Tithe-vs-Paying Your Bills

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Aquila

There are many churches that teach if you don't tithe you're robbing God. The word there indicates doing violence to one and taking what they have. Can a man actively and repeatedly do violence to God, take what is his, and still be saved???

Their theology corners non-tithers into the "backslidden" catagory automatically.

Indeed. I have heard it preached in a number of places that failure to pay ones tithes sends one to hell.

[Aquila]

Personally, I believe in pledges and free will offerings. Yes, a congregation should strive to meet the essential needs of their senior elder. The elder can suppliment his income by writing books or by performing a trade service as Paul did.

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

I was given a car. A $14,000 car (tax, title, warranty etc). My pastor at the time said I should pay $1400 tithes on that. So I quickly and happily went out and borrowed $1400 to pay the tithe.

I began an immediate spiral into financial ruin that, over 10 years later, we are just now recovering from.

Now you've met one. But nobody tells those stories.

Thats because that dealt with two things. The car and what it was worth. The people in the Bible, when they gave of their possessions, they didn't give the money amount it was worth, they gave a tenth of their possessions. Obviously if you cut a car in 10 pieces it would not work.

That is crazy to demand that from a saint if you ask me.

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Indeed. I have heard it preached in a number of places that failure to pay ones tithes sends one to hell.

If it is still true that one is robbing God, then yes it would. I would say not being faithful to give is an indication of a deeper issue which would turn salvational. The money is not the issue.

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by Aquila

There are many churches that teach if you don't tithe you're robbing God. The word there indicates doing violence to one and taking what they have. Can a man actively and repeatedly do violence to God, take what is his, and still be saved???

Their theology corners non-tithers into the "backslidden" catagory automatically.

Are we not in the Faith of Abraham? When we walk by faith, we should have the example of that faith. It should definitely be taught a different way then pay your tithes or hell. Faithfulness is KEY

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

If it is still true that one is robbing God, then yes it would. I would say not being faithful to give is an indication of a deeper issue which would turn salvational. The money is not the issue.

Yes... a deeper issue such as a proper understanding of the word of God.

Not paying a tithe of ones income and not being faithful to give are 2 different issues.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

Thats because that dealt with two things. The car and what it was worth. The people in the Bible, when they gave of their possessions, they didn't give the money amount it was worth, they gave a tenth of their possessions. Obviously if you cut a car in 10 pieces it would not work.

That is crazy to demand that from a saint if you ask me.

That's why I slipped into financial ruin?

They gave a tenth of their increase. Their agricultural increase.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by onefaith2

Are we not in the Faith of Abraham? When we walk by faith, we should have the example of that faith. It should definitely be taught a different way then pay your tithes or hell. Faithfulness is KEY

Abraham only paid tithes once. Also, the tithes Abraham paid were of the spoils from Sodom. Abraham didn't tithe of his own herds. It was an ancient custom establishing peace with a local ruler in time of war.

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Abraham only paid tithes once. Also, the tithes Abraham paid were of the spoils from Sodom. Abraham didn't tithe of his own herds. It was an ancient custom establishing peace with a local ruler in time of war.

You should really study Paul's discourse on tithing based on this ONE act...And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

6But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?


Tithing was also recognition of a priesthood. Abraham recognized (and LEVI in his womb) recognized the priesthood of Melchisedec (Now Jesus Christ) by giving of tithes.

Again it isn't the money, its the faithfulness to the priesthood above you.

[onefaith2]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

That's why I slipped into financial ruin?

They gave a tenth of their increase. Their agricultural increase.

Agriculture was their money back then. Again its not scriptural to say you have to pay tithe on a gift that you received. That was a serious misinterpretation of the tithing principle IMO.