Posted on 09/08/2014 3:44:25 PM PDT by Laissez-faire capitalist
When pressed for an answer to "Paying tithes was under the Law", some retort that Christians are required to pay tithes because Abraham's paying of tithes to Melchizedek preceded to Law.
In reply to that, do the scriptures say in Genesis chapter 14 that Abraham was compelled to pay tithes, or was it rather a free will tithe offering, unlike the compelled tithe that was enacted under the Law?
In Deuteronomy 14:26 (NIV), it says that those who attended a particular feast day that they could "...Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice. KJV ("...or for wine or for strong drink..." NASB: ("...or wine or strong drink...").
Since Deuteronomy 14:26 was under the Law, and the Law curse for not paying tithes is listed again in Malachi chapter 3, is one cursed, too, for not agreeing to buy wine or strong drink, say Saturday before one pays tithes on Sunday? If one is not compelled to do Deut. 14:26, does one commit sin if they (with their free will) still want to buy strong drink or less strong wine?
If tithes preceded the Law, and no curse is listed if Abraham did not pay tithes to Melchizedek, then it would seem that the curse is limited strictly to the Law (Old Covenant) and not under the New Covenant.
There would seem to only be blessing for paying tithes, but no curse for not doing so today...
What say you?
Old or New Covenant?
Required. Never have been required in my church. But we are northern Congregationalists. We barely say hello to each other.
Liberal Christian Churches have supported expansion of social programs and the welfare state.
At one time, the Church was pretty much the only true charity.
Now? The Church has ceded much of their authority and purpose to the State.
I do not think there can be much argument about that.
What does the Church do with its money? Don’t we have some authority to withhold money if the Church does an awful job managing money?
Liberal Christian Churches have supported expansion of social programs and the welfare state.
At one time, the Church was pretty much the only true charity.
Now? The Church has ceded much of their authority and purpose to the State.
I do not think there can be much argument about that.
What does the Church do with its money? Don’t we have some authority to withhold money if the Church does an awful job managing money?
“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
God requires only 10%.
I wish the IRS would be satisfied with that.
My feeling is that 10% figure must be NET and not GROSS since the Church itself has forced higher taxes on all of us, to get the government to do things that the Church used to do by itself.
If tithing is strictly old testament, what about adultery or murder?
I stopped giving to my church, which Church of Nazarene. I love this church and when I started attending about 4 years ago was involved in their soup kitchen, worked monthly at Interfaith Shelter, worked the free thanksgiving dinner for two years.
Then- they added on this huge section to the church. About a year after, said they were struggling financially, could we give more. People gave, they added several more charity programs, book packs for kids, Mobile food cart, added some more positions. Always raised money for annual Mission trip, usually to Mexico.
Hadn’t been to church in about 6 months, went few weeks ago...and before Pastor got up to preach, the treasurer of church said we are struggling financially, we need folks to give more money- for 10 weeks.
I had a negative critical spirit after that working on my soul. We have people in our church who struggle financially via lost jobs, illness, etc and yet they had to curtail help to their members...and yet, they expand their charity programs to the poor.
How are they struggling financially? Are they being irresponsible with money? Yes I think so. I really need to pray over continuing at this church....I prefer to give in my own way when I see a need for someone who needs in lieu of throwing money at a church that seems to have issues with spending our money wisely.
“But you ask, ‘How can we return when we have never gone away?’
“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!
“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’
“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “Then all nations will call you blessed, for your land will be such a delight,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
--Malachi 3:6-12, NLT
I'll go with that.
Aren't you forgeting what Jesus said about the law and the prophets?
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:17&18
At my Catholic parish, tithing of net (not gross) income is strongly encouraged but not required. Most of the other parishes I’ve attended over the years have had no policy on tithing.
Not to mention taking in illegal aliens and asking their church members to provide for them when their own members are also struggling.
Bingo.
REQUIRED??
I get to tithe.
Not at my church. We home church.
The Ten Commandments were timeless truths. They will always be.
Not so for the ceremonial laws tithing being one.
Time
Talent
Treasure
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