TITHING???

[StandingFirmInChrist]

My pastor just spoke on this issue 2 weeks ago. He said that by not tithing you're actually stealing from God. I do not know how God views it when it comes down to poor ppl. I grew up very poor and my family could never 'afford' to tithe. God still took care of us. My pastor said that when you tithe it's an act of faith that God will still provide all your needs. I know this doesn't really answer your question but (this is just my opinion) I'd say that tithing is a huge step of faith. If you feel lead by God to tithe or are feeling convicted for not doing so, then start and see what happens. I'm praying for you and your family. *hugs*

Many pastors today take the text of Malachi 3:8-11 out of its context in order to "guilt" their members into tithing of their finances when that passage had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with money.

1) The tithe being commanded in Malachi 3 was a tithe of agricultural nature... not monetary.
2) The tithe being commanded in Malachi 3 was not to the Church... it was to the Priests of Israel.

There is absolutely no instruction in the Word of God for the Church to tithe. Instead, we are told to give freely:

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

The word "purposeth" in the above verse is translated from the Greek word "proaireomai." It means, "to choose for oneself." Ask yourself, "if I am giving 10% because so-and-so told me I am supposed to give that amount or I am robbing God, how is that choosing from myself what to give?" How is it not "coercion" when you are being guilted into giving?

What it is is extortion by the legal definition of "extortion."

Extortion: The obtaining of property from another induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right.

Since there is no instruction in the New Testament for the saved to tithe, or for the Church to receive tithes, the pastor who claims you are to tithe is attempting to obtain money "by wrongful use" of the Word of God, and is therefore, an extortionist.

 

[StandingFirmInChrist]

one tenth of a person's income presented as an offering to God.

That definition is not the Biblical definition. God said in Leviticus 27 that the tithe was from agricultural increase only... not one's income. Increase and income are two different subjects.

Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Gen.14:18-20),

Abram's tithe was not of his own riches, (Genesis 13:2) it was from war spoils that he had absolutely no intention of claiming as his own. (Hebrews 7:4; Genesis 14:16, 18-20, 23-24)

and Jacob vowed to give tithes in accordance with God's blessing's (Gen.28:20-22)

Jacob's vow was on condition that God first meet certain requirements first.

In N.T. times, the Pharisees were scrupulous tithers (Matt.23:23).

They tithed what was required in the Law... agricultural products; i.e., mint, rue, cummin, anise, all manner of herbs. They did not tithe money.

Jesus encouraged generosity and promised to bless sacrificial giving (Luke 6:38).

Has absolutely nothing to do with tithing. Jesus was speaking of almsgiving in that verse.

Paul endorsed the principle of proportionate giving (1Cor. 16:2).

That verse was not about tithing.

1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

The word "prospered" in that verse is translated from the Greek "euodoo". It has nothing to do with proportion. It means "to help along the road. Paul was saying that the saints at Corinth should help others along as God helped them along. Had Paul been speaking to the Corinthians of "proportion", he would have used the Greek word for proportion...which is "analogia". He did not use "analogia", he used "euodoo", meaning "to help along the road."

 

[StandingFirmInChrist]

Does this stand toDAY IN THE NEW ?

Malachai 2

14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
15 And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
16 For the Lord, the God of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the Lord of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.

Malachi was written to the nation of Israel, not to Gentile nations.

Malachi 1:1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

 

[Rockbysea]

I was once a member of a church for 13 years that kept all the Old Testament laws regarding tithing:

1. The 1[SUP]st[/SUP] tithe (10% of gross earnings)
2. The 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] tithe (10% of gross earnings to blow away over a 10 day period once a year at the Feast of Tabernacles)
3. The 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] tithe (10% of gross earnings every 3 years – twice in 7 years – to give to the church so they could distribute it to the needy in the congregation)
4. Excess 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] tithe (If you were unable to blow all the 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] tithe over the 10 days at the Feast of Tabernacles then you turned the excess into the church)

On top of that there were 7 mandatory offerings per year for all the holy days such as one for the Day of Atonement, one for the Feast of Trumpets, one offering during the Days of Unleavened Bread, one during Passover, two offerings during the Feast of Tabernacles, and one offering for the Day of Pentecost.

Doing all the above meant you were only meeting the tithing and offering requirements by law. To be a real “cheerful” giver you had to cheerfully give above and beyond that.

As the above poster stated, all tithing was on agriculture including the least of the crops like mint ant cumin, but if an Israelite was paid a wage in exchange for his labor it would have been considered theft for the priesthood to demand a tithe from a person’s wages.

There is no command in the New Testament to tithe. But when they did give many gave all they had not just 10% and they didn’t give it to the apostles but they gave to those among them who were in need: “…and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

As mentioned above today being ordered to tithe is equivalent to extortion and theft.

 

[garyarnold]

You're going to get both sides of the coin with this thread. Some will say tithe, some won't. You need to ask God and have Him tell you. I honestly believe that you can tithe your time, talent and skills to the body of Christ in these circumstances. I am also a firm believer that if you give God 10%, He will do more with the 90% than you could do with 100%. I am a firm believer in tithing. Only you and God can decide this for your life, though.

No need to ask God. He has already given us the answer in His Word.

God commanded three different tithes each having it's own definition, instructions, and purpose.

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 to the yearly feasts.
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.

Malachi 3:7 tells us that the tithe was an ORDINANCE. Colossians 2:14 tells us the ORDINANCES were nailed to the cross.

Hebrews 7:5,12,18 tell us the tithe was DISANNULLED.

Preacher: You tithe on the first ten percent of your income.

God’s Word: You tithe on crops, and every tenth animal that passes under the rod. NOT the first, but the tenth. See Leviticus 27:30-33. Preachers are mixing firstfruits with the tithe and they are NOT the same. In Nehemiah 10:37-38 we learn that the firstfruits were taken to the temple for the priests, and the tithe was taken to the Levites to go into their cities.

Preacher: The Levites worked full-time at The Temple.

God’s Word: The Levities and priests were divided into “24 courses” and they rotated working at The Temple one week out of every 24 weeks. Therefore, the priests and Levites actually worked at The Temple about two weeks a year. The rest of the time they had regular jobs. See First Chronicles 24 for the priests and chapters 25 and 26 for the Levites.

Preacher: You tithe the BEST to God.

God’s Word: You tithe every tenth animal whether that animal be good OR BAD. See Leviticus 27:30-33.

Preacher: The firstfruits of your income belong to God.

God’s Word: In the Old Testament, every time a firstfruits offering is mentioned it is referring to the first of the crop, assets that came from God’s hand, not man’s labor. Firstfruits offerings has nothing to do with income.

Preacher: The tithe was taken to The Temple.

God’s Word: The tithe was taken to the Levites to go into their cities. See Nehemiah 10:37-38.

Preacher: Malachi 3:10 Take all the tithes to the storehouse.

God’s Word: The Levites received the tithe, and they were required to take a tenth of the tithe to the priests. ONLY that tithe went to the storehouse, NOT the tithe from the people. Again, see Nehemiah 10:37-38.

Preacher: You are robbing God if you don’t bring your tithe to the church. Malachi 3:8-10.

God’s Word: The priests were robbing God, not the people. The priests robbed God of the tithe by stealing the Levites portion (Nehemiah 13). The priests robbed God of the offerings by giving the worst and keeping the best (Malachi 1).

God defined His tithe in Leviticus 27:30-33 as HOLY. How can anyone change God’s definition and then call a tenth of their income a HOLY tithe!

Anyone who wants to know how all this false teaching started need only study the history of tithing from one's income in the Christian Church. It all started around 1870 in the U.S. Now it has spread worldwide.

The scriptures are clear. Tithing is not a complicated topic. What makes it difficult is listening to pastors stand in front of the congregation and tell lies about tithing. I have learned (the hard way) not to trust what a pastor says any more than I trust what a used-car salesman says. I trust neither. I trust the scriptures, not a man-made doctrine.

 

[Isdaniel]

No need to ask God. He has already given us the answer in His Word.

God commanded three different tithes each having it's own definition, instructions, and purpose.

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 to the yearly feasts.
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.

Malachi 3:7 tells us that the tithe was an ORDINANCE. Colossians 2:14 tells us the ORDINANCES were nailed to the cross.

Hebrews 7:5,12,18 tell us the tithe was DISANNULLED.

Preacher: You tithe on the first ten percent of your income.

God’s Word: You tithe on crops, and every tenth animal that passes under the rod. NOT the first, but the tenth. See Leviticus 27:30-33. Preachers are mixing firstfruits with the tithe and they are NOT the same. In Nehemiah 10:37-38 we learn that the firstfruits were taken to the temple for the priests, and the tithe was taken to the Levites to go into their cities.

Preacher: The Levites worked full-time at The Temple.

God’s Word: The Levities and priests were divided into “24 courses” and they rotated working at The Temple one week out of every 24 weeks. Therefore, the priests and Levites actually worked at The Temple about two weeks a year. The rest of the time they had regular jobs. See First Chronicles 24 for the priests and chapters 25 and 26 for the Levites.

Preacher: You tithe the BEST to God.

God’s Word: You tithe every tenth animal whether that animal be good OR BAD. See Leviticus 27:30-33.

Preacher: The firstfruits of your income belong to God.

God’s Word: In the Old Testament, every time a firstfruits offering is mentioned it is referring to the first of the crop, assets that came from God’s hand, not man’s labor. Firstfruits offerings has nothing to do with income.

Preacher: The tithe was taken to The Temple.

God’s Word: The tithe was taken to the Levites to go into their cities. See Nehemiah 10:37-38.

Preacher: Malachi 3:10 Take all the tithes to the storehouse.

God’s Word: The Levites received the tithe, and they were required to take a tenth of the tithe to the priests. ONLY that tithe went to the storehouse, NOT the tithe from the people. Again, see Nehemiah 10:37-38.

Preacher: You are robbing God if you don’t bring your tithe to the church. Malachi 3:8-10.

God’s Word: The priests were robbing God, not the people. The priests robbed God of the tithe by stealing the Levites portion (Nehemiah 13). The priests robbed God of the offerings by giving the worst and keeping the best (Malachi 1).

God defined His tithe in Leviticus 27:30-33 as HOLY. How can anyone change God’s definition and then call a tenth of their income a HOLY tithe!

Anyone who wants to know how all this false teaching started need only study the history of tithing from one's income in the Christian Church. It all started around 1870 in the U.S. Now it has spread worldwide.

The scriptures are clear. Tithing is not a complicated topic. What makes it difficult is listening to pastors stand in front of the congregation and tell lies about tithing. I have learned (the hard way) not to trust what a pastor says any more than I trust what a used-car salesman says. I trust neither. I trust the scriptures, not a man-made doctrine.

Did Jacob tithe ? Why or Why not

 

[Isdaniel]

Malachi was written to the nation of Israel, not to Gentile nations.

Malachi 1:1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

How foolish what was the book of proverbs , pslams etc for whom ? Also who is Israel ?

 

[garyarnold]

Did Jacob tithe ? Why or Why not

Jacob made a conditional vow to tithe. If God met all of Jacob's conditions, they Jacob said he would tithe from everything God gave to him from that point forward. Jacob said nothing about tithing from income that he night earn.

Did Jacob, in fact, tithe? The scriptures don't tell us, so we don't know.

 

[Isdaniel]

Malachi was written to the nation of Israel, not to Gentile nations.

Malachi 1:1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

Are you saying that Malachai only applys to the Jews hmmm that ironic

Malachai 2

14 Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the Lord hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.

Does that verse apply onl to the Jews ? Can perhsons deal treacherously with their wives today ?

Hmmmm I like this verse hmmm tell me is this also for Isarael alone

[h=3]Malachi 3[/h]King James Version (KJV)

3 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness.
4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts

 

[Isdaniel]

Malachi was written to the nation of Israel, not to Gentile nations.

Malachi 1:1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.

Is the red highlighted only for the Israel alone ? [h=3]Malachi 4[/h]King James Version (KJV)

1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

 

[garyarnold]

Malachi 3:7 (KJV) “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ORDINANCES, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?”

Colossians 2:14 (KJV) “Blotting out the handwriting of ORDINANCES that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

Malachi 3:9 (KJV) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…”

WHO was robbing God? The priests.
HOW were they robbing God of the offerings? By using the worst instead of the best for the heave offering.
HOW were they robbing God of the tithe? By stealing the Levites portion.

 

[intercessorginger]

Giving is truly a blessing and I would look for as many ways to give as I possibly can. There is always someone who has less then you!

God is certainly aware of your situation so I would give what I can give, and I believe things will change for you so that one day you will be able to give the full tithe! Put feet...to your faith...and do what you can do and God will give the increase.

I believe in the tithe, but the reasons for the tithe have changed...from a law to be followed...to something we do because we are grateful and we love. Love gives.

 

[Isdaniel]

Jacob made a conditional vow to tithe. If God met all of Jacob's conditions, they Jacob said he would tithe from everything God gave to him from that point forward. Jacob said nothing about tithing from income that he night earn.

Did Jacob, in fact, tithe? The scriptures don't tell us, so we don't know.

Can a man rob God today Why or Why not ?

 

[Isdaniel]

Malachi 3:7 (KJV) “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ORDINANCES, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?”

Colossians 2:14 (KJV) “Blotting out the handwriting of ORDINANCES that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

Malachi 3:9 (KJV) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…”

WHO was robbing God? The priests.
HOW were they robbing God of the offerings? By using the worst instead of the best for the heave offering.
HOW were they robbing God of the tithe? By stealing the Levites portion.

1 Corinthians 11:2Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep theordinances, as I delivered them to you.

 

[Isdaniel]

Malachi 3:7 (KJV) “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ORDINANCES, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?”

Colossians 2:14 (KJV) “Blotting out the handwriting of ORDINANCES that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

Malachi 3:9 (KJV) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…”

WHO was robbing God? The priests.
HOW were they robbing God of the offerings? By using the worst instead of the best for the heave offering.
HOW were they robbing God of the tithe? By stealing the Levites portion.

Are you saying all Gods ordinances were nailed to the cross ?

 

[Isdaniel]

Malachi 3:7 (KJV) “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ORDINANCES, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?”

Colossians 2:14 (KJV) “Blotting out the handwriting of ORDINANCES that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

Malachi 3:9 (KJV) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…”

WHO was robbing God? The priests.
HOW were they robbing God of the offerings? By using the worst instead of the best for the heave offering.
HOW were they robbing God of the tithe? By stealing the Levites portion.

Exodus 18:20And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

 

[garyarnold]

Can a man rob God today Why or Why not ?

Pastors rob God's children every Sunday if they teach tithing.

Pastors rob God when they take from the poor.

No man can rob God today. However, we can be poor stewards of what God gives us.

 

[Isdaniel]

Malachi 3:7 (KJV) “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ORDINANCES, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?”

Colossians 2:14 (KJV) “Blotting out the handwriting of ORDINANCES that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

Malachi 3:9 (KJV) Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Galatians 3:13 “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us…”

WHO was robbing God? The priests.
HOW were they robbing God of the offerings? By using the worst instead of the best for the heave offering.
HOW were they robbing God of the tithe? By stealing the Levites portion.

Was God speaking about tithing in this chapter ?

Leviticus 18:4Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God.

 

[Isdaniel]

Pastors rob God's children every Sunday if they teach tithing.

Pastors rob God when they take from the poor.

No man can rob God today. However, we can be poor stewards of what God gives us.

Men rob God everday ,


Malachai 3

8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Luke 21:4For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

Men rob God offerinf such as thanks, glory , praise etc

 

[Isdaniel]

[h=2]"The Difference"Tithes and Offerings[/h]
[h=2]
[/h]Tithes
There is a distinct difference between tithes and offerings. They are mentioned separately throughout the Bible, even though the Lord required both to be brought to Him.
The tithe is the tenth of all the increase that God gives to you. What does "increase" include? "Increase" is everything that increases the value of earthly possessions that God places into your trust, whether it be earned income or unearned gifts. A tenth of everything that is "increase" to you belongs to God in the form of tithes. The tithe of your increase is not yours to give to God; it is God’s for you to give to God, and it is a privilege for us to have it to give to Him.



Offerings
Offerings are gifts brought to God beyond the tithes. The tithe was always ten percent of one’s increase, but with certain offerings, God gave His people some discretion as to the amount or number of offerings to bring. Their financial situation in life and the depth of their zeal for God was shown by their choices concerning offerings. Here are some of the offerings that God instituted in Israel for the people to bring to His servants.