Tithing, Mandate for the New Testament Church?

[Jacob's Ladder]

Originally Posted by coadie

Well. It is a sticky topic. It is convincing to me that people decide what they want to do first and get scripture to support the attitude.

Where did Jesus say to stop tithing?

Most people don't have a New Testament heart. A New Testament heart means God owns 100%. Can you take care of all your needs on 80%?

Where did Jesus Command the New Testament church to tithe?

[Jacob's Ladder]

Originally Posted by Bella1

I TOTALLY believe in paying tithes. But because of what money I do bring home, the bills that I pay, I can barely buy groceries and buy gas to get back and forth to church, work, home. (I actually have a gas credit card from my sister that tides me over each month if I need it and then I repay her). So since my separation from my husband almost three years ago, I do not pay tithes.

And I go to a church that has commitment papers. If you are on platform, ect...you sign these papers and one of the qualifications of ministry is that you pay tithes. Do I agree with that? No. BUT...I am committed to go there for the next little while until I find out where I will be living. So I don't minister in that church like I would elsewhere.

I am not unhappy at that church. I get good preaching, good teaching, and I love the pastor and family. I would NEVER say or do anything that would upset or hurt them. I feel that I have not been blessed by the Lord for Three years due to not paying tithes. And I miss those blessing. When I can, I give with gladness.

BUT tithing is a HUGE issue for me right now. I can't do it. Or I would not eat or I would not be able to get to work. People tell me all the time to "Trust the Lord". I do. But I also have gone without food in my pantry for several weeks. I ate at a friends house. Yes, the Lord did provide, but.....

It does make me sad that I can't sing specials or be in the choir. That is my ministry. That is my gift. That is my heartbeat. If tithing holds me back from doing what I think God has given me, I will not complain.

And please don't preacher bash or church bash. Most of us were brought up and taught to pay tithing. It is a way of life to me. But when you CAN'T pay them, guilt sets in.

My pastor is on this site. He will most likely read this post. You know that I love you Pastor. I just wish things could be so different in my life.

Bella!,


Sorry to read about your situation. I hope your pastor provided some nourishment or groceries for your household during your monetary struggles. At least that's what a real man of God would have done. With the same willingness to take he ought to be able to give. Showers of blessings are headed your way, even will begin now.


In regards to him denying you to worship God on the platform, he purposely quenches the spirit of God from moving in the distinct manner that God ministers through you. He'll have to answer to God for that. Remember, doors that God opens - no man can shut, and doors that God shuts - no man can open.


I'd be interested in dialogging with your pastor here if he reads this post. Usually some ministers are too much of cowards to discuss anything. They're so caught up in the spirit of tradition, they've really never studied the topic, thus, they can't hold any intelligent conversation and would rather rebuke you. It's easier to run like a coward than to stand firm like a man of God.


In any case, if Bella's pastor is reading this, please explain why tithing is mandatory, and be available to answer some of my questions. Your record will be there.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Bella1

I TOTALLY believe in paying tithes. But because of what money I do bring home, the bills that I pay, I can barely buy groceries and buy gas to get back and forth to church, work, home. (I actually have a gas credit card from my sister that tides me over each month if I need it and then I repay her). So since my separation from my husband almost three years ago, I do not pay tithes.

And I go to a church that has commitment papers. If you are on platform, ect...you sign these papers and one of the qualifications of ministry is that you pay tithes. Do I agree with that? No. BUT...I am committed to go there for the next little while until I find out where I will be living. So I don't minister in that church like I would elsewhere.

I am not unhappy at that church. I get good preaching, good teaching, and I love the pastor and family. I would NEVER say or do anything that would upset or hurt them. I feel that I have not been blessed by the Lord for Three years due to not paying tithes. And I miss those blessing. When I can, I give with gladness.

BUT tithing is a HUGE issue for me right now. I can't do it. Or I would not eat or I would not be able to get to work. People tell me all the time to "Trust the Lord". I do. But I also have gone without food in my pantry for several weeks. I ate at a friends house. Yes, the Lord did provide, but.....

It does make me sad that I can't sing specials or be in the choir. That is my ministry. That is my gift. That is my heartbeat. If tithing holds me back from doing what I think God has given me, I will not complain.

And please don't preacher bash or church bash. Most of us were brought up and taught to pay tithing. It is a way of life to me. But when you CAN'T pay them, guilt sets in.

My pastor is on this site. He will most likely read this post. You know that I love you Pastor. I just wish things could be so different in my life.

Bella1, this quote is common.

"People tell me all the time to ("Trust the Lord".)

If I may address this let me say why we trust The Lord. We trust the word of God. We trust what he has told us to do. This is what keeps us safe. We believe and work off the command. For those who say "Trust the Lord" they must have something to ground themselves on to trust him. You have been Blessed from the time you were born. You have eye sight, your limbs, mind, and hearing etc.

The goodness of God has now been reduced to how much filthy lucre we put in the pan. The Mosaic Law tithe was shared with the poor, widows, levites, and orphans. There is a period when the tithe was also eaten by the tither! They partook of their own tithe. In your condition they should be helping you.

Give if you can but rest assure God cares for you.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

Bella!,

Sorry to read about your situation. I hope your pastor provided some nourishment or groceries for your household during your monetary struggles. At least that's what a real man of God would have done. With the same willingness to take he ought to be able to give. Showers of blessings are headed your way, even will begin now.

In regards to him denying you to worship God on the platform, he purposely quenches the spirit of God from moving in the distinct manner that God ministers through you. He'll have to answer to God for that. Remember, doors that God opens - no man can shut, and doors that God shuts - no man can open.

I'd be interested in dialogging with your pastor here if he reads this post. Usually some ministers are too much of cowards to discuss anything. They're so caught up in the spirit of tradition, they've really never studied the topic, thus, they can't hold any intelligent conversation and would rather rebuke you. It's easier to run like a coward than to stand firm like a man of God.

In any case, if Bella's pastor is reading this, please explain why tithing is mandatory, and be available to answer some of my questions. Your record will be there.

The pastor may not have been aware of her empty pantry. As for her not on the platform, it may be more than tithes that is an issue. Her pastor may have felt that she needed to sit for restoration. And speaking of tithes, her pastor doesn't owe you an explanation as to why they are mandatory. I feel for Bella's situation. Don't accuse me of taking up for pastors. I don't like pastors... and I don't have a high opinion of her pastor.

[Jacob's Ladder]

Originally Posted by houston

And speaking of tithes, her pastor doesn't owe you an explanation as to why they are mandatory.

He owes her, I, the world and God an explanation.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

He owes her, I, the world and God an explanation.

Yep, there is no infallible special one in the body of Christ. All of us are accountable to each other.

[houston]

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

He owes her, I, the world and God an explanation.

Más pút!

[Aquila]

There isn't an earthly institution of priests any longer. We are all kings and priests in Christ Jesus. Who do we "tithe" to.... ourselves? lol

Next, Christianity began as a peasant's faith. Most early Christians were slaves and peasants. They didn't have land, crops, cattle, etc. to tithe. Nor did these early Christians have a "temple" to tithe to. Remember, Christians didn't even gather in buildings set aside for worship for nearly 300 years. It was under Roman decree that pagan temples be converted to "Christian" houses of worship and massive building programs began with state funding and support. Until then, Christians gathered in homes, barns, fields, caves, and catacombs. They shared their "stuff" and funded missionary journeys. They'd take up an offering to cover travel and initial boarding expenses... then the missionary/tentmaker missionaries would begin working to support themselves and spread the Gospel. Elders of each home based gathering were admonished to work. The church shared all that they had and ensured that none of them, including their elders, lacked.

The tithe was an agrarian land tax to fund an earthly priesthood. It isn't necessary under the New Covenant. In fact... some could say the current structure of church is extortion. It's the application of an ancient religious tax to a congregation of free believers to create a cash cow for ministers who wish not to work in the real world.

[MrsMcD]

Just wondering how pastors are suppose to eat and pay bills if saints don't tithe to the church?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by MrsMcD

Just wondering how pastors are suppose to eat and pay bills if saints don't tithe to the church?

Paul wrote regarding the ministry...

1 Corinthians 4:12
And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

Paul also writes...

2 Thessalonians 3:9-13
King James Version (KJV)
9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

Pastors are not above the admonitions of Scripture. A pastor should work as do his congregation members. Yes... this might require having a team of elders to pastor a church. But that too is bibical. The one man show is a demonic spirit.