In your opinion what is the act of tithing for?

Tithing is a spiritual Law. Its true God doesn't need our money. As a Christian, we should give 10% of our earnings to Him. Some people find this difficult but if done in faith and willingly, somehow the money returns to you even more. I admit its hard when so many bills are overdue but if done in faith - God will hounour it. E.g a cheque could just come through from the Tax office for a tax refund. (this has happened to me twice - both amounts over £1000). Money would come to you in unexpected ways.

Even in normal life people who are not christians who are very generous and give to others don't really have bad finances. But in the Christian case, you have supernatural abundance. The country could be in recession and it wouldn't affect you at all.

Tithing supports the church - maintenance of the building, the purchase of bibles, hymnals, etc the church needs, funds special events like bible school, and in a lot of cases, pays the minister's salary or the priest's room and board.

if people didn't give willingly to their church - either through a weekly tithe or through a yearly larger donation, soon enough, there wouldn't be a church or anyone to minister to it.

I believe that it is a standing law, it should never be thought that it was done away with, it is a law of obediance, "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 will not be enough room to recieve it."

It's one of those times when the Lord says to do it, take a leap of faith and see what happens.

I think tithing as a way to support an organization or the priesthood isn't about God, it's merely an early (religiously sanctioned) form of taxes. In order for services to the common good to survive, people need to give according to their ability: rich people more than poor people. That's why most taxes are in the form of percentages too.

These days a lot of social service is no longer done primarily by the church or the temple but by the government. The percentage in that respect has obviously also gone up.

From a religious perspective I think each person should think about where their 10% should go to. Is the upkeep of the buildings important, or the support of the poor - in your own country or abroad? And is the money most likely to be spent well on big projects, or via individuals?

Still - the sense that people should contribute to their community and to the welfare of humanity is an important one - and well expressed by tithing.

The Lord loves a cheerful giver, so if you are unhappy about giving then don't give until you are in the right frame of mind about it and are happy to do so.

As for the 'act of tithing' that's pure Old Covenant law keeping and not required under the New Covenant. Furthermore if you do tithe then make sure it's only a tenth of your increase, not a tenth of your principal.

e.g. If a farmer has 100 head of cattle and they produce 50 calves then the tenth comes from the 50 i.e. 5 calves, not a tenth of the 150.

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle/Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent, not the 10 percent which is generally considered the tithe amount today. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. The New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give (James 1:5). Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

http://www.gotquestions.org/tithing-Christian.html

I am in 100% agreement with the writer! I believe tithing is a necessity for paying the bills of the church and To help those in the church who have need also. I believe those who can, can give more, those who can't, give less! But everyone can "tithe" in their own way!

I am a christian(CATHOLIC).I believe in paying tithe but with what is happening in our world today,i believe the 10% for tithe should go to the poor(motherless homes,homeless,disables,the hungry).

I stopped paying my tithe 2 years ago and have been giving the 10% to the poor and needy.

The interesting thing about tithing is that it was only for the Levite Priests, who were to receive 10% of the people's tithe of the agricultural produce of the land.

The Levite Priests were not given land from Yehwah coming out of Egypt, and so their inheritance would be the tithe. The Christian Church today has took tithing to a new level of heresy.