Does Tithing bring Material Abundance per Mal 3:10? 100 Bible Verses on Tithing.

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Nov 26, 2021
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So, Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let's discuss this issue. In Mal 3:10-11, it is promised: "10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts."

Now, apart from the technical issue of whether, in the New Testament, Christians are still obliged to give 10% (which those who answer yes, generally appeal to examples that predate the Law of Moses, like Abraham tithing Melchizedek, and Jacob's tithing to God etc), does this Verse contain a Promise of Material Abundance ("if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing") that still applies? What is your belief on that, dear friends, and what has been your experience on the subject of tithing, in your walk with the Lord?

Here is an article which has compiled and contains about 100 Bible Verses on Tithing for us to study the subject further: https://get.tithe.ly/blog/106-bible-scriptures-about-giving

"Old Testament scriptures on tithing in the bible
  1. Genesis 28:20–22: (Jacob offers a tithe) Jacob made a vow (to God), "If God will be with me and will watch over me…all that You give me I will give You a tenth.”
  2. Exodus 35:21: Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work.
  3. Exodus 35:22: All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD.
  4. Leviticus 27:30: (The tithe is introduced into law) A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
  5. Leviticus 27:32: The entire tithe of the herd and flock-- every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod-- will be holy to the LORD.
  6. Numbers 18:21: I give to the Levites (ministers) all the tithes…in return for the work they do while serving (the Lord).
  7. Numbers 18:26: (The Levites tithe) Moreover, you shall speak and say to the Levites, “When you take from the people of Israel the tithe that I have given you from them for your inheritance, then you shall present a contribution from it to the Lord, a tithe of the tithe.”
  8. Deuteronomy 14:22–23: You shall tithe all the yield of your seed that comes from the field year by year. And before the Lord your God, in the place that he will choose, to make his name dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always.
  9. Deuteronomy 14:27–29: At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.
  10. Amos 4:4–5: (God requires more than the tithe) “Come to Bethel, and transgress; to Gilgal, and multiply transgression; bring your sacrifices every morning, your tithes every three days; offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving of that which is leavened, and proclaim freewill offerings, publish them; for so you love to do, O people of Israel!” declares the Lord God.
  11. 2 Chronicles 31:4–5: And he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the Law of the Lord. As soon as the command was spread abroad, the people of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything.
  12. 2 Chronicles 31:12: God’s people faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes and dedicated gifts.
  13. Nehemiah 12:43–44: (God’s people) offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing…could be heard far away. Men were appointed to be in charge of the storerooms for the contributions, first fruits and tithes.
  14. Nehemiah 12:47: All (of God’s people) contributed the daily portions for the singers, gatekeepers…Levites (ministers).
  15. Nehemiah 13:11–12: I rebuked the officials and asked them, "Why is the house of God neglected?" Then I called them together and stationed them at their posts. All (God’s people) brought the tithes…into the storerooms.
  16. Malachi 3:7–9: Return to me, and I will return to you," says the LORD Almighty. "But you ask, 'How are we to return?' "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. "But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-- the whole nation of you-- because you are robbing me.
  17. Malachi 3:11–12: (God says to those who bring him tithes and offerings) “I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land.”
  18. 1 Kings 17:13, 8–16: Elijah said to (the starving widow woman), "Don't be afraid…first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry’…She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.
  19. Exodus 36:3–6: The people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. So all the skilled craftsmen who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left their work and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done." Then Moses gave an order…"No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more.
  20. Malachi 1:6–7: "A son honors his father, a servant honors his master. I am your Father and Master, yet you don't honor me…you despise my name." "Who? Us?" you say. "When did we ever despise your name?" "When you offer polluted sacrifices on my altar." "Polluted sacrifices? When have we ever done a thing like that?" "Every time you say, 'Don't bother bringing anything very valuable to offer to God!'”
  21. Malachi 1:8–10: (God’s ministers tell people) 'Lame animals are all right to offer on the altar of the Lord-- yes, even the sick and the blind ones.' And you claim this isn't evil? Try it on your governor sometime-- give him gifts like that-- and see how pleased he is!… I have no pleasure in you," says the Lord Almighty, "and I will not accept your offerings.”
  22. Malachi 1:11: “My name will be honored…from morning till night. All around the world people will offer…pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name shall be great among the nations," says the Lord Almighty.
  23. Malachi 1:12–13: (Ministers dishonor God by telling people) God’s altar is not important and encouraging people to bring cheap, sick animals to offer to God. "You say, 'Oh, it's too difficult to serve the Lord and do what he asks.' And you turn up your noses at the rules he has given you to obey. Think of it! Stolen animals, lame and sick-- as offerings to God! Should I accept such offerings as these?" asks the Lord.
  24. Malachi 1:14: “Cursed is that man who promises a fine ram from his flock and substitutes a sick one to sacrifice to God. For I am a Great King," says the Lord Almighty, "and my name is to be mightily revered among the people of the world."
  25. Haggai 1:4: "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while (God’s) house remains a ruin?"
  26. Haggai 1:5–8: This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it." This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways…build (My) house…so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored.”
  27. Haggai 1:9–11: "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."
  28. Proverbs 3:9–10: Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
  29. Proverbs 18:9: One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.
  30. Proverbs 28:22: A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him.
  31. Proverbs 28:27: He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.
 
Nov 26, 2021
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[article continued with list of Bible Citations]

  1. 1 Chronicles 29:2–3: (King David said to God’s people) “With all my resources I have provided for the temple of my God—gold…silver…bronze…iron…wood…onyx…turquoise…all kinds of fine stone and marble-- all of these in large quantities. In my devotion to the temple of my God I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God, over and above everything I have provided.
  2. 1 Chronicles 29:5–8: (King David said to the leaders) “Who is willing to consecrate himself today to the LORD?" Then the leaders of families…officers…commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds…and the officials…gave willingly. They gave toward the work on the temple of God gold…silver…bronze…iron. Any who had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the temple of the LORD.
  3. 1 Chronicles 29:9: The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
  4. 1 Chronicles 29:11–12: Everything in heaven and earth is Yours, O LORD. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
  5. 1 Chronicles 29:13–14: (David prayed to God) “God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name. "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”
  6. 1 Chronicles 29:16: LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you.
  7. I Chronicles 29:17: (David prayed to God) “I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these (offerings) I have given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.”
  8. Ezra 2:68–69: Families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God. According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work.
  9. Deuteronomy 28:12: The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.
  10. Psalm 50:10: Every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills…the creatures of the field are mine… the world is mine, and all that is in it.
  11. Deuteronomy 8:18: Remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth.
  12. Deuteronomy 16:10: Celebrate the Feast of Weeks to the LORD your God by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the LORD your God has given you.
  13. Deuteronomy 16:16: No man should appear before the LORD empty-handed.
  14. Deuteronomy 16:17: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.
  15. Isaiah 32:8: The noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.
Tithing in the New Testament
Many people know the old testament references to tithing, but what does the bible say about paying tithes in the New Testament? Is tithing in the New Testament, or was it a concept only found in the Old Testament? Let’s take a look at the following New Testament scriptures.

  1. Matthew 23:23: "Woe to you, teachers of the law…You give a tenth…But you have neglected the more important matters-- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
  2. Luke 6:38: If you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give-- large or small-- will be used to measure what is given back to you.
  3. Luke 6:38: Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
  4. Luke 18:9–14: He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
  5. Matthew 6:1–4: Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
  6. 2 Corinthians 8:2–2: Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
  7. 2 Corinthians 8:5: They gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.
  8. 2 Corinthians 8:7: Just as you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-- see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
  9. 2 Corinthians 8:10–11: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.
  10. 2 Corinthians 8:12: If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
  11. 2 Corinthians 8:20–21: We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.
 
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"
  1. 2 Corinthians 9:5: I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given.
  2. 2 Corinthians 9:6: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
  3. 2 Corinthians 9:7: Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
  4. 2 Corinthians 9:8: God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
  5. 2 Corinthians 9:10: Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
  6. 2 Corinthians 9:11: You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
  7. 2 Corinthians 9:12: This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God.
  8. 2 Corinthians 9:13: Men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
  9. Matthew 6:26: Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
  10. Matthew 6:27–31: Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
  11. Matthew 6:33–34: Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (food, clothing, drink) will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
  12. Mark 12:41–44: Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-- all she had to live on."
  13. 1 Corinthians 16:2: On every Lord's Day each of you should put aside something from what you have earned during the week, and use it for this offering. The amount depends on how much the Lord has helped you earn.
  14. 1 Timothy 6:6–8: Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
  15. 1 Timothy 6:9: People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.
  16. 1 Timothy 6:17–19: Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
  17. Matthew 6:19–21: (Jesus said) "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
  18. Matthew 6:21: Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
  19. Hebrews 6:10: God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.
  20. Acts 2:44–45: All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
  21. Romans 12:13: Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
  22. Hebrews 13:16: Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
  23. Hebrews 7:1–2: For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.
  24. I John 3:17: If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?
  25. Luke 18:22–25: When Jesus heard this, he said to the rich young ruler, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
  26. Luke 11:42: But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.
  27. Galatians 6:6:Those who are taught the Word of God should help their teachers by paying them.
  28. Galatians 6:6: Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
  29. Matthew 25:35–40: I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?’…"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
  30. Acts 20:35: (Remember Jesus’ words when he said) “It is more blessed to give than to receive.
Living a generous life
Tithing was used by God in the Old Testament to take care of his people. Today, Christ works through your offerings to advance his kingdom and bless others. To participate in Christ's work, it’s essential to live a generous life.

A generous life includes serving with your time and talents. But for the sake of this post, let’s talk about three ways you can become a generous giver:

  • Study the Bible
  • Pray about your situation
  • Seek counsel
To live for Christ, you have to know what Christ asks of you.

To do this, you have to study the Bible. When it comes to a generous life, it’s essential to study these topics:

Studying these topics is the foundation of living a generous life for Christ.

After studying the Bible, the second best thing to do is to pray about your situation. Praying through what you’ve studied is one of the best ways you can receive guidance in your life from Christ. He will guide you through his Word, and give you the grace you need to live a generous life.

Even though you have to take personal responsibility for your life, Christ doesn’t call you to do it alone. He invites you to seek counsel in your life.

When it comes to your finances and your thoughts around tithing in the bible, getting advice from a friend, pastor, or financial advisor can make a significant difference. Someone looking at your situation from the outside can provide new insight or confirm what you’re already thinking.

These three principles work best together, and as you strive to live a generous life, they will point you in the right direction.

Over to you
Let me leave you with this parting word: Be generous like Jesus was generous.

Regardless of what you decide to believe about tithing, my hope is that you’ll model Jesus’ generosity—and not get hung up on the theological minutia.

As a Christian, your goal is to be like Jesus.

Jesus modeled a generous life, and he calls you to reflect his generosity.

In the words of the Apostle John:

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which [Jesus] walked” (1 John 2:6).

Today, I encourage you to follow in the footsteps of your savior and live a generous life."

God Bless.
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
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#4
Regarding the question in the OP.....first part:

Tithing may or may not bring a person material wealth through the blessing of God. However, any person who tithes JUST to receive materlal wealth WILL NOT be blessed by God, for their tithe is NOT from a good heart.

Scripture says to not seek your own treasure but seek anothers gain.........


We DIE to SELF......right?

well, we are suppose to anyway...

People who teach material wealth "name it, claim it" ideology are false teachers IMO.

The Catholic Religion is a perfect example of how we are NOT to serve God.
 

JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
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#5
Giving is an extension of a natural reaction to living a life of gratitude.

God's kids are givers and not takers. That's just how it is.

However, the whole "shrewd as serpents but gentle as doves" means that God's kids are going to be discerning when giving. They do not want to support wickedness.

But God's kids don't run about the streets begging for food either. They may not be rich but they aren't impoverished either.

Having "more than enough" vs "never enough" is a very odd line. I'm not exactly sure where that line is. I let God figure that one out because I know that I don't....but I always seem to have more than enough...and I don't know why.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
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#6
Does Tithing bring Material Abundance per Mal 3:10?
The answer is "Yes" for preachers of the Prosperity Gospel and "No" for those who support them. Christian giving is not the same as tithing, and it is quite unfortunate that so many evangelical and fundamentalist preachers have failed to make this distinction.
 

JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
5,628
2,212
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#7
The answer is "Yes" for preachers of the Prosperity Gospel and "No" for those who support them. Christian giving is not the same as tithing, and it is quite unfortunate that so many evangelical and fundamentalist preachers have failed to make this distinction.
I've always wondered about those who preach that "tithing is the training wheels of giving".

As if it's something that people can learn.
Can people learn to have an attitude that creates a lifestyle?

I don't know that it can be learned...

You can teach people behaviors that provide a more comfortable manner to live. Like "don't touch the glowing thing on the stove....you won't like the outcome"
That's easy enough....
But now "depriving yourself of resources leads to happiness " is much much harder. I'd dare say impossible.

Gratitude for what we have been given is a whole mindset that I don't know how people learn it much less teach it.

People know how to suck up to the boss at work to curry favor....but this is not the same thing.

So how do we teach people to be grateful?
(Especially when so many feel entitled or that they deserve "more".)
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#8
Tithing in the New Testament
There are exactly four references in the New Testament to tithing. These are

Matthew 23:23: "Woe to you, teachers of the law…You give a tenth…But you have neglected the more important matters-- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

Luke 11:42: But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, and neglect justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.

Luke 18:9–14: He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Hebrews 7:1–2: For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.

The rest of the references quoted in the article are about giving and generosity. Conflate these concepts, and you get compulsion. Our giving is not to be under compulsion. Christians are not under any command, instruction, requirement, compulsion, or recommendation to "tithe".
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#9
So, Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let's discuss this issue. In Mal 3:10-11, it is promised: "10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts."

This was spoken to the priests in ancient Israel, not to the Christian church or to individual Christians.

Now, apart from the technical issue of whether, in the New Testament, Christians are still obliged to give 10% (which those who answer yes, generally appeal to examples that predate the Law of Moses, like Abraham tithing Melchizedek, and Jacob's tithing to God etc),
Abram tithed of war spoils, not income.

Jacob promised to tithe, but there is no record that he fulfilled his promise even once.

does this Verse contain a Promise of Material Abundance ("if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing") that still applies?
No. A promise given to the nation of Israel cannot be ripped from its context and applied to the Christian with any expectation that God will honour it. Israel was under the requirement of LAW to bring tithes. Christians aren't.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
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#10
This was spoken to the priests in ancient Israel, not to the Christian church or to individual Christians.


Abram tithed of war spoils, not income.

Jacob promised to tithe, but there is no record that he fulfilled his promise even once.


No. A promise given to the nation of Israel cannot be ripped from its context and applied to the Christian with any expectation that God will honour it. Israel was under the requirement of LAW to bring tithes. Christians aren't.
God spoke truth to Israel, that truth was the same truth for anyone who would listen. God addressed Israel who would listen, but the truth was not changed by who God addressed.

In the old testament, God spoke to man through symbols, using the flesh and material things. Forgiveness was given through blood that was a symbol of Christ's blood. Law was written down on stones that were material. Rewards for obedience were fleshly rewards, symbolic of the spiritual rewards. When Christ came he brought the communication of God directly to our hearts. Law changed from the letter of the law to the spirit of the law.

It was the same law, as Christ explained in the first verses of Matthew 5, but it was obeyed and rewarded by the spirit. The rest of chapter 5 explains how the law in our hearts changed the law in stone, telling of how murder, adultery,divorce, oaths, and an eye for an eye was now different.
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
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#11
Tithing is a powerful act of Agape for God ------by tithing we are saying that God is first and foremost in our lives and that we trust His word ===All money belongs to God not us and by giving God the tithe you are in fact showing humility and giving thanks for all that God has given you ------which is way more than what your tithing -----all God is asking for is 10 of your dollar ----90 cents is yours -----we deserve nothing from God ----but God in His Mercy and Grace gives us what we need to survive in this physical world ----and so everything we have belongs to God not us ------

God has promised to His Children that when we tithe we WILL BE BLESSED -------Job was blessed both spiritually and materially and so was Abraham as were many others in the scriptures -----so the Blessing God promises to pour out and He says --TEST ME ON THIS -----is both spiritual and material -------

God has not a problem with Blessing people with His money as long as they use it to further and grow His Kingdom ------we are not to store up money for our own use ----we are Blessed financially to be a Blessing to others ----


So PAY ATTENTION to these verses -------3-4--verse -8 which says God will Bless what ever you put your hands to ----so your job is blessed ====whether it be farming ---retail ----or whatever job your doing ---you will use your hands -----and verse 11 uses the big word most people dread to hear and don't believe in which is Prosperity ----God Promises -----abundant Prosperity ---live life to the full till it overflows ---and the overflow is for others not you -----



Deuteronomy 28 gives you all the Blessings for obedience-----these Blessings are in effect for today when we obey God ----ans trust in Him ------

Deuteronomy 281If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth

.2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:

3You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

4The fruit of your womb will be blessed, and the crops of your land and the young of your livestock--the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks.

5 Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed.

6 You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.

7The LORD will grant that the enemies who rise up against you will be defeated before you. They will come at you from one direction but flee from you in seven.

8The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The LORD your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.

9The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in his ways.

10 Then all the peoples on earth will see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they will fear you.

11The LORD will grant you abundant prosperity--in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your ground--in the land he swore to your forefathers to give you.

12 The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none.

13The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.

KJV Dictionary
bless
BLESS, v.t. pret. and ppr. blessed or blest.
To make happy; to make successful; to prosper in temporal concerns; as, we are blest with peace and plenty.

KJV Dictionary ---
PROS'PER, v.i. To be successful; to succeed.

The Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. Gen.39.
prospering
PROS'PERING, ppr. Rendering successful; advancing in growth, wealth or any good.

prosperity
PROSPER'ITY, n. L. prosperitas. Advance or gain in any thing good or desirable; successful progress in any business or enterprise; success; attainment of the object desired; as the prosperity of arts; agricultural or commercial prosperity; national prosperity.
 
P

pottersclay

Guest
#12
Regarding the question in the OP.....first part:

Tithing may or may not bring a person material wealth through the blessing of God. However, any person who tithes JUST to receive materlal wealth WILL NOT be blessed by God, for their tithe is NOT from a good heart.

Scripture says to not seek your own treasure but seek anothers gain.........


We DIE to SELF......right?

well, we are suppose to anyway...

People who teach material wealth "name it, claim it" ideology are false teachers IMO.

The Catholic Religion is a perfect example of how we are NOT to serve God.
I disagree the Lord says test me and see that its so.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,721
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#13
God spoke truth to Israel, that truth was the same truth for anyone who would listen. God addressed Israel who would listen, but the truth was not changed by who God addressed.

In the old testament, God spoke to man through symbols, using the flesh and material things. Forgiveness was given through blood that was a symbol of Christ's blood. Law was written down on stones that were material. Rewards for obedience were fleshly rewards, symbolic of the spiritual rewards. When Christ came he brought the communication of God directly to our hearts. Law changed from the letter of the law to the spirit of the law.

It was the same law, as Christ explained in the first verses of Matthew 5, but it was obeyed and rewarded by the spirit. The rest of chapter 5 explains how the law in our hearts changed the law in stone, telling of how murder, adultery,divorce, oaths, and an eye for an eye was now different.
The truth of the Mosaic Law that was given to Israel was NOT given also to the Gentiles. God had a certain specific role for Israel which was NOT the role given to the Gentiles. The Church is not ancient Israel; let's not confuse what was given to them with what was given to us.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
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#14
The truth of the Mosaic Law that was given to Israel was NOT given also to the Gentiles. God had a certain specific role for Israel which was NOT the role given to the Gentiles. The Church is not ancient Israel; let's not confuse what was given to them with what was given to us.
God gives truth, and that truth is true for gentiles and for Jews.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#15
God gives truth, and that truth is true for gentiles and for Jews.
That's too simplistic.

God gave specific truths to the Jews, for the Jews to follow. Those truths are there for us to learn, but not to follow.

God gave specific truths to individuals, which He does not expect other individuals to follow. Again, God intends us to learn from all Scripture, but not necessarily to follow it.

God gave specific truths to the Church, which He did not expect ancient Jews to follow... indeed, they couldn't because they did not have God's Spirit.
 

Beckie

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2022
2,516
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#16
Kinda complicated IMO.. Must Christians tithe NO Should Christians tithe IDK. Should Christians give YES. To my understanding tithing is like taxes. It is not a freewill offering tithing was an obligation .
The widow here did more then tithe, she gave all. 1 tenth of 2 mites is what? IDK
Mar 12:43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
Mar 12:44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

As a PK i know Joe Pew should support his local church if he wants a church to attend. Churches need heat, todays folks need air conditioning . The building may need repairs. There are ways to support the local church. Time spent to wash the windows sweep the floor. Some one needs to clean the bathrooms. In todays world insurance needs to be paid, utilities , Does Joe Pew want a pastor who is full time or one that has a second job that provides the paycheck? ... In his later years Dad would get up early start the fire, go fishing in season then hold Sunday morning service. The fish were cleaned and given to some one in need.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
24,721
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#17
Kinda complicated IMO.. Must Christians tithe NO Should Christians tithe IDK. Should Christians give YES. To my understanding tithing is like taxes. It is not a freewill offering tithing was an obligation .
Exactly. So many people, the OP included, conflate giving with tithing... which has no basis in Scripture.
 

JohnDB

Well-known member
Jan 16, 2021
5,628
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#18
Then there's the other side of the coin....

It's not good to give any single church organization too much money....they invariably do bad/wrong things.

Just as an example the number one type of organization that suffers from imbezzlement are churches.

Then you have churches doing ignorant things that end up causing harm....like the church that built a hospital when one wasn't needed....the end result was that all the hospitals in the area went bankrupt...including the one that the Church built.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
24,485
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#19
God gives truth, and that truth is true for gentiles and for Jews.
So what you are saying is that the New Covenant is meaningless. That Christ died and rose again for nothing.
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,597
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#20
Interesting read

https://ofhsoupkitchen.org/four-types-giving-according-bible

The Four Types Of Giving According To The Bible
Here are the four types of giving according to the Bible:

1. Tithes
Tithes often get confused with offerings, but both are very different from each other.

According to the Bible, tithes are 10% of your income (Leviticus 27:30), and it can’t count as an offering. Anything you give more than the required tithe is what counts as an offering.

Remember that the land and all its fruits were given by God. It’s our way of recognizing Him as the provider of all things.

But tithes are more than an act of recognition. It’s also a way of giving thanks for all the blessings that you are receiving. All your income came from God. So, you can think of the tithe as a way of giving back in gratitude for what we received.

Tithing was mentioned in the Bible a couple of times. But the first act of tithing was done by Abraham. He just came from battle and was met by the Priest/King Melchizedek who attributed his victory to God and blessed him for it. Then Abraham gave him a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:19-20).

Though tithing was commanded in the Old Testament, the New Testament tells us that we should not neglect the weightier issues. Yes, it’s good to offer a portion of our income to God but we should not forget to offer justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23). These should go hand in hand. We can’t practice one while neglecting the other.

2. The Seed or Offerings
As mentioned, offerings differ from tithes. Unlike tithing, which has a required amount of how much you should give, offerings are more of a free will. It’s up to you how much seed you want to give.

Although the more you give, the more you will receive (Luke 6:38). Think of it as the more seeds you sow, the more plants you can harvest.

So where should you give your offerings or plant your seed? The Bible says that the source of your spiritual food should receive your offerings (1 Corinthians 9:11).

3. The First Fruits
The first fruits are usually done once a year or for every new blessing that you receive (Deuteronomy 14:22).

For example, the house of God should receive the full amount of your first salary that you get from your new job. An increase in your salary should also be given to your spiritual storehouse.

Any new blessings that you receive count as a first fruit, so all these should be offered to God (Proverbs 3:9).

Giving your first fruits once a year will show how grateful you are for the blessings that you received from Him.

4. Alms-giving
Unlike those three types of giving above which you should give to God, alms are for humankind. Your compassion and sympathy will lead you to help the less fortunate and the needy.

There are many ways on how you can give alms. There are lots of soup kitchens out there that help the less fortunate where you can donate food, clothes, and even some cash.

Although most people do alms-giving, many do it the wrong way.

In the Bible, it says that you should give alms in secret so you can protect the dignity of those who are in crisis. Many are helping others but are bragging about it as well.

All of us can help the needy, but only a few can help others with the purest of intentions.

When you practice all these types of giving, then you can have your financial life under control. But remember, you need to have the right intentions and motivations when giving.

Your heart should be pure when doing such selfless acts and God will bestow more blessings upon you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Paul has this to say in the New Testament about setting aside some from your income -----

1 Corinthians 16:2
CEB
On the first day of the week, each of you should set aside whatever you can afford from what you earn so that the collection won’t be delayed until I come.