Tithing

[sheep wrecked]

Do you believe in tithing? Why or why not? Is it Biblical to tithe?

[strefanash]

Tithing can be simply disposed of by looking at the motive for tithing these days. If we try to buy off God, purchase his favour, placate his wrath by bribing him with money this is worse than useless it is an insult. It is a blasphemy. And they definitely take Micah out of context when they appeal to it ("Woulf you rob God?"

the moment it is legislated it becomes this kind of blasphemy.

If you can give and cheerfully, by all means, but if ytou think you must (as opposed to weant to,) I submit the very enterprise of tithing is a sin.

As for those poor naive deludeds who skimp on housekeeping to fatten the wallets of parasites, these poor people have missed the verse "he who neglects his own family is worse than an unbeliever and has denied the faith".

my disinclination to tithe might mean that i love money more than God. Giulty yer honour, but given this my coughing up money out of guilt does not resolve this issue, it does not even face it.

And his continued grace keeps on keeping on, as a living testimony, when i have not defiled an offeringt plate with my motive defiled lucre for over 20 years

[Rose of Shushan]

Hey stref glad to see you back and posting
Personally I find my hackles rising whenever I see people being urged to "tithe" or give a tithe.The tithe belonged to the Sinai Covenant and involved tithing the produce of the land.It was given to Levites and Priests and used to support widows ,orphans etc.
Some christian pastors while acknowledging that we are no longer under the Sinai Covenant still go ahead and require the tithe of their congregations regardless.Some even resort to Malachi and tell their congregations that they are robbing God if they do not tithe.

Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Mal 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Mal 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
Mal 3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Malachi is speaking to the Israelites who lacked enough trust at that point in history to tithe as required under Sinai Law. Isn't it clearly obvious that these tithe requesters are taking the scripture out of context to scare the people into thinking that they are robbing God if they do not tithe.
As Christians we do not rob God when we do not tithe since it formed part of the commandments and ordinances given to Israelites to obey while living in the land.

[Vic]

For those unfamiliar with the Biblical and historical background of tithing, I have a series a did a few years ago that discusses the various views on tithing and does a Scripture study of tithing versus giving.

Tithing Is It Scriptural for New Covenant Believers? Under the Law or Led by the Spirit :Introduction (the arguments and beliefs)
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing.htm

Tithing Part 1: The Purpose of the Tithe and The Priesthood
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing1.htm

Tithing Part 2: The Prophesied New Covenant
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing2.htm

Tithing Part 3: Changes to the Covenant Through Christ
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing3.htm

Tithing Part 4: From The Law To The Covenant of Grace
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing4.htm

Tithing Part 5: Keeping the Words of Christ And Giving for The Love of Christ
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing5.htm

It's rather indepth, so it might take a little time to go through.

[Peaches]

(02-04-2009 04:06 PM)Vic Wrote:  For those unfamiliar with the Biblical and historical background of tithing, I have a series a did a few years ago that discusses the various views on tithing and does a Scripture study of tithing versus giving.

Tithing Is It Scriptural for New Covenant Believers? Under the Law or Led by the Spirit :Introduction (the arguments and beliefs)
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing.htm

Tithing Part 1: The Purpose of the Tithe and The Priesthood
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing1.htm

Tithing Part 2: The Prophesied New Covenant
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing2.htm

Tithing Part 3: Changes to the Covenant Through Christ
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing3.htm

Tithing Part 4: From The Law To The Covenant of Grace
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing4.htm

Tithing Part 5: Keeping the Words of Christ And Giving for The Love of Christ
http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing5.htm

It's rather indepth, so it might take a little time to go through.

oh mannnnnn .......... I read all that stuff. DUDE
You guys really got a heavy load around here. All the stuff I believe in you got a rant against. If you don't tithe, how can you be a christian? I mean, yeah, you got some good slant, but wow, my church is way on the other side. I don't think my pastor is gonna like me poking at this stuff. Shoot. I gotta check this stuff out

[Vic]

(02-05-2009 07:14 PM)Peaches Wrote:  oh mannnnnn .......... I read all that stuff. DUDE
You guys really got a heavy load around here. All the stuff I believe in you got a rant against. If you don't tithe, how can you be a christian? I mean, yeah, you got some good slant, but wow, my church is way on the other side. I don't think my pastor is gonna like me poking at this stuff. Shoot. I gotta check this stuff out

Hi there, Peaches,

It probably should be Dudettes

Everything we believe must be tested to the Scripture and proven to be of the Lord. It can be difficult to do that, because in many cases people simply go to church and are basically spoonfed. That can mean that instead of pointing to Christ and the Scriptures, people rely on the pastor, instead of the Holy Spirit.

That may sound harsh, but in many cases people are not studying to show themselves approved, but instead are relying on the pastor to tell them what he thinks the Bible means. We are told to examine ourselves to see that we are in the faith--meaning, are we believing the things of sound doctrine found in the Bible or going by what others say is in the Bible. There is a difference.

2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Psa 119:59 I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Galatians 6:4-6 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5. For every man shall bear his own burden. 6. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

It is the Holy Spirit that teaches us and gives us the understanding of the Scriptures.

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

1Jn 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

We are to put our trust in Jesus Christ, knowing that He will lead us and we will learn from Him through His Word.

There is no Scripture in the New Testament that speaks of us having to tithe; nor one that speaks of tithing being a proof of being a Christian.

Since you read the articles, you know that what we give is between us and God, and we are not to give above what we have, which is the opposite of what many pastors tell their flocks. That means the Scriptures are being ignored or overturned.

We are to give willingly as God lays it on our hearts, because everything we have is given to us by Him, and belongs to Him...

[ceebee]

I've read the articles on tithing and having never tithed wanted to check up whether I should or not. I would not give if it meant my family going without but I only have myself and give 10% of my pension between Guys Hospital for Sick Children in London, Revelation.tv.org based in London as I don't have a church and they have a show called Church Without Walls on skychannel 585 for people like me who are alone and don't have a church.
Recently I started to give a monthly amount to a ministry run by a woman called Christine Darg who seems genuine and is based here in Wales and also in Jerusalem. She preaches to arabs, jews and muslims and has been successful in many conversions. Christine and Peter Darg were with Rheinhard Bonnke in Africa for a few years then started their own ministry. Maybe I am merely funding there travels around the world or is that cynical !

[sheep wrecked]

(02-06-2009 08:17 AM)ceebee Wrote:  I've read the articles on tithing and having never tithed wanted to check up whether I should or not. I would not give if it meant my family going without but I only have myself and give 10% of my pension between Guys Hospital for Sick Children in London, Revelation.tv.org based in London as I don't have a church and they have a show called Church Without Walls on skychannel 585 for people like me who are alone and don't have a church.
Recently I started to give a monthly amount to a ministry run by a woman called Christine Darg who seems genuine and is based here in Wales and also in Jerusalem. She preaches to arabs, jews and muslims and has been successful in many conversions. Christine and Peter Darg were with Rheinhard Bonnke in Africa for a few years then started their own ministry. Maybe I am merely funding there travels around the world or is that cynical !

Hi, ceecee!

I think it's great that you have jumped in and posted - good going!!!

I think that it's important to research the people and organizations that you give to. There are so many false teachers scamming people out of money to fund themselves, it's really tragic. Unfortunately, Bonnke is one of them. He preaches a false gospel and his "prophetic" visions and dreams have been proven false, but he still keeps pushing his faith healing. He is part of the word faith or charismatic movement, which is a completely false one. Here are some links on Bonnke from different sources that show who he is. May I suggest that if you giving to the Dargs and they are promoting Bonnke and perhaps even teaching and doing ministry like him, that you are supporting false teachings

We all make mistakes in trying to be generous with what God gives us. But we have to be careful where we put our money because that shows our support and confirmation for EVERYTHING that the ministry preaches and does. That is a heavy responsibility.

http://letusreason.org/Popteac13.htm

http://www.letusreason.org/Popteac20.htm

http://obadiah1317.wordpress.com/2008/11...-part-two/

http://www.cephasministry.com/evangelists_bonnke.html

[ceebee]

Thanks for the encouragement to post sheepwrecked. Love your nickname I'm loving all the information on this site. I feel as though I have found an oasis of good straight bible facts and information. I'll check out those links thankyou.


ceebee

[Vic]

(02-06-2009 08:17 AM)ceebee Wrote:  I've read the articles on tithing and having never tithed wanted to check up whether I should or not. I would not give if it meant my family going without but I only have myself and give 10% of my pension between Guys Hospital for Sick Children in London, Revelation.tv.org based in London as I don't have a church and they have a show called Church Without Walls on skychannel 585 for people like me who are alone and don't have a church.
Recently I started to give a monthly amount to a ministry run by a woman called Christine Darg who seems genuine and is based here in Wales and also in Jerusalem. She preaches to arabs, jews and muslims and has been successful in many conversions. Christine and Peter Darg were with Rheinhard Bonnke in Africa for a few years then started their own ministry. Maybe I am merely funding there travels around the world or is that cynical !

I think one has to always check things out. It is really difficult sometimes to think that we might be helping someone deceive others. I had an event like that many years ago and it was devastating, because the last thing any of us wants, if we love Jesus, is to deceive others.

It is a huge step to have left the church and we understand--at least the admins and some of the other members, and many of the readers of my website, how difficult it can be. It's sort of feels like being a fish out of water, surrounded by hungry cats.

What I have learned is that the first place we must go is to the Lord about it, and through prayer seek His wisdom. That is closely followed by reading and studying the Word and asking the Holy Spirit to open our understanding. He is there to teach us and help us grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord. For many, although they had their Bibles and read them, there was dependence on the pastor to teach them, instead of Christ. Once you rely on Him to learn, it will be amazing I am sure, how you will grow in knowledge of the Word.

I think you may find, that just as the many I have heard from over the last ten years, that is is difficult to find a church fellowship that is teaching scripturally, always pointing to Christ and the Word as the source of doctrine. So many have brought in so much junk, that it is difficult to see how it glorfies our Lord. That doesn't meant they aren't out there--it just means they likely aren't going to be huge congregations. You need strong discernment to know and not get caught up in deception.

I have heard many simply study at home---which can be lonely, or they go to bible studies instead of a church per se, and that way can dig in---knowing that what is said must align the truth of the scriptures. Others, fellowship using the net. I have found those who contact me who really love Christ, there is an instant bond of unity in the Spirit. Unfortunately (from a fellowship standpoint) it is limited fellowship because, those who are in that situation, God is using to share the Gospel, and each seem to end up with some form of ministry to share Christ and the truth of the Scriptures. That is a good thing.

I think part of maturing in Christ is that we are all actually supposed to be ministers of the gospel and share Christ as He leads-soldiers of the cross. So often in churches, the focus is totally inward.

Anyway, on the tithing, I believe the tithe went with the bringing in of the New Covenant and all believers are the new priesthood. When we give, it is to be with the joy and understanding of what God has laid on our hearts--not to please others, but Him.