Some people believe tithing is just an Old Testament subject and doesn't apply to the New Testament or today's society. People all have their reasons as of to why they don't tithe as the Bible says. One of the biggest reasons is "I can't afford it." It is too hard for people to part with their money. Others think that their tithes go straight to the pastor, which it doesn't. Many times the money people tithe goes to help keep the church running. It pays bills like gas, electric and sometimes the mortgage.
"If you are really eager to give, it isn't important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don't have. Of course, I don't mean you should give so much that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality." 2 Corinthians 8: 12-13. God wants us to give what we can, but not to the point where our bills and comfort suffer. If God gives you 100 dollars all he asks is for 10 back, that's not too much to ask from us. God doesn't want all of our money or a huge chunk. Thinking about it 10% of what we make and own isn't a lot. When you give back to God He will provide what you need. You will never be in need of the necessary needs: food, clothes, and shelter. God is the great provider.
Sometimes churches need their congregation to tithe and give money to the church in order to survive. It is not some meaningless idea of the Old Testament, it helps us grow closer to God when we give to his church and his people. How else do people think churches function and pay the bills?
1 comment:
The NT nowhere after Calvary instructs the church to tithe. Even in the OT, even though money was common in Genesis and essential for sanctuary worship it is never included in 16 texts which describe the contents of the tithe.
Most Christians should give more than 10% but those who cannot are not cursed. NT giving is freewill, sacrificial, generous, joyful, not of commandment (or percentage) and motivated by love for God and lost souls.
OT tithes went first to the Levites who were only servants to the priests. The Levites gave the best of their tithes to the priest (1%). Neither Levites nor priests could own or inherit property in exchange for receiving tithes. Churches do not do that.
The OT tithe was never used to pay building expenses or fund missions. Churches have no precedent in tithes but only in freewill offerings.
"If you are really eager to give, it isn't important how much you are able to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you don't have. Of course, I don't mean you should give so much that you suffer from having too little. I only mean that there should be some equality." 2 Corinthians 8: 12-13. ALSO 8:14.
Very good, but you contradict yourself when you say God asks for a tithe. It is a lot for the poor who cannot feed and shelter their families per First Timothy 5:8.
"When you give back to God He will provide what you need. You will never be in need of the necessary needs: food, clothes, and shelter. God is the great provider."
That simply is not true. There are thousands in our poor neighborhoods who have been tithing and buying lottery tickets for generations who are still waiting for their money tree. The tithe was only one of 613 OT commandments to be obeyed in order to be blessed.
Churches that fail are not preaching the gospel as they should and are not teaching personal evangelism. God does not expect the church to teach salvation by grace through faith but finances through law.
Russell Earl Kelly, PHD
Author of Should the Church Teach Tithing?
www.tithing-russkelly.com
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