Tithing, Mandate for the New Testament Church?

[Apocrypha]

Apostolic Preachers preaching about tithes are typically long on opinions, stories, and semi-spiritual catch phrases that shoehorn in biblical stories into sermons about giving and receiving... and short on history, research, or objective teaching.

[Trouvere]

Originally Posted by acerrak

Jacob wanted the blessing before he tithed.
again tithe was food animals wheat barley etc.

In the new covenant we are to be cheerful givers, however the money used went to the homless the poor, the widows, and to those in need.

problem today with churches is they preach tithes and use malachi to state that you will be under a curse if you dont.

One just needs to be a cheerful giver, for it is more blessed to give than recieve.

we get blessed because we give. There is no arguement in that. But i would say lets get back to the principles that Paul taught about giving

Then you must also agree with this statement and what Paul taught also
Gala 6:5-10 For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

[Apocrypha]

Originally Posted by Jacob's Ladder

Animal sacrifice also predates the Mosaic law. Shall we continue sacrificing animals too?

You forgot also the right on a man to marry multiple women... which technically is still ok biblically.

[Trouvere]

Originally Posted by Apocrypha

You forgot also the right on a man to marry multiple women... which technically is still ok biblically.

not if he is a Bishop or a deacon
(1Tim 3:2 [KJV])
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

(1Tim 3:12 [KJV])
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

[Apocrypha]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

not if he is a Bishop or a deacon
(1Tim 3:2 [KJV])
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

(1Tim 3:12 [KJV])
Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

True

Technically its why men can remarry in the Lord and women can't (that outta pour some gas on this thread )

[acerrak]

Originally Posted by Trouvere

Then you must also agree with this statement and what Paul taught also
Gala 6:5-10 For every man shall bear his own burden. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

I got news for you, everyone in the new covenant is in the royal priesthood and the house of faith. Its our duty out of love to help those who need it.

[MissBrattified]

I've never been certain about the tithing mandate in the NT, but our family gives consistently and we've never regretted it. I do know that in the NT:

1. Giving was never abolished.

2. Cheerful giving was expected.

3. Money was discussed and offerings were certainly given in the NT church.

4. Church administration and charitable outreach was discussed, including payment to preachers and teachers, and the care of widows and orphans.

5. Jesus said to pay taxes and to give God what is His - which part was He referring to when He said to give God His part?

6. The early church had all things in "common" and met needs that way. Instead of having to pay 10% of YOUR income, would you rather sell all your assets, split the expenses of the local assembly by family and have everyone pay an equal amount? 10% is a much better way to divide it up, since everyone doesn't make the same amount.


When I look at these facts, its clear to me that "giving" and meeting the needs of those in ministry and those who need charity was a definite part of the NT church, so whether the 10% tithe was enforced seems irrelevant to me. Practically speaking, the 10% tithe is a good method for people to support the church. (And yes, it does require support--unless you're doing home church--and even then, when you grow beyond your walls and need another meeting place, what then?)

[acerrak]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

I've never been certain about the tithing mandate in the NT, but our family gives consistently and we've never regretted it. I do know that in the NT:

1. Giving was never abolished.

2. Cheerful giving was expected.

3. Money was discussed and offerings were certainly given in the NT church.

4. Church administration and charitable outreach was discussed, including payment to preachers and teachers, and the care of widows and orphans.

5. Jesus said to pay taxes and to give God what is His - which part was He referring to when He said to give God His part?

6. The early church had all things in "common" and met needs that way. Instead of having to pay 10% of YOUR income, would you rather sell all your assets, split the expenses of the local assembly by family and have everyone pay an equal amount? 10% is a much better way to divide it up, since everyone doesn't make the same amount.


When I look at these facts, its clear to me that "giving" and meeting the needs of those in ministry and those who need charity was a definite part of the NT church, so whether the 10% tithe was enforced seems irrelevant to me. Practically speaking, the 10% tithe is a good method for people to support the church. (And yes, it does require support--unless you're doing home church--and even then, when you grow beyond your walls and need another meeting place, what then?)

not everyone did that Phillip still had his home, and later Paul went to it.
Though many did give it up. It was theirs to give and do what they willed. Just dont lie to the Holy spirit about it or trying to be mischievious.

also the church (ekklesia) was just a gathering of people, usually at peoples houses or meeting in specific places like the temple courts. They really didnt have buildings up like synagoges for awhile.

Cheerful giving is what is stressed in the new testament. and taking care of those who need, on a local and global level.

also when Jesus was preaching in the Gospels they were still under the law of moses, so tithing applied back then and not just in money.

Jesus and his disciples also paid the temple tax

[Aquila]

I believe this to be the NT standard of giving....

2 Corinthians 9:6-8
King James Version (KJV)
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:

I attend a church that has around 3,000 or more members. Tithing isn't required, all offerings are voluntary and routed as the giver desires. We have a massive sanctuary and campus in Centerville Ohio, and all bills and necessary staff are paid. In addition, we have a network of house churches throughout the Miami Valley. Frankly, if you took away the building and the paid staff today... the fellowship would continue seamlessly.

[Trouvere]

That's great stuff guys and gals but I still believe that tithing is a minimal example. If they could out of their hearts give at least ten percent to the Lord then we need to be giving more than they gave. We have the Holy Ghost. If we aren't then we cannot expect to be blessed.

BTW there is a law of the Harvest. You reap what you sow and that is still in effect today.
I don't believe Levitical law is in effect. I believe the Law of Faith is though. If we are giving out of law and obligation then we are not going to get anything for what we give but minimal blessings out of law and obligation. If we give in faith cheerfully then we will reap what we sow. God owns the whole amount not just ten percent.