Legality of Tithing in New Testament Chruches

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   Transministryposted 14 years ago

   The Laws of Moses and the Prophets (especially Deut 14 & Milachi 3)makes it mandatory for the payment of tithes in the old testament.
   
   However, it is been advocated that the death of Christ fulfills the laws and we are in the dispensation of grace where every born again christian is said to be a priest (a royal priesthood and Jesus is the High priest)
   
   Do you agree to the practice of today's Pastors / Evangelists requesting the continued payment of tithes (10% of your salary) in churches legal and in consonance with the scriptures?
   
   Furthermore, was tithe ever paid in cash during the old testament? Was tithe dropped at the temple and left to the Priest to manage as they liked or was it a joint feast in the presence of God?
   
   Submit you comments addressing all or any of the areas of this discuss with an open mind anchored on appropriate scriptures.

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      Brenda Durhamposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting question.
      
      My short answer is no I don't agree with it.
      
      Longer answer with Scriptures maybe later...

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      exorterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      the tithes was put into storehouses, it was there for the need of the people, if there was a year of famine, then the people went to the storehouses to sustain them for the year

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      RevLadyposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with Judah's Daughter and Exorter. In the Old Testament, which is clear, it was about produce and agricultural needs, not money in the sense that we understand it today.
      
      In the New Testament, no amount is set. It is based on love. The widow who gave her mite, gave 100% of what she had out of love, which Jesus highly praised. God looks at the heart, so regardless of what we give, it must be in the right motive.

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   Judah's Daughterposted 14 years ago

   In the Old Testament, tithing was never money ~ and only those with crops or animals tithed.  Jesus and his family would never have tithed (even under the Law of Moses at the time), for they were carpenters.  Giving cheerfully and not out of compulsion (legality) is the New Covenant.

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   Transministryposted 14 years ago

   Thank you for your comments so far. I love them. Wish to see more comments that address the current practices in our churches today.

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   Jeramiposted 14 years ago

   If I am not mistaken the tithe was paid once a year and it concerned 10% of your increase.
   
     If you had 100 sheep last year and now youhave 110.
   There is an increase of 10 sheep.
   10% of 10 sheep is One sheep.

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   Transministryposted 14 years ago

   What if I am not rearing sheep; and I am not a farmer but working for an organization earning a monthly salary? Am I expected to take 10% of my pay cheque to the church?

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      Jeramiposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      If you are attending Church and getting anything from it and want to continue doing so I would say that you should support the church as you can and/or feel is appropriate.
      
        As far as the supposed to OR  expected to; that is a long subject thatwould run too long for one person to answer.
      That would best be explained in  a HUB.

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      lifegateposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I think giving to the Lord should be proportionate to what we have. However, I don' think 10% is asking too much. We'll spend our money on the things that are important to us. Our giving is just a reflection of  how much we truly love God. Besides, He also owns the other 90%. We need to wisely spend it as well.

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   Transministryposted 14 years ago

   Thanks you very much, you have made your point. You are not against supporting the church financially but you do not flow with the tithing of salary element. One can support the church with even 50% of his or her salary but should not be tagged tithing because that is not in consonance with the law of tithing. I agree with you. God loves a cheerful giver; not by compulsion.

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   pylos26posted 14 years ago

   Sounds like a great plan...to promote the makings of a gravy train for liars and imposters. Why not just give the entire paycheck if one is such a damn fool.

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   Onusonusposted 14 years ago

   Tithing is a standing law with the covenant people of God. It is directly associated with the higher priesthood. As Abraham tithed to the high priest Melchisedec, they broke bread and drank wine in similitude of the administration of the sacrament that was to come. Hence it is an eternal law and not part of the law of Moses which was fufilled by the sacrifice of the only begotten son of God.

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      Judah's Daughterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Abraham tithed once of his spoils from war.  We have a new High Priest, and that is Jesus Christ.  Even He wouldn't have tithed in His day, as He was a Carpenter.  'Tithing' was never money either.  Most 'cults' demand tithing 10% of a person's gross income (money) and this is not scriptural.

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         Onusonusposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         The word tithe means to pay one tenth of an persons annual increase, it is a very scriptural concept. And note that Abraham tithed to the high priest, not the other way around. So I wouldn't expect Jesus to tithe to himself. Hence our tithing goes to the Bishop of the church who is under the direction of the Lord.

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            Onusonusposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            In fact because the Bishop is the representative of Christ to the church, we, just as Abraham, are tithing directly to the High Priest of us all, for the building up of God's kingdom on earth.

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            Judah's Daughterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

            Hebrews 7:11-14
            
            "Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron?
            
            "For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of Law also.
            
            "For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar.
            
            "For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests."

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               Onusonusposted 14 years agoin reply to this

               Yes I believe in these scriptures as well, and I believe that they are in perfect harmony with the beliefs and standards of my church.

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   Jeramiposted 14 years ago

   I do not know !!!  I haven't read that much about paying tithes, But I think that when people started bringing money and buying their animals from the money changers for their burned offerings; Which Jesus was opposed to!! .... this act or custom ushered in the concept of paying tiths to the church??
   
       BUT  after the temple was destroyed in 70 AD;  who was the tithes paid to? Was this practice abolished until the Romans started builting their churches?
   
      Hate posting and running (going to bed)  but that is where I'm going in a   few minutes.

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    brotheryochananposted 14 years ago

    10% is definitely a pattern of the OT. Any christian who can't give 10% is a loser. Any christian who has reasons NOT to give 10% is a huge loser and i pray that god only give them what they give to god.
         As i mention in my hub on tithing, we can give god our best or we can give him less than our best. If we give him less than our best we can certainly expect less than his best and good luck to you on judgment day. I am tired of christians using 'grace' and 'I don't see it in the scriptures' as an excuse for simple and common deductions using what i call, "spiritual common sense". Did not god save your soul? Does not god say in his word that he will meet all your needs? Did not god say 100 things concerning prosperity if ye obey his commandments and walk in his ways?
         10% of a 1000 = 100... boo hoo im a christian and i cant live without this 100. Shame on you, you are not a christian and i bet the rest of your walk with Him sucks too. This is going out generally to all christians who think they can short change god and get away with it.

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    Deaconessposted 14 years ago

    Let's be honest here... tithes are not given to "God" they are given to clergy, and hopefully, shared with the community. Even in the old testament, this reality was recognized. At the old temples, the only offerings that were considered given to God were the ones that were totally burnt up to ashes; everything else was considered "set apart for the purposes of God" which included taking care of those who take care of the sanctuary, taking care of the sanctuary, and caring for the community. With this in mind, the only type of modern day tithe that should be considered given to God, is money that you "literally" burn at the altar.

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       brotheryochananposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       True all we hear about is the animal tithe, except that abraham gave tithes of ALL he had to Melchizedek, that included the GOLD and SILVER, etc..
                oh and remember this story:
       Mark 12:41   And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
         Mark 12:42   And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. (uh oh money, ahem)
         Mark 12:43   And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
         Mark 12:44   For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.
       Gee we see money being given.. how unlucky for you. I guess you will have to undo all your philosophy concerning tithes and give god your best. Maybe read my hub on tithing.

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    Diane Insideposted 14 years ago

    Tithes, are very vital to the church, they pay for what ever bills the church has. ie. electric bill, gas bill, mortgage, repairs, and so on. As well as whatever, the church feels needed in the community, or at the very least in it's own congregation. I personally don't agree with ministers who do not work outside the church but there are some churches who do pay their minister, and secretaries, etc depending on how big the church is. I believe God would want us to pay tithes if we go to church, but if not give to the community or a charity. That helps as well.

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       exorterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       God blesses us every day, and we should pay tithes, sometimes people can not pay without getting into bill money, at this time God does not expect you to pay, If my neighbor's house burnt down, I would not think any thing of giving my tithes to them, instead of the church. If you know some one in need and your tithes is all you have, give it to them, if you are in a large church then hopefully, you can give the church the tithes and the church will help better than you can

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    BethShay777posted 14 years ago

    Wel the Bible says to give 10% of all you make to God. So even if your neighbors house burnt down you still need to save 10% for Him and you will be rewarded. )

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       exorterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       10% of your increase

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          BethShay777posted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Yes that

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       Beelzedadposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Do you think any god has ever seen a penny of those tithes, or has it gone to some earthly people, instead? 

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       exorterposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       since most churches has building funds, funds for about everything except helping those in need, I wonder just how much God thinks about the churches teaching to pay tithes even if you do not have money for all your bills, or teaching to pay tithes instead of helping out those in need

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          stilljustwonderinposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          I Timothy 5:8 - "But if any provide not for his own, especially for those of his own household, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel".

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    celafoeposted 12 years ago

    that is one of the problems of using denominational trained ministers.   They do not understand the scriptures.  They believe what they are taught.  If they did really know the scriptures then they would understand that the law is done - completed -- FINISHED.   Tithe was part of the law to provide for the Levites, in FACT NO ONE but a Natural Born Levite could collect a tithe so even if they dont understand that the law is gone, they are still NOT qualified to collect it.     The church system is as messed up as the rest of the world and the only way to learn truth is to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and study the bible so He can reveal truth.   I always tell people before I start to teach "do not believe what i am teaching until you have studied it out in scripture and have the Holy Spirit confirm it is truth"  and I think this advise should preface ANY and all teaching and preaching.

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       Disappearingheadposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Amen. Tithing as is taught today was invented at the Council of Marcon in 585 AD. It was enforced in secular law throughout Europe from the 8th century. Up until the 6th century lay persons in the church did not tithe.
       
       Besides which being told that tithing is giving to God is not true. The money props up a professional ministry with mortgages to pay. Telling people they are robbing God by not tithing is also a blasphemous lie.

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