Tithing…Is it a command?

[obriencp]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Flaming... the easiest way to meet in the middle between the "tithers" and the "nontithers" would be to admit that the 10% is a good measuring stick for giving, but it is not a mandated "give or else" doctrine.

Tithing is not mentioned in the doctrinal foundations given to us in Hebrews 6:1, but you would think it was by the amount of time spent on teaching it in most churches. More valuable time should be spent on teaching how giving involves much more than just dollars and cents. Giving of your time, in most cases, is far more costly, and sacrificial than giving of the almighty dollar. Visiting prisons, nursing homes, the elderly, sick, handicapped, helping out a neighbor, volunteering in soup kitchens etc. ... these are just a few things that are part of living out a giving concept and a lifestyle that doesn't always have to involve a dollar bill.

[Esphes45]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Flaming... the easiest way to meet in the middle between the "tithers" and the "nontithers" would be to admit that the 10% is a good measuring stick for giving, but it is not a mandated "give or else" doctrine.

Tithing is not mentioned in the doctrinal foundations given to us in Hebrews 6:1, but you would think it was by the amount of time spent on teaching it in most churches. More valuable time should be spent on teaching how giving involves much more than just dollars and cents. Giving of your time, in most cases, is far more costly, and sacrificial than giving of the almighty dollar. Visiting prisons, nursing homes, the elderly, sick, handicapped, helping out a neighbor, volunteering in soup kitchens etc. ... these are just a few things that are part of living out a giving concept and a lifestyle that doesn't always have to involve a dollar bill.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Flaming... the easiest way to meet in the middle between the "tithers" and the "nontithers" would be to admit that the 10% is a good measuring stick for giving, but it is not a mandated "give or else" doctrine.

Tithing is not mentioned in the doctrinal foundations given to us in Hebrews 6:1, but you would think it was by the amount of time spent on teaching it in most churches. More valuable time should be spent on teaching how giving involves much more than just dollars and cents. Giving of your time, in most cases, is far more costly, and sacrificial than giving of the almighty dollar. Visiting prisons, nursing homes, the elderly, sick, handicapped, helping out a neighbor, volunteering in soup kitchens etc. ... these are just a few things that are part of living out a giving concept and a lifestyle that doesn't always have to involve a dollar bill.

Yes that's it.

[good samaritan]

I have been thinking about Abraham giving tithes to Melchisedek. Many here argue that it is not a good example of tithing because he only done it once, it was from spoils of war and not his personal possessions.

1) it became his the moment he defeated the enemy and he tithed as an expression of gratefulness for God giving him the victory (God prospered him)
2)Abraham tithed spoils of war and not food because he tithed from relationship and not the law of Moses.
3)The bible only explicitly says that Abraham tithed once, but that doesn't mean he didn't tithe regular. Abraham was a shepherd and the flock would have been his increase. Many times scripture mentions Abraham sacrificing and even Isaac was familiar with the process when he was going up Mt. Moriah to be sacrificed. Jacob bargained with God to tithe if God would provide for him. It could be thought that he picked this up from his family through direct teaching or family practices.

I am not saying that tithing is a mandated heaven/hell issue for NT church, but wish we all professing Christians where as God fearing, God believing, and God giving as Abraham. The church is supposed to be the grafted in children of Abraham. That is the children of faith. Faith compels us to go much further than the law ever could.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I have been thinking about Abraham giving tithes to Melchisedek. Many here argue that it is not a good example of tithing because he only done it once, it was from spoils of war and not his personal possessions.

1) it became his the moment he defeated the enemy and he tithed as an expression of gratefulness for God giving him the victory (God prospered him)
2)Abraham tithed spoils of war and not food because he tithed from relationship and not the law of Moses.
3)The bible only explicitly says that Abraham tithed once, but that doesn't mean he didn't tithe regular. Abraham was a shepherd and the flock would have been his increase. Many times scripture mentions Abraham sacrificing and even Isaac was familiar with the process when he was going up Mt. Moriah to be sacrificed. Jacob bargained with God to tithe if God would provide for him. It could be thought that he picked this up from his family through direct teaching or family practices.

I am not saying that tithing is a mandated heaven/hell issue for NT church, but wish we all professing Christians where as God fearing, God believing, and God giving as Abraham. The church is supposed to be the grafted in children of Abraham. That is the children of faith. Faith compels us to go much further than the law ever could.

Still trying to make tithing a suggested "principle" I see....hmmm.

Again, that is how it all started in the first place. Who cares whether Abraham gave to the pagan "property tax" of tithing. Who cares if this tax was ingrained in the head of Jacob to the point of making a "bargain" with God.(though he had no place to give the 10th, so he just used it for personal stuff). Who cares if the tithe concept was adopted into the Law of Moses as a fundraiser to keep the temple worship sustained financially.

Have you thought of what the "temple" of God is today?
Have you thought of who the "priests" of God are today?

We really should tithe to OURSELVES, and take care of our "priestly" families if we are to tithe at all.

[good samaritan]

Still trying to make tithing a suggested "principle" I see....hmmm.

Not a principle just and example

Again, that is how it all started in the first place. Who cares whether Abraham gave to the pagan "property tax" of tithing. Who cares if this tax was ingrained in the head of Jacob to the point of making a "bargain" with God.(though he had no place to give the 10th, so he just used it for personal stuff). Who cares if the tithe concept was adopted into the Law of Moses as a fundraiser to keep the temple worship sustained financially.

You don't care about these scriptures in your bible?

Have you thought of what the "temple" of God is today?

It is the Church. the body of Christ not made with man's hands.

Have you thought of who the "priests" of God are today?

Every born again believer is a royal priesthood.

We really should tithe to OURSELVES, and take care of our "priestly" families if we are to tithe at all.

The levitical priesthood (church) even paid tithes to the high priest(Jesus).

Numbers 18:26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.

Now I ask you. Who is our high priest?

When I tithe or freewill give I am giving it to Jesus.

Mt 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

This passage has nothing to do with tithing only to do with giving. Our church proceeds go to feed bus kids in our city. Our Church proceeds has purchased people clothing. We do hospital and nursing home visits. we have done jail ministry in the local co. jail. We have also put homeless families up in a hotel.

The tithes our assembly receives has went and continues to go to things like what Jesus commands. What is the problem with people tithing. I didn't say it is salvational only that it has biblical origins. All I basically said is that tithing is a Biblically based good place to start and I even verified it is not heaven or hell. If your main problem is that you think that pastors shouldn't receive compensation for the work they do it sounds like you have other issues. I am telling you that I don't agree with mandatory enforced tithing, but you are condemning the teaching of tithes even as an example of giving even if it isn't presented in an obligatory fashion and is left up to the giver to decide.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Not a principle just and example



You don't care about these scriptures in your bible?


It is the Church. the body of Christ not made with man's hands.


Every born again believer is a royal priesthood.



The levitical priesthood (church) even paid tithes to the high priest(Jesus).

Numbers 18:26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.

Now I ask you. Who is our high priest?

When I tithe or freewill give I am giving it to Jesus.

Mt 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

This passage has nothing to do with tithing only to do with giving. Our church proceeds go to feed bus kids in our city. Our Church proceeds has purchased people clothing. We do hospital and nursing home visits. we have done jail ministry in the local co. jail. We have also put homeless families up in a hotel.

The tithes our assembly receives has went and continues to go to things like what Jesus commands. What is the problem with people tithing. I didn't say it is salvational only that it has biblical origins. All I basically said is that tithing is a Biblically based good place to start and I even verified it is not heaven or hell. If your main problem is that you think that pastors shouldn't receive compensation for the work they do it sounds like you have other issues. I am telling you that I don't agree with mandatory enforced tithing, but you are condemning the teaching of tithes even as an example of giving even if it isn't presented in an obligatory fashion and is left up to the giver to decide.

Brother GS, The Law is ended for the believer(notice how you just built a doctrine from the Law....Numbers), WE are now priests and Jesus is our High Priest. There is NO man to tithe to in the "stead" of Jesus in N.T. scripture as far as ministry is concerned. We can give to one another though, and Jesus will consider it giving to Himself.

You saw my point right?

The ministry today, considers themselves as intercessors and priests to the saints.

That is segregating themselves as "clergy" or "representatives" of God to the "carnal" laity.....

Ask any of them...they teach that they are the Levites and the saints are Israel. They teach this nonsense to fool the saints into submitting and 'stay down" spiritually, remaining spiritually ignorant and never reaching the potential as true elders of the church.

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Sean

Brother GS, The Law is ended for the believer(notice how you just built a doctrine from the Law....Numbers), WE are now priests and Jesus is our High Priest. There is NO man to tithe to in the "stead" of Jesus in N.T. scripture as far as ministry is concerned. We can give to one another though, and Jesus will consider it giving to Himself.

You saw my point right?

The ministry today, considers themselves as intercessors and priests to the saints.

That is segregating themselves as "clergy" or "representatives" of God to the "carnal" laity.....

Ask any of them...they teach that they are the Levites and the saints are Israel. They teach this nonsense to fool the saints into submitting and 'stay down" spiritually, remaining spiritually ignorant and never reaching the potential as true elders of the church.

I built no law in Numbers, but only made a point based on your comment "if we should tithe to anyone we should tithe to ourselves."

I am not making commands or orders at my local church you must tithe nor do I even mention giving except on very rare occassions. Tithing is a method that people througthout the ages have chosen to give and I don't think it mandatory, but I do think it is a good way to discipline yourself to give. If I only gave on impulse my giving would be far less, but by tithing I practice puting God first in my finances and it is a personal decision for men and every other person who makes. As far as heaven or hell that is something everyone will answer to God for personally.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I have been thinking about Abraham giving tithes to Melchisedek. Many here argue that it is not a good example of tithing because he only done it once, it was from spoils of war and not his personal possessions.

1) it became his the moment he defeated the enemy and he tithed as an expression of gratefulness for God giving him the victory (God prospered him)
2)Abraham tithed spoils of war and not food because he tithed from relationship and not the law of Moses.
3)The bible only explicitly says that Abraham tithed once, but that doesn't mean he didn't tithe regular. Abraham was a shepherd and the flock would have been his increase. Many times scripture mentions Abraham sacrificing and even Isaac was familiar with the process when he was going up Mt. Moriah to be sacrificed. Jacob bargained with God to tithe if God would provide for him. It could be thought that he picked this up from his family through direct teaching or family practices.

I am not saying that tithing is a mandated heaven/hell issue for NT church, but wish we all professing Christians where as God fearing, God believing, and God giving as Abraham. The church is supposed to be the grafted in children of Abraham. That is the children of faith. Faith compels us to go much further than the law ever could.

G.S. If tithing was a forever principle it would have been foolish for Jacob to even try and bargain with God. To act on faith is to believe and execute on what we are commanded.

Tithing was also practiced by pagans. Let's see what else they were doing and follow customs we may find suitable.

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

Abraham according to your view is an example we might want to follow, correct? Ok, lets do and give the other 90% away.

Hinting that if we have faith we will tithe our money is manipulative. Abraham was following the custom of that day.

Let's make the case for preachers to preach the gospel for free as Paul did. He is a good example to follow--correct? Paul said imitate him even though you may have 10.000 instructors in Christ imitate him. You see how assuming what the will of God is by comparing could lead to?


To believe is to execute what God has commanded. God's word as you know keeps us safe from those who are predators.

Under Mosaic law not everyone tithed. In this shows a gap that a forever principle should be adhered to. Applying the science of Hermeneutics evaporates the forever principle because of the gap.

I don't know why people feel that no tithing of money spells no support for ministry. The richest religion in the world {Catholics}doesn't mandate tithing money. Islam's tax is what, 2-2.5%?

God bless.

[Sean]

Brother, these guys are covinced in their minds, without scripture of course, that the pastors are a type of OT priests(levites) and we are Israel(spiritually lower on the totem pole)....

This is completely bogus and belittling of the calling of us all.....1 Peter 2:9

9 But ye(we) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that we (us) should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Revelation 1:6


And hath made us(you and I) kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.



Their teachings place themselves in a mediator role between us and God....1 Timothy 2:5
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus


These men actually believe that they are some kind of higher calling than us and a link to get blessings from the Lord.....LOL