If a congregation passes the collection plate, this is just fine. The minister should be paid for his work, especially if it is a full time service for you are not to muzzle the ox while he treads out the wheat, however Biblical tithing is not mentioned for today otherwise. If anyone reads what tithing involved under the law, they will readily see there is no possibility of tithing today, no Temple, no priesthood, no sacrificing etc.
Let us not distort the use of Old Testament terms to fit our day. If one were truly astute, he could refer to how the first believers gave all to the apostles and all held everything in common, and not even that is possible today without forming another Waco or Guiana, and that is not in the faith at all.
Anyone excusing not giving to their congregation because they pay income taxes is fooling himself. Any tax is paid so as not to offend the collectors while monies for a given congregation are earmarked for the congregation, the preacher and the poor, not necessarily in that order.
As for the minister being paid, he is not to use his position to be wealthy by any means. His means should not exceed the average congregation member, unless he has inherited wealth, but this in itself presents a moral conflict.
Let us not distort the use of Old Testament terms to fit our day. If one were truly astute, he could refer to how the first believers gave all to the apostles and all held everything in common, and not even that is possible today without forming another Waco or Guiana, and that is not in the faith at all.
Anyone excusing not giving to their congregation because they pay income taxes is fooling himself. Any tax is paid so as not to offend the collectors while monies for a given congregation are earmarked for the congregation, the preacher and the poor, not necessarily in that order.
As for the minister being paid, he is not to use his position to be wealthy by any means. His means should not exceed the average congregation member, unless he has inherited wealth, but this in itself presents a moral conflict.