Are New Testament Believers Required To Tithe?

[thereistruth]

I have been a Christian for over 30 years. Most of this time I was of the belief that tithing was a responsibility that all Christians had in following God. I have tithed (this means giving 10% of one's income to the church), for most of this time, and regularly taught the doctrine as I had been taught. However, due to an 'accidental' incident during a time of personal study preparing to teach the subject in our bible class, and after carefully studying the teaching our church and most others use in teaching the tithing doctrine in detail, I was amazed to learn that it is a false teaching. The New Testament never once teaches that a believer in Christ must tithe to the church or to God! In fact I now hold the conviction that the teaching on tithing is extremely dangerous and self-contradictory.

After being bound by a false obligation for so many years I have now been set free to truly be a giver and to experience the freedom of giving as led by the Holy Spirit rather than by a false law.

I don't want to take the space required to detail an exhaustive refutation of the teaching here, but I would be pleased to reply to any comments.

 

[HammerStone]

Well, is there a strict verse that says we must tithe in the New Testament a certain amount? The answer, as you have correctly found, is no.

However, we do have the pattern from the time of Moses where a portion of our earnings belong to God (called a tithe). We do find ample circumstances where things in the NT are provided by the brethren, and this is basically that tithe. Unfortunately communistic practices have leaked into Christianity and we've created a type of government that says we have to use things like pledge cards and that everyone must give 10% at all times. (Or, worse, you have the seeds that you need to plant in order for God to bless you...)

The thing is, we as believers are to use a portion of what we have to further God's kingdom. We don't necessarily owe that to any particular building or man. However, if they are preaching the truth, then in order for them to function, they need the money. However, the tithe could perhaps be in the form of time given (IE: Let's say a church needs someone to run the sound and you know how to do that), or maybe even just a love offering where you help someone out. It's not about the money, you're not going to be blessed for giving 10.01% as opposed to 9.99%.

 

[bling]

I have been a Christian for over 30 years. Most of this time I was of the belief that tithing was a responsibility that all Christians had in following God. I have tithed (this means giving 10% of one's income to the church), for most of this time, and regularly taught the doctrine as I had been taught. However, due to an 'accidental' incident during a time of personal study preparing to teach the subject in our bible class, and after carefully studying the teaching our church and most others use in teaching the tithing doctrine in detail, I was amazed to learn that it is a false teaching. The New Testament never once teaches that a believer in Christ must tithe to the church or to God! In fact I now hold the conviction that the teaching on tithing is extremely dangerous and self-contradictory.

After being bound by a false obligation for so many years I have now been set free to truly be a giver and to experience the freedom of giving as led by the Holy Spirit rather than by a false law.

I don't want to take the space required to detail an exhaustive refutation of the teaching here, but I would be pleased to reply to any comments.

No we do not.

The tithe in the OT was orginally to be their tax for taking care of their governing body.
Under the Christian dispensation it is not "how much do we have to give?" but "how much do we get to give". Hopeful everything goes toward helping the cause. This is the age of Jubilee. Everything we do should be in obedience to God's will and can be offered up bto God as worship.

 

[thereistruth]

Well, is there a strict verse that says we must tithe in the New Testament a certain amount? The answer, as you have correctly found, is no.

However, we do have the pattern from the time of Moses where a portion of our earnings belong to God (called a tithe). We do find ample circumstances where things in the NT are provided by the brethren, and this is basically that tithe. Unfortunately communistic practices have leaked into Christianity and we've created a type of government that says we have to use things like pledge cards and that everyone must give 10% at all times. (Or, worse, you have the seeds that you need to plant in order for God to bless you...)

The thing is, we as believers are to use a portion of what we have to further God's kingdom. We don't necessarily owe that to any particular building or man. However, if they are preaching the truth, then in order for them to function, they need the money. However, the tithe could perhaps be in the form of time given (IE: Let's say a church needs someone to run the sound and you know how to do that), or maybe even just a love offering where you help someone out. It's not about the money, you're not going to be blessed for giving 10.01% as opposed to 9.99%.

You are partially correct. There is a law in the old testament that commanded that the productivity of the farming sector in Israel was to contribute to the upkeep of the priesthood, and to feed the poor. This is the tithe, and it was not optional. However it did not apply to ALL people, only farmers. And it was not 10% of INCOME (which is gross less costs), but to one tenth of the TOTAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION ONLY. It didn't apply to jews living outside Israel either. Therefore it was a farm tax, and that was all. However there were other offerings in the old testament. There were love offerings, free-will offerings and gifts to the poor. These were not commanded but were encouraged. And it is these that stand as the model for the New Testament giving, not the tithe (which was not free will, but a legal obligation that required nothing from the heart of the giver - much like our modern day tax system).

In Hebrews it plainly states that the old laws on tithing were to support the old priesthood and ritual system, but that this has been superceded in Christ, who is our High Priest. As the old sacrificial system has been done away with the old system of financial support for it has also been done away with and replaced with a totally new covenant. Hebrews 7 clearly explains that the Levites were to receive the tithes, but that the Levites have been replaced, and the old system has been replaced in Christ. So, just as there is now no Levitical priesthood, there is not any legal basis for the tithe either.

This is not to undermine the very important issue of giving which is a very big subject in the New Testament. Giving is to be a way of life for the New Testament believer, and is to be an expression of the love and faith that accompany a life lived in the Spirit. Just as Jesus gave all he had and was (and still does), even to the point of death - for us, we are to follow this example. This means that for the Christian, tithing is a meaningless and unnecessary law. Doing away with the tithing law was not so that Christians could be more selfish and stingy than the Old Testament Jews, but on the contrary, was to pave the way for the expression of true liberal generosity that is the nature of God himself to be expressed in his children.

What makes church leaders uncomfortable is that when this truth is proclaimed, they fear that their congregations will give less, and they will have to reduce programs and salaries, and this is more the reason why the tithing teaching prevails in many churches. But that is a poor reason to teach a false doctrine.

 

[evanom]

I was amazed to learn that it is a false teaching. The New Testament never once teaches that a believer in Christ must tithe to the church or to God!

This is like saying the NT never once says its wrong to go out and buy pornographic DVD's, so it's ok to do it.

Jesus said not one jot nor tittle of the law would pass with what He was doing. However, the church really just threw this statement right out the window and replaced it with greek philosophy. In other words, now WE individually decide on what's right and what's wrong, on what God want's or doesn;t want. WE decide on what to give, how much to give, where to give it to and every other detail. Hence we don't serve a King anymore, we just negociate with a god who is willing to accept whatever our own hearts and mindsets deem sufficient for Him. When Jesus comes back to re-teach us the Torah, we are gonna be absolutley shocked and greatly saddened to learn how much we dishonored Him during our christian lives.

 

[Brother Mike]

Did we just not have a very long thread about tithing???One that was closed???

 

[thurt]

Some things are in the OT and there's no reason to think they wouldn't be continued. For example the OT has numerous scriptures about musical instruments but they're not mentioned in the NT. Most believers don't stop using musical instruments because it's not in the NT.

It takes money to fulfill the Great Commission and equip the saints.

Also, according to NT, Jesus looked to see who was giving what plus He knew their hearts = So it must be important. Of course, He's still doing that.

 

[RichardBurger]

Remember that Paul said, if a person goes back to keeping the law then that person must keep the whole law and has fallen from grace.

 

[Foreigner]

A Christian should tithe.

Does this mean that if they don't they won't go to heaven? I am not the one to say that. I cannot see into that individual's heart.

I do believe that God calls us to tithe, though. He doesn't need your money. He wants your obedience.

And he also details the blessings that will come to you the Christian if you are faithful in tithing.

I can see no reason why you shouldn't.

If you aren't going to tithe unless God specifically tells you to, then you have issues in your walk greater than whether or not you should tithe.

 

[Brother Mike]

RichardBurger:

Remember that Paul said, if a person goes back to keeping the law then that person must keep the whole law and has fallen from grace.

Thereistruth:

In Hebrews it plainly states that the old laws on tithing were to support the old priesthood and ritual system,

In the Word of God, It plainly states that we should not defraud our Neighbor or Rob him. (Lev 19:13)

In the Word of God, It plainly states that God called not giving him the tithe is also Robbery. (Mal 3:8)

In the Word of God it Plainly states that God never changes. (Mal 3:6) He said this right before He asked you not to steal from him.

We are told the Feast is a Ordinance (Exo 12:14) Passover is a Ordinance (Exo 12:43) The new moon and sabbath was a Ordinance. (1 Ch 2:4)

We are told there is a difference between a Ordinance and command. God separates them in His Word.
Luk 1:6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.


Some of those Ordinances where blotted out, being under the Law.
Col 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Why, they were considered not serving God in spirit in truth, but were considered Carnal.
Heb 9:10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.


In Those Commandments, were also contained those Ordinances that were of the Flesh.
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

Thou Shalt Not Steal Is a Commandment !!!!!!


What Scripture do we have that shows us God changed his mind on what He considered Theft?????


I guess if those that call themselves Christains that have no issue from stealing from God himself, then taking something from a store, or breaking into a house to steal things would not even cross their conscience............ Pretty scary !!!!!

Jesus Is Lord

 

[evanom]

Remember that Paul said, if a person goes back to keeping the law then that person must keep the whole law and has fallen from grace.

Richard, can you give us that passage where it says that? It seems very strange to me that a torah-following jew as was Saul would imply us to NOT keep the law.

A Christian should tithe.

Does this mean that if they don't they won't go to heaven? I am not the one to say that. I cannot see into that individual's heart.

No, you still go to heaven. But you will suffer the consequences of stealing from God in this life. First and foremost, this gives Satan the excuse and legal opportunity to bring about destruction to you and your household, be it in finances, health, protection, etc. God wants to protect us from the destroyer, but He can't do it if we are breaking His law. So it's not just about going to heaven, it's also about being blessed and happy in this life.

It takes money to fulfill the Great Commission and equip the saints.

Here's where much of the problem lies. God's tithe has a specific usage and it is not for spreading the gospel. The reason the church doesn;t understand the correct usage of the tithe is because of the huge gap between Jews and Gentiles. The Jews use the "Old" Testament while denying the "New" testament. The Gentile church uses the "New" testament while denying the "Old". Neither side realizes it is one complete book. So consequently we are left with half truths on many topics, one of the worst being the use of the tithe. So here's a quick look at how it works:

Deuteronomy 12:6 list the givings that God has commanded from His people. These are:

-The burnt offering (holocaust)
-The sacrifice
-The tithe
-The heave offering
-The vow
-The freewill offering
-The firstlings

7 offerings total. Not one jot or tittle has passed from the law as Lord Yeshua said in Mat. 5:18, so all these are in effect to this day. However, each one has it's instructions on how it is to be executed and with what usage to be given. Of these 7, 4 are of a monetary nature in thier execution and usage (albeit not always exclusively monetary). The tithe is one of the 4 that is of monetary nature. ANd it's sole purpose is to be given to 7 categories of people as stated in the Bible. These are:

-The widow
-The orphan
-The levite
-The stranger
-The oppresed
-The singer
-the porter

But due to lack of knowledge, the church uses the tithe for erroneous purposes such as paying the utility bills of thier church building, paying for the church building itself, paying for the rent of the church building, paying for the interior decoration and furniture of the church building, paying for printed books and materials to hand out or sell, paying for a state-of-the-art sound system for the church building, paying for on-air radio or tv time, and in some cases; paying for the church building's very own TV or radio studio, paying for global satellite or broadband transmission of it's sermons, paying for a private jet or helicopter so its ministers can spread the word, etc. Yet none of this is what the tithe is for. The tithe is exclusively for the 7 above-mentioned people, and when the church takes God's tithe away from them to pay for logistics and operation of their church building or otherwise, well, it has robbed these 7 people the money that God had for them. It has robbed God.

Many might argue that this is not true and that God wants His tithe to sustain a church building. Besides, how else can we pay for such operations? But God is the same today, tommorrow and yesterday. He hasn't changed His mind about the purpose of His tithe; we gentiles have. So how do we, or should we, sustain a church building or ecclesiastical center? The same way God's people have always sustained them. There's nothing new under the sun. Remember, there are 7 givings. Your homework is to study and find out which of the 7 givings was used for sustaining the operations and logistics of the tabernacle, temples and synagogs, along with their materials and repairs. Ask God to guide you in this study.

As for tithing to your church, i wouldn't recommend it since chances are 9 out of 10 that your money will be wrongly used, it will never arrive to the 7 aforementioned people, hence you will be guilty of not having delivered your money onto God and Satan will have something to legally accuse you with: robbery! Instead, ask God for direction. Ask Him to direct you to that person He wants His money to reach. Go directly to that person and hand them your tithe saying "Jesus told me to give this to you" so that He may recieve the glory and not you. This is the only way you can tithe to God and not rob Him.

Good luck.

 

[Foreigner]

"No, you still go to heaven. But you will suffer the consequences of stealing from God in this life. First and foremost, this gives Satan the excuse and legal opportunity to bring about destruction to you and your household, be it in finances, health, protection, etc. God wants to protect us from the destroyer, but He can't do it if we are breaking His law. So it's not just about going to heaven, it's also about being blessed and happy in this life. " -- evanom


^^^^^ What he said.

 

[Brother Mike]

Agreed..........

This is not, a do nothing Covenant............... I am just in Awe That the God we serve, tells us something He considers theft, and those that call themselves Christians think God did not really mean that??? Amazing!!!!

The tithe, is a blessing, not a burden, if anyone had any faith, they would look forward to tithing and not trying to find ways to be robbers.

"I Will pour you out blessing there shall be not room enough to receive"

Now, I guess if your use to stealing the things you have, then getting blessed the right way may be a hard concept to grasp.


Jesus Is Lord

 

[[email protected]]

I have been a Christian for over 30 years. Most of this time I was of the belief that tithing was a responsibility that all Christians had in following God. I have tithed (this means giving 10% of one's income to the church), for most of this time, and regularly taught the doctrine as I had been taught. However, due to an 'accidental' incident during a time of personal study preparing to teach the subject in our bible class, and after carefully studying the teaching our church and most others use in teaching the tithing doctrine in detail, I was amazed to learn that it is a false teaching. The New Testament never once teaches that a believer in Christ must tithe to the church or to God! In fact I now hold the conviction that the teaching on tithing is extremely dangerous and self-contradictory.

After being bound by a false obligation for so many years I have now been set free to truly be a giver and to experience the freedom of giving as led by the Holy Spirit rather than by a false law.

I don't want to take the space required to detail an exhaustive refutation of the teaching here, but I would be pleased to reply to any comments.

I have often heard how much Christians owe to the church....and never once heard what the church owes to Christians.

In fact, I've heard sermons wherein the congregation was told outright that the church owes them nothing.
Only two weeks ago, an associate pastor in a local church told his people that they should neglect their bills and their grocery money for the sake of the church. It's one thing to give up a trip to Starbucks and quite another to neglect one's responsibilities.

Sorry folks, MY FAMILY comes first.

I have written many checks payable to churches and church organizations and will likely continue to do so. However, if I regarded my payments to the altar as an investment I would be forced to admit that I'd made a very poor one. A very poor one indeed. God has blessed in ways too numerous to mention, but the church has been to me little more than a millstone around my neck.

If I were to regard the passing plate or basket on Sunday morning as an object of need, then there would have been many times that I would have made withdrawals from it (or perhaps simply made change).

 

[Brother Mike]

[email protected]................The Thread is about giving to God a ten percent of what your earn, or make. It sounds like you do give.


I am sort of concerned though about the attitude of the Church doing something for you?? I get word that changes my life, Healing scripture that can heal my body, The word of God has saved me and my family. I am at church to learn how to serve God the rest of the week. I am not there to take anything from the Church. At times the Church spends a few hundred thousand dollars a year and we have what we call Celebration Sunday with rides and all the free food you want. We invite everyone that wants to come, and all free. The church also buys gifts for mothers day for all the ladies or for fathers day (Not for the ladies, but men )

We support the salvation Army, CAMS (Christian Action Ministries-Catholic food bank, though we are word of faith) and other community programs that are set up to help people. Outside of that, don't expect anything material from the Church. We are not there to take, but to give.

By supporting the Work of the Lord, that opens doors for God to bless us extremely in our own lives. God is our source, not Church, not people, just God. We have to reap the things we Sow.

Sorry folks, MY FAMILY comes first.

This statement tells me that if family is first, then God can not be first. That is sad. Without God, I would not even have my family.
When we arrived in town a few years ago, and our first Church service, I had 130.00 dollars on me. That was to pay for our food, and to pay for our hotel bill. That is all we had. During our first service at Faith Life Church, there was a boat project for the south Pacific to minister the Word. The Holy Spirit told me to give everything I had to that Boat project. Mind you, I had no idea how I was going to feed my two children, or pay for the hotel room the next day. We came to town with nothing, but obeyed God.
I put God first and gave all I had to that boat project. That next morning I just praised God for being faithful, and had only two hours left before we were in the street. I got a phone call from a women 460 miles away and she told me that God kept her up all night to wire us 200.00 to Walmart. I went and got that money, then 3 days latter someone gave us 300.00 and we found bags of grocery's on our hotel door step. I have no idea who did that.
years latter we are blessed out of measure, and are still here where God told us to go.

Now, put your family first if you like, but I am sorry. God always comes first in my life.

Jesus is Lord.

 

[jiggyfly]

"For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you than these requirements: You must abstain from eating food offered to idols, from consuming blood or eating the meat of strangled animals, and from sexual immorality. If you do this, you will do well. Farewell." Acts 15:29&30

 

[01CobraVortech]

[email protected]................The Thread is about giving to God a ten percent of what your earn, or make. It sounds like you do give.


I am sort of concerned though about the attitude of the Church doing something for you?? I get word that changes my life, Healing scripture that can heal my body, The word of God has saved me and my family. I am at church to learn how to serve God the rest of the week. I am not there to take anything from the Church. At times the Church spends a few hundred thousand dollars a year and we have what we call Celebration Sunday with rides and all the free food you want. We invite everyone that wants to come, and all free. The church also buys gifts for mothers day for all the ladies or for fathers day (Not for the ladies, but men )

We support the salvation Army, CAMS (Christian Action Ministries-Catholic food bank, though we are word of faith) and other community programs that are set up to help people. Outside of that, don't expect anything material from the Church. We are not there to take, but to give.

By supporting the Work of the Lord, that opens doors for God to bless us extremely in our own lives. God is our source, not Church, not people, just God. We have to reap the things we Sow.



This statement tells me that if family is first, then God can not be first. That is sad. Without God, I would not even have my family.
When we arrived in town a few years ago, and our first Church service, I had 130.00 dollars on me. That was to pay for our food, and to pay for our hotel bill. That is all we had. During our first service at Faith Life Church, there was a boat project for the south Pacific to minister the Word. The Holy Spirit told me to give everything I had to that Boat project. Mind you, I had no idea how I was going to feed my two children, or pay for the hotel room the next day. We came to town with nothing, but obeyed God.
I put God first and gave all I had to that boat project. That next morning I just praised God for being faithful, and had only two hours left before we were in the street. I got a phone call from a women 460 miles away and she told me that God kept her up all night to wire us 200.00 to Walmart. I went and got that money, then 3 days latter someone gave us 300.00 and we found bags of grocery's on our hotel door step. I have no idea who did that.
years latter we are blessed out of measure, and are still here where God told us to go.

Now, put your family first if you like, but I am sorry. God always comes first in my life.

Jesus is Lord.

Great post Brother Mike. Churches do give back more than we care to admit. Btw, in case you have any dreams about wiring me $500.00 tomorrow. Please don't wait until I login to this site. Send it immediately to my PayPal account: [email protected] :lol:

Btw, I do believe that story. I don't want you to think that I'm mocking you or being cynical. :)

 

[Brother Mike]

Jiggyfly:

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay no greater burden on you............

Tithing is not a burden. Remember the room enough to receive scripture. Being increased in ability to further the Kingdom, and your family being increased is a blessing..........


Robster:

Thank you!!!! That story is true, I have many more, but none where if God did not come through the very next day, things would be bad for my family. I have never experienced God's Word failing. I have experienced me coming short, and having to go after the Things I have seen in the Word, but it's never on God's end.

Be Blessed.

Jesus Is Lord.

 

[jiggyfly]

Jiggyfly:



Tithing is not a burden. Remember the room enough to receive scripture. Being increased in ability to further the Kingdom, and your family being increased is a blessing..........


Robster:

Thank you!!!! That story is true, I have many more, but none where if God did not come through the very next day, things would be bad for my family. I have never experienced God's Word failing. I have experienced me coming short, and having to go after the Things I have seen in the Word, but it's never on God's end.

Be Blessed.

Jesus Is Lord.

Of course it's not a burden nor is it a requirement in the new covenant which we can clearly see here in this scripture where the elders in Jerusalem gave their instructions to the gentile believers.

After being bound by a false obligation for so many years I have now been set free to truly be a giver and to experience the freedom of giving as led by the Holy Spirit rather than by a false law.

Praise God you have been delivered from such a religious tradition. Hope some more here can see the reality of this bondage and break free by reading your posts.

 

[Brother Mike]

Jiggyfly:

Praise God you have been delivered from such a religious tradition. Hope some more here can see the reality of this bondage and break free by reading your posts.

Jiggyfly, Your right!!! After you start paying God what belongs to him, that Bondage of Guilt will go away from you. You will know the Truth Jesus said, and the Truth will make you free.

Being a thief and trying to server God, could condemn our heart, and we would have no confidence toward God. Be free Jiggyfly!!!! Be free!!!! and Pay that TITHE!!!!

all the guilt will go away :)

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

You know that................. Jesus Is Lord.