Tithing

joanna · **NRTeam Junior** Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Posts: 461

This is something i've been thinking about and i'm interested to see what conclusions others have come to. Do you believe that tithing remains an obligation given we no longer live under old testament law? (tithing is giving 10% of your income to Gods work, usually your church) What lead you to your conclusion?

matthew10:8 · **NRTeam Newbie** Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

I think tithing is more than "law" it's an obedience to God and a discipline that we need whether we like it or think we need it or not. As a parent you have your kids do certain things because in the long run you know it is good for them...although we are adults, we are also still kids, He is our Father and he is going to have us do things that are good for us in the big picture. We may not like it because that is just our rebellious nature but if you know God and have a deep faith you will also know he would never have us do something that is not good for us. But it is also a choice. I have seen the blessings from tithing and I choose to continue to do it. Smile

mayhem · **NRTeam Junior** Joined: 02 Jul 2007 Posts: 342

In my personal opinion, I rather see someone NOT tithe and give themselves in another way and be true in heart, than someone who feels obligated to tithe because they feel guilty or forced to.

I don't think we are restriced to 10% either.

nmperkins15 · **NRTeam Beginner** Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 111

i definitely think that everyone should tithe! not only is it written in the bible, but it is also how a church gets its income and stays alive. there would be no churches if no one tithed!

joanna · **NRTeam Junior** Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Posts: 461

Don't get me wrong. I believe everyone should be supporting the work of their church. My confusion is whether the 10% remains mandated now that we are not under the law or having the old testament temple system of worship and government.

soalyssatated · **NRTeam Expert** Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 1126

Everything we have is God's...the least he requires us to give back is 10%. Don't you think we should be willing to give back at least that much to the God who has given us so much? If you feel like you want to give more than by all means do. In Malachi (I believe it is in Malachi but I do not have the time to look it up right now) God tells us to bring our tithe and watch as he overflows our storehouses. I have a friend who can testify to this as well as I can. I try to tithe pretty regularly and I've found the money in my savings account rising at a pretty decent rate. I believe God is entitled to at least 10% of the money he has blessed us with. Plus that, in the old testament, people were required to give 10% of nearly everything. When we think of tithing we think just money but there could be more to that

aylaeh · **NRTeam Pro** Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 690

joanna · **NRTeam Junior** Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Posts: 461

Thanks i'll have a look at those

I used to go to a church that very much taught tithing, even to the point of telling people an extra percentage they had to give god if they didn't give their tithe one week. When i studying it myself what i found in the new testament was things like "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 corithians 9:7) rather than any instruction about a particular amount as i had been taught. If i added it up what i give would probably come to about a tithe most of the time but to be honest i haven't been adding it up, i have a set amount i believe i'm meant to give every week and give beyond that as i feel lead. I want to be sure that i am doing the right thing by god.

ladybug · **NRTeam Junior** Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 288

Makinhistry · **NRTeam Beginner** Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 116

There are still some Old Testament things that should be obeyed...Jesus didn't come to destroy all that was, but rather to build upon what had already been commanded...and to make it possible for us to obey.

Did you know that this is the only time in the Bible that God said to test Him? He says, "Test me in this and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing that you cannot contain."

I myself have proven tithing to be effective time and time again. When I don't tithe, I go broke; when I do tithe, I have enough and more than I expected. It happens every time. Smile

It's such a simple concept too.
Our pastor put it this way..."I shovel out, God shovels in, His shovel's bigger."
It's the basic truth that God blesses those who obey Him. He can do more with my 10% than I could do with 100%.

Someday, I want to be one of those people who gives 90% and lives on 10%!!

Makinhistry · **NRTeam Beginner** Joined: 03 Jul 2007 Posts: 116

lynnctodd · **NRTeam Beginner** Joined: 18 Sep 2007 Posts: 202

I think tithing is very important and should be done, especially by Christians. The Bible is clear about giving 10% to tithe, and then if someone feels led to give more, I consider that an offering. If you think about it, God is the giver of everything, and he has given us so much-He gave his life! So, the least we can do is give 10% back to him! God promises to bless us when we follow this command, and I can honestly say that when I am in a tight spot financially and I still tithe, God really does bless me financially! It sounds crazy, but somehow all of the bills get paid by the grace of God! How can I doubt him and be selfish and hold on to my money when he was the one who gave it to me to begin with?!

joanna · **NRTeam Junior** Joined: 01 Jul 2007 Posts: 461

oh and this was never meant to be a how little can i get away with question in case anyone is thinking that.

fearfulsymmetry · **NRTeam Newbie** Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 22

Tithing is a fantastic yet dangerous doctrine, and one which is very difficult to either support or rescind in scripture, excellent biblical arguments can be made in either direction, and indeed have been. But personally, whether required by God or not, I see tithing as an excellent discipline to subscribe to. The regularity of the tithe is a way to ensure that giving doesn’t just slip our minds, and financially contributing to the church family is undoubtedly the responsibility of it’s members. There is a huge danger though that can be attached to the doctrine of tithing: it is very easy for our tithe to become seen not as an offering to God, but as an investment. All too often I’ve heard ministers (and not exclusively on religious TV either) use our greed as an incentive to give, they talk as if God owes us a return on our capital. He does not. God’s people are equally subject to financial hardship, even poverty, as they are to financial security and fat bank accounts. Both circumstances are irrelevant in terms of our relationship to God, and both have serious dangers and great potential for good attached to them. We should never give expecting a return…if we do, how can it be called giving?

mercury · **NRTeam Moderator** Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 988