Posted on 02/11/2013 12:14:15 PM PST by Laissez-faire capitalist
In certain passages of scripture it says that tithes are to be given to the Levites, and then the Levites were to give a tenth to the priests. In other scriptures is says to bring ye the tithe into the storehouse, that my house may be full.
Deuteronomy 26:12 says that every third year, that in addition to giving to the Levites, some of the tithe must go to widows, orphans, (the down-and-out), etc.
Now, if in modern times we give tithes to our local church that we attend and tithes are then used to pay for the pastors salary (them being the modern Levite equivalency), youth pastors salary, staff salary, utility bills, etc, why isn't a portion of this shared with widows, orphans, etc?
I mean, if cash is given to pastors through tithes, why doesn't cash go to widows every third year? With the scriptures saying to pay tithes unto Levites every year, and then every third year repeating this but adding in widows for example, that ties in widows with getting part of the tithe.
Some might say that widows, the down-and-out, etc, can receive cash assistance from the gov't. But if widows, orphans, the down-and-out, etc, can go to the gov't for help, why don't we send pastors there, too?
And if widows, orphans, the down-and-out, etc, can go to churches and get help at these church food banks, why don't those same churches send their pastors to the church food bank(s)?
If widows don't get a portion of the tithe every 3 years, then what do you do with the tithe for the pastor that 3rd year?
What is your opinion on this whole matter, on tithing, etc?
All opinions - all - are welcome.
Why do you assume it isn’t? Sure, there are some churches where it goes to new chandeliers, gilded chairs, and blue wigs for their TV personalities, but for many, if not most, I am betting a much larger percentage goes to ‘widows and orphans’ than is required by this passage.
Now, if in modern times we give tithes to our local church that we attend and tithes are then used to pay for the pastors salary (them being the modern Levite equivalency), youth pastors salary, staff salary, utility bills, etc, why isn’t a portion of this shared with widows, orphans, etc?
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First of all, you need to give a New Testament commandment, reference or example of where tithing applies today
(We’ll wait....)
So pastors across the land share a portion of the tithe every third year, with widows getting cash just like pastors and staff do do?
My take,
1) Tithing is a voluntary act, given of your first fruits, to be undertaken with a cheerful and giving heart.
2) Tithes are for the church and to allow the church to do Gods work.
3) Thus, some of the tithe is for the Pastor. Some of the tithe is for the church to use - supporting missionaries, giving aid (we give to needy families identified by the congregation or other churches) and as well, for the support of the churches elderly/widows.
Having said all that, I am thankful to the Lord for giving me the ability to give and help.
Didn’t Abraham pay tithes before the Law was given?
Now, he gave this voluntarily, but it was a commandment under the Law of Moses.
Do you actually attend a church where they don't have a mission/program that helps the poor?
And the ‘Love of Money’ rears its ugly head
So, in the month of January or Feb. or March, let’s say that a mega church pulls in $2 million in tithes, with the pastor getting a portion of that.
Is that church going to give, say, 2 or 3 thousnad dollars to every widow in that church - cash - like they give to the pastor of that church?
Hmmm?
Yes, that’s it, we all forgot. The Old Tetstament has nothing to do with God or Jesus, so all that stuff can be ignored. No need for those nasty 10 commandments, or that whole, God created marriage thing, either
Not directly but the general concept of 1/3rd of tithes go to these type of services doesn’t seem that off.
There were one or two references to tithing before the Law given, correct, but the Law is now non-applicable, and we are under grace. You are obviously trying to convict the church “under the law.” Under grace, it’s about the condition of the heart - of the giver and the givee....and some on both sides of the coin have the proper heart and some on both sides do not.
You might want to peek at the part of the Book that begins with “In the beginning was the Word......” and not just the part that starts with “In the beginning God created the Heavens and the earth...”
If direct cash (from the tithe) goes to pastors, I wonder if these same pastors would support direct cash going to widows (from that same tithe) - a third of the whole tithe?
“And the ‘Love of Money’ rears its ugly head.”
You are so very wrong.
But then you were wrong upthread when you said.... “Tithing is a voluntary act.”
I'm sure you can find a church that would meet your expectations if you look and ask. Many give larger amounts to missions than locals. You should have a say in that, IMO. I look for a church that gives to the locals and ministers to them. Christ becomes real to the helped if they can see it in the community. To brag that you support missions in Africa and such is fine, but we don't see it up close, so it seems of little use.
IMHO, to worry if a church gives to widows every 3 years to match the Bible is a little like the Pharisee's. The pastor knows his salary going in, so He should be more worried about how the money is distributed. If the church grows, he must be doing something right, so why not a raise? If it's shrinking, obviously he doesn't need a raise. Wanting a nicer car doesn't make your preaching better.
As far as the Christian duty to tithe, that's covered in Scripture, no matter where the money goes. I'm sure you can find a place to tithe if you disapprove of the local method.
I understand that passage to be about supporting those that could not support themselves.
Do you believe it means to pay any woman who’s husband dies, regardless if they may be an actual queen in those biblical times?
As for what I mega church does, I could care less. I care about my church. Those that financially support that mega church can be concerned with it.
Too easy...
Mathew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
However, IMO, we're required to ensure the proper distribution of such, even if it means withholding a portion of the church's share for others, as one sees fit.
Or better, giving more ...
Before the Law it was voluntary, not required.
What I wonder more than anything is if these televangelists are willing to share a part of the cash tithe that they take in and share it with widows in their churches?
How is that wrong? Tithing IS giving, and not begrudgingly, either, lest it be in vain.
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