Tithing…Is it a command?

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I agree. I believe we should be careful not to present tithes beyond what the scripture says, but it gives people an idea of what God expected in the law. People can decide on a personal level what they want to commit and God is who we all will answer to.

Not everyone tithed in the law. Also if your field of grain burned up one would have nothing to tithe if that is all you had. The problem today it just doesn't matter what your finances are pay up or reap the wrath of God. God did not expect a tithe if there was nothing to tithe. Quite the opposite today.

The thread says "tithing--is it a command?" No, it is not a command. Saying what God expected is a back door attempt to make one think it pleases God. With that it puts one on a guilt trip if they don't. They are singled out as in contempt.

It is not a command--leave it at that.

[HRea]

Originally Posted by Rudy

The thread says "tithing--is it a command?" No, it is not a command. Saying what God expected is a back door attempt to make one think it pleases God. With that it puts one on a guilt trip if they don't. They are singled out as in contempt.

Ephesians 2:20
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

2 Timothy 3:16a
16a All scripture is given by inspiration of God...

As many as would like to deny the scriptures, there is a fundamental truth, we need both the old and new testaments. Don't be stupid and say that I'm saying we must follow "The Law", because I'm not. However, I'm am saying that there are consistencies between the two testaments that God Himself instituted and we need to be mindful of them.

Tithing, in and of itself, is a secondary matter. God never changed the purpose of why He commanded people to tithe. Both testaments clearly agree that His ministers (sons of Levi in the old testament, 5-fold ministry of the new testament) were to be provided for from those to whom they ministered. Numbers 18:21 (along with several other verses), and the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 9 and Galatians 6:6 agree together on this matter.

Jesus had no problem with tithing (Matthew 23:23), it was the incorrect emphasis, not the tithing itself, for which He condemned the scribes and Pharisees.

The condemnation of Malachi 3:10 is that there were no provisions (or a disregard for bringing provisions) for God's ministers. He considered this akin to robbing God Himself (Malachi 3:8).

Clearly, the Lord commanded (1 Corinthians 9:14) that His new testament ministers be provided for. This is consistent and taught to new testament churches (examples: 1 Corinthians 9 the entire chapter, Galatians 6:6, 1 Timothy 5:17)

1 Corinthians 9 uses very strong language to convey this principle. However, the only example that Paul has is the tithe of the old testament (v13). The Corinthians are Gentiles and Paul is bringing up tithing to Gentiles as though they understand what he is referring to (he knows what he taught them when he was present with them). In v14, he writes that the Lord brings forward AS A COMMAND that the gospel minister be provided for.

Would a man rob God? If you are not providing for those whom God has set in your church to minister to you, then, yes, you make yourself a thief.

[UnTraditional]

I was very anti-tithe for many years. I preached steady against the tithe as being for the church and did so with a passion. As God has delivered me, and has used me, I have learned the truth about the tithe, and have since become a faithful tither, and encourage others to do so in my messages. Here is the reason why.

Principles of the tithe are just as important today as they were in the OT. Under the Law of Moses, the tithe was a tenth of increase for the upkeep of the Temple and the provision of the priests. Under the New Covenant, the principle remains the same. And, what's more, the reasoning behind it becomes clear...

WHO IS YOUR GOD?

When people fight the tithe, including myself, I put others before God. I put myself, my family, everything before God. And, anything you put before the Lord Jesus, that is an idol. So, I had to repent of my own idolatry, or my sin, because I may have believed in Christ with my lips, the truth is, with one part of my life, I was an idolator. That was with my finances.

I can already hear the anti-tithers go on and say that they love God and that God does not care how much we give. I look at the principle of giving, and principles do not change. God commanded Israel to give a tenth, so should we. And, I will not ever rob God again. What's more, since I started paying tithes, my finances have been blessed tremendously and I have become so financially stable.

The issue of the tithe is this. How much do you love God? Do you love Him enough to surrender all your money to Him and His sovereignty? And, since He gave us the principle that the tenth is holy unto Him, is that not too hard to give. I promise you, that as a person whose paycheck is lower than most, even after 19 years at a job, God has proven time and again that He blesses the tither.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by UnTraditional

I was very anti-tithe for many years. I preached steady against the tithe as being for the church and did so with a passion. As God has delivered me, and has used me, I have learned the truth about the tithe, and have since become a faithful tither, and encourage others to do so in my messages. Here is the reason why.

Principles of the tithe are just as important today as they were in the OT. Under the Law of Moses, the tithe was a tenth of increase for the upkeep of the Temple and the provision of the priests. Under the New Covenant, the principle remains the same. And, what's more, the reasoning behind it becomes clear...

WHO IS YOUR GOD?

When people fight the tithe, including myself, I put others before God. I put myself, my family, everything before God. And, anything you put before the Lord Jesus, that is an idol. So, I had to repent of my own idolatry, or my sin, because I may have believed in Christ with my lips, the truth is, with one part of my life, I was an idolator. That was with my finances.

I can already hear the anti-tithers go on and say that they love God and that God does not care how much we give. I look at the principle of giving, and principles do not change. God commanded Israel to give a tenth, so should we. And, I will not ever rob God again. What's more, since I started paying tithes, my finances have been blessed tremendously and I have become so financially stable.

The issue of the tithe is this. How much do you love God? Do you love Him enough to surrender all your money to Him and His sovereignty? And, since He gave us the principle that the tenth is holy unto Him, is that not too hard to give. I promise you, that as a person whose paycheck is lower than most, even after 19 years at a job, God has proven time and again that He blesses the tither.

What will it be next month? You have no credibility.

[UnTraditional]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

What will it be next month? You have no credibility.

I knew you would say something, old friend. But, last time I checked, I still had the right to speak, to say. You may not agree with me on this, but I know what I have been through and where I am. And, I am thankful for what Jesus has done. I may not have credibility with you, and that will probably never change, but I am still going to tell the truth regardless of the lords of the past.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by UnTraditional

I was very anti-tithe for many years. I preached steady against the tithe as being for the church and did so with a passion. As God has delivered me, and has used me, I have learned the truth about the tithe, and have since become a faithful tither, and encourage others to do so in my messages. Here is the reason why.

Principles of the tithe are just as important today as they were in the OT. Under the Law of Moses, the tithe was a tenth of increase for the upkeep of the Temple and the provision of the priests. Under the New Covenant, the principle remains the same. And, what's more, the reasoning behind it becomes clear...

WHO IS YOUR GOD?

When people fight the tithe, including myself, I put others before God. I put myself, my family, everything before God. And, anything you put before the Lord Jesus, that is an idol. So, I had to repent of my own idolatry, or my sin, because I may have believed in Christ with my lips, the truth is, with one part of my life, I was an idolator. That was with my finances.

I can already hear the anti-tithers go on and say that they love God and that God does not care how much we give. I look at the principle of giving, and principles do not change. God commanded Israel to give a tenth, so should we. And, I will not ever rob God again. What's more, since I started paying tithes, my finances have been blessed tremendously and I have become so financially stable.

The issue of the tithe is this. How much do you love God? Do you love Him enough to surrender all your money to Him and His sovereignty? And, since He gave us the principle that the tenth is holy unto Him, is that not too hard to give. I promise you, that as a person whose paycheck is lower than most, even after 19 years at a job, God has proven time and again that He blesses the tither.

If you're going to use the Mosaic Law to promote tithing money you are way out there. Respectfully you need to learn biblical hermeneutics.

Questioning a person's love for God by using a tithe of money as a measure is sad and manipulative.

There is no command to have or build a building to bring a tithe of money.

All of Israel did NOT tithe. Also, if you did not know only food items were tithed. There is a thread to challenge tithe promoters if you're interested.

[UnTraditional]

Originally Posted by Rudy

If you're going to use the Mosaic Law to promote tithing money you are way out there. Respectfully you need to learn biblical hermeneutics.

Questioning a person's love for God by using a tithe of money as a measure is sad and manipulative.

There is no command to have or build a building to bring a tithe of money.

All of Israel did NOT tithe. Also, if you did not know only food items were tithed. There is a thread to challenge tithe promoters if you're interested.

I spoke of principle, which was also before the Mosaic Law.

As for questioning someone's love for God, if God is not God over all, then there is a need to question your love for Him. If you make God sovereign over everything but your money, if you still want to have control over your money, then He is not sovereign.

As for the command to have or build a building, you are right. But, that which we have, we have for the use of the glory of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is His, and He uses it for His glory.

I am not here to debate those who have a problem with the tithe. I was once one of you. I tried to fight the tithe. I will not turn this into a debate, simply because there is no debate. If God is sovereign, then tithing is not a problem. That principle is one that all believers should adhere to, because of the person of God.

[Sean]

Maybe UNTRADITIONAL should try giving an ephah and a half of an ephah to his priest(pastor), That should make our Lord happy....LOL

[UnTraditional]

Originally Posted by Sean

Maybe UNTRADITIONAL should try giving an ephah and a half of an ephah to his priest(pastor), That should make our Lord happy....LOL

I give Jesus my all. It is a spirit that He has worked in me. He is worthy of all. And the tenth is for His glory as well. I give it as unto the Lord. I have seen the benefits, but do not do it because of the benefits. I do it because I love Him, the Lord Jesus Christ, and He is worthy.

[KeptByTheWord]

Just wondering when you had the "revelation" that tithing needs to be enforced... was it after you began to pastor your own church?