The reason Baptist preachers teach tithing

[alexander284]

The reason Baptist preachers teach tithing ...

They want your money!

They need your money to support their extravagant lifestyles!

(Playing devil's advocate here.)

What is your response to this line of reasoning?

 

[Reformed]

The reason Baptist preachers teach tithing ...

They want your money!

They need your money to support their extravagant lifestyles!

(Playing devil's advocate here.)

What is your response to this line of reasoning?

1 Timothy 5:18
Matthew 10:10
Luke 10:7
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
2 Corinthians 8:1-6

 

[alexander284]

1 Timothy 5:18
Matthew 10:10
Luke 10:7
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
2 Corinthians 8:1-6

I've actually had knowledgeable students of the Bible use these very same scriptures to argue against tithing!

 

[HeirofSalvation]

While I do not believe the Bible teaches a monetary "tithe", I believe 90% teach it because they genuinely believe it is Biblical. I grew up being taught it, most Baptist preachers where I'm from grew up being taught it as well. While I agree it is not Scriptural, I do not question the motives of the bulk of preachers who teach it. I've read and studied the arguments pro and con, and the case they make (while flawed) is usually an exegetical case which I think they hold in sincerity.
An erstwhile poster here wrote what I believe is a very good book on the topic which I read for myself a a number of years ago:

https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Give-Daniel-Mynyk/dp/0982621574

 

[alexander284]

While I do not believe the Bible teaches a monetary "tithe", I believe 90% teach it because they genuinely believe it is Biblical. I grew up being taught it, most Baptist preachers where I'm from grew up being taught it as well. While I agree it is not Scriptural, I do not question the motives of the bulk of preachers who teach it. I've read and studied the arguments pro and con, and the case they make (while flawed) is usually an exegetical case which I think they hold in sincerity.
An erstwhile poster here wrote what I believe is a very good book on the topic which I read for myself a a number of years ago:

https://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Give-Daniel-Mynyk/dp/0982621574

Yes, I suppose we all should "agree to disagree" with one another, regarding this particular doctrine.

 

[HeirofSalvation]

Yes, I suppose we all should "agree to disagree" with one another, regarding this particular doctrine.

Maybe....I am convinced that those who disagree with the monetary tithe should probably be more active in correcting what they/we see as an error.

Theoretically, any Biblical truth is worth contending for. I suppose it is difficult to really see what the harm is in simply letting those we disagree with continue teaching it inasmuch as we wouldn't likely disagree that believers should give generously, willingly, sacrificially and probably regularly et. al. One problem I see is that many who actively teach against tithing have a chip on their shoulder and they tend to (unfairly IMO) ascribe wicked motives to the bulk of people who teach it. For instance:
Should the Church Teach Tithing? Taboo Answer
This fellow makes a sound Biblical case against the monetary N.T. tithe, but, he's AT WAR! about it in a way which is not helpful IMO. He seems to suggest that those pastors who teach it are simply dishonest or at best, profoundly ignorant and probably not capable of exegeting their way out of a paper bag His info is good, but he sets an unhelpful tone.

It's hard to really get "up in arms" about the tithe doctrine...but those who bother to argue against it are.... well, "up in arms" about it, and it's not always helpful!

 

[alexander284]

Maybe....I am convinced that those who disagree with the monetary tithe should probably be more active in correcting what they/we see as an error.

Theoretically, any Biblical truth is worth contending for. I suppose it is difficult to really see what the harm is in simply letting those we disagree with continue teaching it inasmuch as we wouldn't likely disagree that believers should give generously, willingly, sacrificially and probably regularly et. al. One problem I see is that many who actively teach against tithing have a chip on their shoulder and they tend to (unfairly IMO) ascribe wicked motives to the bulk of people who teach it. For instance:
Should the Church Teach Tithing? Taboo Answer
This fellow makes a sound Biblical case against the monetary N.T. tithe, but, he's AT WAR! about it in a way which is not helpful IMO. He seems to suggest that those pastors who teach it are simply dishonest or at best, profoundly ignorant and probably not capable of exegeting their way out of a paper bag His info is good, but he sets an unhelpful tone.

It's hard to really get "up in arms" about the tithe doctrine...but those who bother to argue against it are.... well, "up in arms" about it, and it's not always helpful!

Oh, I can definitely see your point on this!

In fact, this is what inspired me to post this thread, to begin with.

 

[Van]

Certainly, there are charlatans within the Baptist pastor group. But teaching your heart is where your treasure is helps us become more Christ-like. Tithing, an OT obligation, is not required under the New Covenant. The amount (above or below 10%) is between yourself and God.

 

[MB]

The reason Baptist preachers teach tithing ...

They want your money!

They need your money to support their extravagant lifestyles!

(Playing devil's advocate here.)

What is your response to this line of reasoning?

Giving is the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. I know most do not believe this but its true. The more I give the more I receive and it's not just what I give to the church.. Some may think this is nonsense but the happiest people in the world are generous in there giving.
MB

 

[MartyF]

The reason Baptist preachers teach tithing ...

They want your money!

This is 100% true for all of them.

They need your money to support their extravagant lifestyles!

Only a small minority live extravagant lifestyles.

I think many preachers should take Paul's example and do it for free if they can.

Many preacher's who live "extravagant" lifestyles do so off of the earnings they made selling books.

Tithing is often misunderstood from a biblical perspective with many seminary PhD's either lying about it or simply miscomprehending the material they read.

If someone wants and expects a seminary-trained pastor, which costs a lot of money, he or she should be willing to pay for it.

Only members of a church should be expected to pay. People should only pay what they will happily pay and nothing more. I oppose strong-arm tactics such as prosperity gospel in order to obtain tithes.

A preacher and/or congregation should encourage the giving of time for those with limited means and more time.

The best-paid preachers are chaplains in the military. Captain's pay is very nice.

 

[Yeshua1]

The reason Baptist preachers teach tithing ...

They want your money!

They need your money to support their extravagant lifestyles!

(Playing devil's advocate here.)

What is your response to this line of reasoning?

They would say that its the way God out lined to us in the scrtiptures on how His programs and pastors are to be financed by the people of God!

 

[Reynolds]

The reason Baptist preachers teach tithing ...

They want your money!

They need your money to support their extravagant lifestyles!

(Playing devil's advocate here.)

What is your response to this line of reasoning?

I kind of agree. Not necessarily them personally, but the expensive habits of the local church itsself.
The tithe predated the law, but is still legalistic. Cheerful giving is the New Covenant example. The Tithe could be used as a measuring stick of sorts, but cheerful giving is the better practice.

 

[MartyF]

1 Timothy 5:18
Matthew 10:10
Luke 10:7
1 Corinthians 16:1-2
2 Corinthians 8:1-6

First one discusses care for the poor and widows - not tithing.

Second one specifically says no money in the previous verse - food and shelter only. If this passage was taken seriously, pastors would refuse all salary payments.

Third is a repeat of the second.

Fourth verse doesn't discuss amount and is money suppose to be given for famine relief - not for the pastor's wages.

Fifth passage once again does not discuss the salaries of the clergy but rather the money given for famine relief. And once again, a percentage is not given.

 

[kyredneck]

The more I give the more I receive and it's not just what I give to the church.

ZACTLY! I've been greatly blessed from contributing to a Baptist school in the mountains, Salvation Army, and just charity/alms in general.

 

[Yeshua1]

First one discusses care for the poor and widows - not tithing.

Second one specifically says no money in the previous verse - food and shelter only. If this passage was taken seriously, pastors would refuse all salary payments.

Third is a repeat of the second.

Fourth verse doesn't discuss amount and is money suppose to be given for famine relief - not for the pastor's wages.

Fifth passage once again does not discuss the salaries of the clergy but rather the money given for famine relief. And once again, a percentage is not given.

The NT scriptures do teach that we are to give proportionally, based upon Hoe God has chosen to materially bless us, that we also give our time/skills/gifts away for His work, and that the 10 % OT tithe is really our starting point, as we so much more blessed in all things now under the NC!

 

[OnlyaSinner]

As others have noted, the tithe is not commanded under the new covenant but we are to give proportionately as God has provided, and that's what is preached at our IFB church. We trust that God will provide whatever is needed to accomplish the things He would have our church todo. Not to endorse Hank Hanagraff, but his referring to the tithe as "training wheels for Christian giving" seems a useful attitude.

 

[Reynolds]

They would say that its the way God out lined to us in the scrtiptures on how His programs and pastors are to be financed by the people of God!

Those "programs" are where I hang up. Building "program" being the one I have the most problems with. Most local churches are extremely self consuming of their finances. Buildings, salaries, and related expenses consume most of the budget. A lot of what is considered outreach in budgeting, is in actuality not outreach at all.
I see missionaries I support win 10x the people per year with $30,000 than our church wins with $1 million.

 

[Revmitchell]

The reason Baptist preachers teach tithing ...

They want your money!

They need your money to support their extravagant lifestyles!

(Playing devil's advocate here.)

What is your response to this line of reasoning?

The vast majority of Baptist pastors who preach the biblical doctrine of the tithe make little to no money and often find themselves in retirement with zero nest egg.

This argument in the op sounds like someone who has a rebellious heart and is angry when someone tells them the truth.

 

[Reformed]

I've actually had knowledgeable students of the Bible use these very same scriptures to argue against tithing!

I need to amend my earlier post. I was connecting tithe with giving. I do not believe in the Old Testament tithe.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[HankD]

Our giving - we "watch the stuff" and obey the "Great Commission" as those who enjoy the act of giving/sharing with others here at our home churches in America,

The tithe was the federal income tax for the defense of the nation, support of the government officials (levites), widows, orphans... of Israel.

The tithe was not expected from the wage earner in Israel.

A tithe freely given is not forbidden under grace.