I’m wondering why Christians would rely on the law of Moses to determine what amount they give.
The principal, the example of giving is set prior to the law, when Abram gave a tenth of all to Melchizedek.
I’m wondering why Christians would rely on the law of Moses to determine what amount they give.
I will try to give a short answer - because they have been brainwashed by pastors and denominations pushing a false doctrine. The laws of Israel to provide for the Old Covenant priesthood are not applicable to the New Covenant Church or Christians. Jesus removed us from the law.
There are lots of competing views, but I believe (in overall context since “tithing” is never directed to Christians in the New Testament) that our giving is to be a gift of the heart as we are directed by the Holy Spirit.
I give to our church to help pay the pastoral staff, keep the lights on (not build a new mega-building), and support local ministries. I am a member of the church and that seems reasonable to me. However, the bulk of our support is made to other ministries or missions as we feel directed like Gospel for Asia (a very effective ministry). I don’t keep “score” although I suspect that a Rabbi would not find fault.
Beware of any church that claims 10% paid only to them is a law or that the church is the storehouse. False. Beware of any church that tells you that you will be blessed tenfold for each dollar you give them. False. We already received the blessing beyond measure - Jesus. God does not need our money - he wants our love and worship. Give in that spirit and you are following the spirit of Christ. Get bogged down in the law and you and your church have missed the point.
That is my .02. There are some great messages about this online that are rooted in scripture and sound reasoning. If your church falsely applies the law of the Levites there are over 400 other ones to keep and the old testament is clear - follow them all or follow none.
The one time tithe of Abraham does not apply to Christians and the cherry-picking of old testament tithing by a Christian church fails to tell the whole truth or use the entire scripture. I don’t consider myself a scholar, but studying the whole passage in the old testament vs. the cherry-picked scriptures may surprise you because those preaching “tithing” (often over and over) are not even representing the Old Testament Covenant correctly.
I said short answer and could not help myself. Cliff notes if nobody wants to read all of this -
We are under the NEW COVENANT - not the old. We are not Jews living in the promised land. If tithing was important to Christ surely he or Paul would have mentioned it. If tithing was essential for salvation the gift of Christ would not be free. Beware of anyone who preaches differently. Give freely from the heart as you feel directed.
As we are living under the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, much more is required. We are to give over and above the tithe, so it could be 15%, 20%, or even 50% depending on how much we feel blessed to give, considering 100% belongs to the Lord and without His blessings, we'd have nothing.