Am I really cursed if I don't tithe?

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   Sold Out to Jesusposted 12 years ago

   Am I really cursed if I don't tithe?

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   Judah's Daughterposted 12 years ago

   Who told you that?  What's more powerful?  Blood or money?  We cannot serve (believe in) two masters.
   
   'Tithing' is called the "offering of the firstfruits".  Let’s go back the first ‘tithes’ to God by looking at Cain and Abel. Cain brought the firstfruit of his crops; Abel the firstfruit of his livestock. Under the Law of tithing, crops and animals were provided to the Levites (not money). Speaking of the Levite priests, they used the blood of goats for the sin sacrifice (Lev 4) and a ram, totally consumed by fire (burnt offering) to impute righteousness upon themselves and their congregation (Lev 1). Likewise, the grain 'offerings' had their spiritual purpose. For example, Lev 2:14 “If you bring a grain offering of firstfruits to the LORD…”
   
   Now, in Gen 22 Abraham ‘believed God’, which was counted to him as righteousness (James 2:23), by taking Isaac up to Mount Moriah to sacrifice him as a ‘burnt offering’ ~ yet, God provided the ‘ram’ (imputed righteousness). Who does that ram symbolize? Jesus Christ, our LORD.
   
   We no longer sacrifice animals (livestock) and grain (crops)...Jesus Christ was the firstfruit, the ONLY acceptable sacrifice. We don't 'sacrifice' cash ~ we sacrifice/offer our hearts ~ 1 Samuel 15:22: “Samuel said, ‘Has the LORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.”
   
   Give as God leads you and to whatever/whoever He leads you. He alone is the acceptable "firstfruit" = PAID IN FULL.

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      Sold Out to Jesusposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You are right! I'm struggling with this. You know I am open to learning ... It's just taking it to my pastor that I dread. It's been bothering me.

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      Judah's Daughterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sister Sold Out to Jesus, it was the LORD that brought this to my heart, even recently.  This is HIS teaching to HIS sheep.  I will listen to Him alone.  I will give generously as He leads (where and to whom/what).  That's obedience and is blessed.

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   glmclendonposted 12 years ago

   I think you would do well to read Mal3:7 - 12 and see if that helps any. I have never had the question put that way  ... Sorry

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   Old Empresarioposted 12 years ago

   Of course not.  But do what you like with your money.

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   duffsmomposted 12 years ago

   If you are a Christian, you know the answer to that already - we are freed from the law by God's Grace through His Son Jesus Christ.

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      Sold Out to Jesusposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I am a Christian. Do you know how many Christians pay tithes??

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   Jaggedfrostposted 12 years ago

   Tithing assumes that you are giving your substance to one who has the authority to receive it in Father's name.  You have to be aware of and accept that authority.  Unless these conditions are set then you are off the hook as it were.  Furthermore, tithing is only a partial representation of a larger law.  The Law of consecration is the parent law that is a giving of ones whole soul and everything else that is attached to it to God in a tangible sense.  Even so, it isn't a curse one avoids in either case but rather Father's favor.  Avoiding the destruction that comes to those who aren't willing to so commit is almost beside the point.  Tithing and Consecration both come with the proviso that once one has done either of these, Father deeds back to you the portion that is sufficient for your needs.  Often for those who are less fortunate the deeded portion ends up being larger then the one given.  For those who are more fortunate the deed is exactly what they need and the deed is sealed and theirs, not the churches.
   
   Personally I wouldn't worry about it unless you can find one who is actually authorized to help you thought the spiritual aspect of this.  As for the physical aspect?  It is practiced to an extent but no where on earth is full Consecration practiced.

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   youcanwinposted 12 years ago

   Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
   
   “But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’
   
   “In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit,” says the Lord Almighty. “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the Lord Almighty.
   
   “You have said harsh things against me,” says the Lord.
   
   “Yet you ask, ‘What have we said against you?’
   
   “You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.’”

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      Jaggedfrostposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      hehe is this negative a measure of how right or wrong our opinion is or just how much it upsets the person that we gave our honest assessment of the situation and it didn't make them right?

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   MilesArmbrusterposted 12 years ago

   If we are talking about the Bible, the question isn't about whether you will be cursed if you don't. The focus tends to be on the fact that you will be blessed if you do.

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   Sparkleaposted 12 years ago

   Sold Out To Jesus: 
   
   A few months ago I published a hub titled, "Is Tithing Necessary? (My Tithing Experience)...sharing my story with other hubbers.  It was merely my individual  opinion about tithing.
   
   That being said, I do not personally believe you are cursed if you do not tithe.  I believe any Christian that tells you that is way out of line.  I do not feel anyone has a right to be judgmental regarding this subject.
   
   I tithe every bit of income that I receive.  It's my choice.  However, my husband does NOT tithe.  It's his choice.  He is fine with me being a tither.  I am fine with him not tithing.
   
   Also, alot of Christians...especially evangelists, not only say Christians SHOULD tithe but they should tithe their GROSS income.  I do not agree with this.  I tithe any NET income I receive.  The reason?  Because I have not RECEIVED the gross amount.  I only tithe what I receive.
   
   In my hub article I talked about negative and positive experiences I have had with tithing, plus why my husband and I quit tithing, and why I started doing it again years later.
   
   I began to tithe again because God put it on my heart.  But I DO NOT believe that the years I did not tithe that I was cursed.  I do not believe when challenges arose during the time we were not tithing that we were being punished for NOT tithing.  Please don't let ANYONE try to tell you that.
   
   I LOVE your Username: Sold Out To Jesus!  It is phenomenal.  Just that user name speaks volumes about your heart.  I can see that Jesus is your LIFE.
   
   IF you ever did decide to tithe, I believe you would do it if Jesus did put it on your heart.  (not other people)  ....Right now I don't think He has...and I do not believe it is anyone's business whether you tithe or not.  I cling to Ecclesiastes, where it reads there is a time for EVERYTHING.
   
   I went YEARS without tithing.  It was not my time to do so.  However, now that I am tithing, I DO place my finger on Malachi 3:7-12, and I do claim it, because God never lies and God is faithful to His word. 
   
   However, Christ died for us, and the Bible promises He WILL take care of you!  You have every right as a Christian to stand on EVERY promise in His Word.
   
   I hope this helps.  However, please know this is just my thoughts on this subject, for what it's worth. 
   
   Blessings always, Sparklea

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    Sold Out to Jesusposted 12 years ago

    Thanks for all the answers. We do faithfully tithe. We ran into issues this month with  my  husbands father because he was airlifted to a hospital over an hour away and the extra cost of gas and food had to be covered. As I called to let our pastor know we would be short on our tithes.. It just hit me. There is no condemnation in Christ. All the bible studies I have heard about tithing was because it was a commandment to give the first 10% or God can't bless you. You essentially will be cursed. Not trusting God with your finances causes your walk with God to decline. I even have heard my pastor say he can't pray for peoples finances if they're not tithing. Now with the stress of everything and I am now stressed that God is mad at me... It just doesn't seem right. We give our all to the church. I clean the church, I sing in the choir, we are involved in every aspect... And yet I feel condemned. The more I study the more it seems I have been following a tradition of man. We are no longer bound to follow the law because Jesus fulfilled the law by being a better sacrifice. Paul said we can't follow the law and the Spirit. I will never quit giving, but when I can't make it 10% I will never feel like I let God down. That's ridiculous!

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    blessedpposted 12 years ago

    Hi SOJ,
    
    If you are a follower of Jesus Christ and you live by His commandments and a believer in His word; then it is automatic, why? Because the Holy Spirit dwells in you.  Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
    
    The Lord blesses us each day, paying our tithes from what we have been blessed with does not go directly to Him.  It goes to do His work and helping others. 
    
    In the beginning the first sacrifice that was offered to Almighty God by Abel was approved because he gave to God the best of his flock.  Whilst Cain's offering was rejected why? He did not give to God the best; but instead he gave the worst of his increase (produce).
    
    God requires nothing from us but a true heart and if we are bless, we should give back to God; let us not rob him in tithes and offerings.  He gave the best for us, His son Jesus Christ who bore it all.  Let the Holy Spirit be your guide.  When we give to Him, He will open the windows of heaven and fill your food basket that you will not have place to contain.
    
    My sister live by the word of our King. Tithing is a must thus said the Lord, it will come back to you and your family in three fold measure.

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       Sold Out to Jesusposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I know many followers of Christ that do not tithe. Tithing isn't an automatic unction the Holy Spirit gives you. It is taught. The fruits of the Spirit is charity. Giving with Love.  I do tithe because I am obedient to my pastor and I love my church.

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