Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

No your father would say, sell all your possessions and give to the poor and follow me if you were rich.

Has he? Have you done it?

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

Abraham's tithe was long before LEVI and that is the tithing system Christians ought to follow. A tenth of the goods you obtain. Abraham paid tithes of all.

Thats my take on it at least and I could be wrong

Abraham only paid tithes of the spoils, not all as in all his personal goods.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Since God changes not should all scriptures on tithing be taught and followed?

Bump again fore onefaith2

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by The Lemon

O.K. - this has been an interesting thread the last few pages, and here is my observation. I see those who do not believe in Tithing (as law) but do believe in giving, and even in perhaps covenant agreement, there is brevity given by this side to those who do believe in the Tithe and they have not condemned the literal practice of tithing, only when it is attached to the curse of the law.

The flip side is that those who do believe in the strict observance of the Tithe seem to be running in circular arguments (although amicably). Although it seems that the Tithe side of the coin is open for possible error, it seems to me to be a mirage, the truth as is seems, is that they feel they are right and the other side is wrong, otherwise there would be no circular arguments for Abraham tithing before the law (although it has been discussed ad nauseum that it was spoils of war and NOT all he had), and the whle issue of who God was REALLY addressing in Malachi.

What would really impress me is if someone from the strict 10% side actually had a good study layed out that counters the things I have seen presented by folks like Bro. Chris, Hashilliac, D4T, Jason, etc, and to this point it has not happened - although there are pages and pages of discourse.

This is why trying to convince someone who REALLY belives something is near impossible, one can't convince the other and so it goes, on and on....and on...and on. The reason I would like to see a study from the pro tithe side is because I actually do care about rightly dividing the WORD and want to be as accurate as possible. I am left at this point with having to look at the FACTS given, and what I see so far is a much beeter explanation by those who believe in giving from the heart and as the Spirit leads, rather than a strict 10% or your a theif.

I have been in Pentecost for nearly 20years too, and over the years have been a faithful Tither and belived all the rhetoric, and in my own life i have seen the blessing of God, and I have suffered hardship - a rounded view of things is my perspective now - i don't have a soapbox that I want to try to preach anymore.

Think about it this way. If Christians are not following the Levitical tithing system, what tithing system are they following?

What system was the original tithing system based off of?

I believe the Majority of this discussion comes into pay as what priesthood we are honoring with our tithe and what the scriptures teach as a principle and not a Law. Its good to note that Jesus did never condemn the old tithing system or tithing in general but said there are weightier matters of the law that we must stress also, while keeping tithing and prayer and fasting important.

Tithes or Hell is a surface doctrine, just like dress like this or hell.. everything stems from an attitude of the heart. the 10% has not been said to have stopped, despite what the anti tithing system teachers say and thats the problem we have here. When if ever did the Christian church stop tithing as many were Jews coming into the faith. Freewill offerings are also dealt with in malachi 3 and they were never stopped.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by The Lemon

O.K. - this has been an interesting thread the last few pages, and here is my observation. I see those who do not believe in Tithing (as law) but do believe in giving, and even in perhaps covenant agreement, there is brevity given by this side to those who do believe in the Tithe and they have not condemned the literal practice of tithing, only when it is attached to the curse of the law.

The flip side is that those who do believe in the strict observance of the Tithe seem to be running in circular arguments (although amicably). Although it seems that the Tithe side of the coin is open for possible error, it seems to me to be a mirage, the truth as is seems, is that they feel they are right and the other side is wrong, otherwise there would be no circular arguments for Abraham tithing before the law (although it has been discussed ad nauseum that it was spoils of war and NOT all he had), and the whle issue of who God was REALLY addressing in Malachi.

What would really impress me is if someone from the strict 10% side actually had a good study layed out that counters the things I have seen presented by folks like Bro. Chris, Hashilliac, D4T, Jason, etc, and to this point it has not happened - although there are pages and pages of discourse.

This is why trying to convince someone who REALLY belives something is near impossible, one can't convince the other and so it goes, on and on....and on...and on. The reason I would like to see a study from the pro tithe side is because I actually do care about rightly dividing the WORD and want to be as accurate as possible. I am left at this point with having to look at the FACTS given, and what I see so far is a much beeter explanation by those who believe in giving from the heart and as the Spirit leads, rather than a strict 10% or your a theif.

I have been in Pentecost for nearly 20years too, and over the years have been a faithful Tither and believed all the rhetoric, and in my own life i have seen the blessing of God, and I have suffered hardship - a rounded view of things is my perspective now - i don't have a soapbox that I want to try to preach anymore.

This is a great post Lemon. My stance on tithing has come from years of study that began one week about 10 years ago when I attended 2 churches (while traveling) that preached quite emphatically that if you don't pay your tithe then you're going to go to hell.

Now... this wasn't so different from what I had been taught and had believed all of my life but this time around it just didn't hit me right so I entered into a time of personal study. I was amazed at what I found and continue to be amazed as God shows me more and more.

The greatest help to my journey has been those who disagree with me. They have brought out points that I would not have considered and have sent me back into the word to find the truth. Each time I am sent back into the word searching for the truth in a particular thought my iron is sharpened by their iron and, for that, I am appreciative.

Over the years it has become apparent that those who support the tithe as a law simply run in circles making statements that make perfect sense in a vacuum but don't hold much water in an environment of open and honest discussion.

But it is at these times that I try to remember that I was once one who did the same thing. I don't mind being disagreed with. As a matter of fact it is one of my greatest places of growth when I find someone who disagrees with me. I have been taught things I could not have known otherwise. I have had to change my line of thinking many times but in doing so I grow and learn and that is a blessing.

It is most often the running assumption that those who speak against the tithe being a law incumbent upon NT saints are selfish & stingy and just don't want to give. And... in some cases... this might be true. But for the most part I have experienced a group of people who love God... who love to give... and who love truth above all.

Thanks again for your excellent post.

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Has he? Have you done it?

No he hasn't to me, I barely own a lot of things. Of course should he I know he would provide if that was the requirement for the needs of my wife and baby.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

Think about it this way. If Christians are not following the Levitical tithing system, what tithing system are they following?

What system was the original tithing system based off of?

I believe the Majority of this discussion comes into pay as what priesthood we are honoring with our tithe and what the scriptures teach as a principle and not a Law. Its good to note that Jesus did never condemn the old tithing system or tithing in general but said there are weightier matters of the law that we must stress also, while keeping tithing and prayer and fasting important.


Jesus words prove tithes is a matter of the law. He wasn't teaching tithes for the believers. He was rebuking the pharisees for not keeping all matters OF THE LAW



Tithes or Hell is a surface doctrine, just like dress like this or hell.. everything stems from an attitude of the heart. the 10% has not been said to have stopped, despite what the anti tithing system teachers say and thats the problem we have here. When if ever did the Christian church stop tithing as many were Jews coming into the faith. Freewill offerings are also dealt with in malachi 3 and they were never stopped.

What exactly were the offerings in Malachi 3?

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by Truthseeker

Bump again fore onefaith2

You know I'm new here and haven't a clue what you mean by bump????


IF you mean to answer your question, I believe we should follow the principle of the law, not the letter but all scripture is given by inspiration of God.

[Truthseeker]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

You know I'm new here and haven't a clue what you mean by bump????


IF you mean to answer your question, I believe we should follow the principle of the law, not the letter but all scripture is given by inspiration of God.

BUMP just means reposting in case one missed it or avoiding a post.


The reason I ask is brecause only certain OT scriptures are preached while many others are never ever preached. Reason being is it doesn't fit the program.

What many don't realize is tithes was not just for levites, but also for strangers, widows and fatherless. So why is only OT scriptures about giving to levites used but the rest neglected?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

Think about it this way. If Christians are not following the Levitical tithing system, what tithing system are they following?

Why does there have to be a tithing system? Why can there not just be a giving system? A system of giving from ones heart as one feels compelled out of their own spirit and by God's Spirit to meet the need that is at hand.

The law is always weak because of us. When we have law we reason away our responsibility.

The elderly widow who is struggling to make ends meet should receive from the church body to help her.

But another brother may give 10% when, due to his abundance, it is nothing compared to the sacrifice others make to give half that percentage. So one is able happily give an amount that is no sacrifice or struggle at all while another, who should be helped by the church, feels compelled to give their expendable income and more.

Law is weak... because of us.

Obedience to the spirit and nature of our God is strong and never fails.

As I tell my kids often... rules are for the unruly. When we exhibit the nature of our God there is no more need for rules because His law is written in our hearts and we follow after His will because it is our desire.

A law will never duplicate the beauty of being led by God on a personal level.