I was always heard that 10% was a tithe, anything above that was an offering.
>>I was always heard that 10% was a tithe, anything above that was an offering.<<
Yeah, that is what my old AG church taught. But the more I read the bible, the more I thought it was them discovering a way to force new testament giving into an old testament paradigm and get even more than 10%.
Not that giving more is bad, but it is the type of contortions Ptolomy went through to get his model of how the solar system to work until it got so contorted he just had to abandon it.
Same here.
I agree with C.S. Lewis that God used the Jews to “beat into mankind” who He is and His plan for mankind. Tithing was a part and it was very well documented and spelled out. Then the law was completed in Jesus, including the Sabath, BTW, but that is the subject of another thread.
So, Jews have a clean 10%. No more, no less. Christians live in the age of personal freedom and a personal relationship with their Creator. It is “squishier”.
I think of it this way: Those cars at autopia at Disneyland that motor around a track with a rail in the middle are like the old testament jewish law. You get in and steer, but if you go very far off direction you hit the rail and it keeps you on the road. Christianity is like our modern highway system. You have the same road with the same rules, but no rail. You have MUCH more freedom and autonomy and will still be within the rules, but you can choose to go completely off course.
BTW, Islam is like the “kiddie ride” cars on the track where the steering wheel doesn’t even work. The guides on the car are very close to the rail and it just takes you precisely around. You just get in and go along for the ride.
>>I was always heard that 10% was a tithe, anything above that was an offering.<<
Bottom line is that the old testament talks about tithing. The new talks about giving. And don’t tell your church this, but most of your giving can be to those other than the church and you are still obeying God, if you are doing it prayerfully. The the new testament clearly teaches that the worker deserves his wages.