Tithing…Is it a command?

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by The Lemon

Just my thoughts...I sincerely mean no disrespect to anyone.

You did well, my friend.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Teaching tithing as a law can also cause people to live under fear. "Oh, no! My neighbor paid me $10 for helping him clean his lawn, and I forgot to tithe on it!!! Is that why my car broke down??"

We're taught that God will get his portion from us one way or the other. If we don't give it in the offering, he'll cause our washing machine to break down, costing us even more. (how that benefits God, I'm not sure.... teaches you a lesson, I guess) We fear that being a few dollars short on our tithe will bring a curse from God upon our finances. That we'll get to the pearly gates and realize we're 50 cents short in the tally that God's keeping, and too bad... we're fried.

Yes, it seriously is taught in that way many places. I have lived in fear because of it.

[NotforSale]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Teaching tithing as a law can also cause people to live under fear. "Oh, no! My neighbor paid me $10 for helping him clean his lawn, and I forgot to tithe on it!!! Is that why my car broke down??"

We're taught that God will get his portion from us one way or the other. If we don't give it in the offering, he'll cause our washing machine to break down, costing us even more. (how that benefits God, I'm not sure.... teaches you a lesson, I guess) We fear that being a few dollars short on our tithe will bring a curse from God upon our finances. That we'll get to the pearly gates and realize we're 50 cents short in the tally that God's keeping, and too bad... we're fried.

Yes, it seriously is taught in that way many places. I have lived in fear because of it.

Do you pay taxes? Why?

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Do you pay taxes? Why?

Because I'll go to jail if I don't.

(Well, actually, the true answer would be - no, I don't. Not income, anyway. We have several children, that gives us enough deductions that we end up not paying anything.)

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

Do you pay taxes? Why?

Because it is required by law.

Our giving comes from a better place. Our heart is compelled to do so by the Spirit of our God that lives within us.

[A.W. Bowman]

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 (implied, in a New Covenant church)?

[NotforSale]

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?

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.

[A.W. Bowman]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

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.

My friend, the issue has never been about supporting the ministry, the gospel, or even maintaining church facilities,or if tithing is not acceptable unto the Lord.

It has all been about false doctrine. That is why tithing can not be taught in an open forum where points and arguments can be openly challenged (in most churches that kind of exchange is not permitted), so the doctrine continues, even by ministers who honestly believe that tithing is supported in the Bible, but who can't support their position from scripture (quoting out of context does not qualify and is unacceptable).

The general arguments always fall back on "personal experience" and using selected verses that have the "appearance" of support a New Testament tithing concept.

Is there anything "wrong" with tithing? God forbid! But what many men have done to the saints of God with this teaching, as a spiritual requirement, is worthy of a curse from God!

When tithing to the pastor is a requirement in order to minister within the body, that is nothing short of paying a personal tribute or even a bribe, regardless of what spiritually sounding term may be applied. The abuses this doctrine has gendered within the church are legendary.

The argument for this misuse is often justified by the argument, if we do not teach tithing as a spiritual requirement, then the people will not give enough to support this ministry. That, in and of its self, is an indictment against the teachers, not the saints!

Why have the saints not been taught the true biblical principles of giving (reaping and sowing), rather than trying to bribe God with their giving: You can't out give God - this a true statement made into a lie. To give in order "to get" is to put God under obligation. a prevision of the scriptures.

Will God give in response to one's personal giving? Absolutely! But look at what it is that God expects one to give and for what purpose. It is not what is most often comes across the pulpit.

Sound teaching - that is what the saints of God are starting to expect and even to demand. The old "you do it because I said so" simply does not work very well any more. There is new movement among believers that is showing its self as a demand for "what does the Bible say - what does it mean and how do I use it?"

Finally, I do not doubt that there are some churches that are not worthy of being supported, should be closed down and started over by men and women who are actually called of God to the job. It is time that the false teachers and prophets be exposed and ran off. And scripturally, that is the responsibility of the assembly, not another wolf.

[Shawn]

The only thing I noticed is the thread wanted scriptural evidence on tithing, and someone keeps sharing opinions/points. Show scripture. Prove your point.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by NotforSale

This isn't about Heaven or Hell.

BUMP:

Originally Posted by Jason

If you teach those who don't tithe are robbers and thieves of God-does not scripture tell us thieves will not inherit the Kingdom of God? It is impossible to really teach the necessity of tithing and say those who don't aren't going to hell.