To tithe or not to tithe, that is the question

John, what I tried to say was that our "pardon" (justification) is similar to a man on death row. Even though he is pardoned, and set free, the law is still there; the part of the law that said he committed a crime no longer applies to him, just as the law that stated we were sinners no longer applies to us.

Tithing? I tithe; do I teach it as a requirement? No. It's a good guideline (10%). I teach that it honors God, giving back a little of what He gave us, and that it should go to the church, to keep the doors open and to support the pastor and the church's ministries.

 

Good one, Qwerty (sure is an easy name to type). The only sermons I have heard on Malachi were by non tithers. I am sure someone could come up with something that sounds reasonable at first but I doubt that it would hold much water.

 

Good one, Qwerty (sure is an easy name to type). The only sermons I have heard on Malachi were by non tithers. I am sure someone could come up with something that sounds reasonable at first but I doubt that it would hold much water.

 

Jack Hyles would be rolling over in his grave right now if he knew what was being said about tithing on here.

Has anyone here ever heard any of the famous "hyles-type" tithing sermons?

 

I don't know the answer to the question; however, I would point out that tithing was there before Moses' law. Yes, I TEND to agree that Moses' law has no authority over Christians today, but what about things before then? Is God's promise never to destroy the earth with a flood not there any more because Jesus got rid of the law? Or what about 'go forth and multiply'? Does the "law" include the things that were pre-Moses?

 

Jews don't even tithe any more.
In the religion section of todays Billings Gazette I read a Knight Ridder article on tithing containing the following--

========
{Quoting Rabbi Herbert J. Mandl of Kehilath Israel Synagogue in Overland Park, Kansas.}

Not only was there a first tithe that went to the Levites, who assisted the priests and did not own property, but a second tithe, which twice in a seven-year cycle would go to the poor, he said.

The tithe has not been mandatory since 70 C.E., he said. Today Jews pay dues to their synagogue, based on their income, andd give to charity.

"We don't suggest a percentage," Mandl said.
=============

The Jews understand that the purpose of the tithe, the Levites, has passed. The Levites.
They have understood it for nearly 2000 years.

Why can't we understand it?

MR

 

The Jews don't even believe that Jesus is the Messiah. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Jews and support the nation of Israel 100%, but I don't think it would be a good idea to take their word on anything when it comes to the Church Age until they stop rejecting their (and our) King.

 

Just because the Jews did not recognize the Messiah is no reason to assume they are in the wrong about everything except where they might agree with your own personal opinions.

They understand the purpose of the tithe.
It is clearly laid out in the Old Testament.
The same Old Testament you read.
Suggested reading for those who do not understand the purpose of the tithe is Leviticus 27:30-34 and
Numbers 18:21&24.
Leviticus will also show you that the tithe only applies to Isrealites.
There is absolutely no application for the tithe, or mention of it under the New Covenant.

How do you justify using the Old Testament to support your errant belief in tithing without also demanding that your tithe is used as it was in the O.T.?

The lame accusation that is always made is that those who do not believe in tithing or Sabbath keeping are picking and choosing what O.T. laws we are under.
We are under none of them.
I suggest that if you want to keep part of the law, you must keep it all, as Paul suggested.

MR

[ January 25, 2003, 10:57 PM: Message edited by: mountainrun ]

 

Johnv...I agree with you.

Sherrie

 

i never suggested we keep part of the law and forget the rest. i also never mentioned what my opinion on this subject is either. i was saying that i don't think we should go ask the jews what they think we should do.

 

If it were still to apply today, we would find some evidence of it in the New Testament. The fact of the matter is that we do not. No where is tithing mentioned, we are told to give what we decide in our heart cheerfully. We have examples of how sacrificially people gave, but it was never a command.

Too many people think that if we don't preach tithing or use it as an example people will use it as an excuse to give less.

The New Testament is proof that when led by our hearts we would give more. Some would sell all they had and lay it at a true apostles feet.

By preaching tithing you are actually giving an excuse NOT to give sacrificially. Hey, you gave your 10%, you did our part if only everyone else would do theirs you could meet your budget.

The Old Covenant was fulfilled in Christ. Christ Fulfilled the law by living by the law perfectly, without sin. Something man could not do. Now that the law had been perfectly kept in Christ, he now gives us grace and we are no longer under obligation to the law. We are free in Christ! What a joy you are missing if you don't understand that freedom!

I don't have to worry about if I am wrong disregarding anything, for the Bible is quite clear on it. I seek to let the Spirit live in and through me, he leads me where, when, and how much to give. What a blessing to not be limited in my giving!

~Lorelei

[ January 26, 2003, 12:33 AM: Message edited by: Lorelei ]

 

Well said, Lorelei.
Pity the poor law-keepers here.
Give me grace instead.

MR