Were tithes ever required by Jesus or the Apostles?

[Rico]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

There is more bible in support of the concept of the preacher taking all of the funds designated as tithe into his personal control than there is for the practice of making the preacher a salaried employee of the church.

But if the preacher is keeping all the tithes, and the offerings don't cover the light bill, I would only want to follow a preacher who led by example toward the resolution of the problem, i.e., giving some of it back into the general fund.

Very little of the pure principle is practicable in 2007 America. Our tax and business codes are overly complex. Besides, many churches are preserved from the hands of scoundrels, malcontents, and incompetents only by business aspects of the church being run by a board of faithful lay leaders.

I don't think there's really any scripture in favor of the preacher taking all the tithes. I don't have a problem with it, however, in smaller churches, because I believe the pastor needs to focus on pastoring and not have to get outside work. I know that sometimes the church is just too small to support the pastor just on tithes, so I can understand when they have to go work outside of the pastorate.

What sends up red flags for me is when the pastor is so flush with cash from the tithes that he's out buying up property after property, and whatever the latest version of a $50,000 Suburban is, and the church they've been trying to build for 5 years sits half completed.

[marthaolivia]

Why not tithe and cheerfully give the same amount in offerings? If God blesses a person with a job or wealth, he/she should want to give in return what is already God's. I love being able to help support my church and pastor .

[freeatlast]

MF Blume !! Cograts you are right on track with every thing I have studied on the subjct of tithing.

Implemented by he Catholic church to support a "clergy class"...it is NOT "Apostolic" in any form or fassion.

The Apostolic preachers taught that every man gave as he decided in his own heart and NOT of compulsuion.

I agree MFB 10% is not even cosidered a good tip today.
I have always given above that figure.

This year I quit writing in the memo on the check "tithes" I put it in as offering.

I do fear for clergy who demand the tithe as "theirs" They are the abusers mentioned in Mal 3:10 who robbed God.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Rico

Well, you know human nature and exactly what happens to people when they get into a routine, especially if it involves something that works with God. Many people that tithe don't do it because of it being any sort of OT law but it ends up becoming a law of sorts, by default, because it becomes part of their routine. I honestly don't see anything wrong with it becoming this type of "law." I agree with you about the curses and all that mess.

Yes, people tend to go the way of the flesh and make things law. It is easier to abide by a law than to walk in the Spirit.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by marthaolivia

Why not tithe and cheerfully give the same amount in offerings? If God blesses a person with a job or wealth, he/she should want to give in return what is already God's. I love being able to help support my church and pastor .

20% may be a burden for some people, especially the working poor. Those times when I have observed tithing as a practice I tried using 15% as my guideline. There was a time, however, when the Lord spoke to me to give 20% in faith and when I did, lookout! My income went up dramatically! I have often wondered if God would bless me the way He did back then if I were to go back to tithing 20% again. Those were some good times!

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by marthaolivia

Why not tithe and cheerfully give the same amount in offerings? If God blesses a person with a job or wealth, he/she should want to give in return what is already God's. I love being able to help support my church and pastor .

Amen!

[Rico]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Yes, people tend to go the way of the flesh and make things law. It is easier to abide by a law than to walk in the Spirit.

I think your perception of "law" and my perception may be a bit different, in this case.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Rico

20% may be a burden for some people, especially the working poor. Those times when I have observed tithing as a practice I tried using 15% as my guideline. There was a time, however, when the Lord spoke to me to give 20% in faith and when I did, lookout! My income went up dramatically! I have often wondered if God would bless me the way He did back then if I were to go back to tithing 20% again. Those were some good times!

Making something a guideline is where we blow it, I think. Giving in faith is not giving by guidelines. It's easier for flesh to use guidelines, but faith works differently. hence, you were blessed when you gave, but things changed in guidelines.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Rico

I think your perception of "law" and my perception may be a bit different, in this case.

Maybe. What I consider law is the cursing aspect we try to avoid by doing something.

[freeatlast]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Mt. 23 not left the OTHER(tithing) undone.
Heb. 7 HERE(in this dispensation) men recieve tithes that die.

Glad I could be of help. Anytime.

Jesus was addressing pharisees who WERE at that time yet bound under the law. The conversation with them took place before the cross.