Posted on 08/20/2008 4:23:13 PM PDT by guitarplayer1953
By Gary Amirault
The tithe is a subject that is very dear to most church leaders. Those denominations that can get their members to actually bring in a full 10% of gross income can create very powerful forces far beyond their strength in numbers. The leading "tithing" sects according to an article in Christian Ministry, are interestingly what Evangelicals would term "cults." The Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons, and the World Wide Church of God are the leading givers. The fourth is the Assemblies of God. According to Newsweek, most church members give far less than 10%, most giving under 2%. Not surprising is the fact that the poor give a far greater portion of their income than the rich. USA Today (Oct. 25, 1990) tells us that families earning less than $10,000 give 5.5% of their income to charity (not necessarily to church). Families earning between $50,000 and $60,000 give only 1.7% of their earnings. (While the article in Christian Ministry lists the Jehovah's Witneses among leading tithing denominations, I've since been informed by that organization that Jehovah's Witnesses do not practice tithing.)
We hope to show in this article that while many church fund-raising organizations and Christian financial counseling ministries tell us that not paying "the tithe" is robbing God, the actual Biblical facts are that those who put the tithe upon Christians are, in fact, the ones who are "robbing God." As we go through this article, keep in mind the above statistic that the poor far out-give the rich.
I am going to make a statement that will probably shock many Christians who have been in church for a long period of time and feel they know the Bible pretty well. I hope this statement encourages the reader to "see for themselves" that this statement is 100% Biblically true. My hope is that when we see how far off Scriptural ground we have come in such basic Christian teachings as giving, we will renew our desire to study to "shew ourselves approved." Here is the statement: The tithe as taught by most Christian denominations as being 10% of gross or net income is not contained on the pages of the Bible! Many Christian publications say that those who do not tithe are robbing God and will suffer curses for not doing so. I am going to use one of them as an example of what Scriptures and reasoning is usually used to support the idea that the church is full of God robber's, that is, people who do not tithe 10 per cent of their income. A booklet entitled Tithes, Offering, and Alms states: "Today many churches do not teach tithing because they do not want to drive people away. In reality they are robbing God's people of their blessing. When tithing is not taught, they are allowing their people to ignorantly rob God. By this they allow the devourer to have free access to their people. Then the church and the people wonder why they are not being blessed. When God's people return again unto God, He will return unto them as He has promised.
We will not mention the author of this work. Perhaps, in days ahead he will see the foolishness of what he wrote. Therefore, we will withhold his name hoping repentance is forthcoming. (I will furnish the name of the minister and ministry to those who write and request it.)
In one small paragraph, this man condemned entire congregations who do not tithe to the devourer. As long as people do not tithe, he says, they have turned their backs to God and He cannot bless them. They are God robbers! This booklet I just quoted is very typical of publications like this. They all refer to the same handful of Scriptures to justify their position. I will use this one as an example of which Scriptures are used to support their view and then show how these Scriptures have not only been grossly taken out of context, but even these Scriptures out of context do not support the teaching of tithing being 10% of income. We will then study the history of tithing in the Old Testament, the early church view on the subject, and what we believe is the correct Biblical view on giving.
Sacred cow? I didn’t know Hindus tithed.
Will the gubermint stop demanding the triple-tithe too?
Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.I have personally taken up this challenge and lived that law...even when it was hard to do so...and found that the promise this Prophet made is absolutely true.
Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
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.
The subject of tithing has been a huge concern for me because I can't afford to tithe 10% of my income. I don't make that great amount of money and the 10% that I would give to the church would equal a week of groceries or a months dental insurance for me.
I do give every week. A few dollars and contribute to causes in my Sunday School class.
But this 10% has really stressed me out. I don't want to disobey God.
Later
Good post. More resources along these lines:
http://garycarpenter.org/
http://www.releasing-kings.com/
http://www.seedsowers.com/catalog/index.php
http://www.ptmin.org/
Giving is a result of prosperity, and prosperity is the result of grace.
Usually, you’ll hear that prosperity is the direct result of your giving. Usually taught at offering time (what a coincidence). This is false.
2Cor 8:9 For ye know the GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye THROUGH HIS POVERTY might be rich.
Bump...and welcome to FR.
We may have a Christian obligation to be charitable, but those collecting it have an even greater obligation to see that it is wisely used.
From my reading of scriptures (e.g. the New Testament story of the widow's mite), I think 10% is a guideline. Those who can afford to give more should do so. Those who can't should give what they can. If you can't afford to give money, you can still afford to give service. The heart and attitude are what Jesus looks upon. My two cents worth.
Thank you. You’ve helped ease my mind and heart.
The reason for this is that many folks believe the Bible is organized like an encyclopedia. That is, think of a subject, find out where the matter appears, read the answer, the end (well, believe it and do it, the end).
But, if the Bible is constructed (or organized) like a story, then it will make an enormous difference what you believe about tithing. You see, Malachi is the last book of the Old Covenant and addressed to the Jews under the Law. In the story line, the Rescuer had not arrived yet and the blood had not been shed.
Once the cross occurred, the whole world changed. The priesthood went away, the sacrifices went away, the curtain was torn and the Gentiles were brought near without Jewish ceremonies and laws. You can read this in Paul's letter to the Ephesians. We were once separated from the covenants of Israel, but have been brought near by the blood. When the blood was shed (Jesus on the cross), we were allowed direct access to the Messiah of Israel. The ceremonial and legal constrictions of the Jewish Law (primarily the Law of Moses found in Exodus & Lev. which include tithing) are gone.
While Malachi was extended to the Jews at that time, the story line moved on and now even they are offered nothing except their Messiah. While it is argued that the Messiah Himself mentions tithing (He does note this), it is before the cross. Just like He mentions sacrifices before the cross. And He excludes Gentiles before the cross (Matt. 18:24). But, all this changes after the cross and that very important resurrection.
Rest easy, my friend, tithing is not around anymore. You will only hear the writers of the epistles mention giving to aleviate suffering of fellow believers (II Cor. 9) often used to beat you up about “tithing”, but it is completely different. The writers also mention helping men that you think are qualified to teach spend more time teaching. But, again, tithing to a “temple” (building) is gone.
Now, watch the sparks fly.
That was his business and God bless him for it but every time I turned around this church was asking for money. Now I don't mind giving to causes and some to keep up the church property but when I heard a couple of the pastors talk about their golf games - well I left.
Jesus Christ had this to say:
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.
Jesus Christ did NOT condemn the concept of tithing. He DID say that they should tithe, that this should be done.
Another thing that most misinterpret is Hebrews chapter 7. In this chapter Paul indeed discusses tithing. But he is discussing it in the context of the Levitical priesthood. What he is saying is that tithes were paid to Melchizedek long before the Levitical priesthood came about.
Gen 14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
Gen 14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
One thing that should stand out is that Godly tithing, or tithing to a priest of God, long predated the establishment of Israel and the inauguration of the old covenant. In other words, tithing as a Godly duty falls outside of the old covenant.
This makes sense in the context of Hebrews 7. The author of Hebrews is making the case in Hebrews that the Levitical priesthood has been replaced by a different sort of priesthood, one in which Jesus Christ is our high priest. Therefore tithing to the Levitical priests is no longer required. BUT nowhere does he imply that tithing himself is obsolete.
Tithing for Christians is like any other commandment. A Christian who follows the indwelling spirit of Christ, will be generous with their finances out of an outgoing sense of love and concern. Tithing will be observed naturally as long as the spirit of Christ is heeded.
For proudofthesouth: Don't think in terms of "I haven't got enough money to tithe". Tithing requires faith that God will provide. Indeed, that is one of its great designs and purpose. That being said, you're under no obligation to tithe to any particular organization. Your tithes should go to those who are promoting the gospel of the kingdom of God...those who are doing the work of God.
If one is going to be biblical, they would give 23% since Israelites gave a tithe, a second tithe, and every three years, a third tithe.
Tithing is not a New Testament principle...and never has been.
Have you hear of John MacArthur? He’s a fairly well-respected pastor who lives in SoCal. Here’s his take on it. There are also lots of topics covered on his question/answer site: http://www.biblebb.com/files/macqa/IA-tithe.htm
I a m Catholic. I have never received any suggestion that I should tithe. However, Part of the process of my conversion included a decision to actually tithe. At that time money was always tight and tithing looked to be a hard thing to do. After a few months my income had not improved any but what I had left to spend was consistently more than it had ever been before. I began to get loans paid off that I thought I would take to my grave. I still tithe the first 10% of my paycheck and I have not owed anyone money for a long time. I could not afford to stop tithing.
Read later.
The tithe is a principle more than anything else.
It is the response of a grateful creature to his/her Creator ... or, in the case of christians, the response of a grateful son or daughter to a loving, saving Heavenly Father.
The tithe consistently reminds us that God is responsible for all we have, and that we should grace Him with some portion of what He has given to us.
Also, the tithe funds God's work on earth, paying the salaries of full-time gospel servants, providing places of worship for christians, and supporting the various ministries of the church and parachurch organizations.
One must remember that there is legitimate expenditure within the kingdom of God, and that it is only the people of God that provide the funds for those expenses.
Although I believe that consistent giving is more important than the amount of that giving, hopefully christians will desire to become real players in supporting God's work, which will include consistent gifts of their time, talents, and treasure.
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