Tithing…Is it a command?

[good samaritan]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Flaming, Bro. Epley, UnTraditional... or anyone else who is in the pro-tithers camp...

In the setting of OT tithing, which we see discussed in Duet. 14, please comment on how the OT tithing system was taught by Paul to have undergone a change, and transformation in the NT (providing scripture please) and how that understanding translates into the tithing mandate that we have taught today?

For the record, here is the Deut. reference:
Duet. 14:22-29
22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.

24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:

25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:

26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,

27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:

29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

Even though most tithing teaching almost always originates from the OT, I have yet to have heard tithing taught in the setting of the OT (bringing your increase once every 3 years etc.)... most of the time the Malachi curse is used instead... and it would be interesting to hear where Paul taught on the change, and exactly how it changed from bringing tithes every 3 years to paying it off your gross income weekly.

I truly believe those in the pro-tithing camp are scared to admit that if the 10% tithing doctrine was tossed out the window in light of the more scriptural NT teaching of giving according as the Lord has blessed you (1 Cor. 16:1-2), the bottom line is that they are worried about where their next paycheck will come from, for if their people don't have a "mandate" to give, then they may not give at all. Could I be right?

I believe tithing is a good plan for the church. I didn't say it (in itself) is a heaven/hell issue, but how would you like to be a church secretary and not have any idea from week to week what income would come in. I bet you wouldn't want to work at a job where your pay is based on whatever comes in, but yet expect ministers of the gospel to run church operations, evangelize the community, and provide for their families with no projected income amount at all.

When you go to the bank to borrow money one of the requirements is proof of income. Tithing makes financial planning easier for the church and also the giver. If you have a prayerful and generous financial plan to give (personally I think tithing is the best method) it makes it easy for you to have a budget and also helps the church to have a budget. You are right I find no NT testament teaching to command it, but I find many scriptures to support it.

P.S. I believe when it comes to new converts you treat them like babes on milk, but when it comes to saints who have been in the church for years then tithing shouldn't be and issue. Those seasoned saints should have no problem supporting the church and giving systematically this is common sense. If you have entered hard times through no fault of your own I understand, but if you have been a poor steward with the blessings of God I think you might get in trouble with God.