What was tithing?

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HeRoseFromTheDead

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Jan 6, 2012
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JB_Reformed Baptist said:
So tell me, how are those who labour in word to be kept? As the scriptures say:

Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 1Ti 5:17-18 - Deut 25:4

How and where does he pull this magical wage, if no-one tithes? Even the beast was allowed to nibble along the way to keep up strength as it laboured.
In Paul's time when few bibles existed, supporting and giving double honor to those who dedicated their lives to studying the scrolls, in order to convey their content to the masses, made sense. But even then supporting those men wasn't tithing. It was giving out of love for GOD's work.

Nowadays that economy really doesn't make much sense. Figuratively speaking, you can bump into just about any tree these days and several bibles will fall out. The literacy rate in this era is much higher, so most people are able to read the bible themselves. Also, electricity allows us to study well after sunset, which makes working an occupation and being a student of the bible possible.

I labor in the word, and no one supports me. Yet I can run circles around many pastors and elders who are paid. I labor in it because I love it, and give freely to others so that we can all be blessed.

In many respects, the pastor-church model has become a service industry to serve the felt needs of lazy people who want to be spoon fed a fast-food spirituality.
 

JB_Reformed Baptist

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ChristRoseFromTheDead said:
In Paul's time when few bibles existed, supporting and giving double honor to those who dedicated their lives to studying the scrolls, in order to convey their content to the masses, made sense. But even then supporting those men wasn't tithing. It was giving out of love for GOD's work.

Nowadays that economy really doesn't make much sense. Figuratively speaking, you can bump into just about any tree these days and several bibles will fall out. The literacy rate in this era is much higher, so most people are able to read the bible themselves. Also, electricity allows us to study well after sunset, which makes working an occupation and being a student of the bible possible.

I labor in the word, and no one supports me. Yet I can run circles around many pastors and elders who are paid. I labor in it because I love it, and give freely to others so that we can all be blessed.

In many respects, the pastor-church model has become a service industry to serve the felt needs of lazy people who want to be spoon fed a fast-food spirituality.
You must be really proud of yourself.... Congrats for being as Jesus was/is. {sarcasm off}

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me(Jesus); for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Mt 11:29



All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives. Prov 16:2
 

HeRoseFromTheDead

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Jan 6, 2012
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JB_Reformed Baptist said:
You must be really proud of yourself.... Congrats for being as Jesus was/is. {sarcasm off}
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me(Jesus); for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Mt 11:29
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes; but Yahweh weighs the motives. Prov 16:2
I was attempting to draw a contrast between Paul's day and our day.

Then only a few had access to 'bibles', and they subsequently were deemed worthy of double honor and support due to the invaluableness of their knowledge to an assembly.

Today, bibles are ubiquitous, and more study tools are available than Paul could have ever imagined. In such an environment, anyone who is motivated and teachable by the holy spirit can excel in knowledge beyond that of mere hirelings. So if we are not dependent upon certain individuals to teach us what the bible says, why feel obligated to support them?

Sorry you took it the wrong way and got so bent out of shape.
 

JB_Reformed Baptist

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Feb 23, 2013
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ChristRoseFromTheDead said:
I was attempting to draw a contrast between Paul's day and our day.

Then only a few had access to 'bibles', and they subsequently were deemed worthy of double honor and support due to the invaluableness of their knowledge to an assembly.

Today, bibles are ubiquitous, and more study tools are available than Paul could have ever imagined. In such an environment, anyone who is motivated and teachable by the holy spirit can excel in knowledge beyond that of mere hirelings. So if we are not dependent upon certain individuals to teach us what the bible says, why feel obligated to support them?

Sorry you took it the wrong way and got so bent out of shape.
I think in the end we have to, as the scriptures say.


Php 2:12-13 ... . work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. SHALOM :)
 

aspen

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If tithing is still at the level of obligation in your heart, you might want to go reread psalm 51 and the parable of the widow who gave her last coin. God is happy with sacrifice of heart not wallet. And ministers need to eat.
 

bibleknowledge

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According to a recent article published in the Christian Post, Christians who give tithes have been found out to have healthier finances than those who don't give. Christian tithers have more flexible finacial ways and are freer from credit card debts, car mortgages, and housing loans.

The concept of giving tithes can be found on the Old Testament. Within the New Testament, what is being explained is to give to your church what your heart freely allows. Thus, even those who are having hrd financial times can still find ways to give tithes.
ChristRoseFromTheDead said:
I would like to begin a study on tithing in an attempt to better understand what the tithe really was.

Tithe simply means "ten", or "tenth". Whether that means 10%, or the tenth member of a cardinal sequence (e.g., 1, 2, 3, ... 10), or both, remains to be seen. Whatever it was, the tenth was holy to GOD:


As most of us know, many religious leaders today define the tithe as being 10% of gross income, i.e., an income tax. The scriptures, though, paint a different picture. In the law, the tithe is always described as being the tenth of the increase from the field, i.e., crops and livestock. There were many income producing professions in ancient Israel, but there is no scriptural evidence that any of those who worked in them were ever required to 'pay tithes'.

In light of these facts, it can be inferred that the tithe honored GOD for giving the increase. In other words, men labored, but GOD gave the increase. Making a tree produce fruit is something no man can do, and glorifies GOD.

Apart from this economy, men labored and were owed wages. Since there was no increase from GOD, no tithe was required.

It also is important to point out that the concept of income tax is a modern innovation.
ChristRoseFromTheDead said:
I would like to begin a study on tithing in an attempt to better understand what the tithe really was.

Tithe simply means "ten", or "tenth". Whether that means 10%, or the tenth member of a cardinal sequence (e.g., 1, 2, 3, ... 10), or both, remains to be seen. Whatever it was, the tenth was holy to GOD:


As most of us know, many religious leaders today define the tithe as being 10% of gross income, i.e., an income tax. The scriptures, though, paint a different picture. In the law, the tithe is always described as being the tenth of the increase from the field, i.e., crops and livestock. There were many income producing professions in ancient Israel, but there is no scriptural evidence that any of those who worked in them were ever required to 'pay tithes'.

In light of these facts, it can be inferred that the tithe honored GOD for giving the increase. In other words, men labored, but GOD gave the increase. Making a tree produce fruit is something no man can do, and glorifies GOD.

Apart from this economy, men labored and were owed wages. Since there was no increase from GOD, no tithe was required.

It also is important to point out that the concept of income tax is a modern innovation.
 

jiggyfly

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I haven't tithed in over ten years, an yet my finances are very good. I believe in giving to those in need but God's blessing have absolutely nothing to do with obedience to an old covenant requisite.
 

Axehead

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jiggyfly said:
I haven't tithed in over ten years, an yet my finances are very good. I believe in giving to those in need but God's blessing have absolutely nothing to do with obedience to an old covenant requisite.
I have never subscribed to man's "payment system" (tithes, church tax) and I have always had more than I need and been able to share liberally as the Spirit leads.

God's way = Giving from your heart
Man's way = payment system

Grace = giving principle
Law = payment, tax system

God motivates by love, man motivates by fear.
 

Eric E Stahl

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May 28, 2013
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ChristRoseFromTheDead said:
I would like to begin a study on tithing in an attempt to better understand what the tithe really was.

Tithe simply means "ten", or "tenth". Whether that means 10%, or the tenth member of a cardinal sequence (e.g., 1, 2, 3, ... 10), or both, remains to be seen. Whatever it was, the tenth was holy to GOD:


As most of us know, many religious leaders today define the tithe as being 10% of gross income, i.e., an income tax. The scriptures, though, paint a different picture. In the law, the tithe is always described as being the tenth of the increase from the field, i.e., crops and livestock. There were many income producing professions in ancient Israel, but there is no scriptural evidence that any of those who worked in them were ever required to 'pay tithes'.

In light of these facts, it can be inferred that the tithe honored GOD for giving the increase. In other words, men labored, but GOD gave the increase. Making a tree produce fruit is something no man can do, and glorifies GOD.

Apart from this economy, men labored and were owed wages. Since there was no increase from GOD, no tithe was required.

It also is important to point out that the concept of income tax is a modern innovation.


Haggai 1:5b-7
Consider your ways.
6Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

Read the book of Haggai. The principal is give God his due or you will not be able to manage your wages.

How is your money situation? Are you a little short at the end of the month? Mabe you need to give God a little more.
 

Levi

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May 30, 2013
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Eric E Stahl said:
Haggai 1:5b-7
Consider your ways.
6Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.

7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.

Read the book of Haggai. The principal is give God his due or you will not be able to manage your wages.

How is your money situation? Are you a little short at the end of the month? Mabe you need to give God a little more.
Tithing was not given to believers under the new covenant, in the OT it was never money. My understanding is we give above and beyond and by placing a limit with 10% it turns into a law one must follow.

Do you preach the prosperity gospel?

When you say "give God a little more", do you mean "give the church a little more"?
 

Eric E Stahl

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Levi said:
Tithing was not given to believers under the new covenant, in the OT it was never money. My understanding is we give above and beyond and by placing a limit with 10% it turns into a law one must follow.

Do you preach the prosperity gospel?

When you say "give God a little more", do you mean "give the church a little more"?
Levi said:
Tithing was not given to believers under the new covenant, in the OT it was never money. My understanding is we give above and beyond and by placing a limit with 10% it turns into a law one must follow.

Do you preach the prosperity gospel?

When you say "give God a little more", do you mean "give the church a little more"?

I was a church teasurer for ten years. I have seen the giving paterns of hundreds of Christians.

No I don't preach the prosperity gospel if you mean give and you must get.

But God did say test me and your barns will be full.

I am a Sunday school teacher so I teach rather then preach.
 

jiggyfly

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Eric E Stahl said:
I was a church teasurer for ten years. I have seen the giving paterns of hundreds of Christians.

No I don't preach the prosperity gospel if you mean give and you must get.

But God did say test me and your barns will be full.

I am a Sunday school teacher so I teach rather then preach.
Teaching that giving is better than receiving is great, tis what Jesus taught, but tithing is no longer required by God. In the old covenant no one gave a tithe, the tithe was a debt that was payed. We don't give our mortgage or our utilities, we pay them, but giving is something that is not owed it is simply a gift.

There are many things taught today within the Christian religious system from the old covenant that are not mandated by God, tithing is a major example and is needed to support the man-made clergy/laity system. When it comes to supporting a deception it takes more deceptive concoctions.
 

HeRoseFromTheDead

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Jan 6, 2012
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jiggyfly said:
Teaching that giving is better than receiving is great, tis what Jesus taught, but tithing is no longer required by God. In the old covenant no one gave a tithe, the tithe was a debt that was payed. We don't give our mortgage or our utilities, we pay them, but giving is something that is not owed it is simply a gift.

There are many things taught today within the Christian religious system from the old covenant that are not mandated by God, tithing is a major example and is needed to support the man-made clergy/laity system. When it comes to supporting a deception it takes more deceptive concoctions.
Well said. Stopping tithing would cause much of the phony religious system to collapse.
 

Axehead

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Eric E Stahl said:
I was a church teasurer for ten years. I have seen the giving paterns of hundreds of Christians.

No I don't preach the prosperity gospel if you mean give and you must get.

But God did say test me and your barns will be full.

I am a Sunday school teacher so I teach rather then preach.
Man should not know the giving patterns of Christians because he is too weak to handle what only God should know. Man will make unfair judgments. And NO sir! Only the Holy Spirit is the "Church Treasurer".

Also, you are taking Malachi 3 out of context. Using it to prop up the religious system's method of taxing Believers.
 

HiddenManna

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Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Mal 3:9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Mal 3:11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

It seems very odd to me that those who claim to uphold the law, would find a way to avoid the tithe and the clear reading of the law. It seems that many just pick and choose what parts of the law, they desire to keep and explain away the other commandments as they please.
 

jiggyfly

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Your right HiddenManna, it seems very strange that some try to uphold any of the old covenant when it was only given to Israel until Christ came and died on the cross. :)
 
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Axehead

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jiggyfly said:
Your right HiddenManna, it seems very strange that some try to uphold any of the old covenant when it was only given to Israel until Christ came and died on the cross. :)
Amen bro.

Christians are called to live by a higher life... The very Life of Christ which goes way beyond the law.
 

HiddenManna

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jiggyfly said:
Your right HiddenManna, it seems very strange that some try to uphold any of the old covenant when it was only given to Israel until Christ came and died on the cross. :)
Yes we see that some will fight tooth and nail to bring back "parts" of the law. I would like to have a dollar for everytime I have heard some preacher try to use Mal 3 in order to put believers under the bondage of the tithe. One can also see its pretty common to see that some will pick and choose portions of the law "breaking" the law into parts, as they desire. This is why the Lord said not one jot or tittle would pass away until all is fulfilled and as Paul wrote "cursed is everyone who continues not IN ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW TO DO THEM" There is no "moral" section of the law, and a "ceramonial" section. The law is one whole.