Featured Tithe

There is no NT support for the tithe.

 

I am curious about the choice of the United Way.

 

II Corinthians 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.

I remember growing up in the church... There were six in our family and money was tight... My Dad didn't have much to give as far as money but he did give his time. He always made sure that the church was clean for other members. Inside and out that was his job and he enjoyed serving his Lord and brothers and sisters in this manner. When he passed on 19 years ago the pastors wife told me your Dad was the serving angel of our church!... Yes the Lord does love a cheerful giver!... Brother Glen

 

Giving a tithe as in an exact amount of 10% can be argued that there is no support for in the NT. However, not giving to the church is not an option for the faithful Christian as has been established in a previous post. The church is the first place we should give. If we can only afford to give to one place the church should be the place for obedient Christians.

 

My wife and I tithe at least 10%of every dollar. It's all God's and I think he has taught me to not be selfish by teaching to support our church. Our church does more good then I ever could alone.

As far as new testament scripture. Don't know of any. But we still follow the OT teachings in other areas like the 10 commandments. Why not in the area of giving too?

Since we have begun to tithe and had faith that the Lord would provide for us.... He has, and bountifully.

 

Do you follow them "in other areas" such as stoning a man for gathering firewood on the sabbath?

What do you mean by that? That 90% of your gross income was adequate, or more than adequate? That you stopped purchasing certain items when you resolved to tithe? That you 'began' to tithe after you got a raise and/or promotion? ... what?

 

Have you considered giving to these individual charities directly to avoid the overhead that United Way would deduct?

 

I know of no NT scripture that supports a continued tithe. If anything, the NT offers up scriptural support for offerings made of your own free will.

 

No, a NT tithe is not required.

However it is not forbidden either.

HankD

 

Great answer, Rev.

 

What do I mean by tithe? I guess I assumed it was common knowledge that the tithe is the first 10% of your income.

No we don't stone anyone(duh).

My wife and I live off of 46% of what we make. We invest 44% for the future and tithe 10% to our local church. So 46% of what we make is adequate and in some cases more then adequate....for living expenses on average. Yes we no longer purchase everything we want. We began to tithe to support our church and its ministries/missions. No we didn't wait for a raise. We get one of those most years and God has been very good to us. Why wait to give back 10% of what is all his anyway?

Hope that answers all your questions about tithing and stoning people?

 

Yes, I require myself to give. Everyone can afford to give more. It is just that you have to prioritize your expenses. Everyone can stop replacing clothing. Everyone can buy less expensive food. Everyone can walk everywhere they go.

I don't believe that God requires that we give up everything we have... I don't believe that is the wisest way to live your lives either. If you give everything, you will never have anymore to give. If you are a good steward and grow what you are blessed with then you can give more for quite some time.

 

Nor is there any NT teaching negating the OT tithe.

 

This isn't specific to 10% but I look to it as a good reason to give.

A passage that I look to for giving advice in the NT is:

1 John 3:17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?