Are Christians required to Tithe?

Jailminister,

I would like to say that what you have quoted about the Pharisees Tithing is very good, Yet that was how they "earnt" their salvation. Jesus Ressurection on the cross changed all that.

It is important, simply because it is exposing false doctrine. In my opinion one false doctrine leads to another. Look at how the Prosperity Gospel and the Word of Faith teachings flood the church with false doctrine. All because people will not stand up for the truth, and let things like mandatory 10% tithing slide.

 

IFBReformer, I read your article and agree 10 Tithes%. It looks like most didn't read it and the ones that did ignored it. My church taught tithing during the first 35 years or so of its existance but for the last 40 years has taught that we should give generously and totally free will. That change was brought about by a similar study of scripture that you have done. We aren't greedy and merely trying to find a way to "get out of" giving. Just out of curiosity, how come nobody ever quotes Jesus when it comes to what is praiseworthy in giving?

Mark 12:41 And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. 42 And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. 43 And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: 44 For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

It looks to me like Jesus is saying 100% is the absolute best you can do. Why doesn't anybody else want this praise from Jesus?

 

Thank you IfbReformer for that excellent article.

What amazes me is how so many people will read your article, see the scripture, and then simply say that they still believe that tithing is required for the church. Go figure.

 

The ten commandments are also in the Old Testment. Should we throw them out as well?

 

No, they still get a B+. 9 of them are repeated in the NT, and in one other the purpose is repeated, but the entire command is not.

 

Oh he did? He did not go out of his way to break them, but He did break them. That is one of the reasons he was so hated. I don't believe you could use that as a reason to not tithe. As I said tithing may not be required, but it is something we should do in obedience. I promise you something if you don't tithe you want be blessed the same way as if you do. I know this from trial and error. Before I understood the principal of tithing, I tried to not tithe and some how I would always wind up having to use that money on something unexpected that came up. Once I started tithing I quit having those things happen.

 

My personal example is based on facts. I challenge you to ask other peole and see if it is not the same for them. 105 is not etched in gold, but it is the starting place. Also the more I give the more God blesses. Try it my friend.

Now as far as Jesus breaking the mosiac law, there are many many parts of the mosaic law. The pharisees practiced them all, even adding to them, but they were still under the law. One example was Jesus healing on the Sabath. It was breaking the law, but it was not wrong. I think we realy agree on this issue even though we may be saying it differently. Jesus did correct them, but they did not think He had the authority to do so. In their mind they were under the law.

 

If that's true, then do you give every penny you get? If you don't, there are only 2 reasons: (1)You don't really believe that, or (2)you do not wish to be blessed to the maximum.

 

Whether one is "biblically" required to tithe or not, one thing is certain. If you're attending a church, you have a responsibility to put something in, since you're getting something out.

As far as God promising to bless the one who ththes, all I know is, every time I drop fifty bucks in the offering plate, it comes back to me several times over, and I'm never broke. When I don't, drop in anything, I'm usually broke until the next pay period. You'd think it would be the other way around, but God has other plans.

If you don't believe that God does this, I encourage you to try it this Sunday & see what happens.

 

As far as God promising to bless the one who ththes, all I know is, every time I drop fifty bucks in the offering plate, it comes back to me several times over, and I'm never broke.

Money falls out of the sky into your pockets? or how does this happen?

When I don't, drop in anything, I'm usually broke until the next pay period.

If you are, you obviously spend money elsewhere, give it elsewhere, or lose it.

You'd think it would be the other way around, but God has other plans.

Then a previously cited question needs to be put to you: Do you give every peeny you earn, so you will have more money in the end? If you don't, then what is the optimum? 10%? 15%? 25%?....?

If you don't believe that God does this, I encourage you to try it this Sunday & see what happens.

Try which? "Drop fifty bucks in the offering plate" and see it "come back several times over"? or do not do that and be "broke until the next pay period"? I did latter last Sunday, because I was not even there. So if I drop that fifty bucks in this coming week, just what is going to happen?

Fortunately you did say one thing that made good sense-- that if we are part of a church we have a responsibility to support that church. But perceived mysticism about money does not hold up under a test, and I have proved it.

 

Alcott, I give my tithe then I give an offering, then I give a little more, as well as support missions. I devote a large amount of my time as well to the ministry. I say this not for brag, but because God richly blesses me. All I can say is that it works and God has been faithful. The reason I don't give more is because I am not necessarily required to do so. That may sound harsh, but God also expects me to take care of my family so I do, but if a need comes up in the ministry for more, then we as a family just cut back and do what we need to do.

For a good example read the story of a man named LeTorneau(sorry forgot his first name). He built a Christian college in Longview Texas. Just do a word search and read about his life and testimony.

 

Actually, going back to Dr. Bob's point, and Diane's response, there are other NT references to tithes.

But it has nothing to do with a compelling case for tithing by the church. Tithing was for supporting the priesthood and state of Israel.

The sum of Jesus' teachings on giving tell us that it should be with a joyfull heart and that it should be sacrificial, that is, cost the giver something. For rich people, giving 10% would not be sacrificial. Bill Gates could given a million dollars every week and wouldn't affect his lifestyle in the least, while a poor person might give 5% or $10 and have to go without a basic necessity. That's sacrificial giving. If every member of every church gave sacrificially, pastors wouldn't have to use the "tithe guilt trip" sermons!

 

One Sunday morning before the offering I told our folks, "Remember, this offering is for the heathen, so either put some in or take some out?

I don't know whether anyone tithed but there sure was a lot of hilarious giving.