Tithing, Mandate for the New Testament Church?

[Scott Hutchinson]

But in the early church the apostles set the church in order,so what did the Apostles teach about giving in the NT. assemblies ?
If we are to teach what the Apostles should we not be examining what they taught on the issue ?

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

But in the early church the apostles set the church in order,so what did the Apostles teach about giving in the NT. assemblies ?
If we are to teach what the Apostles should we not be examining what they taught on the issue ?

I would think so, yes sir!

[Bella1]

I TOTALLY believe in paying tithes. But because of what money I do bring home, the bills that I pay, I can barely buy groceries and buy gas to get back and forth to church, work, home. (I actually have a gas credit card from my sister that tides me over each month if I need it and then I repay her). So since my separation from my husband almost three years ago, I do not pay tithes.

And I go to a church that has commitment papers. If you are on platform, ect...you sign these papers and one of the qualifications of ministry is that you pay tithes. Do I agree with that? No. BUT...I am committed to go there for the next little while until I find out where I will be living. So I don't minister in that church like I would elsewhere.

I am not unhappy at that church. I get good preaching, good teaching, and I love the pastor and family. I would NEVER say or do anything that would upset or hurt them. I feel that I have not been blessed by the Lord for Three years due to not paying tithes. And I miss those blessing. When I can, I give with gladness.

BUT tithing is a HUGE issue for me right now. I can't do it. Or I would not eat or I would not be able to get to work. People tell me all the time to "Trust the Lord". I do. But I also have gone without food in my pantry for several weeks. I ate at a friends house. Yes, the Lord did provide, but.....

It does make me sad that I can't sing specials or be in the choir. That is my ministry. That is my gift. That is my heartbeat. If tithing holds me back from doing what I think God has given me, I will not complain.

And please don't preacher bash or church bash. Most of us were brought up and taught to pay tithing. It is a way of life to me. But when you CAN'T pay them, guilt sets in.

My pastor is on this site. He will most likely read this post. You know that I love you Pastor. I just wish things could be so different in my life.

[Jacob's Ladder]

Originally Posted by Bella1

I TOTALLY believe in paying tithes. But because of what money I do bring home, the bills that I pay, I can barely buy groceries and buy gas to get back and forth to church, work, home. (I actually have a gas credit card from my sister that tides me over each month if I need it and then I repay her). So since my separation from my husband almost three years ago, I do not pay tithes.

And I go to a church that has commitment papers. If you are on platform, ect...you sign these papers and one of the qualifications of ministry is that you pay tithes. Do I agree with that? No. BUT...I am committed to go there for the next little while until I find out where I will be living. So I don't minister in that church like I would elsewhere.

I am not unhappy at that church. I get good preaching, good teaching, and I love the pastor and family. I would NEVER say or do anything that would upset or hurt them. I feel that I have not been blessed by the Lord for Three years due to not paying tithes. And I miss those blessing. When I can, I give with gladness.

BUT tithing is a HUGE issue for me right now. I can't do it. Or I would not eat or I would not be able to get to work. People tell me all the time to "Trust the Lord". I do. But I also have gone without food in my pantry for several weeks. I ate at a friends house. Yes, the Lord did provide, but.....

It does make me sad that I can't sing specials or be in the choir. That is my ministry. That is my gift. That is my heartbeat. If tithing holds me back from doing what I think God has given me, I will not complain.

And please don't preacher bash or church bash. Most of us were brought up and taught to pay tithing. It is a way of life to me. But when you CAN'T pay them, guilt sets in.

My pastor is on this site. He will most likely read this post. You know that I love you Pastor. I just wish things could be so different in my life.

Bella!,


Sorry to read about your situation. I hope your pastor provided some nourishment or groceries for your household during your monetary struggles. At least that's what a real man of God would have done. With the same willingness to take he ought to be able to give. Showers of blessings are headed your way, even will begin now.


In regards to him denying you to worship God on the platform, he purposely quenches the spirit of God from moving in the distinct manner that God ministers through you. He'll have to answer to God for that. Remember, doors that God opens - no man can shut, and doors that God shuts - no man can open.


I'd be interested in dialogging with your pastor here if he reads this post. Usually some ministers are too much of cowards to discuss anything. They're so caught up in the spirit of tradition, they've really never studied the topic, thus, they can't hold any intelligent conversation and would rather rebuke you. It's easier to run like a coward than to stand firm like a man of God.


In any case, if Bella's pastor is reading this, please explain why tithing is mandatory, and be available to answer some of my questions. Your record will be there.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Bella1

I TOTALLY believe in paying tithes. But because of what money I do bring home, the bills that I pay, I can barely buy groceries and buy gas to get back and forth to church, work, home. (I actually have a gas credit card from my sister that tides me over each month if I need it and then I repay her). So since my separation from my husband almost three years ago, I do not pay tithes.

And I go to a church that has commitment papers. If you are on platform, ect...you sign these papers and one of the qualifications of ministry is that you pay tithes. Do I agree with that? No. BUT...I am committed to go there for the next little while until I find out where I will be living. So I don't minister in that church like I would elsewhere.

I am not unhappy at that church. I get good preaching, good teaching, and I love the pastor and family. I would NEVER say or do anything that would upset or hurt them. I feel that I have not been blessed by the Lord for Three years due to not paying tithes. And I miss those blessing. When I can, I give with gladness.

BUT tithing is a HUGE issue for me right now. I can't do it. Or I would not eat or I would not be able to get to work. People tell me all the time to "Trust the Lord". I do. But I also have gone without food in my pantry for several weeks. I ate at a friends house. Yes, the Lord did provide, but.....

It does make me sad that I can't sing specials or be in the choir. That is my ministry. That is my gift. That is my heartbeat. If tithing holds me back from doing what I think God has given me, I will not complain.

And please don't preacher bash or church bash. Most of us were brought up and taught to pay tithing. It is a way of life to me. But when you CAN'T pay them, guilt sets in.

My pastor is on this site. He will most likely read this post. You know that I love you Pastor. I just wish things could be so different in my life.

Bella1, this quote is common.

"People tell me all the time to ("Trust the Lord".)

If I may address this let me say why we trust The Lord. We trust the word of God. We trust what he has told us to do. This is what keeps us safe. We believe and work off the command. For those who say "Trust the Lord" they must have something to ground themselves on to trust him. You have been Blessed from the time you were born. You have eye sight, your limbs, mind, and hearing etc.

The goodness of God has now been reduced to how much filthy lucre we put in the pan. The Mosaic Law tithe was shared with the poor, widows, levites, and orphans. There is a period when the tithe was also eaten by the tither! They partook of their own tithe. In your condition they should be helping you.

Give if you can but rest assure God cares for you.

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Bella1

I TOTALLY believe in paying tithes. But because of what money I do bring home, the bills that I pay, I can barely buy groceries and buy gas to get back and forth to church, work, home. (I actually have a gas credit card from my sister that tides me over each month if I need it and then I repay her). So since my separation from my husband almost three years ago, I do not pay tithes.

And I go to a church that has commitment papers. If you are on platform, ect...you sign these papers and one of the qualifications of ministry is that you pay tithes. Do I agree with that? No. BUT...I am committed to go there for the next little while until I find out where I will be living. So I don't minister in that church like I would elsewhere.

I am not unhappy at that church. I get good preaching, good teaching, and I love the pastor and family. I would NEVER say or do anything that would upset or hurt them. I feel that I have not been blessed by the Lord for Three years due to not paying tithes. And I miss those blessing. When I can, I give with gladness.

BUT tithing is a HUGE issue for me right now. I can't do it. Or I would not eat or I would not be able to get to work. People tell me all the time to "Trust the Lord". I do. But I also have gone without food in my pantry for several weeks. I ate at a friends house. Yes, the Lord did provide, but.....

It does make me sad that I can't sing specials or be in the choir. That is my ministry. That is my gift. That is my heartbeat. If tithing holds me back from doing what I think God has given me, I will not complain.

And please don't preacher bash or church bash. Most of us were brought up and taught to pay tithing. It is a way of life to me. But when you CAN'T pay them, guilt sets in.

My pastor is on this site. He will most likely read this post. You know that I love you Pastor. I just wish things could be so different in my life.

Does your church collect food to give to those who are going through hard times like you are? Why not take their help (the food) and give your tithes until God opens doors of blessing for you?

[UnTraditional]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

Does your church collect food to give to those who are going through hard times like you are? Why not take their help (the food) and give your tithes until God opens doors of blessing for you?

Or better yet, why doesn't she just not pay the tithe, support her family, give freely and without compulsion as the scriptures teach, and be obedient to the Bible, free of ungodly condemnation? The tithe doctrine is a doctrine I neither agree with, nor can be supported in scripture. It is not for believers today, and those who make it mandatory do so by adding to the Word.

Many believers have been wounded by this doctrine of mandatory tithing. They have been chastised, spiritually abused, and sometimes forced out of their home churches over this doctrine. Tithing as many teach it is not of the Lord, for it does not accord with his Word. It is spiritually abusive to some, and has brought ungodly, unscriptural, and purely demonic shame on others who do not deserve such.