Should we tithe or give?

One should be concerned about making critical errors, as we will one day reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).

I cannot help but to comment on the original post.

Firstly, there were things that Jesus did do away with from the Old Testament, for example Matthew 5:39. If someone takes our coat, we shouldn't resist if they take our cloak also (Luke 6:29). Jesus was talking about the OLD TESTAMENT here, and REWRITING it for WHO? Jews? I don't think so.

Secondly, I Peter 1 verses 15 and 16 are interesting. "But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy." What's my point? It's odd how Peter quotes the OLD TESTAMENT THAT WAS FOR ISRAEL, and APPLYING it to Gentiles. You can say that verse 1 of I Peter were for the strangers (Jews) scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, etc. That's true, but you didn't read the next chapter verse 10 "Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy." This means that it's for Gentiles.

As for the Israelites and tithing. Who gave the increase? Who made the FRUIT that grew (as it really was that they were tithing)? Didn't GOD do it? So who was responsible? The Israelites of course (says foolish man)! No, It was from GOD.

Why then did GOD ask for some of it back? I could have a million answers to that, but I'll give you one for time's sake. To ACKNOWLEDGE that God GREW the fruit in the FIRST PLACE. I think this is NOT UNLIKE to our finances.

Of course, God gave a gift too. His SON. A tenth part? NO 100% Blood and all!

Conclusion.

Jesus personally dealt with many parts of the Old Testament law. We have the New Testament--saved by grace. We also have GUIDELINES, that Jesus gave (a modified CURRENT DATE Old Testament Law).

Jesus (Matt 4:4), Paul (Galatians 3:10!!), Peter (I Peter 1:16) etc... all went back to the OLD TESTAMENT LAW.

GOD gives the increase, one that does not give as being one that is thankful, is one that may not thankful at all.

God gave a gift, HIS SON. That was all he had to give that was perfect enough to take away sin from those that desire it. Doesn't even the sacrifice of GOD HIMSELF teach us something about giving?

I leave you with these thoughts.
Hooroo

 

HUH?????? I can thankfully say that one of the advantages to going to a good Bible-Believing Baptist church is that it helps me get "rooted and grounded" in the truth.
Solo...even those of us in here that don't believe in Old Testament "storehouse"tithing for the New Testament church DO believe in GIVING...and I daresay we believe that God OWNS it ALL...100%.By the way..if I understand the rules of the board correctly,this is a "Baptist only" section of the board.Welcome to the BB but I think you need to be posting down in the non-denom section.It's "down under" this section...

Greg Sr.(sorry moderator..I just couldn't resist)

 

AMEN!

Too Bad that doesn't apply to teaching the Tithe ... ;o)

Make your checks out to me and my address is ...

 

More seriously Deuteronomy chapter 14 is seldom explained ... quoted often ...

 

AMEN Soulman....Great post!!!!

Greg Sr.

 

I believe in tithing as practiced by the vast majority of churches I have been a part of.
That being said; I think the point is lost. It is NOT about 10% or 5% or 100%. I think God is pleased with a cheerful giver whether you call it tithe or just plain givng. It does not matter one whit what you call it or HOW you come to excercise the call of God to give. Jesus said, It is more blessed to give than receive." So...just do it.
I would like to toss one more "wrench in the gears" of this discussion.
Whether one is giving 10% or just giving as the Lord leads, I would ask this: Is your giving sacrificial or is it just as you are able? I would submit that it is not sacrificial unless it hurts. So...if you do not have it to give but give anyway, Jesus is very pleased with that. See; the poor widow woman and her two mites.
For they who would decry tithing because it cost them something I would say they have forgotten the widow woman.
Lu 21:3
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
Lu 21:4
For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

In HIS service;
Jim

 

Gen 14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

Abram was not commanded to give a tenth of his spoils, but he was moved to do so because of his recognition of Melchizedek as the priest of the most high God. In effect, his gift, the tithe he offered, was given freely and cheerfully.

The law of the tithe was given to Israel at a time when the people were without a sense of obligation and that was the purpose of establishing the law.

Gal 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

I realize I have used these verses somewhat out of context, but the principle in these verses apply to tithing and giving freely to support the ministry through the church. There is no longer a direct commandment today for a person to tithe, but we are instructed to give freely as the Lord has blessed us.

2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Some distinguish their obligation and their offering separately using the tithe as their minimum obligation. This approach is fine and even scriptural. However it is the personal recognition of the obligation to render support that makes it scriptural, not the 10 percent minimum. If 10% is what you are comfortable with, that's fine. If it is too comfortable, you might want to increase it, but that is between you and the Lord. Some use the distinction for budgetary purposes and that's okay too. We just need to understand that God measures giving by our heart, not the size of the check we put into the offering plate. If our hearts are right, the plate will be adequate for the purposes God will use it for.

 

we SHOULD tithe

and we SHOULD give ... I think that answers the original question ...

and we should PRACTICE the tithe ...

 

mmm ...

What is the right teaching of the tithe?

 

Soulman: I also cringe when I hear preachers go down that road. Technically, most of what I hear them say would be fine, even the stealing from God portions, if they just would not attempt to mandate the 10%. It is all about each individual child of God recognizing and embracing their responsibility to financially support the ministry.

 

I wonder...

For those who would say that Jesus put an end to tithing by when He said "It is finished". Do you also believe he put an end to the 10 commandments? The other good, moral aspects of the law? Don't get me wrong, I am not a legalist. We are saved by grace and that is that. But why is that grace necessary? Because we are incapable of following the law, not that God's law is bad in any way or that it isn't pleasing to God to follow it as one is able.

Jesus even summed up the law in 2 commandments. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and spirit, and love your neighbor as yourself. Would anyone argue that when Jesus said "It is finished" it invalidated any need to follow these commandments?

The Old Testament is there for a reason. The New Testament clarifies and completes the old, but doesn't invalidate it.

 

As per Soulmans original post on tithing as written by Tim Morton (who I agree with),the "tithe" preached and taught in most Baptist churches TODAY is NOT scriptural,Biblical,Old Testament tithing.The following link is Tim Mortons website if any of you want to check it out for yourselves.You'll find his "offering" on "tithing" under the "Taboo Topics" section of his website(along with a lot of other "interesting" stuff.


http://members.citynet.net/morton/

Greg Sr.

 

GPS, thanks!

 

GPS

At least he has read the passages ... I think he adds the passages differently than I read them.

But, I personally do not think I can address an issue that I have not read God's Word on ...

IMHO, I am not always correct in my interpretation ... but, I try

 

Soulman

I wasn't following you until now. It sounds like you have studyied the Biblical tithe.