Are Christians obligated to tithe?

[posthuman]

Christ supersedes any other writer of the N.T. and He said...

Luk 11:42 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.

Paul concurred, see post #49. Now if Paul chose not to take tithes, that was his choice but the weight of scripture establishes tithing.

i've made a lot of posts on this forum
why don't you just PM me and i'll get you a bill, and a paypal account where you can "tithe" to me.

not because i command you - but since you think it's commanded of you, you know, and i wouldn't want to cause you to stumble.

 

[Viligant_Warrior]

To the OP, and to those doubters of our responsibility to support the local church:

The tithe is not specifically supported in the New Testament, but there is nonetheless ample support for giving to the local church for the payment to the pastor, and for the continuing works of the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 16, NASB
2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

1 Timothy 5
18 For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

2 Corinthians 9
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ​

I believe the Old Testament tithe is an excellent guide for minimum giving, but young people just starting out, singly or in marriage, may struggle with meeting that level of obligation, and it isn't to be an "obligation" at any rate. Give what is comfortable, give cheerfully, and give as you believe God has led you. But give. Of the necessity to do so, there is no doubt.

 

[JesusLives]

Since I enjoy a certain amount of anonymity on this board, let me recount a true occurrence from many years ago...

My wife and I got married and were just starting out and didn't have the proverbial pot or the window to throw it out of. After paying the tithe for that pay period, I didn't have the money for a house payment and had no way to get it, so I thought I better go and talk to the lender. I got there, went in and explained my predicament to person. He looked at my file and the answer he gave me nearly caused me to vapor-lock. Mr. ******** he said, you are paid up and not due.

The only explanation I have for this is...

Mal 3:10 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.
Mal 3:11 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.

I know what you are talking about I needed money really bad one time not knowing where it was going to come from and my electric deposit refunded to me happens to appear just in time. I called and asked them about it and they said oh you have paid your bill on time for two years so we don't need to hold a deposit on your account anymore. It was a large amount of money and I felt as if God had sent the money via angel just in time.... He is always that way I don't know why I have worried so much in my life it is a waste of time and energy. God always comes through sometimes at the very last moment but His timing is perfect. My patience not so much.....perfect that is....lol

 

[seed_time_harvest]

GOD does not need our money but he likes a cheerful giver and its not the gift but the reason behind why you gave.

 

[Viligant_Warrior]

GOD does not need our money ...

And yet He told Moses to collect the riches Israel has looted from Egypt in order to build the Tabernacle. Go figure.

 

[john832]

i've made a lot of posts on this forum
why don't you just PM me and i'll get you a bill, and a paypal account where you can "tithe" to me.

not because i command you - but since you think it's commanded of you, you know, and i wouldn't want to cause you to stumble.

As I said elsewhere, I prefer to send my tithe to someone preaching the truth of God, not their own opinion.

 

[john832]

To the OP, and to those doubters of our responsibility to support the local church:

The tithe is not specifically supported in the New Testament, but there is nonetheless ample support for giving to the local church for the payment to the pastor, and for the continuing works of the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 16, NASB
2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

1 Timothy 5
18 For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

2 Corinthians 9
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.​

I believe the Old Testament tithe is an excellent guide for minimum giving, but young people just starting out, singly or in marriage, may struggle with meeting that level of obligation, and it isn't to be an "obligation" at any rate. Give what is comfortable, give cheerfully, and give as you believe God has led you. But give. Of the necessity to do so, there is no doubt.

Very good points!

I do believe that tithing is an act of faith...

2Co 9:7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
2Co 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

Seems funny to me, I am called a legalist and those who call themselves the grace and faith crowd are the ones who seem unable to trust God to meet their needs if they tithe. Go figure.

 

[john832]

GOD does not need our money but he likes a cheerful giver and its not the gift but the reason behind why you gave.

God does not need anything from us...

Hag 2:8 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts.

We need to tithe to develop faith and understanding about this...

Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

 

[tourist]

Since I enjoy a certain amount of anonymity on this board, let me recount a true occurrence from many years ago...

My wife and I got married and were just starting out and didn't have the proverbial pot or the window to throw it out of. After paying the tithe for that pay period, I didn't have the money for a house payment and had no way to get it, so I thought I better go and talk to the lender. I got there, went in and explained my predicament to person. He looked at my file and the answer he gave me nearly caused me to vapor-lock. Mr. ******** he said, you are paid up and not due.

The only explanation I have for this is...

Mal 3:10 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.
Mal 3:11 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 is a wonderful testament on the principals of tithing and an inspiration to others to consider this important biblical principle. They will be blessed for having done so, perhaps not in a monetary blessing, although that is indeed possible, but in a spiritual blessing storing up treasure in heaven.

 

[seed_time_harvest]

And yet He told Moses to collect the riches Israel has looted from Egypt in order to build the Tabernacle. Go figure.

I stick by what I said.
I st

 

[Patnubay]

Will they be cursed if they don't?

Please provide biblical support for your answer.

The fact that you are asking and needing a proof simply mean you shouldn't ( tithe ) . One should be a cheerful giver. Whatever your heart says, in my opinion, you should follow.

 

[posthuman]

As I said elsewhere, I prefer to send my tithe to someone preaching the truth of God, not their own opinion.

suddenly "tithing" is no longer a law but a matter of your preference, when you are put to the test, is that it?

 

[clittle]

God does not need anything from us...

Hag 2:8 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the LORD of hosts.

We need to tithe to develop faith and understanding about this...

Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

this is terrible.
you need to give money to men to develop faith to believe God will provide for you.
i pray the Lord forgives your corruption of matthew - 6

 

[Word_Swordsman]

To the OP, and to those doubters of our responsibility to support the local church:

The tithe is not specifically supported in the New Testament, but there is nonetheless ample support for giving to the local church for the payment to the pastor, and for the continuing works of the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 16, NASB
2 On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.

1 Timothy 5
18 For the Scripture says, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING," and "The laborer is worthy of his wages."

2 Corinthians 9
7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.​

I believe the Old Testament tithe is an excellent guide for minimum giving, but young people just starting out, singly or in marriage, may struggle with meeting that level of obligation, and it isn't to be an "obligation" at any rate. Give what is comfortable, give cheerfully, and give as you believe God has led you. But give. Of the necessity to do so, there is no doubt.

Is "comfortable" a matter of faith? If not, it is sin. Romans 14:23 (KJV)
[SUP]23 [/SUP] And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Anyone is probably far more innocent to just keep their money in their pocket, rather than make an appearance of pleasing God with a tip to him.

As for me, I have read enough just from Hebrews 7 to understand the importance of submitting what belongs to God to God. What is owed to Hi goes back in history beyond the Law to Abraham, who had nothing to do with the law of Moses. He tithed to Melchizedek, making that man greater than Abraham.

If mortal men of the family of Aaron and his sons could be sanctioned by God to be priests and receive tithes, according to Heb 7 our eternal High Priest Jesus deserves no less, who still collects tithes. That is given to support the concept of supporting his gospel on earth. In the same way the priests and Levites in general, who were forbidden to own land, who had to be sustained by the other tribes, so should ministries of Jesus' priesthood here on earth be supported. THere is no alternative that is supported in scriptures.

In the matter of free-will offerings, a wholly different topic, of course that is linked to "comfortable" and gladness of heart that one is doing something good.

I will say I have witnessed hundreds of people coming to the church for financial help, all related to refusal to tithe. There simply is no scriptural promise of financial blessing without tithing. Giving an offering without yielding the tithe in effect requires "giving" the offering out of what should be the tithe. That's like "giving" the Red Cross a donation while not paying a creditor his monthly due. That makes the creditor (your landlord) the donor against his will.

Whatever you "donate" aside from what the 10% tithe was to be, but not payed, is all cursed as far as God is concerned. It is not testing God as the prophet Malachi said, but an offering from a robber of God, giving what the robber has robbed, not what the robber was blessed with.

Want to be blessed? Stop robbing God of the tithe. Help support a local ministry of the gospel. Then be blessed enough to give offerings according to your blessings after the tithe. Those combined principles propel the believer into the exciting economic system of the Kingdom of Heaven. The alternative is reliance upon the world system which is lorded over by the Devil, Satan. He will see to it that your wealth, whatever that is, and any investments are taken over by powerful greedy people somewhere up or down your line.

Refusal to tithe is a mark of fear and distrust of God's word. Handing over some of your paycheck is very easy compared to handing a part of your being, your life, over to the Lord. If we can't tithe, how can we be truly submitted to the Lord? If God has no influence over the bank balance, how can we say he is truly welcome as Lord?

High Priest Jesus awaits our tithes. Pay them to the earthly priests in the sanctuary from which you are blessed.

 

[Hizikyah]

Are you saying that nobody has access to the holiest of all on earth, and anyone who claims to is pretending? The high priesthood has such access. We are joint heirs of such access.

Is a man/woman a priest of the Messiah because they sign a denominational membership form and get baptized in to a particular denomanation? My point is there is only one, and the is the body of Messiah, no worldly institution, any worldly institution is forming their own body.

Phillipians 3:20, "But our citizenship is in heaven, out from which we also eagerly wait for our Ruler, Yahshua Messiah the King."

Lamentation 3:41, "Let us lift our hearts along with our hands to Yahweh in heaven."

 

[Ukorin]

Did the Levites tithe?
If we are priests of Christ, and the Church is the fulfillment of the Temple,
and all of us a part of that Temple,
then that Law is for those who are not in Christ. (If anyone in the world is obeying the Law, but not in Christ, we should be expecting checks)

As priests, ALL that we have is for the use and purpose of the Temple (the Church) and a tithe is not needed.
The question we should be asking is: are we working for the building of the Church, or just building a comfortable life.
I'm guilty as any.

 

[Hizikyah]

Did the Levites tithe?
If we are priests of Christ, and the Church is the fulfillment of the Temple,
and all of us a part of that Temple,
then that Law is for those who are not in Christ. (If anyone in the world is obeying the Law, but not in Christ, we should be expecting checks)

As priests, ALL that we have is for the use and purpose of the Temple (the Church) and a tithe is not needed.
The question we should be asking is: are we working for the building of the Church, or just building a comfortable life.
I'm guilty as any.

i know im guilty, but what "church" do we tithe to? have you found one that is the body of Messiah? I have not, all the denominations I have found mix in their own doctrines. The RCC cleaims to be tha "church" it is evident they are not...

I have not figured out how tithing to a religious organization can be considered tithing, the Priest is in the heavens, Yahshua (Jesus) the High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, and any "priests" "pastors" etc, on earth are just pretending, Messiah said we are all brothers and He is the Shepherd. I think giving to those that cant protect them selves is the way to go.

John (Yahchanan) 10:16, "And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be one flock, one Shepherd (4166. poimén)."

 

[Ukorin]

i know im guilty, but what "church" do we tithe to? have you found one that is the body of Messiah? I have not, all the denominations I have found mix in their own doctrines. The RCC cleaims to be tha "church" it is evident they are not...

I think the offerings that we bring should be to specific works and projects,
rather than to specific organizations or denominations.
I think that is what building the Church really looks like. Personal and intentional giving of time, effort, knowledge, and resources. Not a tithe, or 10%, or any percentage... but everything we have to the glory of God; whether through providing for those close to us, including our own families, or sending Bibles and missionaries to foreign lands. Our money and time is not for pleasure or comforts, but for use in glorifying God through His Church.

 

[Tintin]

How do you feel about murder, anyone under that Law?

I think murder is a-okay! What do you think?

 

[Hizikyah]

I think the offerings that we bring should be to specific works and projects,
rather than to specific organizations or denominations.
I think that is what building the Church really looks like. Personal and intentional giving of time, effort, knowledge, and resources. Not a tithe, or 10%, or any percentage... but everything we have to the glory of God; whether through providing for those close to us, including our own families, or sending Bibles and missionaries to foreign lands. Our money and time is not for pleasure or comforts, but for use in glorifying God through His Church.

I agree we are to "present ourselves as living sacrifices" and I agree with the majority of what you say, my stance in saying what I was saying is that people are told they have to or are supposed to give 10% to a denomination, my point is who ordained them? so I cant see giving money to a denotation as tithing, I am for support truth will financial means and to support the will of the Most High fully.