Tithing

[JonC]

True, but from what I can tell, tithing wasn’t commanded until the Moses. Also consider that the tithe under the OT had to do with livestock and the total of Levitical tithes came out to something like 23%, and it was a yearly giving, not weekly.

Yes, but livestock equates to currency (in that time). Cain and Able gave offerings, and often a tithe was given. Scripture does not say where it began.

In the NT church we see giving freely rather than tithing.


I can see both arguments. I view tithing as foreshadowing what has been fulfilled (when we due to ourselves abs all is God's). But I can't be dogmatic about it because I am not sure (I can't teach others that tithing is no longer relevant or that it is a current command).

 

[timf]

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.

Old Testament (law) giving was specified for specific purposes such as support of the priests.

I visited a church several years ago and in conversation with an elderly woman asked her how she was doing financially. She admitted to so difficulty, which we were able to help with in a small part. What was surprising was that she had attended that church for 30 years and even her best friend did not know of her difficulty.

I thought that if the church leadership had known of her need that they would have been angry with her for not having let them know. I think that they all missed the point that their relationships with each other were so thin that their superficial interaction was devoid of actual knowledge of each other.

Before concern for how the organizational mechanism is funded, perhaps it is better to know each other such that we can meet individual needs.

 

[Layman]

Yes, but livestock equates to currency (in that time). Cain and Able gave offerings, and often a tithe was given. Scripture does not say where it began.

In the NT church we see giving freely rather than tithing.


I can see both arguments. I view tithing as foreshadowing what has been fulfilled (when we due to ourselves abs all is God's). But I can't be dogmatic about it because I am not sure (I can't teach others that tithing is no longer relevant or that it is a current command).

My biggest issue is when the pastor might say, “thanks for giving me your 9%. By the way, you’re sinning because it’s not 10.” There are many that abuse the Malachi passage, especially the prosperity preachers.

 

[JesusFan]

How much would that be?

Proportionally, as the Lord financially blessed you, are accountable to support more of His kingdom work

 

[JesusFan]

My biggest issue is when the pastor might say, “thanks for giving me your 9%. By the way, you’re sinning because it’s not 10.” There are many that abuse the Malachi passage, especially the prosperity preachers.

Or when they say to us to "take out the biggest bill in your wallet and lay that upon the altar"

 

[Roy Kling]

My life's opinion is tithing and offering are two different things. Tithe according to law and offer out of love.

 

[JD731]

My take: Paul, the apostle charged with instructing the church as to what they should do to please God, (Ro 15:18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed) did not use the word tithe in all his 13 letters. I find that strange if tithing is being obedient.

 

[Layman]

I find that strange if tithing is being obedient.

I think it would be better if churches didn’t even use the word “tithe.” For some people, their giving might be 10%, for others maybe more, for others maybe less. It depends on the individual and their circumstances.

 

[JesusFan]

I think it would be better if churches didn’t even use the word “tithe.” For some people, their giving might be 10%, for others maybe more, for others maybe less. It depends on the individual and their circumstances.

Think that the Lord knows the hearts of those giving, see the widow who gave a penny, and yet Jesus commanded her shown faith, and today, we can look down at single moms, unemployed, poor persons giving a few bucks, and really applaud those of us who gave "large amounts: yet far from giving what God blessed us to be able to give back