Tithing…Is it a command?

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Research the history of tithing. It will prove that it is a Roman Catholic innovation carried over by the Protestants. And it wasn't even fully embraced within "Christian" circles until the 700's.

I have done the research first in my Bible and then in several historical writtings. I agree that if the early church taught tithing it was never mentioned in the scripture. They only taught to give and the examples they left for us were with much liberality. I don't know anyone who is giving on their level.

History said that the catholic church began tithing at multiple different dates (which I believe) depending on which sources you are pulling from. I have seen tithing taught in a way that I feel is not of God, but I don't believe that teaching a tithing commitment is wrong but instead is good. We are not bound by the law of Moses today in his commands of animals clean and unclean for us to eat, but I believe most would agree that if we kept the law for health purposes we would live healthier lives.

I think you have misunderstood me if you have thought that I was saying tithing was a NT command all through church history. I am not sure what all was specifically taught in the early church. I am sure there has been many messages Paul preached that was not in scripture, but I believe everything is there that is supposed to be. Tithing is good, but the best thing is to be led by the Holy Ghost in all of your financial decisions.

[UnTraditional]

Originally Posted by seguidordejesus

Where do you go to church now? Do you have a blog?

I attend Holy Temple Deliverance Church here in Houston. My ministry web site is in my signature. Thanks.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I may check it out later, but I have already searched the web and read countless people's arguments and they are right. I am not saying tithing is mandatory, but none can say it is not biblical. Every person is free to choose what they give and I am out line to tell them they or going to hell for the amount. You are doing that very thing though (telling tithers they are going to hell or not blessed).


Not the tithers, but the tithe TEACHERS bro.

With all my heart I feel I should tithe. I am not fearful that if I don't God isn't going to bless me. I am just thankful for what he has already done. If tithing has made you feel in such bondage in your past maybe you shouldn't tithe. It is personal and the only law we have as that of love. I love God so do things just as an act of my love to God.

Amen, thats fine, it should be a "personal" conviction.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Sean look back and see how many times the curse in malachi is mentioned over the last several pages of this thread. I don't believe it is being mentioned. I have been telling you and others that it is good to tithe and not that it is mandatory for salvation. There is no curse being thrown around except you saying that if untraditional will quit tithing his curse will be lifted.

What I am saying, to clarify, is for UNTRADITIONAL to NOT quote Malachi in prayer and ask the Lord to rebuke the devourer(as we see done in church service weekly). The Lord will not hear that prayer. Trust me, I tried it and the Holy Ghost just shut me down!

The Lord dealt with me immediately as I was reading the passage to Him, NOT to quote the Law to Him and ask Him to honor it.

The Lord wanted me to quote the N.T. promises to be blessed. I did it and it works!

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I encourage people to simplify their lives get out debt and work less hours or free up their wife so both don't have to work. The people who tithe at my church I would rather see them tithe less and have more time for their families and the kingdom of God. More people means more church income. I don't want to see the same two or three families drained dry to take care of church finances AND ministries.

Bingo...that is the way our Lord Jesus would have it...scores of souls being baptized and all our bills paid as a result, with no prodding or arm twisting of the saints to give.

[Esphes45]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

...He never wanted any of these city's churches to be seperated in different sects...

I wish we could have an 87 page discussion on that very point.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Friend the church is not starving for the message of the cross, but the sinner. The church is to go on to perfection. I don't mean that we don't make mistakes but we should be striving to grow in our faith in God. We shouldn't just set around always thinking that we need constant forgiveness for all the things we are doing wrong that we should have quit doing along time ago.

I don't know what you mean.

Brother, what I mean is that when you look back(O.T.), you will go back....How do you think that the Hebrew Roots movement got started?
How do you think the pastors that teach "partial Law" got started?

Here is what Paul said about INCESSANT reading of the O.T.......2 Cor 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.


Brother, the messages we PRIMARILY hear in church these days is O.T. types and shadows, with a N.T. verse or 2 attatched. Just check out the TIME spent on folks reading and learning the O.T., COMPARED TO THE N.T. It is way out of proportion. That is why so many folks can sit on a pew and be ignorant of the standard teachings of the Apostles for 20 years, but can quote Psalms like the back of their hand.

I am around a very large Apostolic belt, but most of my fellow saints are as I described above.

I blame the MINISTRY for not emphasizing the N.T., not "carnal" brethren.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I don't say that people commit treason for believing diferent views than me. Tithing shouldn't be stopped, but it shouldn't be taught as a NT commandment and pastors shouldn't use fear tactics like the curse in Malachi that I agree most preachers use out of context. To teach weekly giving as God prospers to the assembly you are a part of is what the NT commands and that is a command. Tithing is just a good application of that. It is a choice and it has worked well for the local church. I am sorry for the many times people who have been driven from the church because of the wrong way it has been taught. The wheat and the tares still will come up together.

The problem is the tares that are behind the pulpit..LOL

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by Sean

Bingo...that is the way our Lord Jesus would have it...scores of souls being baptized and all our bills paid as a result, with no prodding or arm twisting of the saints to give.

We do have some common ground then. I do believe that we should not poke and prod, but people will not know unless we teach them which is something you have expressed already about the OT knowledge you say everyone knows so much about.(it is a shame but most people don't know much about either the old or new.) If I don't teach to give and don't give any methods on how to give there is going to be people who should financially do more and won't; not because of a impure heart, but ingnorance.

I didn't ever say that we should omit NT teachings. Matter of fact the method I see from the NT givers would exceed that of tithing. People sold all they had without worrying about there own priestly family and devoted their entire lives to the ministry (I don't know anyone doing that today?). We have people grumbling that 10% is too much and the church is just greedy to teach such a thing.

We need to teach people from the Bible. The NT testament and the OT is for the church today, but we must study it. Matter of fact I think you should have a ballanced amount of study between the New and the Old. I would like to see the people who are proclaiming to have this early church revelation living like the early church. You will find there is very few who are living where God would have them.

[Sean]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

We do have some common ground then. I do believe that we should not poke and prod, but people will not know unless we teach them which is something you have expressed already about the OT knowledge you say everyone knows so much about.(it is a shame but most people don't know much about either the old or new.) If I don't teach to give and don't give any methods on how to give there is going to be people who should financially do more and won't; not because of a impure heart, but ingnorance.

I didn't ever say that we should omit NT teachings. Matter of fact the method I see from the NT givers would exceed that of tithing. People sold all they had without worrying about there own priestly family and devoted their entire lives to the ministry (I don't know anyone doing that today?). We have people grumbling that 10% is too much and the church is just greedy to teach such a thing.

We need to teach people from the Bible. The NT testament and the OT is for the church today, but we must study it. Matter of fact I think you should have a ballanced amount of study between the New and the Old. I would like to see the people who are proclaiming to have this early church revelation living like the early church. You will find there is very few who are living where God would have them.

Brother, if I was in your situation, from now on, I would just ask the saints to set aside what the think would fit into their budget, any percentage they feel to give. Just let them know that "responsible" giving is greatly needed for church bills and future growth.

Some that have a lot will give alot, some that have a little will give a little.

If someone cant give at all, they are still valuable to the work of the Lord. They can still fulfill the great commission and out give the givers of money.