Featured Why Most of Your Church Don't Believe in Tithing

Tithing does apply to (genetic) Israel.

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Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. - Gal 5:1,4,9

 

Tithing was an old covenant thing. Its that simple.

Under the new covenant, the scriptures teach free will giving.

 

You would be surprised...

Many, including in Baptist churches, still uphold the principle of the tithe!

Think main answer to OP is that we as Christians find it easy to oby god in attending church, reading Bible, praying...

Being obedient in allowing God to govern the finanes that He blessed us with?

Not so much!

 

Was God wrong requiring it though?

 

I believe my book should answer the OP fully.

 

Regardless IF oneholds to the tithe for today or not, answer to OP would be we give little because we have yet to allow jesus to be Lord over our financial affairs, especially giving!

 

Sure. However, I believe one deterrent to people giving is the false teaching of the modern monetary income tithe. Many people who believe the Scriptures require income tithing to the church do not practice it themselves. It becomes a barrier to free, Spirit-led giving and can actually reduce the amount given. I believe when people are freed from the modern monetary income tithing, they will often give more than when they were under bondage.

 

Was his teaching concerning tithing or, as someone else called it, free will giving?

The pastor at the church my wife and I currently attend went through a five week series on financial stewardship this past fall. He challenged those who were regular givers to give more (sacrificially if need be) and those who haven't been giving to start. I think he mentioned tithing once or twice, but never saying we had to tithe, and at a certain percent. The main idea throughout the series was to let the Holy Spirit guide us as to how much we could/should give. A goal was set to raise X amount of dollars in two years so the church could expand its ministries and serve more of the Chicago Southland. Since that series, giving at the church is up about 20% over the same period a year ago. If that pace continues, the goal will have been well exceeded come fall of 2013.

 

When you get right down to it..., what's NOT TO BELIEVE about tithing?

Tithing is something every Christian should be concerned about and willing to give freely as the Lord leads. He does love a cheerful giver!

I don't personally agree with a strict rule of ten percent but if you are able to do so, why not?

 

That is correct. (I just finished studying that a couple of weeks ago).

There is no tithe for the NT church.

We are to give as the Lord has prospered us, whether it be money, time, or gifts.

 

As I see it, OT tithing was under the law. As stated, the NT does not set a specific figure. Most church leaders however will encourage the ten percent tithing as it places somewhat of a guilt trip on some and helps to ensure a steady income.

The problem with someone having an income of 40 million and tithing ten percent is that once four million has been recognized by the rest of the church membership..., the rest would quit tithing. What would be the point in tithing at all if the local church's check balance reflected a four million dollar balance? Then, here comes the envy, and the gossip, and the resentment. Having an income of millions would turn into a curse.

Those who then would NOT tithe because there's plenty of money in the bank would end up losing any and all blessings from the Lord from their tithing. When ones tithes above and beyond with a pure heart the Lord blesses above and beyond.

We would all like to have millions in the bank but just consider for a moment what it would do to our humbleness.

 

The tithe is the beginning point. Then there are many other giving opportunities that we call special offerings. Such as the Building Fund, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for home missions, and then the weekly things that come up that need money and the offering plates go around.

I find that most (but not all) of the people who say they can't give 10 percent usually have things they don't want to give up, such as fast Internet, good cable channels, a good cell phone data plan, a nicer car or house than they really need, etc. Is that honoring God with the firstfruits of all he has given us?

We are not under the "law" of the tithe, but the principle of the "tithe," which was instituted even before the law, is of course still valid.

 

Yeah, that's the perfect way to get people to give; lay a guilt trip on them. Nothing says you're an inferior Christian better than not being able to give 10% like your neighbor. <sarcasm off>

I can understand the church's reasoning for trying that, but imho, it would have the opposite effect.

 

I agree with jonathon borland. If one is doing very well why not give? I've been blessed with a great income and the junk we can get here on Earth can't go with us in the next life. I think it's great to save for retirement, kids' college, and a lofty emergency fund, but beyond that, why not give to the church and other worthy causes that help those that need help?

I am speaking to myself on this as this is something that's been convicting me fora little while now. Get rid of the junk I call collectibles and start giving more than 10%