Were tithes ever required by Jesus or the Apostles?

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by OP_Carl

I didn't say tithing is a NT law!

Then what is your problem? I said give tithes! But do not think you are cursed if you do not. IOW, don't make it a law.

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

Incorrect. Actually the Catholic Church re-implemented it after law was gone centuries after the church began.

From http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14741b.htm

TITHING - -Catholic Encyclopedia.

In the Christian Church, as those who serve the altar should live by the altar (1 Corinthians 9:13), provision of some kind had necessarily to be made for the sacred ministers. In the beginning this was supplied by the spontaneous offerings of the faithful. In the course of time, however, as the Church expanded and various institutions arose, it became necessary to make laws which would insure the proper and permanent support of the clergy. The payment of tithes was adopted from the Old Law, and early writers speak of it as a divine ordinance and an obligation of conscience. The earliest positive legislation on the subject seems to be contained in the letter of the bishops assembled at Tours in 567 and the canons of the Council of Maçon in 585. In course of time, we find the payment of tithes made obligatory by ecclesiastical enactments in all the countries of christendom. The Church looked on this payment as "of divine law, since tithes were instituted not by man but by the Lord Himself" (C. 14, X de decim. III, 30).

At least they admitted they made it a law.

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?

It is fine to give to keep the work of God going. But Jesus encouraged people to give so it would be given back to them. And so long as it is not a law, THEN FINE. But take note that the catholics made it LEGALISM, and a law. And I am afraid many Apostolics followed suit.

[Trouvere]

BTW I like a good bake sale down town some place where I can witness like crazy and pray for people I haven't done one in a long time.Its called working for Jesus and once in a while its really fun.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by mfblume

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.

Well, you can't try using percentages to argue giving and then turn around and argue against tithing.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Rico

Well, you can't try using percentages to argue giving and then turn around and argue against tithing.

Brother, you need to read more carefully, too. I said that giving in the New testametn is spoken of as percentages, when it says GIVE MORE and BE BLESSED MORE. But when you take that AND ADD CURSE to it if it is not done, you've made it a law. And THAT is when tithing is abused in the church by being made a law.

Give percentages. Give tithes! I never said stop. I only said give outside of legalistic demands and aside from escape from curses.

[Steve Epley]

Yes BOTH Jesus & Paul taught tithing.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Yes BOTH Jesus & Paul taught tithing.

Can you show us where? Like I said, do not get me wrong. We can pay tithes and God will bless.

[OP_Carl]

Originally Posted by Tech

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

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.

[Rico]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Brother, you need to read more carefully, too. I said that giving in the New testametn is spoken of as percentages, when it says GIVE MORE and BE BLESSED MORE. But when you take that AND ADD CURSE to it if it is not done, you've made it a law. And THAT is when tithing is abused in the church by being made a law.

Give percentages. Give tithes! I never said stop. I only said give outside of legalistic demands and aside from escape from curses.

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.

[Tech]

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

If you dont mind please post the scripture that backs up this practice.I cant find it.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Can you show us where? Like I said, do not get me wrong. We can pay tithes and God will bless.

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.