Tithing Question

[HeartChristian]

First of all, if you are taking your time to read this I want to thank you! Second of all, here is my question: Can your Time volunteering at local soup kitchens, feeding the homeless, as well as distributing food at local food banks count towards your tithing(As in doing God's work)? I was recently asked this question from someone very close and could not give her a definite answer pertaining to this question. This particular person has no job so giving money is out of the question. Thanks once again, HeartChristian!

 

[Laodicea]

Tithe is to go to the storehouse.

 

[Nautilus]

First of all, if you are taking your time to read this I want to thank you! Second of all, here is my question: Can your Time volunteering at local soup kitchens, feeding the homeless, as well as distributing food at local food banks count towards your tithing(As in doing God's work)? I was recently asked this question from someone very close and could not give her a definite answer pertaining to this question. This particular person has no job so giving money is out of the question. Thanks once again, HeartChristian!

In the simplest possible answer: Yes.

 

[nukreation]

Looks like you got a no and a yes so I'll add a maybe.

I hope I'm not wandering too far from topic to suggest to you that we are no longer bound by law so it isn't a case of can I do some unpaid work toward my tithe but should I.

None of us can follow the law. All have sinned and have fallen short. I know I'm covering gospel 101 but bear with me. Jesus has paid the price for our salvation so you could live out the rest of your days without ever bringing in another dime to the storehouse and you will still be saved.

So why tithe? The law of God is now written on our hearts and we instinctively want to give. Not only that but the promises of God are yes and amen in Christ Jesus and in the book of Malachi God promises an abundant blessing to the tither.

I believe that it's up to the giver and it's between them and God. You could quite legitimately decide on a value of your volunteer work and put it toward your tithe, but if you do claim your reward in earthly treasure through tithe deductions it would be a set back to find out one day that you had taken away from your heavenly reward.

I don't know the economy of heaven but it is clear that the saints will be judged, so one can only assume that volunteer work will have some type of reward in heaven.

 

[Nautilus]

It all depends on if you feel tithing(which is giving 10% of somethign or other) is still required. I don't believe this, I give what I can and when I can and I trust that God understands my situation. If you can't give money than give service, either way youre still helping the work of God.

 

[A-Omega]

Tithe is to go to the storehouse.

When that scripture is read in context, that command only applies to Levitical priests. No one else is required to put a tithe in the storehouse.

 

[Laodicea]

1 Corinthians 9:14
(14) Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Levites in the OT lived on the tithe so ministers of the gospel in the NT should also live of the tithe

 

[A-Omega]

There is absolutely no biblical requirement for Christians to tithe whatsoever. Giving as the Spirit leads you and serving God's kingdom by helping others are of course basic parts of the Christian life.

 

[Spiritual_Plague]

HeartChristian,

The New Testament shows us that tithing isn't something Christians are commanded to practice. Christians are simply called to give and be generous. Your pastor ought to be among those you give to. Tithing is just one of those traditions that crept into the church and stayed for a while.

 

[Red33]

HeartChristian,

The New Testament shows us that tithing isn't something Christians are commanded to practice. Christians are simply called to give and be generous. Your pastor ought to be among those you give to. Tithing is just one of those traditions that crept into the church and stayed for a while.

You made this statement about the NT showing us that tithing is not something to be practiced by the NT believer. Show us in the NT scriptures where that is. Don't bring the law into it , because the law has nothing to do with the giving of tithes and offerings.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

A few thoughts.

1. A Tithe was the federal income toax to the isreal nation. It was 10 % of all they had, including food, Land, Housing, Clothing, Money etc etc. These things were to be given to the levites, who were made as priests, and thus not alowed to work or earn money.

2. No place in the NT is the word tithe commanded. And even those who say it is, do not take the actual defenition of the word. for in no place in the OT was it ever said to be just money, it was far more than that.

3. As for your question. God wants as much time as we can give him, I am sure we could all give more of that, as it is the one thing God has blessed us abundantly with (he never promised to bless anyone with money, anyone who tells you otherwise is teaching a prosparity gospel which is not from God.

 

[A-Omega]

1 Corinthians 9:14
(14) Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Levites in the OT lived on the tithe so ministers of the gospel in the NT should also live of the tithe

And you are trying to support this with a verse that says nothing about tithing but is in fact ripped out of context. The entire chapter is Paul explaining his standing as an Apostle of Jesus Christ but also stating that he is not trying to boast when he states his qualifications as Jesus did all the work on the cross.

Nowhere in the New testament does it say anything about tithing to support ministers. We are never commanded to compulsory giving of our earnings to anyone in the New Testament. Christians are to give cheerfully as the Spirit leads them. If a sister church is in need or going through a crisis, we should assist. Those are the Biblical guidelines.

You are preaching Mosaic law which is a treacherous and heretical road to go down.

 

[fretslide]

1 Corinthians 9:14
(14) Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

Levites in the OT lived on the tithe so ministers of the gospel in the NT should also live of the tithe

A minister of the Gospel is entitled to live off the Gospel if he chooses to although in this passage Paul chooses not to burden the congregation with supporting him (verse 15) but supporting ministers here is not through tithing, the support is from freewill giving. Tithing is a set percentage commanded underthe law wheras freewill giving is an amount decided by the giver. Also, the tithe was to support the Levites who were not allowed to own any property which rules out most of todays ministers before you start the debate.

Good explanation of tithing doctrine here Bible Truth on Tithing Doctrine

 

[fretslide]

You made this statement about the NT showing us that tithing is not something to be practiced by the NT believer. Show us in the NT scriptures where that is. Don't bring the law into it , because the law has nothing to do with the giving of tithes and offerings.

I must have missed some scripture on this one. I see where freewill offerings are not something to do with the law but can you point me in the direction of the scriptures where tithing has nothing to do with the law?

 

[Nautilus]

You made this statement about the NT showing us that tithing is not something to be practiced by the NT believer. Show us in the NT scriptures where that is. Don't bring the law into it , because the law has nothing to do with the giving of tithes and offerings.

I want to see NT scripture where tithing is required...

 

[tahdah]

HeartChristian,

The New Testament shows us that tithing isn't something Christians are commanded to practice. Christians are simply called to give and be generous. Your pastor ought to be among those you give to. Tithing is just one of those traditions that crept into the church and stayed for a while.

From my understanding of Scripture there needs to be a Temple for our tithe to be taken to. For now we need to meet the needs of our own famililes....and not to forget the poor. Our Heavenly Father loves a cheerful giver

 

[Red33]

I want to see NT scripture where tithing is required...

I want to see NT scripture that did away with the giving of tithes (a tenth part) and offerings (over and above the tenth) already in motion before the law, under the law, during the time of Christ and in the NT church that continued in it. Are you of that number and persuaded group of believers that put tithes and offerings under the law and do away with them that way? For some strange reason no one makes the connection that giving of tithes and offerings can be done cheerfully, liberally and without grudging.

But some think, 'How dare God demand a tenth of my increase when I have all these bills to pay and have to put money away for my children's education and I have life and health insurance to pay for as well. A tenth is too demanding and God would certainly not demand or require over and above what I need to take care of my family expenses, let's be reasonable. God will understand when I give what I can and sometimes that means a big fat ZERO!

Some people never learn to give of their substance even when they need to have it, and consequently never learn to trust God for the impossible. We were bought with a price through the blood and through the laid down life of Christ. What can we give in exchange for our soul being redeemed by that blood and given a free gift of eternal life? Can anything come close to what we have been given? Is the work of the ministry not deserving of our tithes and offerings because that work is God's work and not man's? If it is man's work then don't give and go to a local church that is doing God's work and give your tithe and offerings to that work and be a joint participant together with others.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

I want to see NT scripture that did away with the giving of tithes (a tenth part) and offerings (over and above the tenth) already in motion before the law, under the law, during the time of Christ and in the NT church that continued in it. Are you of that number and persuaded group of believers that put tithes and offerings under the law and do away with them that way? For some strange reason no one makes the connection that giving of tithes and offerings can be done cheerfully, liberally and without grudging.

But some think, 'How dare God demand a tenth of my increase when I have all these bills to pay and have to put money away for my children's education and I have life and health insurance to pay for as well. A tenth is too demanding and God would certainly not demand or require over and above what I need to take care of my family expenses, let's be reasonable. God will understand when I give what I can and sometimes that means a big fat ZERO!

Some people never learn to give of their substance even when they need to have it, and consequently never learn to trust God for the impossible. We were bought with a price through the blood and through the laid down life of Christ. What can we give in exchange for our soul being redeemed by that blood and given a free gift of eternal life? Can anything come close to what we have been given? Is the work of the ministry not deserving of our tithes and offerings because that work is God's work and not man's? If it is man's work then don't give and go to a local church that is doing God's work and give your tithe and offerings to that work and be a joint participant together with others.

The problem is when you put people under law and say it is required.

I have seen many a brother fall apart because they tithed cheerfully, even when they were unable to do so. because they thought they had to. After split marriages and bankruptcy. they ended up leaving God. Why? Because they forgot to render ceasar what was ceasars because the church demanded they tithe.

You won't find a NT passage telling us to tithe, because it is no longer requred. we do not have the levitical priesthood any longer.

Abraham did not have to tithe to Melchizadech, he did so out of th ekindness of his heart, he could certainly afford to.

If we can, Thats awsome, and I believe God will bless it. But to say it is required and your in sin if you do not. That is sin in and of itself, because it is returning to law.

 

[Spiritual_Plague]

You made this statement about the NT showing us that tithing is not something to be practiced by the NT believer. Show us in the NT scriptures where that is. Don't bring the law into it , because the law has nothing to do with the giving of tithes and offerings.

Hi Red,

Tithes and offerings were commanded by the law, so they had something to do with the law. There were actions of the law that existed before the law: animal sacrifices, circumcision of the flesh, tithes, offerings, and I'm sure other things too.

Just because something was practiced before the law, doesn't justify the continuance of it's practice after the law.

How we determine, as Christians, what we are commanded to observe is found in the New Covenant writings. Read all the letters to the churches and to other believers on what they were discipled and taught to observe. Animal sacrifices- not commanded; circumcision of the flesh- not commanded; tithing- not commanded.

The NT scripture reference that shows us that we are not obligated to tithe is found in the entirety of the NT writings in the fact that the command is not there. If we could command things for Christians to practice that aren't commanded in scripture then we might as well all become Catholics.

 

[Laodicea]

This is to all who claim that tithing is not required in the NT. Show me a verse that says it is not required in the NT. All I have read is opinions so far no texts. Tithing was already practiced in the days of the Jesus so show me a verse that it has been discontinued, if you cannot then that means it has continued.