Here is some food for thought, did you know that the poor in the Old Testament were not required to Tithe...Think on that for a while... I say that because it is the poor who are most exploited with the whole giving thing.
There has been much debate about tithing among Christians for ages. I find the proper position we should take regarding giving is of course in the Bible. Before I go into my scripture references I want to say that tithing has been a tremendous burden for a large number of Church members. It is introduced to us as a hard and fast rule not to be ever questioned. I find most people have been so brainwashed about tithing that they would never question if it is right or wrong.
We often hear testimonies about how someone received a financial blessing as a result of them being faithful tithers, but we never hear or rarely hear of the many financial failures suffered through the act of tithing. The failures do exist and in very very large numbers.
Giving :
| 2 Cor 9:7 | Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. |
Many Churches today mandate tithing as a necessity in Christian living. This position by the Church is NOT scripturally based.
The Bible says giving has to be something that we make up our own minds to do or not to do. Giving of course is good. In fact the Bible says it is more blessed to give than receive
.
Where is the instruction for tithing in the New Testament?
Tithing:
Luke 11:42
"But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.
Interesting there is the New Testament reference. So it is true, we must tithe because Jesus says these you should have done.
Guess my argument against tithing has been shot down? Would you agree?
But Jesus is addressing the Jewish people in this verse still under the old covenant law. That's right the New Covenant , provided in and through the Blood of Jesus had NOT come into existence because Jesus had yet to die.
The Jewish nation was still sacrificing animals for their sins during the time Jesus was alive. So the fact that they were tithing as well does not at all surprise me.
| Matt 5:17 | "Do not think that I came to abolish the |
Yes without the fulfillment of the LAW, unless GOD's LAW had been fulfilled there would be NO salvation.
And now because Jesus did what no one else could do, our faith in the finish work of the cross brings the FREE gift of salvation to us all.
By the way you know what the people did many times when they brought their tithe to the temple as part of thier worship? They had a feast , yes they ate the tithe...Yes the needs of the priest were met but Sunday dinner was had at church as well. The people brought livestock, crops and such, ten percent and they sat down and eat what they brought. It would be like us going to church bringing our money and then paying caterers for providing dinner. The purpose here seems to be that the tithe was supporting fellowship with GOD in HIS temple.
The other purpose of the tithe is to give to those most needy.
Deut 26:12 "When you have finished paying all the tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and to the widow, that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied.
One of the things I find out of order in many Churches is that there is little understanding of the mercy of GOD. God always chooses mercy over sacrifice. In fact GOD is always looking for a way to dispense mercy to His beloved people. That would be us the people Jesus was nailed on the cross for, me and you. GOD has an intense passion to be merciful.
| Matt 9:13 | Go and learn what this means: I desire mercy [that is, readiness to help those in trouble] and not sacrifice and sacrificial victims. |
Let me break this down simply, Tithing even in the old testament can be viewed and should be viewed as a sacrifice. If you do not have the money then GOD has mercy and says it is ok. Yes it is true giving is based on what you have to give NOT on what you do not have to give. If after you've paid all your bills and you have little left, keep it so you have money to live on people and that is what mercy is about.
Here is a list of abuses occurring under the false doctrine of tithing:
If you are in trouble and you need money the church will not help unless you have been a consistent tither.
If you are not a tither you can not participate in any role in the church, be it an usher, choir member or whatever.
If you are not a consistent tither you will be an outsider some people will just refuse to engage you socially.
Where is the love of GOD in this behavior!!!!!!!!
Many members of the so called Church Hierarchy have become rich and some millionaires because of the nonsensical practice of Tithing. And then they parade their lavish lifestyles without shame in front of the world. If the pastor has two Mercedes and a Porsche and some of his members are riding the bus to church who should be giving to who?
Wake up people! stop being used. Ask the LORD to put someone in your path that really needs help and give to them!!!
Let me sum up giving with this final Bible verse and I pray it becomes revelation in your reading. This is the purpose of GIVING.
Acts 4:34
Nor was there a destitute or needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses proceeded to sell them, and one by one they brought (gave back) the amount received from the sales
Acts 4:35
And laid it at the feet of the apostles (special messengers). Then distribution was made according as anyone had need.
You mean the apostles did not go out and buy themselves a Lexus and then tell the people how much GOD was going to bless them for giving all that money?
Should we support church workers??? Absolutely as they labor for the work of the LORD. But not at all to the excessiveness in lifestyle that we see daily in our Churches.
