Are Christians required to tithe?

I think your problem is with government policy for the last 50 years, not those who are receiving SS payments. They paid money in. The government spent it. They had as little control over those policies as you do over the current US deficit. Many of those receiving SS now worked hard their entire lives. They worked with the system they were given, which meant paying into Social Security, with the guarantee of receiving a small retirement later. To blame them for the current fiscal problems is unfair. You have a legitimate complaint which is shared by many, but please consider where you direct it. The US government is acting irresponsibly, not those receiving SS.

"You need to ask yourself why the idea of tithing is abrasive to you. "

That's a little off of the mark. I never said that tithing was abrasive to me. In fact, I am still going to work toward giving more and giving more consistant. What I found interesting is that tithing isn't REQUIRED of Christians. I have had it drilled into me from when I was little, that tithing WAS required.

"It sounds like you are giving nothing to God until your debt is gone - can you support that behavior with Scripture?"

That is a wrong assumption. I give of my time for teaching Sunday School, Wed. night youth Group, building work projects, or any other thing my pastor asks of me (if I'm not at work or otherwise committed). Plus, I also give financially, just not usually a tenth.

I wasn't looking for a loop-hole when I did my research, rather a Biblical answer to an inquiring friend. What I found was another wonderful example of how Jesus has saved us from the burden of trying to fulfill the law.

Sincerely

ScubieNuc: I wasn't looking for a loop-hole when I did my research, rather a Biblical answer to an inquiring friend. What I found was another wonderful example of how Jesus has saved us from the burden of trying to fulfill the law.

So true. You understand well that nothing WE do can save us - tithing included. And certainly Christ is the only payment that will satisfy our sin.

Yet just because it does not have the power to save, does not mean tithing is unnecessary. Keeping the law does not save us, but the law still guides us in obedience. Obedience is the proper response to Christ's gift of salvation.

You say that tithing is not REQUIRED of Christians. Let me use a different illustration of obedience. The law says "you shall not steal". If you steal from someone, you can still be saved - Christ can cover the sin of stealing. But after you are saved, are you REQUIRED to not steal? Of course! The law is still in effect today! If you steal from someone after you are saved, Christ can STILL cover that sin. It does not mean that you can steal with reckless abandon.

Let me ask you this question. Do you think obedience is REQUIRED of Christians? Even though it does not save nor can you be perfectly obedient, it is REQUIRED of Christians.

"You say that tithing is not REQUIRED of Christians. Let me use a different illustration of obedience. The law says "you shall not steal". If you steal from someone, you can still be saved - Christ can cover the sin of stealing. But after you are saved, are you REQUIRED to not steal? Of course! The law is still in effect today! If you steal from someone after you are saved, Christ can STILL cover that sin. It does not mean that you can steal with reckless abandon. "

Since I don't I have a lot of time today to respond, I'll try to be quick. Stealing is a moral law, that has been "written on mens hearts." (Romans 2:14-16) Tithing was a ceremonial law, used to direct the Nation of Israel to build the Temple and take care of the priests. There is no command in the New Testament to tithe, there are commands to not steal in the New Testament.

"Let me ask you this question. Do you think obedience is REQUIRED of Christians? Even though it does not save nor can you be perfectly obedient, it is REQUIRED of Christians."

When Jesus was asked what the Greatest Commandment was he said....

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39 And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

If you are looking for what we are required to do, it would be summed up in those verses.

When have you loved the Lord with ALL your heart? Have you ever lusted in your heart? You've committed adultery. (Matthew 5:28) Have you ever called a brother a fool? That's the same as murdering him. (Matthew 5:21-22)

Everything the law points to, whether it was ceremonial or moral, proves that we cannot fulfill the law to avoid sin. The thing is that Jesus fullfilled the laws and our new covenant is in Him. The new covenant in Him, written about in the new testament (testament means covenant), re-emphasis's moral laws, but does not emphasis ceremonial laws.

We do need to give our all for Him. However, our all is never enough. Am I advocating not giving because we never match up....NO! I am merely pointing out a small misunderstanding about an assumed requirement of tithing. I, in no way, am against giving, and we should try to give our all.

I will say this...I will accept the idea that tithing can be a good tool to use to get us to help get our finances pointed in a Godly direction. I will also say that I believe God will bless those who trust in Him. It is just not required.

Sincerely

You posted...."Why are you so intent on separating the commands of the OT from the NT."

Here's an example from the Old Testament...

Exd 21:17 And he that curseth his father, or his mother, shall surely be put to death.

You said..."Are we to still live under these same cultural and ceremonial laws today? Of course not. Will our lives be more harmonious and God-serving if we maintain the spirit of these laws? Obviously. "

The spirit of tithing was to give to God...not changed. The specific way to do it...Changed. The spirit of honoring your parents....Not changed. The specific way to enforce it....changed.

Sincerely

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