History of tithes in North America

[James Griffin]

New article in Christianity today.

Surprising article, for entire discussion including just how new collecting tithes is in North America click link below.



Passing the Plate
After America ended state support of churches in the early 19th century, the collection of "tithes and offerings" became a standard feature of Sunday morning worship.
by Mark Rogers

Thursday, March 12, 2009


As instrumentalists play or a soloist sings, as ushers file slowly down the aisles, congregants give money as an act of worship and to support the ministry of the church. If the people don't give, then the pastor goes unpaid, the building never gets built, and the missionaries stay home. When Christians go to church, most expect the collection of an offering as much as they expect preaching, singing, and prayer. Unlike preaching, singing, and prayer, however, the weekly offering did not become a fixture in American worship services until the late 19th century.

Colonial American churches did not depend on voluntary, weekly giving from their members. Instead, as had been the case in Europe, the government established churches, sanctioning certain congregations and supporting them financially. Most New England colonies established Congregational churches, while the Southern colonies along with New York, New Jersey, and Maryland established the Anglican Church. Most of the colonies could not imagine a state without an established church. A prosperous society depended on having citizens of good character, and the people expected churches to create virtuous citizens. Since churches served the public good, it made sense to fund them through public taxes and fees—such as poll and property taxes—rather than voluntary offerings.

Public funding of American churches did not cease immediately after the American Revolution. While the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibited Congress from establishing a national church, the states still supported churches through taxes. In the years following the Revolution, men like Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Leland fought against religious establishment in Virginia. Isaac Backus and other Baptist ministers led the charge in New England. Only in 1833, when Massachusetts rescinded its religious tax, was every state church in the Union officially disestablished.








http://www.christianitytoday.com/glo...gtheplate.html

[Raven]

Interesting. Thanks for posting this JG!

Raven

[coadie]

Is church bingo tithing?

[Norman]

Is church bingo tithing?

Can I donate a lottery ticket?

[Scott Hutchinson]

Here is the history of tithing.
http://www.tossingtables.com/podcasts/tithing.html

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Here is the history of tithing.
http://www.tossingtables.com/podcasts/tithing.html

Very good article Scott. Thanx for posting.

[commonsense]

A bit off topic, but an ultra con church recently told the congregation that all of the tithing was for the ministry and gave them the % of income in offerings they should be giving for the operation of the church.
(the size of congregation has diminished in last couple years)

[Withdrawn]

Originally Posted by commonsense

A bit off topic, but an ultra con church recently told the congregation that all of the tithing was for the ministry and gave them the % of income in offerings they should be giving for the operation of the church.
(the size of congregation has diminished in last couple years)

And they'd be diminished by three more when my family left had I heard such a statement! WOW! Got any scriptural basis or precedent for any of that?

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Here is the history of tithing.
http://www.tossingtables.com/podcasts/tithing.html

Finally, an article on tithing which:

--does not try to enforce the Old Testament law of tithing on New Testament Christians

--does not promise health, wealth, and prosperity if we give enough money

--does not heap guilt, shame, condemnation, and hell fire on people if they do not give at least 10 percent of their income to a local church

how refreshing

[sandie]

Originally Posted by Sam

Finally, an article on tithing which:

--does not try to enforce the Old Testament law of tithing on New Testament Christians

--does not promise health, wealth, and prosperity if we give enough money

--does not heap guilt, shame, condemnation, and hell fire on people if they do not give at least 10 percent of their income to a local church

how refreshing

The link doesn't work anymore. phooey

I'd like to especially read how it doesn't promise health, wealth, etc.
It's been my experience that God is faithful due to His attributes, not ours.