is Tithing for the New Testament believer?
Why or why not?
Why or why not?
-
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!
is Tithing for today?
- Thread starter Jordan Kurecki
- Start date
Tithing is not commanded for the New Testament believer. If they want to tithe, good for them. But it's wrong to claim that God commands us to tithe.
I am starting to rethink this whole tithing thing.
While I do recognize that Abraham and Jacob are said to have tithed, it seems that they chose to do so out of freewill rather than obligation, I do not believe it was because of any rule or law, I see Old Testament Tithing and have noticed that it was mainly livestock and stuff that was grown like fruits etc, it was almost never monetary, I see this as a ceremonial law that was done away with in Christ.
But I do notice that the N.T. commands that God loves a cheerful giver, and that he sows bountifully shall reap bountifully in the area of giving, but it also says a giver should give as he purposes in his heart (these are all found in 1 Cor 9:6-7) and it also says NOT OF NECESSITY, this seems to me that to teach others a mandatory tithe of 10 percent is not right.
With this being said I believe there are probably a good handful of people that use this as an argument not to give to the church, I believe the people ought to give what they can,as God leads, in order to pay for their pastor, support missionaries, and for the general ministries of the church. I do believe that the 10 percent tithe in the Old Testament Law is a good example for people to start, and I would be surprised if God did not call for individuals to go higher, I think there ought to be times where we give even though it may not make sense financially, Christians ought to be givers, I'm thinking it's probably better to preach about giving in general, explain the purposes for giving, and explain that because we are under grace, that there is no reason why anyone should not be able to start at 10 percent, but I don't know if I quite feel comfortable in telling people that if they don't give at least 10 percent that they are sinning..
1Co 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
it also seems to me that our giving ought to be in proportion to what we earn.
Personally I have chosen a percentage amount.
hese are not my definite final beliefs, these are just some early thoughts I am having as I am rehashing this and critically examining the mandatory tithe I have been taught.
While I do recognize that Abraham and Jacob are said to have tithed, it seems that they chose to do so out of freewill rather than obligation, I do not believe it was because of any rule or law, I see Old Testament Tithing and have noticed that it was mainly livestock and stuff that was grown like fruits etc, it was almost never monetary, I see this as a ceremonial law that was done away with in Christ.
But I do notice that the N.T. commands that God loves a cheerful giver, and that he sows bountifully shall reap bountifully in the area of giving, but it also says a giver should give as he purposes in his heart (these are all found in 1 Cor 9:6-7) and it also says NOT OF NECESSITY, this seems to me that to teach others a mandatory tithe of 10 percent is not right.
With this being said I believe there are probably a good handful of people that use this as an argument not to give to the church, I believe the people ought to give what they can,as God leads, in order to pay for their pastor, support missionaries, and for the general ministries of the church. I do believe that the 10 percent tithe in the Old Testament Law is a good example for people to start, and I would be surprised if God did not call for individuals to go higher, I think there ought to be times where we give even though it may not make sense financially, Christians ought to be givers, I'm thinking it's probably better to preach about giving in general, explain the purposes for giving, and explain that because we are under grace, that there is no reason why anyone should not be able to start at 10 percent, but I don't know if I quite feel comfortable in telling people that if they don't give at least 10 percent that they are sinning..
1Co 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
it also seems to me that our giving ought to be in proportion to what we earn.
Personally I have chosen a percentage amount.
hese are not my definite final beliefs, these are just some early thoughts I am having as I am rehashing this and critically examining the mandatory tithe I have been taught.
Yes, yes, and yes!
When I had two kids going to Christian school the tuition was way more than 10% of my income. To me that was a good reason to not start at 10%. I ended up giving about 7%-8% most of those years.
You shouldn't because it's not a sin if you don't give 10%. People need guidelines though, so it's OK to suggest 10%.
As long as we're on the subject of giving....along with tithing I don't find Biblical support for the "Faith Missions Promise".
evenifigoalone
Well-Known Member
Can't comment on the tithing percentage.
But people who are anti-tithing seem to characterize the church as being greedy for money or something--when, really, that money actually goes toward the church's goals, y'know? Many churches support local ministries and maybe even serve as the home church for missionaries. Others who are part of a head convention or organization send money to them, which goes toward missionaries abroad. They do have to use some of it for necessary expenses of running a building and facilities every week, too.
But people who are anti-tithing seem to characterize the church as being greedy for money or something--when, really, that money actually goes toward the church's goals, y'know? Many churches support local ministries and maybe even serve as the home church for missionaries. Others who are part of a head convention or organization send money to them, which goes toward missionaries abroad. They do have to use some of it for necessary expenses of running a building and facilities every week, too.
The pie charts of churches I've seen mirror more corporate or 501(c)3 status. Most churches are run more like a business and less like a ministry.
evenifigoalone
Well-Known Member
This is true. (Personally I appreciate the opportunities to serve at my church. I feel like I'm doing something.)
But funding is important, too.
Faith Missions Promise is simply supporting missionaries.
I see nothing wrong with it.
It's definately not mandatory, just one method to support missions.
evenifigoalone
Well-Known Member
I personally wouldn't attend a church that didn't support at least one ministry.
Well, For our church the a lot of the money goes to things like keeping up to date on the building, running vans to pick up kids, sunday school materials, etc.
Recently we just had a week long tent meeting, we spent a few thousands dollars to mail out invitations to tons of people in our area.
Money definitely is a big help to ministry, Though having money certainly doesn't mean the ministry is successful.
Recently we just had a week long tent meeting, we spent a few thousands dollars to mail out invitations to tons of people in our area.
Money definitely is a big help to ministry, Though having money certainly doesn't mean the ministry is successful.
It's not Biblical, either.
OK, if it's simply supporting missions, just have people give to the general fund of the church, then have the church leaders decide how much of that money goes to missions.
The churches that I've attended with these things skate right to the edge of it being mandatory. Sermons on the subject, handing out pledge cards, having the people put their filled-out pledge cards in the offering plate, etc.
What I've seen is churches with a building fund, a bus ministry fund, a Sunday School fund, a faith missions promise fund, a vacation Bible school fund, etc. etc. and separate appeals for money for these things. You know what? That affects my 'cheerful giving' attitude. I'd rather they simply have an offering, a budget, and dole the money out as they see fit.
OldRegular
Well-Known Member
No!............
What he said....double double:thumbs:
Tom Butler
New Member
Let's look at Luke 11:44
Isn't Jesus endorsing tithing in this passage? If he is, when did he say we don't have to any more?
I'm sorta curious, too. Are there any of you who don't believe the tithe is a Biblical mandate, yet tithe anyway? If so, explain what influenced your decision.
I''m assuming that all of us agree that some sort of proportional giving is appropriate. How do you arrive at the proportion you give? Does it vary for any reason? Does it come out of your income first, or later, if there's anything left over?
Isn't Jesus endorsing tithing in this passage? If he is, when did he say we don't have to any more?
I'm sorta curious, too. Are there any of you who don't believe the tithe is a Biblical mandate, yet tithe anyway? If so, explain what influenced your decision.
I''m assuming that all of us agree that some sort of proportional giving is appropriate. How do you arrive at the proportion you give? Does it vary for any reason? Does it come out of your income first, or later, if there's anything left over?
First, He was addressing those who were under the law. Second, this was agriculture. It is wrong to take that saying in context and apply it to money and to those no longer under the law. We can't pick and choose which OT laws to keep either if we plan on living under it.
He is speaking at this time when Old Testament Ceremonial Law was still in place.
OldRegular
Well-Known Member
The Jews/Israelites were under obligation to tithe. The tribe of Levi were selected to do the services of the temple and as such received no part of the land of promise, instead there were given the tithe. I believe in the passage quoted Jesus Christ, while commending the tithe but chastising the Jews for their hypocrisy.
I have belonged to two different churches. In both the promise to tithe was a requirement to become a deacon, as was the promise to attend all Church services unless providentially hindered. my experience is that some who tithe consider themselves superior "Christians" to those who don't. I don't believe the tithe is required under the New Covenant so I never served as a deacon.
In one church I served as Director of Church Training for several years. I noticed that most of the deacons did not participate. Realizing their feeling of spiritual superiority I asked the pastor if he would be willing to teach something for the deacons. He readily agreed, anything to increase Sunday night attendance. He and I met with the deacons to submit the idea to them. Being a practiced diplomat I noted that they had signed a statement pledging to attend all church services so you can imagine the success I had!