Get Religion has a post in response to a Wall Street Journal article entitled, “The Backlash Against Tithing”.
A few quotations from the WSJ article:
Can you put a price on faith? That is the question churchgoers are asking as the tradition of tithing—giving 10% of your income to the church—is increasingly challenged. Opponents of tithing say it is a misreading of the Bible, a practice created by man, not God. They say they should be free to donate whatever amount they choose, and they are arguing with pastors, writing letters and quitting congregations in protest. In response, some pastors have changed their teaching and rejected what has been a favored form of fund raising for decades.And here’s an interesting quotation from Professor Andreas Kostenberger:
He teaches that if you add up all taxes paid by the ancient Israelites, they exceed 10%, and that in the New Testament there’s no percentage rule. He says pastors perpetuate the 10% figure out of “pragmatism, tradition and ignorance, quite frankly.”I thought this commenter on the GR blog brings up an excellent point, “The real issue is resolved in Romans 12:1 where it is made clear that God will settle for nothing less than 100%.”
So, how much do you tithe? Have you ever attended a church that demanded its members tithe? How do respond to pastors like Rev. John C. Hagee who teaches, “If you obey God and you tithe, God will return it to you 30, 60, 100 fold?”
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November 28, 2007 at 13:28
The word “tithe” actually means 1/10th or 10%.
November 28, 2007 at 13:30
Tithing is clearly spelled out throughout the Bible. There’s Abraham and Melchizedek, then God’s anger in Malachi 3:8 over tithes and offerings. But 10% is not the be all and end all. 10% is a good figure to start with and it is the amount that is supposed to go to your local congregation. If you want your church’s buildings to be nicely kitted out and you want your church’s staff happy, you have to pay for it. Some people say you don’t need to give too much to your church and can make up the 10% with charitable donations, but that’s not really the point. If your church’s leadership team (elders/decons/whatever) think the church has too much money then they can give that money to charity. But as I said, your church needs money for upkeep. Your pastor needs money for petrol and food. Your church’s other ministries need money. Maybe giving to your denomination counts or to local joint denominatonal activities, but 10% should be a target, not a minimum or a maximum. I don’t particularly agree with churches writing to people at the start of the year asking how much they plan to contribute that year though. It may help in planning budgets and expenditure, but the church should not be run solely in business terms.
November 28, 2007 at 13:58
I give a tithe at my church. I am aware that tithing is more an old testament principle than a New Testament one. The Bible says in Corinthians, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” With that said, I give a tithe because I want to from my heart and there is a great need in our small church. I would encourage everyone to give a percentage of your income to God. Whatever it is, give it freely, without obligation and without expecting the 30, 60, 100th fold.
On another note, regarding the article, no member or leader of the church should be “outcasted” for not tithing. Some people have tight budgets and debt and you need to be sensible to that. Because the Word also says, “cursed is the man who does not provide for his family”. And in some families the struggle is, “do I tithe or do I provide for my family”. What do you think the Lord would want us to do?
November 28, 2007 at 14:00
My wife and I started giving 10% when we were first married. Though we had a very modest income (around $14,000), God gave us all we needed and more. As our income increased, we gradually increased our percentage giving. We’re now give 18% and still continue to have an abundance. You can’t out-give God!
November 28, 2007 at 14:53
Study Heb. 7 vs 9-10 Our commandments are in Jesus and have been fulfilled in him as our substitute. End of story!
November 28, 2007 at 14:57
Hey Pistol, Based on what you said, why not give 50% or 75%?
November 28, 2007 at 15:27
I want to ask you all a question related to tithing…should ministers tithe? I do but am often confronted by people wondering if ministers ought to or not. minister or not, i’d give. It’s just a little weird to give back money that is paid by your own tithing to the church…what do you guys think?
November 28, 2007 at 15:56
“Tithe” does mean “10%” in secular dictionaries but in the Bible it is always in the context of FOOD from inside national Israel—-even though money was an essential item for daily use and worship.
Should preachers tithe? Im the first place the first whole tithe in the OT went to the SERVANTS of the priests and the priests only got one tenth of the tithe or 1%. See Num 18:21-29 and Hen 10:37-38. Much of the servant work is done by unpaid deacons today. The priests have been replaced by the priestshood of every believer. The Temple has been replaced by the body of the beleiver. And there is no such thing as the “storehouse” of an assembly because church buildings did not exist for over 200 years after Calvary.
OT priests did not tithe! According to Malachi 1:13-14 they gave vows of freewil offerings (receivd as tithes) and were cursed by God for stealing even that.
Tithig is not taught to the church after Calvary. Equality giving is taught in 2 Cor 8:12-14. The rich give more and the poor give less. There is no percentage. It equals out.
Russell Earl Kelly, PH. D., author of Should the Church Teach Tithing?
November 28, 2007 at 18:05
With respect to Dr. Kelly’s research, I hold to the plain principle that tithing is God’s minimum standard for our giving. Ministers are certainly to be included. If anything, the NT increases God’s expectation for our giving.
As for giving 50% or 75%, that would be a great goal. Word has it that Rick Warren reverse tithes (gives 90%) of his salary back to Saddleback (of course, he has a lot of extra income I doubt gets figured in – though maybe it does). John Wesley certainly gave much more than 10%. He also gave us a good motto – “Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can.”
November 28, 2007 at 18:37
Our local water company is fond of saying, “Water is free, but getting it to you is not.” Well, the gospel is free, but the delivery system isn’t. Even in Biblical times, the Apostle Paul needed funds to do the work of the ministry.
Tithing is just a start. The Israelites also gave offerings. Although my giving is to the local church and various ministries, my heart is focused on the Lord. I’m giving to share His love with those who will otherwise spend eternity in hell.
November 28, 2007 at 19:13
The issue in tithing isn’t the numbers, the issue is for the heart of God.
Why question tithing now? Is it because this society and even Christians are now putting their trust more on their money or savings than on God?
Tithing for me is a practice which shows one’s trust in God. Trusting God and not ourselves.
It is for me similar to the Sabbath when we take time out and leave it all up to God and not to us as if we stop working for a day, the world will stop spinning.
November 28, 2007 at 19:50
John Wesley’s admonition is a good one. It is not a command from God, it is not Scripture, but it is good advice. I don’t know anywhere in the New Testament where tithing is mentioned. The early Christians in Acts gave 100%, property as well as income, and shared all. An orthodox observant rabbi confirms that not only was tithing a command concerning the agricultural produce of the land of Israel, but this has been reinstituted as a practice today, at least by those who are orthodox and observant. It is true that churches cost money, and freewill offerings are needed to pay the bills. How much? Whatever is needed. It is a fine thing to choose from the heart to tithe, but it is not a percentage commanded by God.
November 28, 2007 at 20:44
Pistol Pete, I appreciate your devotion to this practice by why do you say “With respect to Dr. Kelly’s research, I hold to the plain principle that tithing is God’s minimum standard for our giving.” What led you to that conclusion? Even the scripture that Moe quoted, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” refers to a one time gift to a region enduring a famine. I think the closest the post-calvary New Testament gets is to say “a workman is worthy of his hire” and “don’t muzzle the ox”. Tele-evangelists have gone way off the deep end with this seed-sowing business. It’s a great way for those tele-evangelists to rake in the money for their million dollar homes and Rolls Royces. I think the western church has gotten so addicted to spending exorbitant sums of money on extravagant buildings, organs and multi-media. The church of the first 3 centuries would be shocked…they met in homes and public places. I think it’s terrific that people would contribute 10%, 20% or 50%...if they use discretion about where it is going. Pastors and teachers should be paid decent salaries, free will offerings should be taken for various causes and missionaries should be supported. But sometimes I feel weird about what my tithe is actually being spent on. (I have tithed for many years and have begun re-examining it in the last 5 years)
November 28, 2007 at 21:59
I believe that ministers should set the example for the church by tithing.
November 28, 2007 at 22:43
I find it funny to read WSJ quote: “favored form of fund raising for decades”.
I am not giving to Church. I am not giving to charity. I am not giving to support the pastors. The only person I wishes to give to is.. to God. What I mean to say is, while the money may be (and should be) used to support pastor, charity and a host of other things at church, my motivation and desire is to give back to God.
How much should I give back to God? OT and NT traditions seems to be ten percent. Sure, a good rule of thumb to follow. How much should I really aspire to give? Well.. the only law of NT states that I ought to love God with all my soul and strength. I suppose my strength also includes my financial strength. I give back to God, because I love Him. How much should I give is like asking me how much should I love him.
Give as much as you can. Ten percent is cool. Twenty is better. After all, didn’t Joseph instruct the hungry Egyptians to bring back to Pharoah 1/5th of the harvest? And fifty would be even better. Hey, I dream of a day, when I could give all my earnings to God, cheerfully, and willingly.
WSJ relates christian giving to God with Harvard fundraising for a new building. I dearly wish my giving (and my attitude when I give) is different. I don’t want any one to know how much I give, I don’t want anyone to know even if I give. I want to give to God because I love him.
Sats
November 28, 2007 at 23:00
thanks for the responses to my inquiry pistol pete. very good illustration anna with the water bill. I serve a small church and when i tithe it actually equals the amount of a few line items in my youth budget. supporting the finances of the church feels good, knowing that ministry is being financed and lives can be changed is awesome.
November 29, 2007 at 00:42
I don’t think anyone should tithe BECAUSE of the blessings they think they’ll receive. It’s not about that. Nothing you have on this earth is yours. It is God’s. That’s how we need to think of things when we give to our churches.
As for a previous poster talking about ministers tithing, I don’t know. I’m pretty sure ours do. One thing that I found interesting, though, is that our church “tithes” to various charities. It’s on our church budget that 10% goes to one or more charities.
November 29, 2007 at 03:19
This is such a hot topic these days. I believe that the Bible is clear on this, but again, it is all in how you WANT to interpret things.
Selfishness seems rampant in our church society these days. Some look at the bible and say that Jesus came to do away with the law and therefore they don’t have to tithe. They can keep it all for themselves, giving nothing back to God. This truly shows our heart condition. In Malachi 3:6 we read that God does not change – so if his desire for the Jews back then was for them to give their tithes, and he doesn’t change, doesn’t that also mean that we should be tithing?
I always come back to the story of the rich young man in Mark 10:17-31. He says he has kept the law since he was a boy, and yet when it all came down to it, he was not able to give up the things of this world – his wealth – to pick up the cross and follow Jesus.
Don’t make it about money, make it about honoring and glorifying the God that made this world and everything in it.
The bottom line for me is that most (if not all) of us know that we should be tithing – or giving all that we can back to God.
November 29, 2007 at 11:08
Tithing at churches has more to do with paying the Temple Tax than honoring God. The MINIMUM that Jesus ever mentioned was 50% (usually, he says 100%).
Basically, 10% of our income represents about the same amount of our time we give God every week… we “tithe” 4 hours of our 40 hour work week to Him, and congratulate ourselves for doing it every week.
The rest of our time and treasure goes toward our Mammon worship.
November 29, 2007 at 12:08
It’s interesting to see the different responses to a question as bold as this. All of which are well supported. Early in my Christian life I approached an elder about this because my wife and I couldn’t give 10% without taking from our family (food & rent, not rental movies). It was explained to us that first, Christianity is practical. God doesn’t want to increase financial burdens on us. Knowing that we wanted to give, he offered the solution of working for the church, helping where we can. I’ve since realized that for me, tithing my time or other resources is what I give with my heart fully and willingly. I give an offering which changes weekly. Like many others raising families with hourly wages, 10% just can’t happen right now.
As far as expecting the return on our investment, it’s not expected. But God is faithful to us as we are to him. When I’m doing what I should, things just work out, and I’m very thankful for this.
November 29, 2007 at 13:21
Topics like this are rather deceptive. When people go out and say that “tithing is unbiblical and here are the X reasons why”, it generates confusion among the Body. Many interpret it to mean “cool, I don’t have to give anything”, or “3% is good enough”. From my interactions, today the word “tithe” is more closely associated with “giving” as opposed to “giving 10%”. It also continues the widespread belief that the things God gives to us are actually ours, as opposed to being the stewards of what He gives (also mentioned above).
The only person that I directly know that argues against a 10% tithe actually gives at least 20% to his church and global missions. If you fall into this category I commend you. But when telling people that tithing is not a NT command, please be careful to impress the fact that what we have is Gods, not ours.
I like what Mark Barker said: “Don’t make it about money, make it about honoring and glorifying the God that made this world and everything in it.”
November 29, 2007 at 15:11
Even though we don’t see evidence in the New testament of a 10% annual tithe, everyone persists in defending this. You’d think Peter or Paul or John would address the 10% tithe subject if it was so critical. It’s like this is the third rail of theology. There were no big steepled churches, choir robes, organs, gymnasiums, parsonages, big cars, multi media equipment, paid professional staff etc. that needed ongoing financial support in the first 3 centuries. People gave special gifts of land or money to the apostles and the money was used to feed poor Christians in Jerusalem. People gave as needed. Jesus told the Rich young ruler to sell everything he had and give it to the poor. So the fact that there is no automatic 10% annual tithe promoted in the New Testament is not an excuse not to give. God may require 50%. It just allows for flexibility as needs arise.
Israel was a theogracy and depended on the tithe to function as a nation-state, much like an income tax. There was only one storehouse and one temple. If you choose to tithe 10% or 20% to your local church, great. But like I say, professional clergymen get very defensive about this because it keeps the whole machine going.
November 29, 2007 at 17:04
OK. My 10 cents. I always cringe when I hear my great pastor use the word Tithe. I like to to take things in their historical context and not twist things to make them justify a modern tradition. I look at it this way. In the OT times (when were all condemned by the law) you gave X% and your duty was done. Hit the number (law) and you were OK. Well, not really since it was a LAW/Tax/Requirement. Now, since we have a NEW contract it is not all about the number (law), it is about the heart. I firmly believe if you are hating the offering you give you are doing exactly what the NT says not to do. I don’t believe it “counts” as a gift to God if you resent it or feel under compulsion to do it. You gotta work that out with God and some friends. In the NT I just see people taking care of what needs to be done. Looking at a percent as right or wrong is a numbers game used to pride onself or condem oneself or others. I strive for 10% since it is an easy calculation but it really comes out to about 8%. But I give thousands of dollars in time and technology (personal stage lighting and sound equip). Since most of the tithe was material stuff I am comfortable calculating it as a gift to God. I owe all but give what I will out of love. Was there not an OT tithe/offering of wine or booze where people offered it by drinking it themslves?
November 29, 2007 at 23:12
There’s no quicker road to legalism than the issue of tithing, it seems. It’s so open to abuse. I think those who say that tithing is deemphasized in the NT are correct. Those who point out the circumstantial differences between the OT theocracy and our own society also have a point. That’s not to say who want to tithe are wrong to do so. It’s a good guideline, if you feel you need it. But those who think they’ve got a percentage nailed down with the Bible that represents a standard to which all Christians ought to be held are flirting with legalism. I’ve been there. Do you give 10% of our net or gross income. What if you get an inheritance and your parents tithed on it already? What if tithing means you can’t afford to have kids or take care of the kids you have adequately? Does all of your tithe have to go to your church, or can some go to missions or Christian charities? You see, it’s not just a matter of figuring out the biblical percentage. You’ve got to figure out all these other issues as well and try to find a solid biblical foundation for the answers. Good luck! Even if you get to the point where you think you’ve got it all figured out, try convincing another Christian of how right and biblical you are. Try not to slip into justifying yourself because you tithe or judging others who don’t agree with you over this. Try not to feel conflicted when your church seems to be spending your tithe on something you think is frivolous and you’re being asked to give over and above to help those who are starving and without homes in Bangladesh.
I don’t keep track of the percentage I give. I Make commitments for ongoing support of my church and other ministries and consider other requests for donations as they come according to my own conscience and I give as generously as I feel I can at the time. I believe that if I’m keeping my heart right before God on everything I do, the issue of what I give of my time and money takes care of itself. I think God cares more about our character than whether or not we follow certain rules about giving. It just so happens that those whose character becomes more Christlike naturally give generously and wisely … and without regard to book keeping. Leave that in God’s hands (Matt. 6:1-4)
November 30, 2007 at 06:18
Seems like folks just don’t want to question where their tithe goes, rather just debate the amount.
I got discouraged after years of giving so much money to the church and only seeing it go to utility bills and staff salaries. “But wait”, you may say. “That’s where it’s needed, to keep the church going”. But why?
Well, I have been discovering, like many (i.e., read “Revolution” by George Barna) that supporting a church building and institution perhaps is not what God would have me do—-rather, could my money/tithe be better used for a community based home church that has no overhead, no paid staff and serves the needs of its neighbors directly, daily—because it’s right next door to them?
It seems that we have bee taught the important of tithing as a spiritual act—-but never seem to question how that tithe is used. Yes, give your 10% to God—-but, why have we not felt comfortable questioning if God would rather that money be used to, for example, feed kids in the neighborhood, or pay the light bill in a bldg. not being used 6 days a week?
Anyway. Just my two cents.
November 30, 2007 at 10:28
Honestly… this type reaction to tithing is EXACTLY one of the reasons why the church in North American even HAS TO wonder why people aren’t getting saved.
Honestly friends. Tithing is VITAL. It quite simply opens the windows of heaven. And YES it’s about our heart and motives for sure… it’s about willingly releasing the tithe to God… and being happy and excited about it instead of playing little religious games attempting to justify why would should not give.
November 30, 2007 at 11:23
(ThinkChristian.net editor note: for the Deuteronomy text click here.)
Tithing Principles
The tithing was set by GOD by GOD so that we, may learn to fear GOD always. ( Deut 14:23), Not to build church buildings, community centers, pay the church light bills or gas, etc. If you look in Duet 14:23 It was you and your family who eat your tithe. In Deut 14:26 GOD tell you can spend your tithe on whatever your heard desires. (Deut 14:24) if the journey is to long… And on the third year you share it with the Levite (pastor or spiritually leaders), widow and fatherless (Deut 14:29). The Tithe has nothing to do with give to GOD, the tithe is us, setting aside, so that we learn to fear GOD always (Deut 14:23), AND THAT IS WHAT THE WORD SAYS. Can you give to him what is already his; if GOD was hungry would he ask you for something to eat. I think not, If your church is teaches tithing as giving to GOD, giving to get, (like you can put GOD in debt to you) or any other thing, then what the whole WORD says, then they our wrong and so are those who follow, sorry but that is the truth, Tithing has nothing to with your giving, tithing is for you to learn to fear GOD (Deut 14:23), giving is for others.
November 30, 2007 at 14:35
Tithing is a privilage; it is also a decision. In America; where you and I work, live, go to church, where(you name it), it’s about choices(decisions) we’ve made. God’s love is equal to every one. Gods blessings though, comes through how we respond to what His Son Jesus has done for mankind through His birth, life, death on the cross, and His resurection. As we read and study His love letter to us, we have choices and are blessed accordingly. As we pray and ask God for wisdom in tithing, buying, giving, working, marriage, raising a family, studying correctly, including every aspect of our life, our relationship with Jesus helps us to understand His love for mankind and each one of us individually. Let us first get the vertical relationship correct and the horizonal will be much easier to understand and do because the Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us in TRUTH (correct choices). Thank God for good ministers, good churches, responsible congregations, staff, volunteers, missonaries, and on and on. Lets get excited about the things of God. Gods Work…..Done Gods way….....Does not lack for resourses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 30, 2007 at 16:54
Mr. Harland
I ‘m sorry, but you must not have took the time to study the word (Deut 14:22- 29), like a lots of christen. It clearly states at the top of the page in the NKJV, Tithing Principles, this is not something I made up; this is what the word says about tithing. Its dose not say tithing is or was ever a privilege, it clearly states It was so that we would learn to fear GOD always and it clearly state what you where supposed to do with your tithes.
Now what Mr. Harland said “Let us first get the vertical relationship correct and the horizontal will be much easier to understand and do because the Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us in TRUTH (correct choices).”
I myself believe Mr. Harland statement, to be true. Please Mr. Harland and others, take the time to study (Deut 14:22-29). The word, will set you FREE.
December 2, 2007 at 11:16
Basically, God owns it all, including me. He is the the owner and I am one of His stewards. As one indwelt by the Holy Spirit I can trust Him to
lead me in this matter too. Whatever happened to this thing called a personal relationship with Christ?
Isn’t it odd that we are still acting like servants of men. Our church prints on the offering envelopes a space for “The Lord’s Tithes” and another for “Your Offerings”. They also receive a freewill offering of alms for the poor.
It’s good for the assembly to receive whatever one is led to give.
December 2, 2007 at 14:56
Scripture says that God loves a cheerful giver. This whole question actually has two components: obedience and attitude.
When Jesus observed the poor widow giving all she had and the rich men giving out of their abundance, he commented that proportionally she gave more of her income than they did. She gave everything.
If the whole issue of tithing puts people in a knot, perhaps the question is not about tithing at all. Suppose the NT flatly said, “It’s 10% folks.” Would you be able to accept that and give with a cheerful heart?
The Scripture tells us to lay up treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt. There are no luggage carriers on hearsts. While we live on this earth, we are stewards of all God has given us.
Do we have money, or does money have us? We may not bow down to idols of wood and stone, but if we cannot give to the Lord with a willing, cheerful attitude, maybe we need to check who we’re worshipping – God or money.
December 2, 2007 at 15:33
Only one or two respondees have picked out the essential principles for answereing the question. The church of Christ is a New Covenant affair and is not held under the Mosaical law. Tithing was requied under the previous covenant, but nor now. The fixed requirement was replaced with the “purpose” in one’s heart. Remember the widow that gave her only three coppers? That is the kind of example given in the new testament. But it is an example only, not a “law” or requirement!
Our ability to contribute to God is really a measure of our earnestness in stewarding the resources he has given us. But to require tithing, or to assert it is the minimum God expects is putting words into His mouth, a very dicey thihg to do! Rev 22 has some pithy comments about that sort of thing.
I join those who question how our contributions are used. The purpose is to spread the word of God and support His children in need. As pointed out by others, this does not need crystal palaces, stages, 12-strings quitars, or national monument pipe organs. A simple meeting place where we can join each other in song, pray together, and study His word will do.
Lastly, whether or not a minister contributes is between him and God (i.e., what he purposes in his heart). The only comment God gives along this line is that the minister should be supported. How much he returns to the Lord’s coffers is “written on his heart”.
December 2, 2007 at 18:11
I have read “minimum, standard, New Testament, vital, expected, income” ad infinitum in this and other threads. What I have not seen are any Bible texts to support those claims.
Get a complete concordance and look the words up for yourself. 16 of 16 times they are always only FOOD from inside Israel.
“Oh but food was their money!” Not true. Use your dandy concordance and (excuse me) ‘research’. Money was essential in the first five books of the Bible. It was even essential for worship. So 1000 years later in Malachi and 1400 years later in Matthew, WHY is the tithe still only food??
Was the tithe the minimum staring place for all OT giving? No. The sick and poor did not tithe before buying medicine and food. It was only the minimum of increase from farmers and herdsmen! Guess what! Jesus (a carpenter), Peter (a fisherman) and Paul (a tentmaker) had nothing tithe-able. Shock! That is what happens when you research instead of merely assuming.
Shock again! Nobody in this thread tithes or has ever given true biblical tithes. Tell me which tithing principle you follow from the OT found in Gen 14, Num 18, Lev 27, Mal 3, 1 Chron 23 t 26.
(1) tithe only spoils of war per Abraham
(2) do not tithe personal increase (Abe)
(3) 90% to the king of Sodom (Abe)
(4) tithe to Levites –SERVANTS to priests
(5) preachers only get 1%, not 10%
(6) preachers cannot own or inherit property.
There are about 25 of these and the church follows NONE of them. Therefore your concept of tithing is totally unscriptural.
Do it God’s way. (1) accept Christ, (2) be filled with the Spirit, (3) strive to love the lost and (4) give freely, sacrificially, graciously, cheerfully and abundantly from your new nature.
Russell Earl Kelly, PH. D. author of Should the Church Teach Tithing?
December 3, 2007 at 18:57
The primary text used by defenders of the tithe is, of course, Malachi 3:10. Let’s pretend that this passage wasn’t so obviously written to Israelites, and look at it objectively.
Who were the recipients of the tithe? Widows, orphans, aliens (foreign converts to Judaism) and priests…those with no inheritance in the promised land.
Christians have no inheritance in the land, of course. That means that we should, if you read carefully, be RECIPIENTS of the tithe.
The teaching in the New Testament is that the OT signs and symbols have been fulfilled in Christ. The tithe is included in that…our inheritance isn’t in the promised land, it’s a heavenly inheritance. We’re co-heirs with Jesus Himself. The NT standard is indeed to give 100%. We’re not debtors, we’re sons and daughters. The example we have is to give cheerfully to those in need what we’ve determined in our hearts to give as we’re led by the Holy Spirit.
http://www.godwords.org/questions/should_christians_tithe.html
http://www.godwords.org/questions/tithe_abraham_and_jacob.html
http://www.godwords.org/questions/tithe_misc.html
December 4, 2007 at 09:59
Wow! It’s very interesting how tithing is a hot topic. We actually spoke about the same in our SS lesson recently. There was a lot of feedback. I’ve experienced the good, bad & ugly when it comes to church finances but, I have never let that affect me personally. To me, tithing is about giving in love. It is not just money.It is time, care & love to your brother because in doing so you are giving to God. Tithing is a discipline, a spiritual exercise that allows you to depend on God. When teaching a new convert on the subject, I simply stated, “It needs to be done whole heartedly or not at all. We give because we have the conviction to do so.” When you tithe you also aid in preaching, teaching and carrying the message of the Gospel to others. Ultimately, when you tithe you honor God and that’s what it’s all about. Let’s be good stewards of what GOD provides and give back so the message of the cross can reach others.
December 5, 2007 at 03:48
I strongly encourage all my Christian brothers and sisters to tithe regularly, if they have not been doing that. I cannot explain to you how many blessings you are missing from God by not tithing. Tithing is giving ten percent of our income, which could mean our money, our profits or whatever. It mostly talks about our giving to the lord in a systematic and disciplined manner. No matter how many people criticize, tithing is a spiritual act, which shows our devotion to our lord and his work. We cannot fully establish God’s kingdom on earth without using resources like time and money. God made this plan of tithing so that his work on earth could continue and millions would come into his kingdom. The scripture that comes to my mind is from Malachi 3:10 Bring one-tenth of your income into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the LORD of Armies. “See if I won’t open the windows of heaven for you and flood you with blessings.
December 7, 2007 at 18:42
Upon review of Malachi 3:10 (NIV), I fail to see any percentage of requirement. Moreover, the reference made is a reference of FOOD!
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.
December 8, 2007 at 11:29
Tithing is Old Covenant. The New Testament epistles which provide the guidelines for living, indicate that there is no set amount to giving, but emphasis on all good things have come from God, and God has control of 100% of it all, and the principle of “freely received, freely give” underscores how a Christian should act. The epistles and the book of Acts make it clear that there is a spirit of liberality, not limited to 10% such as the concept of the Old Covenant tithing system.
Tithing is foreign to the New Testament church, just as are “professional clergy”, the divisions of laity and clergy, programs, religious buildings, the ministry of the few over the many, and the idea that being a Christian is some sort of religion. Jesus did not die for any of these things, least of all a new religion.
December 8, 2007 at 13:18
Christian believers need to take time to meditate on God’s Word in order to build convictions into their life. A conviction is more than an opinion. Opinions may change but convictions keep us from being blown about by every wind of doctrine.
A conviction is being fully persuaded in your mind. We are admonished to do that. A conviction is akin to belief, and we know that whatever proceeds not from faith is sin.
Have you received the Holy Spirit since you professed to believe? If any man has not the Spirit of God, he is not His. If you have the Spirit, then He will lead you into all truth. Will you trust Him?