Tithing/Giving in the New Testament
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New Covenant, new contract. The terms of the contract might have some overlap, but simply because some elements of the OT law were reiterated does not mean that the whole OT law suddenly applies. We should look to the NT for moral direction, not the OT (unless through the lens of the NT). Do what you feel is right. It might be right for you to donate and not for someone else.
Gen. 14:19-20
"And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."
Melchizedek was a type of Christ and Abraham gave a tithe (a tenth) of all that he had.
The purpose of the tithe in the Law was to feed and care for the poor. This was done by animal sacrifices, along with grain and drink sacrifices. This is the principle of Malachi.
By the time Jesus came the temple was completely corrupted and polluted. The religious leaders had appointed money-changers that were no doubt cheating people through the exchange of money and animals for sacrifice. The true meaning of the tithe was lost. They were not paying tithes themselves, only in part.
Jesus gave back that meaning by helping the poor, as the Church is to do from the tithes we pay. This is the principle that Christ taught.
As I said before as to this being a tithe, I don't know. I have no proof this could be called a tithe.
I certainly don't want to explain to Christ why I didn't support the Church He died to create.
"Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law." - Romans 13:8
One might give their money out of charity, but it is important to emphasize that the NT tells us to avoid debt. If you make 40k a year but owe 100k, you shouldn't be unlovingly donating any of your income because none of that money is really yours to begin with. If something comes from the heart, that might be a different story.
Money also is just a placeholder for value, if you happen to be an employer that through your built up value have given a means for other people to live, you are in essence sharing that value. It becomes an odd equation to look at when on paper you are "rich" but that value is based on infrastructure, employees, and business assets that you just happen to call the shots on. Should a business owner 'tithe' the wealth that they have built up in their company? Or can a business owner choose to continue to reinvest to help build up the lives of those that are supported and live by that business growth? What if that business owner is in the same boat as the employees: buried in debt? There is seemingly some room for interpretation in these cases.
One might give their money out of charity, but it is important to emphasize that the NT tells us to avoid debt. If you make 40k a year but owe 100k, you shouldn't be unlovingly donating any of your income because none of that money is really yours to begin with. If something comes from the heart, that might be a different story.
Money also is just a placeholder for value, if you happen to be an employer that through your built up value have given a means for other people to live, you are in essence sharing that value. It becomes an odd equation to look at when on paper you are "rich" but that value is based on infrastructure, employees, and business assets that you just happen to call the shots on. Should a business owner 'tithe' the wealth that they have built up in their company? Or can a business owner choose to continue to reinvest to help build up the lives of those that are supported and live by that business growth? What if that business owner is in the same boat as the employees: buried in debt? There is seemingly some room for interpretation in these cases.
A church not held together by love doesn't seem like much of a church. If the love in your heart leads you to donate to your church, that is the right thing to do. But should anyone donate lovelessly?
Is 10% of your profits to much of God to ask? Some may have to lower their standard of living if they can't afford that.
But of course that is if Jesus is more important than the money. To some I suppose He is not.
If it's not your money, it's not yours to give
"Profit"
That is a very interesting word choice because by definition those in debt have not reached the point of being profitable. They merely have a positive net income. If one has a negative profit, can they then ask for 10% of the value of their debts from the church on a yearly basis?
"Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand." - Romans 14:4 NIV
I'm not judging, just expressing what I believe is scriptural. As I have said, your decisions are between you and the Lord.
T
TheIndianGirl
Guest
10% of profits/post tax income is still significant. I would say it is close to 35% to 100% of the "true" profit, after paying all bills (rent, utilities, food, etc.). So, if a person has 20% left over after paying all bills, 10% would mean half of what he has left. I think people would give a lot more if most of the money was going straight to poor/needy/benevolence.
No; Abraham gave Melchizedek one tenth of the war spoils. Read the text more carefully.
No; its first purpose was to provide food for the Levites. Read the text more carefully.
No, Jesus did not teach any such thing. Read the text more carefully, and don't inject things into the text that aren't there.
Correct, finally! There is hope.
I think they would too! I look at tithing as a test of faith. But that's me, I don't expect everyone to see it that way.
T
TheIndianGirl
Guest
I go back and forth on the tithe. The tithe feels like a monthly bill first Sunday of the month, more than anything else. Does anyone else feel this way? I do understand that paying tithe shows that one is committed to the church, and funds are necessary to keep the church running. At the same, I have always been uneasy on how we have to be loyal to a specific congregation; otherwise giving time or money to another church feels a bit adulterous. Personally I feel much more charitable when a specific need arises, and I contribute towards that cause.
The problem is that you are trying to follow a legal requirement instead of giving from your heart. For the Christian, the legal requirement does not exist, though many believe it does. If you think you are required to surrender a certain amount or percentage to your local church, of course it is going to feel like a bill... because it is! That's not how it should be though, according to Scripture.
If you are committed to a local fellowship, then it is right to give a significant portion of your "donation budget" to that fellowship. If not, then give a lesser portion when you happen to attend, and a larger portion to other Christian-consistent causes that God puts on your heart.
I would encourage you to stop calling your monetary donations "tithes", because it only confuses the issue. Christians are not required to "tithe" at all, though we are strongly encouraged to give. Remember; God wants you to give cheerfully, not reluctantly or under compulsion.