Quote:
Originally Posted by Bro-Larry
Christopher Hall, How long halt ye between two opinions? JFFT. Bro-Larry
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Am I of two opinions...or do you just not understand my opinion?
Is tithing a "command"? I do not believe it is.
Is it a salvational issue? I do not believe it is.
Is there a biblical principle behind tithing? Yes I believe there is.
If one is part of a church should they do their best to tithe if that is the financial system embraced by the church? By all means.
Paul put it this way....
"5Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness
11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
14And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.
15Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." -
II Corinthians 9:5-15
If one purposes in their heart to give a tenth that is honorable. However, for some ten percent would be nothing, they could give far far more. I don't believe there's a set limit on NT giving. For some a tenth would be very difficult to give and still survive. For example I know older folks who are barely making it as it is and to demand a tenth from them would be unjust. There are families who are struggling to maintain their homes right now, demanding a tenth from them would be unjust. Now, if they choose to give a tenth as they have purposed in their hearts there's no issue. The faith should never be used as a tool for extortion.
"14Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." -
Matthew 23:14
"23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." -
Matthew 23:23
"10For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:
11But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.
12And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother;" -
Mark 7:10-12
" 41And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much.
42And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing.
43And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury:
44For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living." -
Mark 12:41-44
If a person is devoured with bills and is left with very little to live on and only gives out of what little they have left they have given, sacrificed, far more than those who can comfortably give 10%.
Jesus isn't concerned so much with the percentage given...but rather the quality of the sacrifice.
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