TITHES

[Edify]

Watch out for preachers who say you must tithe. Seriously, watch out.

I mostly agree with that. But there are small churches that believe in it because their denomination teaches it.
I currently belong to a Pentecostal denomination that does. They don't have rich fancy churches in it either.
I don't believe in it at all, because the doctrine isn't in the NT. Paul's epistles say a lot about giving, but nothing about tithes.

 

[CS1]

I mostly agree with that. But there are small churches that believe in it because their denomination teaches it.
I currently belong to a Pentecostal denomination that does. They don't have rich fancy churches in it either.
I don't believe in it at all, because the doctrine isn't in the NT. Paul's epistles say a lot about giving, but nothing about tithes.

I have questioned how many times does the Bible has to mention tithing and giving offerings? Was Jesus not a Jew? did he not go to the temple as all Jews were required? Would not Jesus give in accordance with the Law as Jews then ere required? Where they not selling doves in the Temple court years that Jesus trough over the tables of the money changers?

 

[ResidentAlien]

I mostly agree with that. But there are small churches that believe in it because their denomination teaches it.
I currently belong to a Pentecostal denomination that does. They don't have rich fancy churches in it either.
I don't believe in it at all, because the doctrine isn't in the NT. Paul's epistles say a lot about giving, but nothing about tithes.

I'm just curious why you'd settle for a congregation you know is preaching doctrine contrary to the scriptures?

Just because a group isn't rich or have a big fancy building that doesn't compensate for the fact they're teaching false doctrine. False doctrine is false doctrine wherever you find it.

 

[Dino246]

I have questioned how many times does the Bible has to mention tithing and giving offerings?

Perhaps you can make some reasonable attempt to defend your position from Scripture. A single verse (that doesn't mention tithing) isn't going to do it.

 

[fredoheaven]

God said HE enjoys a cheerful giver and those who give to the poor lend to God and Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.


God is not robbed nor mocked. there are many people who do tithe and don't even know God

"Good measure" hints the 10th standard. The tenth standard is still in the New Testament. In giving it start to a no more than the tenth, the principle is sowing and reaping, the more you give the more you be blessed.

 

[studentoftheword]

Giving is a vexed subject. I grew up with a poverty mentality and giving was very hard for me. Over the years, the Lord changed my attitude. I give more than 10%. If I have the money, I give. God has never let me down. I am free of debt, I bought my car new with cash and I have money in the bank. That makes me one of the richest people in the world.

Amen to this post -----I also tithe ----I am free from debt -----and am able to help others in need financially as well as other ways ---as directed by the Holy Spirit ------and God has never let me down either ------

People need to Trust God when it comes to their tithing and giving ------you will never out give God --when you sow into His Kingdom -----His Blessing will be poured out to you ----so you can keep sowing into His Kingdom ----all Glory Is His -----He is giving so you can give to others -------Is God not worth 10 cents from your dollar -------that is your tithe ----For all the Grace --Mercy ----Blessings and Love He pours out to us and we don't want to part with 10 cents from our Dollar to show our Love and Trust for Him ---


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[Dino246]

"Good measure" hints the 10th standard. The tenth standard is still in the New Testament.

Neither of these claims has any grounding in Scripture. You're inventing things to support your belief. That's called eisegesis.

 

[Sudakar]

Um… no. Not at all. Where did you get that idea?

So why did Christ sacrifice Himself on the cross if not to deliver us from the forbidden knowledge of good and evil that led to death (eternal separation from God)?

 

[Diakonos]

“But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:42‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I'm not disagreeing with your post, but I would like to point out what many miss in this verse:
“But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:42‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus wanted them to give tithes and justice and love.

 

[Dino246]

So why did Christ sacrifice Himself on the cross if not to deliver us from the forbidden knowledge of good and evil that led to death (eternal separation from God)?

To pay the penalty for sin.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

I'm not disagreeing with your post, but I would like to point out what many miss in this verse:
“But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:42‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus wanted them to give tithes and justice and love.

yeah I’m not against tithing I’ve said that a few times in the thread. He was telling them tithing doesn’t mean a thing of we’re neglecting the important parts of the law but again we aren’t in the old covenant we give of love for others out of our means.

the tithe was to support the priests and also the poor who came along. Today most pastors get a paycheck.

in Christ we’re taught to give to the poor of our material things and people like Paul and the apostles they didn’t get a paycheck so they relied on giving to them for food and daily needs .

The world has changed a lot of our pastor doesn’t get paid and has no money ot makes perfectly good sense to tithe to provide for their needs because they are providing edification for our souls and spiritual life

but like my church the pastor is pretty well Off. There are programs that raise money for the poor but it’s free will
Offerings in my church.

the way I see it ( and it’s just my own belief that I’m comfortable with ) is that I should look for people who have needs when I have something to give and not so much tithe according to Moses law or Judaism but give willingly To the poor as I’m able like Jesus taught

it’s okay to disagree also as long as we are respectful I think otherwise we could never reconcile two different ideas

God bless and feel free if you disagree with anything I write to speak up in respect , because you may be able to correct something I misunderstand. That’s happened quite a bit here since I joined this forum aboit a year or more ago , I’ve learned a lot that I didn’t priorly know but it’s always from respectful people that didn’t hold the same view And we’re able to discuss respectfully and not get all
Offended as some do

 

[Gideon300]

Amen to this post -----I also tithe ----I am free from debt -----and am able to help others in need financially as well as other ways ---as directed by the Holy Spirit ------and God has never let me down either ------

People need to Trust God when it comes to their tithing and giving ------you will never out give God --when you sow into His Kingdom -----His Blessing will be poured out to you ----so you can keep sowing into His Kingdom ----all Glory Is His -----He is giving so you can give to others -------Is God not worth 10 cents from your dollar -------that is your tithe ----For all the Grace --Mercy ----Blessings and Love He pours out to us and we don't want to part with 10 cents from our Dollar to show our Love and Trust for Him ---


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You can't justify tithing from the NT. I think it's a good starting point. However, it's not a command in the NT.

 

[TheIndianGirl]

The act of tithing feels very rigid to me because:
1) you have to give on a scheduled basis (first Sunday of the month)
2) you have to give a preset amount to the dollar and cent (or more) (10%)
3) you have to give to a specific group (your congregation)
4) you have to commit to a specific congregation (going to multiple churches for various purposes (for ex. Bible study at one church, Sunday service at another church, alternating churches, etc.) is frowned upon and feels adulterous). If you start attending another church, they too may expect a tithe soon. Tithing makes you commit to a specific congregation (essentially for your whole life if you remain in the area), and I am not sure if this is the way it was in the early church. Sometimes people want to attend different churches to learn different perspectives and grow, and personally I do not think we should raise our eyebrows over this.

I also think giving a tithe may produce feelings of pride, which is what I experienced. (I gave 8% post tax at my peak, so not quite a tithe). I was working towards 10%, and then I told myself I could pat myself on my back as it would be a huge accomplishment.

 

[TabinRivCA]

Must we take all our tithes to the church or we can send to our spiritual leaders? or we can help in support organizations and widows and orphans?
Kindly help me on this

I don't think there are rules but it would make sense to support a church one goes to. I split 80% of my tithes between 2 churches I go to online and in person. Then I have a few causes I rotate giving to with the rest. I try to keep food & water in my car for the homeless and always can spare a couple bucks. It is really a blessing plus I feel I'm honoring God by offering something in return for all He does for my family.

 

[TheIndianGirl]

I split 80% of my tithes between 2 churches I go to online and in person. Then I have a few causes I rotate giving to with the rest. I try to keep food & water in my car for the homeless and always can spare a couple bucks.

Yes, this is how I believe giving should be done, but most/virtually all pastors would disagree (at least in my experience). They say you have to give 10% to the congregation, anything extra to other causes. I once went to a Christian conference, and during giving time, was also told don't give unless we have already given 10% to our church.

 

[Diakonos]

most pastors get a paycheck

I could say a lot reguarding this comment. But instead, how about you read this and connect the dots yourself

“The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double price, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “you shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”” (1 Timothy 5:17–18)​

“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” (Philippians 4:15–18)
​

(1 Cor 9)

This principle of amply supplying our spiritual leaders (elders) can cause hindrances in the minds of some because they assume pastors do their work for the wrong reason, but it is absolutely Biblical.
To put it concisely, elders should never ask to be amply paid, but they also shouldn't have to.

If a church fellowship is healthy and thriving, the elders are biblically qualified. So they are men of truth, passionate, caring for the flock, good stewards, holy, etc. They are worthy of the double price. Healthy churches are generous churches ("God loves a generous giver"). When the people are generous, it is not difficult to amply pay the elders with plenty left over to give to the needy and other ministries. When we pay them well, it enables them to do what they're called to do full-time. And that is the most profitable thing for you and I and the rest of the body in the local confregation.

 

[Sudakar]

To pay the penalty for sin.

Haven't all humans committed the sin of violating God's command in Genesis 2:17? Isn't that the reason why Jesus had to pay the penalty?

 

[Diakonos]

The act of tithing feels very rigid to me because:
1) you have to give on a scheduled basis (first Sunday of the month)
2) you have to give a preset amount to the dollar and cent (or more) (10%)
3) you have to give to a specific group (your congregation)
4) you have to commit to a specific congregation (going to multiple churches for various purposes (for ex. Bible study at one church, Sunday service at another church, alternating churches, etc.) is frowned upon and feels adulterous). If you start attending another church, they too may expect a tithe soon. Tithing makes you commit to a specific congregation (essentially for your whole life if you remain in the area), and I am not sure if this is the way it was in the early church. Sometimes people want to attend different churches to learn different perspectives and grow, and personally I do not think we should raise our eyebrows over this.

I also think giving a tithe may produce feelings of pride, which is what I experienced. (I gave 8% post tax at my peak, so not quite a tithe). I was working towards 10%, and then I told myself I could pat myself on my back as it would be a huge accomplishment.

It may take a while to find a healthy, Bible-believing church. But once you find a fruitful congregation, it is healthy for you to stay put for a while and commit yourself to those people. After that, tithing will make more sense because you will see what the tithes are contributing to.

Tithing increases your faith because with every paycheck you are acknowledging God's provision (and ownership) with your first fruits. When you tithe, you support your spiritual leaders, ministries, and associated missionaries. When you tithe, mammon's grip is loosened and God's blessing overflows. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

And most importantly, tithing is not required, it is welcomed. It is not an issue of law; it is an issue of faith.

 

[Sudakar]

It may take a while to find a healthy, Bible-believing church. But once you find a fruitful congregation, it is healthy for you to stay put for a while and commit yourself to those people. After that, tithing will make more sense because you will see what the tithes are contributing to.

Tithing increases your faith because with every paycheck you are acknowledging God's provision (and ownership) with your first fruits. When you tithe, you support your spiritual leaders, ministries, and associated missionaries. When you tithe, mammon's grip is loosened and God's blessing overflows. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Bible believing church? Which church teaches people to confess the sin of violating God's command in Genesis 2:17 & choosing the forbidden knowledge of good and evil?

 

[TheIndianGirl]

When you tithe, mammon's grip is loosened and God's blessing overflows. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

I don't think you have to specifically "tithe". I think you can give in various ways, including to the church, but also to other causes Christian and not (charity, animals, etc.). Like, if one year I want to give a lot of my "tithe" to hurricane victims, I should be able to do that.