Can you give some Scriptural support for these statements. Then we can see if your interpretation/application is correct according to context.
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Proportional Giving or Ten Percent
- Thread starter HAMel
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What Scripture is the basis for this view?
What is the Scriptural basis for the idea that "offerings... are above the tithe"?
What is the Scriptural basis for tithing being "putting 10% of your income... into the offering plate"?
Of course, we should give "our all" for God. The fact that such questions arise about "tithing" time and talents demonstrates the confusion people today have about what the Bible teaches about tithing.
Trying to call one's income his "increase" does not reconcile what the "increase" is according to the Biblical definition of a tithe.
The landowners tithed of "the increase of the seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year." This "increase" was of what was produced that year at the end of harvest and would have not included what was present from the previous year. There would have been income from sales and other business activities as well as expenses. What was left in the harvest (CROPS and LIVESTOCK from the soil only) was tithed!
If you could make a very rough comparison, one would tithe of what is left over after taxes and bills, or a business would tithe of profits, not revenue or income. However, such would still not justify an application of the tithing commands to modern monetary income.
If you are going to argue that the "tithe" "comes right off the top" by the "firstfruits" argument, then you will have to deal with the firstfruits texts in the Law. Firstfruits and tithes were not the same thing. They were two completely separate acts.
1. Firstfruits were performed at the beginning of harvest, whereas tithes were performed at the end of harvest.
2. Firstfruits were a small portion of the initial harvest that fit into a basket and were taken directly to the priests, whereas tithes were a tenth portion of the final harvest that were brought to the Levites in their allotted cities.
BIG DIFFERENCES!
Jesus was addressing the scribes and Pharisees who "sit in Moses' seat" concerning matters of the Mosaic Law.
As you said, this was about their tithing of spices. If you don't tithe spices, then you have NO RIGHT to claim these words of Jesus for yourself. Stop wresting the words of Jesus!
freeatlast
New Member
Wrong! 10% is not the base figure. That is legalism. If God wanted us to focus on a base figure he would have given it but he did not. The church is to give without any pressure or mention of the tithe or it is legalism and sin.
One reason that some try and push the 10% thing is because they follow that and are jealous of those who have found liberty in giving. They want to lord over others their legalism. The NT does not teach or suggest any percent we are to base our giving on. To suggest such adds to scripture and is sin.
God uses the tithe as a form of worship to Him, and as a sign that we have heart in with Him...
that is why the OT 10 % a good strating spot, as we should give even more now that we are NOT under the OT law, but under NT Grace!
Prove this from Scripture.
In Deuteronomy 14, the landowners of Israel were to bring a tithe of the annual increase of the crops and livestock to Jerusalem for the feast of tabernacles. They were to bring this tithe so that they could eat it themselves and share it with the Levites. If the trip was too far from the landowner's place of residence to transport the crops and livestock, the landowner could sell them for money, carry the money, and repurchase the titheable commodities for the feast.
This tithe was to celebrate God's blessings and to learn to fear Him. This practice for these Israelites in learning to fear God was based on knowing that God controlled the weather--not man. The output of the field was totally subject to God's supernatural control of the weather. The purpose of the tithe was to recognize that it was only by God's provision that there would be anything to eat there at all.
The tithe of the law was always only of things that grew and thrived directly through the provision of what only God could do--the weather. Tithes were never based on the output of the skills of man: trades, fishing, and money.
There is no such beast in Scripture about this "general principle" of "tithing" that is "a form of worship to God."
Why is it that so many people here just keep tossing around these feel good cliches and give no regard for the hard core proof from Scripture needed to substantiate them?
Prove this from Scripture.
You would also have to prove the monetary income tithe myth true first before you could begin to prove your statement.
Prove this from Scripture?
And how do I comparatively and properly give "more" than
1. a tenth of the annual increase of crops and livestock from the land of Israel for Levites
2. a tenth of the same for me to eat at Jerusalem for the feast of tabernacles
3. a tenth of the same every third year to local storage areas for the poor
?
I await your Scriptural response.
Prove this from Scripture.
In Deuteronomy 14, the landowners of Israel were to bring a tithe of the annual increase of the crops and livestock to Jerusalem for the feast of tabernacles. They were to bring this tithe so that they could eat it themselves and share it with the Levites. If the trip was too far from the landowner's place of residence to transport the crops and livestock, the landowner could sell them for money, carry the money, and repurchase the titheable commodities for the feast.
This tithe was to celebrate God's blessings and to learn to fear Him. This practice for these Israelites in learning to fear God was based on knowing that God controlled the weather--not man. The output of the field was totally subject to God's supernatural control of the weather. The purpose of the tithe was to recognize that it was only by God's provision that there would be anything to eat there at all.
The tithe of the law was always only of things that grew and thrived directly through the provision of what only God could do--the weather. Tithes were never based on the output of the skills of man: trades, fishing, and money.
There is no such beast in Scripture about this "general principle" of "tithing" that is "a form of worship to God."
Why is it that so many people here just keep tossing around these feel good cliches and give no regard for the hard core proof from Scripture needed to substantiate them?
Prove this from Scripture.
You would also have to prove the monetary income tithe myth true first before you could begin to prove your statement.
Prove this from Scripture?
And how do I comparatively and properly give "more" than
1. a tenth of the annual increase of crops and livestock from the land of Israel for Levites
2. a tenth of the same for me to eat at Jerusalem for the feast of tabernacles
3. a tenth of the same every third year to local storage areas for the poor
?
I await your Scriptural response.
actually, i personally believe that we, being under the grace of the Cross, are NOT under the law to make the payment as God said to in the OT times...
We are to bless as we have been blesses in return by God...
that is why I picked the 10% figure, for it those under an inferior Covenant could expect to pay that amt, how much more should we under the new and better Covenant pay now?
as I see it as act worship and giving from the heart back to god, as showing appreciation for His grace towards me! Also, in order to be a blessing unto others!
No it isn't. Can you give an accurate definition of legalism?
I appreciate that you do not believe Christians are required to give 10% of their monetary income to the church. However, I would like it if people would do their research and understand what exactly Scripture teaches about tithing in full context. I would like it if people would get educated and remove the idea or label of tithe as a description of giving money to the church.
For Christians, we are supposed to give abundantly, generously, and cheerfully (without compulsion) to meet needs. There is not so much as a smidgen of restrictions to this, whether minimum or maximum. There is no "principle" of a "base level" in any respect. There is only the goal of funding the spread of the gospel and meeting the needs of the saints.
Our principle of giving is not the amount given, but the amount received and that needs are met in full.
freeatlast
New Member
Wrong! While we are all to give, to suggest a starting point is legalism and not NT. There is no starting point. There is only as our hearts desire without any percentage amount to base it on. People who use the tithe as a starting point do it to feel spiritual and they almost without exception try and hold it over the heads of those who have been set free by the word of God. Using the tithe as a way to govern what we give is a pride issue and sin.. The only people wanting the tithe are those who are trapped in it. Thye are not free and the3y want to trap others with them. It is not of God for the church. It is of satan
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freeatlast
New Member
No it isn't. Paul dealt with legalism in the book of Galatians, and it was specifically dealt with in the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15.
Legalism is adding anything to the gospel.
Those who add baptism, for example, and any other work to salvation are legalists. What you are talking about has nothing to do with legalism whatsoever. Legalism is something that is restricted to the gospel.
The Judaizers were legalists. They said that unless you keep the law and be circumcised you cannot be saved. That is an example of legalism. You have changed the meaning to fit some other modern philosophy. But that is not what legalism is.
Giving the tithe though not same as being legilstic, as the reason for it is to bless back God and bless others for His Kingdom work, as a result of his saving us and blessing us!
Is tithing part of your salvation, or not tithing make you not saved?
Then it is not legalistic.
Point is IF God demanded that under inferior Covenant, how can we under a new and better One refuse to do at LEAST that amount?
freeatlast
New Member
freeatlast
New Member
Because He does not want that! He wants each person to decide in their own heart, without any pressure or prompting of a percent, what to give from a cheerful heart. Any suggestion of the tithe or the tithe as a guide is legalism and puts people under bondage.
Then you know nothing of legalism. I suggest you go and study before you post again.
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