Posted on 04/09/2006 9:39:42 PM PDT by ScubieNuc
Should Christians tithe?
Recently, I was asked about tithing. Being like most Americans, I don’t tithe regularly. It’s not that I think I shouldn’t, it has more to do with my current debt. I’ve always felt that tithing would be a great thing to be able to do, but sadly, I have never been able to do it on a consistent basis. So, I decided to do a more thorough Biblical study on tithing, so that I could give an answer consistent with what God wants. What I discovered surprised me, so I decided to post what I found to see what Freeper’s had to say.
The first thing I did was look at all the verses with the word “tithe” in them. It occurs 14 times in 13 verses. The word “tithing” occurs 2 times in one verse. The thing that jumped out to me was that the word “tithe” occurs only twice in the New Testament ( Matt. 23:23 & Luke 11:42).
When you look at those events, in Matthew and Luke, Jesus is scolding the Pharisees, who have apparently mastered tithing, but have overlooked more important things such as judgment, mercy, faith, and the love of God. Now, Jesus does imply that tithing is good, but that it should not be done at the expense of more “weighty matters of the law.”
Now, when I looked at the Old Testament verses dealing with tithing, I also saw a familiar theme. Tithing was tied into the ceremonies and rituals given to the Nation of Israel after the Exodus out of slavery.
Tithing was used to build the tabernacle and the Temple. Tithing was used to set aside food. Tithing was to be used by those who would be serving in the Tabernacle or Temple. Tithing was as much a ritual as was the rituals surrounding the Sabbath. So then, how do we Christians today, who are under the New Covenant of Jesus, deal with the rituals given by God under the Mosaic Covenant?
I looked at the rituals of the Sabbath for an example. First, the Sabbath was a sign for the Nation of Israel and not for all people (Exodus 31:12, 13, 16, 17). Sabbath was a ceremonial law for the Jewish Nation. Sabbath was more then just the 7th day of the week, but also dealt with the 7th month (Lev. 23:24) and the 7th year (Lev. 25:4). In the entire New Testament there is not a single command to Christians to keep the Sabbaths. Why?
In short, the ceremonial laws were “nailed to the cross” because they were a “shadow” of Jesus.
Col 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Col 2:15 [And] having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath [days]:
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body [is] of Christ.
Next, I looked for examples of what the early Christians did. They didn’t give 10%, they gave it ALL!
Act 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
And
Act 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Act 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man had need.
I noticed a few points from their example. One, the church took care of its own house first. Two, it was unanimous. They voluntarily sold all their goods, pooled the monies, and distributed where it was needed among the Church. Once they had their own church finances taken care of, they could then focus on others who were outside of the church. This is not an example of reinstituting the rituals of the Old Testament.
The New Testament Church does give guidelines for leaders in the church, who are “stewards for God.” (Titus1:5-7) The KJV mentions “not given to filthy lucre.” This is translated from the Greek word aischrokerdes. This word means eager for base gain or greedy for money. It is clear that to be a steward of God, finances is part of the picture. However, there is no mention of tithing.
The New Testament church was an example of the following verses…
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2Cr 8:5 And [this they did], not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.
These verses point out that stewardship involves giving all of yourself.
Finally, I looked at what the Bible has to say about borrowing and debt. Borrowing is always involved whenever there is lending. Since lending is sometimes permissible, so is borrowing. Still, normally it is the righteous who are lenders rather than borrowers.
"The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty . . . to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none." (Deuteronomy 28:12)
"The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously. . . . They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed." (Psalm 37:21, 26)
"Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice." (Psalm 112:5)
There is danger in debt.
"The rich rule over the poor and the borrower is servant to the lender." Proverbs 22:7
"You were bought at a price. Do not become servants of men." 1 Corinthians 7:23
"No one can serve two masters. . . You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24
The New Testament warns against debt.
Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
There is a penalty for debt.
"All these blessings will come upon you if you obey the LORD your God:
". . . The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to . . . bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none. The LORD will make you the head, not the tail.
"However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
". . . The alien who lives among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower. He will lend to you, but you will not lend to him. He will be the head, but you will be the tail. Deuteronomy 28:2,12-13; 15; 43-44
Debt causes desperation.
Some were saying, "We and our sons and daughters are numerous; in order for us to eat and stay alive, we must get grain."
Others were saying, "We are mortgaging our fields, our vineyards and our homes to get grain during the famine."
Still others were saying, "We have had to borrow money to pay the king's tax on our fields and vineyards." Nehemiah 5:2-4
So, what is my conclusion? Tithing was part of the ceremonies and rituals given to the Nation of Israel after the exodus from slavery in Egypt. Tithing was not instituted by the early church examples given in the New Testament. Jesus never commands tithing. Tithing is not one of the “weighty matters of the law.” Tithing was a shadow that directed people toward Jesus.
So what is a Christian to do financially? One, is to recognize that all we have is to be used for God. That is not limited to money, but to our time, our talents, etc. Two, we need to take care of our brothers in Christ, even if it means greater sacrifice by some. Three, we need to take care of others outside of the body of Christ. Four, we need to get out of debt so that we can better provide for others.
Finally, I recognize that I am an un-schooled layman. Plus, I do not have my own financial house in complete order (debts). Therefore, I recognize that my study/conclusions may be biased to support what I want, as apposed to what Jesus actually wants. I am not seeking to attack certain traditions, rather to “speak the truth in love.” (Eph. 4:11-15) I think that 1 Corinthians 4:2 summarizes it best…
“Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”
Sincerely
My bad. Thanks. My church asks for a "second" tithe I guess would be the correct Old English grammar.
Have you ever heard of Dave Ramsey great advocate of tithing and getting out of debt!
I have listen to Dave and he is a Christian that teaches many how to live debt free!
http://www.daveramsey.com/
The short answer is yes.
Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad, Poor Dad) also reccomends tithing. (basically 1/3 btw)
That could be considered sinful in that you are giving away money that should go to paying the debters you have borrowed from.
Give 10% to a well-known Christian relief agency, or to a good mission fund. Whatever you think is the best use of the Lord's money. I give to my church, but I'm not beaten up about it, and I feel it's the easiest, best way to get the Lord's work done.
I wouldn't give just because I felt browbeaten to do so. If that were happening, I'd look for another church that isn't an obvious pad-the-pastor shakedown.
In other words, if you are not going to use the money productively, nor save, then it should first go to your debts.
In other words, if you are not going to use the money productively, nor save it, then it should first go to your debts.
I love Dave Ramsey. Fun show. Sometimes the truth hurts, but the sacrifice feels a lot better than the bondage of debt.
My wife and I support children in other countries. The widows and the fatherless are first with us. That was what the weekly collection was for. The quote out of Corinthians about the collection at the first of the week it was for the Christians in Jerusalem that were enduring a famine it was food that was being collected. Paul actually told some he didn’t want their money you don’t hear many today saying that.
It is his quote of encouragement "vernoj dorogoj idete, tovarishchi!" = "you are on the right path, comrades!" which has everything to do with it - it is a quote of encouragement and approval.
Why? I am tithing [to myself, true] to an extent of maybe 40% gross - not many believers do that, I'd venture to say. I am even following Mother Theresa dictum: "give till it hurts" - and so do I give [to myself] till it starts hurting.
Tithing has to do with faith
it is exercising that part of us that likes to take the road of least resistant.
....and also keep one from getting into things you should not!
Such as trying to keep up with the Jones and not living with one means!
There was a generation that use to save for what they wanted and the appreciation was greater.
Credit comes from the tempter an is hard to control.
you say you might be sinful to tithing first but you would be surprised how quicky you will be able to clear those bills up when you harness your spending!
Your church must have system where you pay tithing and than can get food to hold you over so you can get out of debt. (bondage)
Do you have a family?
I like what one of our former pastors had to say about the tithe:
GOD doesn't need our money. He created the tithe to draw us closer unto Himself.
-Bud LaCore
Pleas give me a scripture reference where tithing draws God closer to you. I didn’t know that God could be bought so you are basically calling God a Wh**e?
The quote you have is so true!:)
"The American Republic will endure until politicians realize they can bribe the people with their own money." - Alexis de Tocqueville
To day we are living that with tax credit
I tried to get it in my tagline
Yes, but I'm an empty nester by now.
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