u guys think?
God bless.

Tithing is not giving to a local church. Tithing is giving a tenth (hence the name)of something either by direct command or a perceived obligation. The Old Testament (robbing God) command about tithing you are referring to was a quasi-tax placed on the Jewish people mainly to support the priestly tribe of Levi. Both the collecting and use of the tithe was strictly ordered. It is impossible now for this tithe to be collected or even properly used since the means to collect (farm products) and recipients (Levites/storehouses) are not available.

Churches today who are claiming (mostly by non-biblical "revelation") that the local church is the new Levites and cash is the new farm products are doing so falsely. To use a Old Testament law and not properly apply it is both foolish and damnable. I suggest those who wish to support the work of God (wish we all should) do so freely and by means that are not rooted in a bogus understanding of scripture.

 

[JoshMal]

Thanks 4 ur contribution. It was David that started tithing out of joy. So, It is a way of thanking and acknowledging God. And what else can we give Him except praise? Well, I encourage u all to practice it. We provoke more Wow-I-didnt-even-ask-for-these kind of blessings.

 

[Willie-T]

If we can afford to purchase the electronic devices we are using, and can afford to pay for online services to connect to this forum, we can afford to help cover the costs of running our local church building.

 

[breno785au]

From what I have been taught JoshMal, tithing is something that was done in the old testament.

It is not necessary to tithe, by any means. The Word of God should be taught free of charge,

I dunno bro...

Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.
Galatians 6:6 NLT

 

[Nehemiah6]

The Bible clearly states that giving of tithes and offering is a duty (from d heart, of course) as God's children.

Tithes and offering were required under the Old Covenant. Christian liberality (called a "grace") is required under the New Covenant, which could mean that you keep 10% and give the Lord 90%. The widow who gave her whole living to God is presented by Christ as the Christian example. Study 2 Corinthians, chapters 8 & 9.

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (2 Cor 8:8).

 

[RickyZ]

The Bible clearly states that giving of tithes and offering is a duty (from d heart, of course) as God's children.
I have seen some churches that say tithing (not offering) is not really necesarry. I even heard, late last year that a video of one pastor completely preaching against tithe. I didn't bother to watch him, bcos its plain that we rob God if we withold both tithes and offering. People that watched it said he was really making his point, bcos they claimed he defened himself with the scriptures too.
I have not seen any scripture that's against it. So, what do u guys think?
God bless.

It's really very simple.

Under the law, 10% was God's

Under grace, 100% is Christs

 

[FlyingDove]

Tithes and offering were required under the Old Covenant. Christian liberality (called a "grace") is required under the New Covenant, which could mean that you keep 10% and give the Lord 90%. The widow who gave her whole living to God is presented by Christ as the Christian example. Study 2 Corinthians, chapters 8 & 9.

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love. (2 Cor 8:8).

You say Christian liberality (called a "grace") is required under New Covenant? Please post scripture on that one?

It can't be 2 Cor 8:8 it say's: """"I speak not by commandment"""" so no requirement there.

Please post scripture on giving 10 to 90%. That was your reply to JoshMal under this thread Tithes & Offering.

 

[mailmandan]

Many churches teach that we as Christians, under the New Covenant, are commanded to give a minimum of 10% of our income to our church. Others teach that preachers of these churches are turning the 10% tithe in the Old Testament into a monetary, legalistic prescription for Christians under the New Covenant.

I even heard a Pastor make a challenge to his congregation to give 10% of their income for 90 days and if God does not bless them then he will give them their money back.

In 2 Corinthians 9:5-7 we read: Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

I don't see a "specific percentage" given anywhere for Christians "under the New Covenant," but I certainly believe in giving and not just to our church. I also believe that everything we own belongs to God.

 

[Waggles]

The Bible clearly states that giving of tithes and offering is a duty (from d heart, of course) as God's children.

The OT commands tithing of produce and firstfruits and of income.
But in the NT we are not under the Law by ordinances and regulations and therefore
Christians are not legally required to tithe.
Many churches avoid the term tithes or tithing for this reason and refer to 'offerings'
Doctrinally this is more correct.

God loves a cheerful giver. And in the epistles Paul writes about churches supplying
to the needs of other churches from their surplus and then receiving when they have need.

When we are blessed and have money to give then give freely. If you become
unemployed or suffer a personal tragedy and have need, then ask for support
from your church.
If you are very poor you do not need to tithe from your pittance. But if you want to
give an offering, no matter how small, then that is good.
There is no point to starving or freezing to death because you are tithing.

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

There are three things the LORD looks for in the heart when it comes to giving to Him (Exodus 35); a willing heart, a wise heart, and a stirred up heart for Him. Those who are wise in the heart that tithe will be blessed. God will not be mocked!

So, how do you know if God has your heart? He uses the test of money which is the least in the Kingdom of God. Jesus says, "Where your treasure is, your heart will be also."

Our Faith must be placed and maintained in Christ and what He did for us at the Cross. This allows the Holy Spirit who only works in the parameters of Jesus Christ and His Finished Work at Calvary Cross where the victory was won, to create the willing, wise, and stirred up heart to serve the Lord (Adoni - Lord and Master). It also helps the Believer with his prayer life which is priority! Without a prayer life you will not have much leading of the Holy Spirit.

Example: When we study the inside of the "Tabernacle," the Lampstand was the only light allowed. The "Lampstand was trimmed twice a day; 9am and 3pm everyday - THE MORNING SCRAFICE and THE EVENING SCRAFICE. Incidentally, Jesus was put on the Cross at the exact time of the MORNING SCRAFICE 9am. He died the time of the EVENING SCRAFICE AT 3pm. The OIL must be replenished twice a day with the trimming of the Wicks (Wicks represent the flesh of man). As the OIL must be replenished, we as Believers must be replenished by the Power of the Holy Spirit. The leading and guiding of the Holy Spirit is imperative on a daily bases (seek His Face). With no OIL, you are walking in the vanity of your own mind (Ephesians 4:17).

The Cross of Christ is as necessary for sanctification as it is for salvation (1 Cor. 1:18).

 

[mailmandan]

Malachi 3:8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me. “But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’ “In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. The whole nation of Israel. Malachi is written to Jews under the Old Covenant.

That same Pastor I mentioned in my previous post legalistically uses the 10% tithe to brow-beat people in that church with guilt. He even handed out pledge cards for people to fill out so they can pledge to give extra money on a monthly basis over a three year period above and beyond the 10% tithe directly to the "moving forward" project to build a new mega church. More than a few people have left that church because all that Pastor mainly talks about is money (primarily the 10% tithe) and building that new mega church.

During one sermon, he even mentioned that a member of that church came into his office one day somewhat irate and said that he is leaving that church because he is tired of hearing about money all the time and needs to find a church where he can go deeper in the Word. The Pastor mentioned that the word "deeper" is a code word for "I'm not tithing 10%." The Pastor went on to say that he checked the records and sure enough that member of the church was not giving 10% and some months gave nothing at all and then acted like good riddance to him! I was not impressed. Whatever amount of money that you wish to give is between you and God, but we should not turn giving into a legalistic prescription.

 

[Dino246]

Thanks 4 ur contribution. It was David that started tithing out of joy. So, It is a way of thanking and acknowledging God. And what else can we give Him except praise? Well, I encourage u all to practice it. We provoke more Wow-I-didnt-even-ask-for-these kind of blessings.

Where is the Scripture to support this assertion?

Tithing is not a way of thanking God. Under the old covenant, the Jews were required to give the tenth of their farm produce (crops or animals) to the Levites. There was nothing voluntary about it. Giving generously to your local church can certainly be done out of thankfulness to God, but it isn't the same as OT tithing.

As Christians, we are not under the old covenant, so we are no more required to tithe than we are to bring the blood of bulls and goats to the altar.

We are, however, strongly encouraged to give freely, generously, and even sacrificially, but these "offerings" are not tithing. Confusing the two leads to a lot of bad teaching and confused people.

 

[Billyd]

I searched the scriptures to find excuses not to give a tithe of my income. I found many. But when I searched my heart, I could find none. So I stopped looking for excuses, and now I gladly tithe of my income.

Why are you looking for an excuse?

 

[Dino246]

I searched the scriptures to find excuses not to give a tithe of my income. I found many. But when I searched my heart, I could find none. So I stopped looking for excuses, and now I gladly tithe of my income.

Why are you looking for an excuse?

...for the same reason that I'm looking for an excuse not to stone adulterers, sacrifice sheep, or wear cotton socks with no elastic.

 

[DJ2]

I searched the scriptures to find excuses not to give a tithe of my income. I found many. But when I searched my heart, I could find none. So I stopped looking for excuses, and now I gladly tithe of my income.

Why are you looking for an excuse?

I searched the scriptures to find excuses not to give a tithe of my income. I found many. But when I searched my heart, I remembered the heart is not to be trusted. So I just obeyed the scriptures and gave a free will offering to the body of Christ and stopped looking for Levites to support.

You did give the tithe properly, according to OT commands?

 

[Waggles]

Haves churches become big tax free businesses?
How do "men & women of God" become billionaires or millionaires.
Why aren't they sharing their wealth with the poor and those in
real need.
Saw a photo of poor people in the U.S.A. sleeping on church pews.

What happened to Jesus' teachings on how being rich and the kingdom
of God. What happened to treasure in heaven as opposed to worldly treasures?