tithing

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S

sandythesweet

Guest
#1
is tithing applicable nowadays?
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#2
is tithing applicable nowadays?
Tithing was basically an OT Jewish income tax taken to support the levites, who were not allowed to work. It consisted of giving ten percent of ALL you owned, including money, land food etc.

There is no income tax on the church. God says give what you can give willingly and openly. Not begrudgingly.
 
U

unclefester

Guest
#3
is tithing applicable nowadays?
I once heard it said this way in regards to our giving. God does not measure our generosity by how much we give ..... but rather by how much we keep for ourselves. Whatever you give, give with a willing and loving heart :)
 
Feb 20, 2012
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#4
I see tithing as the best defense against the curse of greed that each of us were born within us. Each dollar (or peso) that we receive ultimately belongs to God, not us. In the bible, tithing is the ONLY act that he asks us to test him with. It also has to be done with a joyful and worshipful heart.

Personally, I have never known anyone that tithes the full 10% and has not been exceedingly blessed. It is an advanced form of worship that I practice.
 
Last edited:

superdave5221

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2009
1,409
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#5
I once heard it said this way in regards to our giving. God does not measure our generosity by how much we give ..... but rather by how much we keep for ourselves. Whatever you give, give with a willing and loving heart :)
I can't conceive of a better answer than this! You are right on the money Unclefester, (no pun intended).

Luke 21: 1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3 And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4 for they all out of their surplus put into the offering ; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on."
 
C

CanadaNZ

Guest
#6
Tithing is giving to God some of what is already his, this can be in money, time, talents.
 
Jan 14, 2010
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#7
is tithing applicable nowadays?
no, it's not.
tithing was a levitical law to give to the priests of the temple... they had no land, and they had no inheritance.

tithing itself was never done with money. It was always done with animals or food, but never with money. The tithing doctrine comes from cherry picking certain verses from the old testament and trying to fear-monger Christians today into giving their salary away so that preachers can live in billion dollar homes and travel in million dollar jets.

Living in San Antonio, i know people here who have gone to John Hagee's church (i never will), and have told me that the only thing he cares about is noney... from seeing his ministry, i believe it. the same thing can be said for Creflo Dollar and many other "minister" who preach the prosperity gospel.

The Prosperity Gospel - YouTube
Prosperity Gospel Exposed: If You Don't Give Money, You Don't Get None. - YouTube

the fruit of tithing is nothing more than greed.
 
C

CanadaNZ

Guest
#8
no, it's not.
tithing was a levitical law to give to the priests of the temple... they had no land, and they had no inheritance.

tithing itself was never done with money. It was always done with animals or food, but never with money. The tithing doctrine comes from cherry picking certain verses from the old testament and trying to fear-monger Christians today into giving their salary away so that preachers can live in billion dollar homes and travel in million dollar jets.

Living in San Antonio, i know people here who have gone to John Hagee's church (i never will), and have told me that the only thing he cares about is noney... from seeing his ministry, i believe it. the same thing can be said for Creflo Dollar and many other "minister" who preach the prosperity gospel.

The Prosperity Gospel - YouTube
Prosperity Gospel Exposed: If You Don't Give Money, You Don't Get None. - YouTube

the fruit of tithing is nothing more than greed.
You are talking about extremist examples, most churches have an open budget meeting and members can see exactly where the money is going to. Churches need money to pay the bills, I have no issue with them doing that and the members of the church have to give in order for that to happen. The fruit of not tithing is greed. In the NT the churches outside of Israel gave money to support the church of Jerusalem which was suffering great poverty.

The NT talks about Generosity and that is each person gives according to that which is generous for them. THIS DOES NOT NEED TO BE MONEY (can be giving of your skills, energy, stuff, time). This means if you’re a single mom, who lost her job and your car broke down, like a friend of mine, your percentage is going to be very small. Like the widow’s mite(Luke 21), it might be – she gave one coin. And Jesus said, “That woman was very generous.” You say, “All she gave was a little bit.” Yeah, but that’s all she had was a little bit. For some, who are very affluent, what they give is not even generous. It’s not even sacrificial. They don’t even feel it. So, it’s not about a percentage. It’s about proportionality. That’s what it’s about.
 
Jan 14, 2010
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#9
it has NOTHING to do with proportionality. tithing is nothing more than following the Law.

the NT Church gave everything else other than their money: they gave time, energy, food, their homes, etc...

my advice to you is to read Hebrews 7.
 

superdave5221

Senior Member
Jul 28, 2009
1,409
31
48
#10
no, it's not.
tithing was a levitical law to give to the priests of the temple... they had no land, and they had no inheritance.

tithing itself was never done with money. It was always done with animals or food, but never with money. The tithing doctrine comes from cherry picking certain verses from the old testament and trying to fear-monger Christians today into giving their salary away so that preachers can live in billion dollar homes and travel in million dollar jets.

Living in San Antonio, i know people here who have gone to John Hagee's church (i never will), and have told me that the only thing he cares about is noney... from seeing his ministry, i believe it. the same thing can be said for Creflo Dollar and many other "minister" who preach the prosperity gospel.

The Prosperity Gospel - YouTube
Prosperity Gospel Exposed: If You Don't Give Money, You Don't Get None. - YouTube

the fruit of tithing is nothing more than greed.
Whenever the churches preach tithing, they always use O.T. verses, never from the N.T.

Israel was promised to be blessed as a nation if they continued to love God, and follow his commandments. Part of that was tithing.

Nowhere in the N.T. are we told to tithe, or that it will bring material blessings. We are told instead to store up our treasures in heaven. We are never guaranteed riches or material blessings that go beyond our daily bread, (Lord's Prayer). We are guaranteed instead spiritual blessings, and eternal life with our Lord and Savior.

Paul says that we are to provide for the preaching of the gospel.

1 Corinthians 9: 13 Do you not know that those who perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share from the altar ? 14 So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.

But this is not a tithe, but a voluntary offering, that is to be given from the heart.

Here is the one that the people in the western world need to consider:

1 Timothy 5: 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

We are required to take care of our families, and that includes our parents, when needed.

What a difference we would see in our nation, if this command were heeded.

But again, this is not a tithe. It is whatever is necessary, and should come from the heart, considering those in need, and the blessings of God upon the one giving.
 
Jan 14, 2010
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#11
and that I agree with.
giving should come from the heart.

giving is not tithing.
 
Feb 9, 2010
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#12
We should give to the Church,for that is what keeps the Church bills paid,and other expenses,and pays the Pastor to have their needs met,ministry work,to further the truth of the Bible,but some preachers do abuse the money,and some would have you believe that they get to be blessed above the congregation.

But the truth is the Bible says,

1.God wants equality among the saints,and the preacher does not get blessed more than the congregation.

2.God said,having food and clothing,be content,and the saints appear poor to the world but possess all things to be given to them in due time.So God only blesses with our needs and not our wants,which God said,some people pray amiss because they pray for their wants to heap unto their lusts.

3.God said,the ministers are not to be in the ministry for the money.

4.God said,those that seek after money have erred from the faith.

The truth is the preacher does not get blessed with more than anybody in the congregation,and God only supplies the needs of the saints,and does not bless a saint with abundant money for personal use.

Especially those television evangelists,who by the way they act,it almost seems like they do not believe the Bible,but found a way to make money and have a career.How can they say they are knowledgeable in the word of God,and then miss that they cannot live the way they live.

God said,whatever a person purposes in their own heart let them give that,not grudgingly,for God loves a cheerful giver.

So some preachers may preach the tithes doctrine,for personal gain.

Some people may not like the tithes doctrine,saying it does not apply to the New Testament Church,for they may not like that they have to give ten percent,which some may not mind giving ten percent but still do not believe it is for today,but let us focus on the people who do not like to give ten percent,so they say tithes are not for today.

If it bothers them to give ten percent,because they do not want to give up that much cashola,then the New Testament will really bother the dickens out of them.

Jesus said,sell all you have and give to the poor,which means all material possessions must be sold,and the money given to the poor.No material possessions for you.No motorcycles,video games,or anything else that is for entertainment,and is not for the furthering of the kingdom of God,which leaves you with food,clothing,and shelter,a car,and the Bible.Your needs only,and no entertainment that does not promote the kingdom of God.No material possessions for you.

The early Church in Acts sold all they had and gave the money to each person that had need.

The early Church in Acts had all things in common,and did not say that what they had was their own,which means they shared everything.

The saints are only to go by their needs,and they are to help out the poor with their money if they have excess of money beyond their needs.If they tend to save their money in case of a rainy day,like losing their jobs,so their needs can be met,it is still not their money for personal use,besides their needs,but God said,He will supply all your need,so there is no use saving for a rainy day,for God will supply your needs,and the excess money can go to helping the poor.

The Bible says that those that have abundant money,when they come to Christ are to distribute their money to the poor.

Plus other scriptures.So in truth of the New Testament,the saints are only to go by their needs,and no money for personal use,and no material possessions like entertainment,because the poor is more important than buying video games,and such.

So that only leaves the saints with their needs,and no money for anything else,so why would they need the extra money to have by not paying tithes,seeing it is not for personal use anyway.Tithes should not bother them to pay,seeing they cannot use any excess money for personal use anyway,and that seems like the only reason they would not want to pay tithes,so they have extra money to buy booze,enjoy a worldly movie,and things of personal use.

So it seems like people who raise a fuss about tithes,are really wanting to not have to dish out the money,because they are involved in using money for personal use,and worldly things,like entertainment.

So whether a person has to pay tithes,or not,according to the New Testament,would not make a difference in the lifestyle of the saint,for they would still be in the same position,only your needs,and no money for personal use.

It seems like the ten percent tithes rule all by itself,is a much better deal,than the 100 percent tithe of all excess money,above needs,in the New Testament,that goes to the Church,and the poor.

But if tithes are for the New Testament Church,ten percent,it would not be the only money the saint would have to give,for they have to help the poor,and if they have the money to do so,and do not,the Bible says,the love of God does not dwell in them.

What is boils down to,is the saints actually have to give all that is above their needs,so if ten percent bothers them,and they think that is it,the New Testament giving will really bother them.

So whether tithes is for the New Testament Church,or not,makes no difference in the lifestyle of the saint,they are not saving anything or gaining anything either way,for they have to give all.

In Colossians chapter 2 it says,that Jesus took the physical ordinances of Israel and nailed them to His cross,taking them out of the way,and then it stated those physical ordinances of new moons,drinks,meats,holy days,and sabbath days,but no mention of tithes.

So did Jesus take tithes out of the way.
 
T

Trax

Guest
#13
is tithing applicable nowadays?
Before the Lev Law of a tenth, Abram gave a tenth.

Gen 14:18-20 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High. (19) He blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; (20) And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." He gave him a tenth of all.

Abraham was a friend of God. He didn't have to have it spelled out to him, because he was
that close to God. The reason people want to debate over such issues, by using scripture,
is because they aren't that close to God. But the info is in scriptures because some just have to
have it spelled out to them. Abraham set the example long before the Lev Law was given, as to
how a person, close to and dedicated to God, should conduct themselves.

Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
 
C

CanadaNZ

Guest
#16
it has NOTHING to do with proportionality. tithing is nothing more than following the Law.

the NT Church gave everything else other than their money: they gave time, energy, food, their homes, etc...

my advice to you is to read Hebrews 7.
"Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul." (Acts 11:29-30)

"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." (2 Corinthians 9:5)

"Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need. And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet." (Acts 4:34-37)

And I could continue, so I don't know where you get that the NT church didn't give money. We are called to be generous and give back to God a portion of what is already His. I understand Hebrews 7. Abraham was before the law which means tithes are more than just Levitical law. Also it says, "Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives," the 'he' here is Jesus and tells us that we are still to give a portion of what God has given us, back to Him. I also know that if we have faith we should show obedience. Jesus said "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." We are not to ignore the Commandments we are to look at them out of love for God.
 
Jan 14, 2010
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#17
yes we are called to be generous, however the tithe is not part of the New testament. it was for the Levitical priests of the Mosaic Law.

Christ made that law null and void. Hebrews 7 makes that clear.
 
G

garyarnold

Guest
#18
@ eternally-gratefull said, “Tithing was basically an OT Jewish income tax taken to support the levites, who were not allowed to work. It consisted of giving ten percent of ALL you owned, including money, land food etc.”

Actually, although the tithe was like a tax, it was not on income. It was on assets that came from God’s miraculous increase of food from crops and animals. Nothing else. Not on money. Not on land. Not on anyone’s income. See Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18.

@ bromfieldjw said, “In the bible, tithing is the ONLY act that he asks us to test him with. It also has to be done with a joyful and worshipful heart.”

The Biblical tithe was a payment and had nothing to do with giving with a joyful heart. God NEVER asked US to test him in tithing. He was speaking to the Levitical priesthood.

@ CanadaNZ said, “Tithing is giving to God some of what is already his, this can be in money, time, talents.”

Says your pastor, NOT the Bible.

@ Canada NZ said, “The fruit of not tithing is greed.”

Actually, the fruit of teaching tithing is greed.

@ Trax said, “Before the Lev Law of a tenth, Abram gave a tenth.”

Fact is, there is a one-time event recorded of Abram/Abraham giving a tenth, and that was from war spoils and NOT from his regular income, and he kept NOTHING for himself. Not exactly what Christians do, is it? Furthermore, Biblical historians says that during those times it was custom to give a tenth of the spoils to the king. The scriptures do not tell us WHY Abram gave the tenth. Abram also said he would keep nothing that didn’t belong to him. NO ONE follows Abram’s one-time tithing example. Furthermore, under the law God did not require a tenth of war spoils to be given to Him, but rather closer to one percent. So what Abram did wasn’t even brought forward into the law. Those who use Abram as the example to tithe today either haven’t studied the scriptures very well, or they are just plain dishonest.

NO ONE, absolutely NO ONE pays the Biblical tithe today.

THE FIRST TITHE
Leviticus 27:30-33 defines this tithe as a tenth of crops and animals in herds and flocks.
Numbers 18 gives the ordinances, or instructions, for this tithe, and commands this tithe be taken to the Levites.
Purpose of this tithe: to support the Levitical Priesthood.

SECOND TITHE
Deuteronomy 14:22-27: aka The Festival Tithe - a tenth of crops, plus add to that the firstborn animals, and take for the yearly feast.
Purpose of this tithe: “that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always”

THIRD TITHE
Deuteronomy 14:28-29: aka The Three-Year Tithe aka The Poor Tithe - a tenth of crops, kept at home, and invite the Levites, widows, orphans, stranger to eat.
Purpose of this tithe: to feed the poor.

Now, tell me. Which of the above three tithes commanded by God does anyone follow today?

The ONLY people in the Old Testament that were commanded to tithe were those who INHERITED THE PROMISED LAND WITH EVERYTHING ON IT. They got the land, house, animals, crops, etc. ALL FREE AND CLEAR. No mortgage payment or rent to pay. And THEY were commanded to tithe on the crops and animals and take it to the Levites who INHERITED the tithe INSTEAD OF the promised land with everything on it. No one else tithed. Wage earners did not tithe. Jesus did not tithe as a carpenter. Paul did not tithe as a tent maker. Peter did not tithe as a fisherman.

When God gave the Israelites the promised land, He RESERVED, for Himself, a tenth of the crops and every tenth animal. They NEVER did belong to the Israelites. In other words, the tithe was from God's increase of FOOD, not from man's income. It was a way to distribute FOOD to the Levites and priests who did NOT inherit any land.

No one, not even the farmers, tithed on their income.

The farmers made their income by SELLING and/or barter-exchanging their crops and animals but did NOT tithe on that income.

Today, ALL born-again believers are priests. ALL of us are called to be deciples of the Lord. No one of us is higher than another. Our bodies are the Temple where the Spirit dwells. According to the scriptures, priests do not tithe.
 
Jan 14, 2010
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#19
@ eternally-gratefull said, “Tithing was basically an OT Jewish income tax taken to support the levites, who were not allowed to work. It consisted of giving ten percent of ALL you owned, including money, land food etc.”

Actually, although the tithe was like a tax, it was not on income. It was on assets that came from God’s miraculous increase of food from crops and animals. Nothing else. Not on money. Not on land. Not on anyone’s income. See Leviticus 27:30-33; Numbers 18.

@ bromfieldjw said, “In the bible, tithing is the ONLY act that he asks us to test him with. It also has to be done with a joyful and worshipful heart.”

The Biblical tithe was a payment and had nothing to do with giving with a joyful heart. God NEVER asked US to test him in tithing. He was speaking to the Levitical priesthood.

@ CanadaNZ said, “Tithing is giving to God some of what is already his, this can be in money, time, talents.”

Says your pastor, NOT the Bible.

@ Canada NZ said, “The fruit of not tithing is greed.”

Actually, the fruit of teaching tithing is greed.

@ Trax said, “Before the Lev Law of a tenth, Abram gave a tenth.”

Fact is, there is a one-time event recorded of Abram/Abraham giving a tenth, and that was from war spoils and NOT from his regular income, and he kept NOTHING for himself. Not exactly what Christians do, is it? Furthermore, Biblical historians says that during those times it was custom to give a tenth of the spoils to the king. The scriptures do not tell us WHY Abram gave the tenth. Abram also said he would keep nothing that didn’t belong to him. NO ONE follows Abram’s one-time tithing example. Furthermore, under the law God did not require a tenth of war spoils to be given to Him, but rather closer to one percent. So what Abram did wasn’t even brought forward into the law. Those who use Abram as the example to tithe today either haven’t studied the scriptures very well, or they are just plain dishonest.

NO ONE, absolutely NO ONE pays the Biblical tithe today.

THE FIRST TITHE
Leviticus 27:30-33 defines this tithe as a tenth of crops and animals in herds and flocks.
Numbers 18 gives the ordinances, or instructions, for this tithe, and commands this tithe be taken to the Levites.
Purpose of this tithe: to support the Levitical Priesthood.

SECOND TITHE
Deuteronomy 14:22-27: aka The Festival Tithe - a tenth of crops, plus add to that the firstborn animals, and take for the yearly feast.
Purpose of this tithe: “that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always”

THIRD TITHE
Deuteronomy 14:28-29: aka The Three-Year Tithe aka The Poor Tithe - a tenth of crops, kept at home, and invite the Levites, widows, orphans, stranger to eat.
Purpose of this tithe: to feed the poor.

Now, tell me. Which of the above three tithes commanded by God does anyone follow today?

The ONLY people in the Old Testament that were commanded to tithe were those who INHERITED THE PROMISED LAND WITH EVERYTHING ON IT. They got the land, house, animals, crops, etc. ALL FREE AND CLEAR. No mortgage payment or rent to pay. And THEY were commanded to tithe on the crops and animals and take it to the Levites who INHERITED the tithe INSTEAD OF the promised land with everything on it. No one else tithed. Wage earners did not tithe. Jesus did not tithe as a carpenter. Paul did not tithe as a tent maker. Peter did not tithe as a fisherman.

When God gave the Israelites the promised land, He RESERVED, for Himself, a tenth of the crops and every tenth animal. They NEVER did belong to the Israelites. In other words, the tithe was from God's increase of FOOD, not from man's income. It was a way to distribute FOOD to the Levites and priests who did NOT inherit any land.

No one, not even the farmers, tithed on their income.

The farmers made their income by SELLING and/or barter-exchanging their crops and animals but did NOT tithe on that income.

Today, ALL born-again believers are priests. ALL of us are called to be deciples of the Lord. No one of us is higher than another. Our bodies are the Temple where the Spirit dwells. According to the scriptures, priests do not tithe.
all of these are things that tithe preachers never tell their congregation.
 
C

CanadaNZ

Guest
#20
yes we are called to be generous, however the tithe is not part of the New testament. it was for the Levitical priests of the Mosaic Law.

Christ made that law null and void. Hebrews 7 makes that clear.
Wow Christianity with blinders on. . .you realize that Paul and James in particular talked against this heresy that we should just ignore the law and the prophets.