Money & the Bible: Tithing

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christiancanadian

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#1
Money & the Bible: Tithing

Tithing is an issue that many Christians struggle with. In many churches tithing is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the Biblical exhortation in regards to making offerings to the Lord. Tithing / giving is intended to be a joy, a blessing. Sadly, that is rarely the case in the church today.

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10% of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle / Temple (
Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites of the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

The New Testament nowhere assigns a certain percentage of income to set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with his income” (
1 Corinthians 16:2). The Christian church has essentially taken the 10% figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. Although the New Testament does not identify a specific amount or percentage to give, it does talk about the importance and benefits of giving. They should give as they are able, “in keeping with his income.” Sometimes that means giving more than a tithe, sometime that may mean giving less than a tithe. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Each and every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom as to whether to participate in tithing and/or for how much he or she should give (James 1:5). “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Reference: www.gotquestions.org

How much should a Christian give to their church every week?
 
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christiancanadian

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#2
The following message is from a new member to this website who wasn't able to post this message directly, so I copied and pasted the message she sent me. Thank you Ellyn! -glenn


Hi, I'm new to this website and I tried to respond to your article but they wouldn't let me put it through for some reason...But anyway this is what I wanted to write to you.....

I totally agree with you brother! I love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and only want to do his will. So as I tried in vain to "tithe" the way the church taught 10% of gross we were becoming in debt and didn't excel either way. But I've learned the truth and that is to love our God with all our heart, strength soul and mind and love our neighbors as ourselves and we will be following Gods heart. For when we see a need whatever it may be and God shows us how to help and promts us to do it then we must obey. He wants us to be a servant and not grudgingly help one another for His glory praise God. But when you are hindered by people saying that your prayers are not being answered because of "not tithing" that is so wrong. Galations 5:1 says Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage....
We are free because Christ died for us an excruciating and unmerciful death and was raised from the dead so that we can now have a personal relationship with our beautiful God through Jesus. So now with the Holy Spirit living within us we will now hear His voice and know how we should live and how we can help others so that may have the same joy. Have a beautiful day in the Lord my brother...Ellyn
 

pagie

Senior Member
May 13, 2007
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#3
Tithing in the bible is always only food, it is never money Gold Silver or personal possesion, those who did not farm did not tithe so those who worked as general labourers did not tithe, it was a tithe that went to the levites who lived in the 48 levitical cities around Israel and went to the store houses in those cities 10% of that 10% went to the store house in jerusalem at the temple. the levites lived off this tithe as there food and so did the poor and the widow. the 24 levite devisions took turns working in the temple under the priests to preform duties. Israel needed a continual daily flow of blood to stay in right step with the Lord these animals came from the tithe. Abrahams tithe was never comanded by God, he gave 10% to Melchizadek and 90% to the king of sodom, so if Abrahams tithe is an example for christians to give 10% to God it should also be an example to give 90% to the devil, Abrahams tithe was not from his own personal property it was spoils of war and in Numbers 31 God only required 1% of spoils of war, Abrahams tithe was a one time recorded avent.Heb 7 makes clear if we read it from start to finish we see Melchezedek was greater then Abraham and also Greater then Levi and that the priesthood of Jesus is greater then Abraham and greater then the priesthood of Aaron or Levi(from witch the Levitical priesthood comes) comparing Jesus with Melchezedek, 7:3 without begining of days or end of life like the son of God he remains a priest for ever.

The Levitical priesthood recieved Tithes, it is important to note that these tithes that the Levites recieved were also used as sacrifices offered for there sins and for the sin of the people. Heb 7:26-28 Jesus sacrifice was once for all
if you are a christian you are a priest, and priests didnt pay tithes they recieved tithes that were used on the alter to take away sins. we became priests when we recieved Jesus who takes away sins and from whome we get our priesthood

Heb 7, dosnt have any verses in it comanding the church to tithe,
Heb 7, is an explanation of why the levitical priesthood must be replaced by Christ's priesthood because the levitical priesthood was weak.
*priests didnt tithe and we are priests
* sacrifices to take away sin came from the tithe and Jesus was sacrificed once for all
* if we followed the tithe acording to the way the bible says we would give to the ushers and lay,man 10% first (servants of the priest-Levites)them in turn would give 10% of that to the paster (priest)
*the newtestament never calls the church a building or a stoehouse
*when you look at the contents of the tithe it is always food never money
*examples of giving in the newtestament cant be compared with the tithe since the tithe is always 10%
*there has always been money in the old testament and tithes were not money not once
*no tithing scriptures are used for examples of giving for new testament believers
*if old testament priests are taken over by new testament priests and we are all priests shouldnt we recieve a tithe instead of paying them
*the Apostle Paul prefered the church elders to be self supporting.
if we read the book of GALATIANS we see paul talking about Circumcision, though circumcision was intraduced before the Law with Abraham, and we see clearly in the context of it that Paul makes perfectly clear that Circumcision is of the Law and those doing it are puting themselves under the Law, since this Circumcision is considered to be under the Law though intrduced before the Law, it makes no sence to me why tithing would be excluded from being under the Law, I believe that if I tithe I put myself under the Law in the same way I would if I were to be circumcised and it says Gal 5:2-3 Mark my words, I Paul tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is required to obey the whole Law.
if you read Galatians and replace the word circumcision with tithe the whole thing will still make perfect sence in all its context. ( though we know Paul was talking about circumcision.)
in Acts 5 we see the story of Ananias and Sapphira. now in the case of this husband and wife and there free will offering which wasnt even a tithe, they droped dead because they lied about how much they gave, how bad would it be for those who claim that they tithe.
 
Jan 8, 2009
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#4
The sort of system that is around today for tithing the "christian tithe" is not in the bible but was introduced into christianity around 700 AD. It is similar, but unlike the Jewish tithe, or Abraham's tithe. But it is most certainly is based on principles in the bible, and is an important church tradition otherwise your pastor starves:

1Co 9:7 Who serves as a soldier at his own wages at any time? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who feeds a flock and does not partake of the milk of the flock?
1Co 9:8 Do I say these things according to man? Or does not the Law say the same also?
1Co 9:9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox threshing grain." Does God take care for oxen?
1Co 9:10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? It was written for us, so that he who plows should plow in hope, and so that he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope.
1Co 9:11 If we have sown to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
 

pagie

Senior Member
May 13, 2007
137
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#5
The sort of system that is around today for tithing the "christian tithe" is not in the bible but was introduced into christianity around 700 AD. It is similar, but unlike the Jewish tithe, or Abraham's tithe. But it is most certainly is based on principles in the bible, and is an important church tradition otherwise your pastor starves:

ok, so there is an offering thats fine and its bible based for the church, but the new testament still doesnt suport tithing to be a christian thing, it is quite clear that the new testament suports giving but not a mandatory 10%,
2 Cor ch 8 & 9 speak clearly of new testament giving prinsiples.
those who teach that a tenth is a minimum requirement have nothing to suport it in scripture. what they teach is contradictory to what the new testament teaches
 

pagie

Senior Member
May 13, 2007
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#7
2 Cor chapters 8 and 9
(1) Giving is a "grace.” These chapters use the Greek word for "grace" eight times in reference to helping poor saints. (2) Give yourself to God first (8:5). (3) Give yourself to knowing God’s will (8:5). (4) Give in response to Christ’s gift (8:9; 9:15). (5) Give out of a sincere desire (8:8, 10, 12; 9:7). (6) Do not give because of any commandment (8:8, 10; 9:7). (7) Give beyond your ability (8:3, 11-12). (8) Give to produce equality. This means that those who have more should give more in order to make up for the inability of those who cannot afford to give as much (8:12-14). (9) Give joyfully (8:2). (10) Give because you are growing spiritually (8:3-4, 7). (11) Give because you want to continue growing spiritually (9:8, 10-11). (12) Give because you are hearing the gospel preached (9:13).
false teaching is that everybody was required to begin their giving level at ten per cent. Only those Israelites who earned a livelihood from farming and herding inside Israel were required to tithe under the Mosaic Law. Their increase came from God’s hand. Those whose increase came from their own crafts and skills were not required to tithe products and money. The poor and needy who did not tithe and received from the tithe gave freewill offerings.
 
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raim

Guest
#8
in my own experienced as christian, I GAVE TO THE LORD MY TITHE PLUS MY LOVE OFFERING... TO TELL YOU GOD BLESS ME SO MUCH... I BELIEVE TITHING PLUS OFFERING IS FOR THE LORD'S.
 

pagie

Senior Member
May 13, 2007
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#9
I am happy for you that God blessed you, I believe that God blesses a cheerfull giver, but tithing is not biblical for christians
 
Jan 8, 2009
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#10
It's not a false teaching for a pastor or church to request that its members tithe a certain percentage.
 

RoboOp

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Aug 4, 2008
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#11
I agree that "tithing is not New Testament... giving is".

But at the same time I think it's like one of those Romans 14 things -- "one man esteems one day above another, another esteems every day alike -- let each man be fully convinced in his own mind". So if someone has a conviction to keep one day as a Sabbath, let him be. If someone has a conviction that they should tithe their income, let them be. Likewise if someone doesn't have a "10%-rule conviction", let him be.

To tell you the truth I'm kinda struggling with this issue myself, wondering if I should seek to give 10% regardless, even though the NT doesn't explicitly state it. I'm trying but sometimes it's a challenge because sometimes it's like you really need at least 95% of the little income you get, for your family and all. :D
 
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carpetmanswife

Guest
#12
I hafta agree many things are a personal conviction thing . Romans 14:3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not : and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth : for God hath received him. thats my take on it anyway..
 

pagie

Senior Member
May 13, 2007
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#13
yes I agree that it may be compared to the man who regards one day better than the other, or even the man who can eat meat with a clear conciance, thats all good, see the problem I have with tithes is when a pastor- preacher uses scriptures for the tithe to reprasent giving for christians.
the reason it rubs me the wrong way is the church is never told to tithe in scripture but when scriptures refering to the tithe are used to reprasent giving in the church they compleatly go against the principles in wich the church is told to give, since Israel was cursed if the tithe wasnt followed and blessed if the tithe was followd, this goes against what christians are told in scripture and when christians dont understand that there is a diferance between the tithe and the offering its quite understandable why they are confused and feel guilty when tithing scriptures are used to reprasent giving for the church

there is no tithing referance in the bible quoted in the NewTestament that says the christian standard of giving begins with a tithe then anything after that is ok, the thing is those who teach tithing as a christian standard have no scripture to back up what they teach about the tithe. they use tithe schriptures that were never saposed to be directed toward people with money and when they use it in this way they insist that the poor person who cant aford to give must give otherwise they will be cursed and if they give they will be blesed, they insist by using tithing scriptures that if they dont give they are robing God. infact in the scriptures the tithe suported poor people who could eat of it just like the livites (since it is always only food ) this is also what the livites and the priests lived off

I see the matter of preaching tithes is to guilt people into giving
just because some one says God blessed them for tithing means nothing, there are plenty of people who dont tithe who have wealth and there are plenty of people who tithe who dont see any increase
 

pagie

Senior Member
May 13, 2007
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#14
it is false for a paster to teach tithing be a requirement it contradicts the the standard laid out in the new testament. pasters and preasts do they work for money or God? paul was among those who insisted in suporting himself 1 Thess 2:9-10,
2 Thess 3:8-10, paul dosnt condemn those who are able to recieve full time support, neither dose he teach that full time support is a mandatory will of God 1 Cor 9:12, infact he 2 times in Acts 20:29-35 and also in 2Cor 12:14 Paul acctualy encouraged church elders to work to support needy believers inside the church. whyle paul realized he had the right to some support, he concluded that the liberty to preach unhindered was more important in order to fulfill his calling from God 1 cor 9:16-19 ( in saying suport I do not mean tithes since in the bible tithes are always food )

if a paster wants to make money he can get a job.
 
Jan 8, 2009
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#15
In the middle ages farmers tithed their produce and craftsmen a tenth of their production.

Whether food or money it makes no difference really, money is much more convenient.

Most churches I know of don't call it a tithe they call it an offering.

It's bad teaching if the church thinks the tithe in the bible is the same as the offering plate going around on Sunday. Pastors should teach about the christian tithe accurately.

But all the old testament verses on tithing are valid based on principle.

The christian tithe is a church tradition, without it many churches would go under.

In some countries it is even compulsary to tithe , the church tax, or it is part of the taxation system, with penalties if it is not paid.

The idea that you are blessed if tithe and cursed if don't came from prosperity teaching, unfortunately some denominations continue to propagate these lies (eg Assemblies of God).
 

pagie

Senior Member
May 13, 2007
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#16
weather in the middle ages they tithed produce from farms or wages from general craft labour, I dont know if they did or not, but if money is much more conveniant it makes no sence why it isnt mentioned in the Law to tithe money or gold or silver anr anything else since Genesis alone contains “money” in 32 texts and the word occurs 44 times before the tithe is first mentioned in Leviticus 27. Gold is first mentioned in Genesis 2:12. The words "jewelry," "gold," "silver" and shekel also appear often from Genesis to Deuteronomy.
Many centuries before Israel entered Canaan and began tithing food from God’s Holy Land money was an essential everyday item. For example Abraham was very rich in silver and gold (Gen 13:2); money in the form of silver shekels paid for slaves (Gen 17:12+); Abimelech gave Abraham 1000 pieces of silver (Gen 20:16); Abraham paid 400 pieces of silver for land (Gen 23:9-16); Joseph was sold for silver pieces (Gen 37:28); slaves bought freedom (Ex 23:11); court fines (Ex 21 all; 22 all); sanctuary dues (Ex 30:12+); vows (Lev 27:3-7); poll taxes (Num 3:47+), alcoholic drinks (Deu 14:26) and marriage dowries (Deu 22:29).
Joseph gave Benjamin 300 pieces of silver (Gen 45:22). According to Genesis 47:15-17 food was used for barter only after money had been spent. Banking and usury laws exist in Leviticus even before tithing. Therefore the argument that money was not prevalent enough for everyday use is false. Yet the tithe contents from Leviticus to Matthew never include money from non-food products and trades.
*if there are manny churches that call it an offering instead of a tithe thats good and its biblical since christians are never once told to tithe in scripture.
*Pastors dont teach on the Christian tithe because there was no cumpolsery tithing in the church untill 777 ad and thats why its not in scripture, it makes sence why the term "christian tithe" would be confusing for instance is it mandatory or not and if not why not just call it an offering.
if all the old Testament verses on tithing are vallid to christians based only on principle then so are the Old Testament verses on seramonlial washing, circumcision & refraining from perticular meats,
*without the christian Tithe there would still be the church despite all the buildings and building programs, the church in the bible didnt have buildings and building programs to waist money on, it could even be benaficial in breaking down denominational pride.
*if there are countries who have a system with cumpolsory tithing and church tax it is defanately not based on old testament standards of tithing or new testament standards of giving.
the Idea that you are blessed if you do tithe and cursed if you dont tithe comes directly from the teaching of the tithe in the bible The blessings and curses of tithing are identical to and inseparable from the entire Mosaic Law. The rain in Deuteronomy 28:12, 23-24 and Leviticus 26:1-4 is only obtained by obedience to all 613 commandments. Galatians 3:10 (quoting Deu 27:26) “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continues not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” Trying to earn God’s blessings through tithing only brings curses for failure to keep all of the law. See also Galatians 3:19.
 
Jan 8, 2009
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#17
I read about the tithe being food etc in the middle ages on some website,I think it was wikipedia.

They are good points about food vs money.
 
D

DaveScotland

Guest
#18
I think tithing is an important part of Christian life. I believe that if you cant afford it don't do it and i believe that very strongly, But if you can afford to tithe it is important ,Churches need money. a lot of people come on a Sunday sit down hear the message but don't realise what goes on behind the scenes.
Things like youth ministry, Homeless outreach. even feeding and drinking the congregation, costs money and unfortunately tithing is the main way we receive that money. so regardless if you thinks its scripture or not surely you can see the common sense in it

And it is the duty of the members of a church to contribute,
 

pagie

Senior Member
May 13, 2007
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#19
and I believe if you can afford to give give with all your heart from the right motive and out of love and give all you have holding nothing back 10% is irrelavent it holds no importance. and do not demmand anything from the man who has something because its not yours it is his to give, and the man who has not much why demand 10% of what he has. in all the giving diplayed in the new testament it was the heart condition that matterd and giving had a true mark of a christian based on his motivation. tithes are nuteral superfiscial and have verry poor motivational reason. I think it is lazy and demanding and selfish it displays no love but only just a standard. and I find it unbiblical. true giving displays the oposite
 

pagie

Senior Member
May 13, 2007
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#20
I just want to note I am not having a go at any one no hard feelings, I can see how some posts might come accross that way :)
 
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