Quote:
Originally Posted by HaShaliach
Speaking of money, there was the Temple tax that was required of everyone who used the Temple, and that tax was earmarked for Temple maintenance. Then there were the money changers, where folks from different parts of the world could come and exchange their “whatever” money into shekels to buy the required sacrificial animals and/or pay their Temple tax. There was also the need to sell one’s sacrifice and carry money when one lived too far away to bring all that produce and/or livestock to Jerusalem. But, what they did with all that money after getting to Jerusalem? Mercy! It would make a Pentecostal preacher dizzy with shock and disbelief! But, God approved of it and even provided instructions for the use of that money!
However, I think there is a growing number of folks still lurking about and waiting for the teaching on biblical tithing and how those statutes are to be scripturally applied to the church today.
Please, sound Bible teaching! If New Covenant tithing is not just another doctrine created by men, for men, then provide us with the legitimate biblical doctrine! This is not an unreasonable request, especially for those who stand as teachers of the Law!
BTW, as noted by another, I have not read one word in this entire thread where anyone advocated, condoned, or otherwise supported the idea of not maintaining either their church facilities or providing support to ministers of the gospel. However, fostering unearned or unmerited guilt is a poor substitute for sound arguments.
Recommendation: Stick to the subject at hand. Is tithing a command?
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BTW, as noted by another, I have not read one word in this entire thread where anyone advocated, condoned, or otherwise supported the idea of not maintaining either their church facilities or providing support to ministers of the gospel. However, fostering unearned or unmerited guilt is a poor substitute for sound arguments.
Brother, this is where I become confused. Providing support by a percentage, the Tenth, is the witch-hunt by all who don't see the Tithe as Biblical.
Money, in the terms of percentage, is the way of life. Taxes, wages, prices, interest, dividends, profits, losses, values. Money is governed by these laws, period. Money is bound by numbers and math.
We don't go to work ignorant of our pay. We know what we work for. We go to the counter to pay for our food, clothing, and other goods, knowing the price.
What is so wrong about this applying to the Kingdom of God? Why do we submit to this monetary system in every facet of our lives, and do it willingly, but when it comes to sustaining the work of God we fight it, argue about it, and simply don't want to admit that percentage is OK?
This isn't about Heaven or Hell. It's about support, care, and the futherence of the Gospel. To maintain the practice that we give to mammon (Jobs, banks, stores, other people). This is about principle. This is about the facts of life and how systems require our time, money, patience and hard work.
I'm about done sharing my points on this post. I'm frustrated because we do everything and anything for our physical lives, demanding percentages and wanting to know the bottom line. But the Church? People can just figure that out for themselves. This doesn't make sense.