Christians are not required to tithe

[AresMan]

Is tithing, giving, or is giving ten percent a tithe?

Giving and tithing are not synonyms. One could give in the form of something other than a tithe. One could "tithe" and, if it were required, would not be under a generally accepted term of "giving" (at least in the free sense of the word).

Do people give tithes according to their definition or are they required to be subject to how you define the tithe?

Christians are not required to be subject to any form of "tithing" in how they give.

Anyone can observe a pattern of giving 10% of his monetary income to a church, and all that is fine and good; nothing wrong with it. Under the dictionary denotation of the word, that person would be tithing his monetary income to the church.

The question of this thread is if Christians are required to "tithe." To answer that question, we have to look at the Bible itself (because I assume that we all here derive our doctrines from the text of the Bible).

If we are supposed to tithe, then obviously we have to know what we are supposed to tithe, when we are supposed to tithe (if this matters), how we are supposed to tithe, and to whom we are supposed to tithe. Otherwise, we cannot do what we are supposed to do.

If you believe that we have a command/requirement/obligation/"ought-to"/suggestion to tithe, then please provide the Scripture supporting your position. You can define it in any way you want, just provide the Scripture to back up your claim. Then, we can have a meaningful discussion on this topic.

Are tithes paid or given?

I would say that if they are required, they are paid; if they are optional they are given.

 

[Harold Garvey]

Giving and tithing are not synonyms. One could give in the form of something other than a tithe. One could "tithe" and, if it were required, would not be under a generally accepted term of "giving" (at least in the free sense of the word).

I strongly disagree.

The tithe was given willfully and out of obedience. People have a choice

Christians are not required to be subject to any form of "tithing" in how they give.

So you think the Lord's work is not worthy of at least ten percent?

Anyone can observe a pattern of giving 10% of his monetary income to a church, and all that is fine and good; nothing wrong with it. Under the dictionary denotation of the word, that person would be tithing his monetary income to the church.

The question of this thread is if Christians are required to "tithe." To answer that question, we have to look at the Bible itself (because I assume that we all here derive our doctrines from the text of the Bible).

I believe we are required to give to the work of the Lord, this ten percent is a good threshold and basis for our giving above our means. I believe we should give of our increase in anything that would contribute to the work of God, including our time and other things as well.

If we are supposed to tithe, then obviously we have to know what we are supposed to tithe, when we are supposed to tithe (if this matters), how we are supposed to tithe, and to whom we are supposed to tithe. Otherwise, we cannot do what we are supposed to do.

If you believe that we have a command/requirement/obligation/"ought-to"/suggestion to tithe, then please provide the Scripture supporting your position. You can define it in any way you want, just provide the Scripture to back up your claim. Then, we can have a meaningful discussion on this topic.

I would say that if they are required, they are paid; if they are optional they are given.

Giving to the work of the Lord is NOT "optional", that would be licentiousness and expresses a complacent attitude towards seeing the church move forward in winning souls and discipling converts.

If one truly loves the Lord they will give what they would feel adequate to support the work.

I don't even agree with all the missionaries our church supports, yet I give to our missions efforts.

Taking care of the "home-base" is limited as how I see I should give when I see that home-base living extravagantly: the pastor wearing studded cuff-links, expensive watches, driving luxury autos, living in his own house with fancy furniture, wearing designer clothes and spouting off "TITHE!" offends everyone. Except when there are those who profit by sticking close to the pastor, those being the ones who "don't mind", most people are offended at the term.

I feel it is a misunderstood term when one defines it under the law as commanded. I see nowhere was Abraham commanded to tithe, rather I believe he just wanted to give.:thumbsup:

 

[Harold Garvey]

*sigh*

Again...there is nothing in the NT to suggest church buildings should be the "nicest in town."

In fact, many of our NT heroes held church in caves...catacombs...simple homes.

Look, I've made my point, and used Scripture to do it. Accept it, or don't...no matter to me. I also have no problem with churches, to a point, making their buildings nice. But that is an extraBiblical (different from unBiblical) matter.

So what you're saying is that you don't mind if the building looks like it's about to fall down, you meet regularly in caves and catacombs? Don't start telling me you're attending an "EXTRABIBLICAL CHURCH!":tongue3:

What about the example of the Temple and HOW GOD wanted it to be furnished?

 

[Harold Garvey]

Tenths are given; or is your church into extortion? I've never been sent a bill for any. Have you?

You've extorted from me a response: NO!

The tithe is a tenth of the increase, it is GIVEN, not PAID!

 

[saturneptune]

You've extorted from me a response: NO!

The tithe is a tenth of the increase, it is GIVEN, not PAID!

Tell you exactly what I do not understand. You and another poster started about the same time, and, with a few dozen or so posts, are into it with everyone in every thread. Do you think maybe you should learn the tone of the board before you start into unchartered terrritory?

As far as giving goes, it sure seems to me your energy is focused on money and buildings. Is not the focus Jesus, the poor, needy, and taking the Gospel to the lost? Yes, we do need a place to worship. Your whole mindset is upside down. We give out of a cheerful heart the Lord has given us. I end up giving more than 10%. If I thought as you do about giving, a drudgery, a chain around my neck, I would give nothing.

 

[annsni]

It is an economic fact that 10% is the operating margin for a business. are you to tell me that the church should not atleast expect what it takes to operate a business to do God's bidding?

Last I checked, a church in Scripture is not told to run like any other business. How many businesses look to use their money to give life to other people? In our church, I doubt 25% of the people tithe, yet we are debt free, support home grown missionaries 100%, have a staff of 45 and are expanding our ministries. God is doing the providing with whatever we have.

The church is to be the most prominent and best appearing structure in any town, yet mostly the governement buildings far look better than most churches.

Unless you show me where it says this in Scripture, you're wrong. The church should be the most influential building in town - not the nicest.

 

[Alive in Christ]

"But I will state, for the record, that you are right in that giving 1 tenth is not what God has 'required' of the NT believers but that we are to give MUCH MORE than a tithe."

Wrong.

Christians are to give, cheerfully, whatever they purpose in their heart to give. Period.

If its more that the tithe, fine. If its 10%, fine. If its less than the tithe, fine.

Gods only requirement is that it be given cheerfully.

 

[Harold Garvey]

Tell you exactly what I do not understand. You and another poster started about the same time, and, with a few dozen or so posts, are into it with everyone in every thread. Do you think maybe you should learn the tone of the board before you start into unchartered terrritory?

I find you not to be some one I am to be subject to.

I am not as you say,"into it with everyone"

Also, when I find the "tone" to suggest the errors it does I have evry right to confront it and contend for the faith.

may I ask you not to get every thread I am in on a "personaL" level by making so many malicious statements to me?

As far as giving goes, it sure seems to me your energy is focused on money and buildings. Is not the focus Jesus, the poor, needy, and taking the Gospel to the lost? Yes, we do need a place to worship. Your whole mindset is upside down. We give out of a cheerful heart the Lord has given us. I end up giving more than 10%. If I thought as you do about giving, a drudgery, a chain around my neck, I would give nothing.

I think you have misjudged me, the ONLY focus is Jesus, everything and everybody else falls under that heading.

I have never seen where I asked you what or how much you give.


Maybe you should consider the way you're reading into what I said and then change your repsonses.

 

[Alive in Christ]

"Originally Posted by Harold Garvey
The church is to be the most prominent and best appearing structure in any town"

Nonsense. Where...in...the..world...did you come up with stuff like that???

 

[Alive in Christ]

Originally Posted by Harold Garvey
The economy of God has, and always will operate on the tenth of the increase of His followers."

Complete, total, absolute FALSEHOOD.