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I, for one, believe that the tithe is still a Biblical practice. I've avoided this discussion because of the grief I recieved once before for mentioning this.

Lavender, many are those who've abused the generosity of believers. There are Biblical examples as well as modern ones. There are abuses on the other end as well. In some places there is a common policy to keep the pastor "poor" and thus his attitude shall remain humble.

I've been on the recieving end of a "pastoral rant" regarding "Giving Unto the Lord". It was an unmitigated guilt trip to boost the offerings. But, IMO, as this is an extreme from one perspective so too is there an extreme from the other.

I think tithing should be taught but without the extreme legalistic pressures that I've seen some churches practice. It has been my experience that once my wife and I began practicing tithing as a finacial rule, many blessings began to flow through our household. I hold also there is a difference between the tithe and an offering. (I guess that is a discussion for another thread.)

As believers, I think we should practice holding each other accountable in many different areas of faith and practice. That is only accomplished when one places themselves under the teaching and diciplines of the faith. IMO tithing and offering are diciplines which should be taught carefully and practiced voluntarily. I think this a valid understanding of 2 Corinthians 9. Especially verse 7 Note also verse 12

I think many have over-reacted against a legalistic form of teaching the tithe/offering and have thrown a good practice, which has Biblical basis, in the ash heap. I also think Malachi 3:8-12 is still applicable to the believers of today as is the whole message of Malachi. As are, IMO, many truths of the OT.

Blessings,
Randy

Blessings,
Randy

Hi Randy,

Thanks for your insights into this matter.

You said:

Is there an old thread where the Tithe was discussed? I'd very much like to glean whatever insights I can from the old thread if there was one.


The word of God does not lie. So I (nor anyone else) has any reason to doubt your claim. After all Malachi 3:8-12 is God's Word.

There are several.
The thread I was referring to I believe was a victum to the Hacker assault way back there somewhere.
If you look at the top right corner of your browser you will see two search functions. One for the forum and one for the Bible. If under the "forum" search function you search under "tithe" you will get a large listing of posts containg that word. The following links will be a result of that search:

viewtopic.php?f=205&t=6643&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=tithe

viewtopic.php?f=77&t=6125&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

viewtopic.php?f=77&t=8186&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=tithe

viewtopic.php?f=77&t=10145&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=tithe

In the last linked thread above I posted a few articles from John Piper which I think you'll find helpful as well.

Blessings,
Randy

Alright. Thanks for fetching the information. I'll take your advice and check out the links posted, and see if there are any more discussions using the ole' search tool.

I don't think that I am responsible for following the law concerning tithing. I think that everything that I have is a gift from God and should be used with that in mind. I owe God much more than 10%.

_________________
Jeff

Hi all,

After doing further study into the tithe, I have decided that I must agree with Obadiah's statement concerning the O.T tithe. We see no instances where monetary income is given to God. We do see however, that stuff controlled soely by the creator (such as crops and livestock) are used as tithes and offerings.

Tithing is a great way for rich people to justify spending 90% of their income on themselves.

That's one way of looking at it. When I teach on the subject I like to use an example of two individuals who both tithe on their income, but one makes $100,000/year and the other makes only $10,000/year. I ask which one gives more. Most people will say the one who tithes on $100,000 gives more, but I point out that he keeps $90,000 while the other person keeps only $9,000, and then I ask which one gives more sacrificially. From there we go to Mark 12:41-44.

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I think many have over-reacted against a legalistic form of teaching the tithe/offering and have thrown a good practice, which has Biblical basis, in the ash heap. I also think Malachi 3:8-12 is still applicable to the believers of today as is the whole message of Malachi. As are, IMO, many truths of the OT.

I copy and paste this portion of Randy's quote and I want to share this in spiritual essence.

Malachi 3:10 Lord said to us to bring tithes so there maybe meat in mine house.We knows that God does not need any material food, meaning ,what he need is spiritual tithes.

So, the bread that Jesus commanded us to eat, the true bread that the Father gave us and came from heaven John 6;32-33
In praying and giving thanks to Lord Jesus Christ and to the Father we should give back the same bread to him so, when Jesus
come and knock on our door he may sup with us. Rev 3:20

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How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Isaiah 52:7

My main concern in regard to tithing-or not, is that this teaching tends to obscure Paul's NT teaching on giving. Over the years I find many christians do not know that Paul taught on giving, mainly because they have grown up on a tithing diet, which seems to crowd out, all too often, other considerations.

Of course, Paul's teaching on giving, which he calls a 'grace' and relates the responsibility as that of a 'steward', is found in 2 Cor. chapters eight and nine. I rarely hear those who are set on tithing pointing this out. So Paul, in Acts 20:17-28, "....I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God", taught the whole will of God at least to the Ephesian Church.

As my brothers and sisters in Christ I encourage all to read carefully what Paul has to say about giving. It has meant a great deal to me and has stretched the horizon of my own giving. Anyway, I have peace of heart in the matter. Regardless of what we settle on, may the Lord bless us in His service.

Hi , Tithing is not something that you are giving to god it shows your attitude towards God . God Doesn't want anything from us but only want that we should obey his commandments .

yeah , that's great ...

this is because people in this country are weak in math

of course, similar arguments are used by politicians to incite the masses

And similar arguments were used by Jesus:

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked." (Luke 12:48b)

_________________
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

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The Bible NETWork Doctrinal Statement
The NET Bible Study Environment
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Biblical Eldership

i've always wondered about that verse as how much is salvation worth...

of course, the verse speaks to stewardship but still