No more Tithing? (who’s got your money)
Posted by: stuartdelony in Blogroll, Christianity, Church, Southern Baptist, Tithes, Uncategorized, church and money, money, no more tithing, tithe
Doing a web search earlier this week (on a completely different topic) I stumbled on this website.
It’s a site completely devoted to proclaiming the idea that we’re free in Christ and don’t need to tithe… ever! Then make the argument that tithing is an Old Covenant (Old Testament) practice and doesn’t apply now. We can give, but shouldn’t feel like we have to.
I don’t really know where to start with this one. All I can tell you is my belief on tithing. I believe that we are called to give the Lord our best, weather that is through, works, time spent with him, or giving (tithe). Tithing is a heart issue. Are we so consumed with what we have that we are unwilling to give back to the Lord in faith. I give out of my love of my Maker. The most basic story that should cover this is Cain and Abel. Abel gave out of an abundant heart of love while Cain held back. This whole concept seems to be very Cainish.
I know people have been burned by televangelists and churches who seem to focus more on money than equipping the saints for service. I agree that there are many ministries that are off and moving forward with false motives. But let us not be reactionary. I’m accountable to the Lord and my heart is tied to Him and not a church. We give to Him, not a church.
I’m not held to a 10% or guilted into giving. I do it because I feel called to. I do it out of obedience. I do it with joy. I do it because I choose to follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I do it because all that I have is the Lord’s anyway - so why fool myself into thinking otherwise.
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I have found, over the years, that for every contradiction to God’s Word that people put out there, it always comes back to greed. As you indicate, there are those, who in our Lord’s precious name, call for our money “from the lusts of their hearts;” but, it doesn’t change our responsibility to God inasmuch as He doesn’t change and neither do His requirements of us.
Thank you for posting this; hopefully, it will help others understand or at least consult our Lord about tithing. I have an article posted on my blog, “Blessings in Tithing,” that might interest you. It is scripturally supported.
Love in Christ,
http://bonnieq.wordpress.com
In Christ, the keeping of the Sabbath has been replaced by Sabbath living…an indwelling Spirit making a temple out of our very bodies. In Christ, the giving of a tithe has been replaced a understanding that everything belongs to Him who gave everything for us. The OT tenth is a good beginning — but that was a requirement that even unspiritual Jews accomplished. How much more should those of us who have come into His grace be willing to give?
Truth!!! God want’s Christians to teach truth!!! For the Church to teaching tithing is not based on the Word. Giving and abundently yes, to what God sets before you yes…but the tithe was a OT law and giving is the new testament truth. Giving to the poor, needy, yes even the church if this is where your convictions lead.
There is much singing going on in Charismatic churches about how we are a Royal Priesthood and a Holy Nation (I Pet. 2:5 and 9). Well, priests didn’t even have to tithe under the Old Covenant. Only lower-ranking Levites tithed out of the tithes they themselves received, and only from farm or ranch owners. We are the Body of Christ, so it is a SIN to force God’s people to tithe!
http://banpreachergreed.tripod.com
Good day Stuart,
Tithing is not relevant for believers under the new testament. If you study apostle Paul on that purpose, you will find that giving is not related to the law of tithing. It is clear! But some churches
Pentecostal churches, among others, teach that tithing is God’s way to bless believers and test their faith and love for Him. This is a lie. Tithing is an old covenant law, and was for the people of Israel only. Paul says clearly that we are free from the laws of the old covenant.
It should never be teached in a christian church. If someone gives, it must be without being pushed to do so by a law. He should give freely. That’s why the giver of the new covenant is a happy giver. He gives because he has decided to. He is not pushed to do so because of the law of Moses.
Remember that Paul said; Where there is a law, there is a curse ( Galatians 3;13) and tithing(10%)is a law. That’s what Paul teaches.
May God bless you, in Jesus name
As a pastor, there are two things I have never done. I never presented this “new teaching” - as “the tithe,” and I never laid this man-made concoction on the brethren - claiming God requires 10% of one’s gross earnings to go in cash to the local church for life. What I have taught is: “If anyone does not provide for his own, and especially those of his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1Tim 5:8) and “Owe nothing to anyone” (Ro 13:8). Those calling for this “tithe” are doing so - claiming God’s authority behind their message and often warn of consequences for “robbing God.” One definition of extortion is “to get (money, etc.) by violence, threats, misuse of authority …” (Webster’s New World Dictionary, 1974). This “new teaching” is extortion.
If you would like to test your knowledge on the Tithe, I have a twenty question pop quiz you can take. It is totally private. I then have a free ebook for you, “No Tithe for the Christian.”