1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Are Christians Obligated to Tithe?

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by Piper, Sep 5, 2023.

Top Posters
  1. Piper

    Piper Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2013
    Messages:
    905
    Likes Received:
    148
    Faith:
    Baptist
    When I was first saved, I was told that Jesus in Matthew 23:23 said we should at least tithe, and that it was 10% of your annual income to your local church.

    Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

    However, I have come to see that OT tithing was about 23%, and it was of animals owned and it did not apply to non-farmers. Plus when they brought their tithe, at least once in the year, they were to eat it. So, this idea of 10% to your local church is not even taught anywhere.

    The NT corrected that with grace giving.
    2 Cor 9:7
    Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

    1 Cor 16:2
    On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.
     
    #1 Piper, Sep 5, 2023
    • Informative Informative x 1
  2. 37818

    37818 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Messages:
    17,847
    Likes Received:
    1,365
    Faith:
    Baptist
    The first reference to a tithe was Abram giving a tenth to Melchizedek, Genesis 14:20. This is before the Law was given to Moses.
     
    #2 37818, Sep 5, 2023
  3. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
    Moderator

    Joined:
    May 22, 2002
    Messages:
    11,538
    Likes Received:
    1,008
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I tithe, but that's between me and God. And that's outside any offerings.
     
    #3 Scarlett O., Sep 5, 2023
  4. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,981
    Likes Received:
    2,616
    Faith:
    Baptist
    The words "tithe" "tithes" and "tithing" only occur 7 times in the NT.
    Most, if not all are referring to the OT
    The NT does not command us to tithe.
    I agree with Piper - "Grace Giving"
    In fact, 10% may not be sufficent
    Remember the Christian businessman kept the 10% tithe for himself?
    Why did he do so???
     
    #4 Salty, Sep 5, 2023
  5. tyndale1946

    tyndale1946 Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Aug 30, 2001
    Messages:
    11,184
    Likes Received:
    2,489
    Faith:
    Baptist
    1 John 3: 17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

    This is grace giving, when you help those in need!... Brother Glen:)
     
    #5 tyndale1946, Sep 5, 2023
  6. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2011
    Messages:
    28,745
    Likes Received:
    1,136
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Are Christians Obligated to Tithe?

    Nope.

    What we give is between us and God. It can be more than 10% for one believer or family, and less than 10% for another.

    And what are we to give, our love, our time, our obedience, our security blanket? Big topic! Thanks Mr. Piper
     
    #6 Van, Sep 5, 2023
    • Agree Agree x 2
  7. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
    Administrator

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2003
    Messages:
    38,981
    Likes Received:
    2,616
    Faith:
    Baptist
    So I dont hyjack this thread, I have started a new thread:
     
    #7 Salty, Sep 5, 2023
  8. taisto

    taisto Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2023
    Messages:
    1,079
    Likes Received:
    100
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I shared the Parable of the Dishonest Manager in Luke 16:1-13 where Jesus teaches us about using money. If we horde the money God gives us, we are showing that our master is money, not God. That should be a red flag regarding our faith.
    Tithing simply means we give to others from the wealth God has granted to us. It doesn't have to be to the local church. It can be to Godward NGOs who are expanding the gospel to the world. It can be to shelters and Christian support centers near you. If you don't have money, you can give your time in helping at a shelter or a place like Feed My Starving Children. There are many ways to give and it is absolutely required of us.
     
    #8 taisto, Sep 5, 2023
  9. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2011
    Messages:
    28,745
    Likes Received:
    1,136
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Another biblical principle is to pull our own weight, thus support our local assembly where we are fed (through the witness and nurturing of others) and we feed others with our witness, love and care. Also, do we share because of Christ's command or our love of our siblings in Christ?
     
    #9 Van, Sep 6, 2023
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...