Were tithes ever required by Jesus or the Apostles?

[Rico]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Hey, the bible said according to the measure we mete out will be what determines how much we receive.

Faith and giving go hand in hand for this to occur. Attitude is correct, but so is amount. If you have the same attitude of faith and give more than you did last time with that attitude, you will be blessed more. I have proved it.

Sorry, but Jesus said the widow who gave the mite gave more than the rest.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Rico

Sorry, but Jesus said the widow who gave the mite gave more than the rest.

Hold on. You missed the fact that in her situation, she gave a HUGE PERCENTAGE! The issue is percentages.

Percentage-wise, she gave more because the Pharisee gave a small % of his money, from his abundance. She gave FROM HER LACK. That makes it large percentages.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

I have yet to attend a church whose bylaws did not stipulate that for one to be a member in full fellowship with voting privileges, one must have paid their tithe faithfully for at least six months.

I think most people, if they adopted a faith-based system of free-spirit giving would end up destroyed by the ensuing free-spirit spending that inevitably results in our culture of consumerism and predatory consumer credit policies.

I still say it is a measure of both faith and commitment, and even house-churches will quickly tire of free-spirit giving freeloaders.

Striving toward steadiness in giving teaches one steadiness in ALL areas of their finances. On a planet of seven billion people, there is only ONE person who is looking your for YOUR financial best interests, and that is YOU. Wouldn't you like to implement a steady plan for spending and saving your money, and avoid ruination?

Have it your way. Go ahead and try this NEW doctrine and see if it's an improvement over the practices of believers over the centuries.

Perhaps your free-spirit preacher will decide to pray for your family, officiate your kids weddings, and conduct your funerals only when he feels he has the faith and unction to do so? Maybe the church will only have service when the spirit has moved enough people to have the lights and water turned back on?

I don't know that what you are saying is correct. There are plenty of non-denominational churches that are doing just fine without tithing being a requirement for membership.

[mfblume]

Here is the issue. FEAR. DOUBT. UNBELIEF. People who legislate tithes are AFRAID they will not get the offerings they need. What is that? Unbelief and fear.

Those who give and know God blesses givers, wil give, and the church lights will continue to burn!

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by Rico

I don't know that what you are saying is correct. There are plenty of non-denominational churches that are doing just fine without tithing being a requirement for membership.

Interesting, Rico.

[COOPER]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Here is the issue. FEAR. DOUBT. UNBELIEF. People who legislate tithes are AFRAID they will not get the offerings they need. What is that? Unbelief and fear.

Those who give and know God blesses givers, wil give, and the church lights will continue to burn!

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Rico

I don't know that what you are saying is correct. There are plenty of non-denominational churches that are doing just fine without tithing being a requirement for membership.

Very true.

[Trouvere]

Originally Posted by COOPER

Were tithes ever required by Jesus or the Apostles?

A Jew would never not pay his tithes it was the law.They did stuff to people back then for not obeying the law.

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by mfblume

New doctrine??? LOL. Oh, well, if NEW Testament is too new for you, well then...



The fact is that tithing as a law is something that is not New Testament. Period.

And the TRUE teaching of giving is that we strive for SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS and not money. This is not new. It is what the bible taught.



TRUE riches are spiritual! Not carnal like money. Do not confuse what I say with some nonsense about seeking monetary wealth! My goodness! It is seeking TRUE RICHES of spiritual things.

I didn't say tithing is a NT law!

But tithing has been a NT principle and practice for 2000 years.

It fits right in there with modesty as a principle that is encouraged, not mandated, in an effort to improve the spiritual walks of believers and keep them striving for perfection.

Our Southern Baptist, AME, UMC, and COGIC friends would have some stern words for anybody suggesting that the principle of tithing be hung out to dry, and reliance on free-spirit giving to replace it. Why should it appeal to Apostolics?

I don't give because I greedily want and expect a monetary blessing from heaven's cash register drawer in return!

I give because I believe in the ministries and missions of my local church assembly, and I want to help and to be a blessing.

If you were running your own business, which would be more helpful? Sporadic or steady income? Do your creditors accept free-spirit-guided payment plans?

[Tech]

Originally Posted by COOPER

Why.....Churches are more like Town Clubs and Golf memberships.

It's more like...If you are to join our church pay your dues...

Do Churches trust God to provide or it's members?

It makes me sick in my soul to see churches ask for money to pay bills.

Giving a gift is one thing......but to expect 10 + 5 percent evey paycheck is a bit demanding.

I have no problem with paying tithes.

But like yourself it bothers me to see some churches doing yard sales,bake sales ect.Trying to pay the bills because the pastor is taking all the tithes for himself.I have not figured that out yet.God said to bring into the store house.Not the preachers house.With all that said, i have no problem with a pastor being paid a salary.There are not many jobs were a person is on call 24/7