Is Church Tithing an Abomination to God, or Unbiblical?

[Brad Huber]

Hello Brother,
I did want to like what you had written, if not done in such a general way. I can understand where you are coming from and agree in part with it. I just can't make a generalization that covers all churches in what you have described. There are many Godly, men who make a pittance compared to many others barely able to take care of their own, and are still faithful to their calling. So, I'd feel wrong, in totally ascribing the part you wrote of "quell the spirit of anyone not behind their ministry position" to them. Though you are correct that there those out there as well, and I truly believe a lot of these peoples' work will be burnt on that day who now might think otherwise.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
<><

I know there are good churchs with good leaders that are led by the Holy Spirit. I also know that I have run into mostly ones that have certain people in charge that frown on any new person wanting to do anything that they are afraid of the consequences. So they only let ppl who have been in the ministry for 10 years plus do anything more important than volunteer work to help the current leaders. I have seen ppl accept a new person into leadership roles because of who they are related to. I often see pastors and lay leaders only be let into leadership positions due to a piece of paper that says they have a degree, sometimes a degree of divinity, sometimes not. I regularly hear that most ppl that go to school to get such degrees often lose faith when attending, stealing their fire given by the Lord. I tried to attend a christian college to get a degree in christian counseling, only to be turned down, because I have not been involved in leadership in any local church. I wasnt even given an interview.

Was the Holy Spirit used in any of these decisions? Not once, it was tradition in each case, And tradition dictates that only the elite get to pick and chose who serves God full time, not the Holy Spirit. Talk about squelching the Spirit.

 

[newname]

It depends. If its a small church, perhaps 50% for staff is needed to make up for less monies being collected. Any full time pastor with a wife and kids, needs a decent salary which can be different depending on the cost of living in the area. Is there a parsonage where the pastor can live rent free? If these other staff are not full time, does it reflect properly on their hours versus pay received? Just using a percent says little about the actual situation. Same with the building expense. If there is a loan outstanding to pay off the facility in use, it is important that churchs get out of debt as quickly as possible. Too little information to make a good judgement.

I was married to a pastor. In Holland they're like: give it for free, cause you received it freely. No problem when I had a 4 day job and we had no kids, but when the kids came it was freakin' annoying, all those rich ppl in church who would call him. Hey come pray for me a week! For free of course. Live from the wind. I said: why don't you just take a normal job and quit this church? It's no wonder that in a lot of churches here you don't get much teaching or prayer. They have a job and no time for that, except when someone starts a church when he's retired.
In the church where I go now once they were a bit late and a woman complained and the guy who had to start the service said: hey hold your horses, we're all volunteers here.

 

[Brad Huber]

I was married to a pastor. In Holland they're like: give it for free, cause you received it freely. No problem when I had a 4 day job and we had no kids, but when the kids came it was freakin' annoying, all those rich ppl in church who would call him. Hey come pray for me a week! For free of course. Live from the wind. I said: why don't you just take a normal job and quit this church? It's no wonder that in a lot of churches here you don't get much teaching or prayer. They have a job and no time for that, except when someone starts a church when he's retired.
In the church where I go now once they were a bit late and a woman complained and the guy who had to start the service said: hey hold your horses, we're all volunteers here.

You misunderstood me. Most pastors in the US do receive a salary and are fulltime. There are rare cases where they work a job and then minister to others. You know, like Paul did. The ones who work a job to supplement their pastoring are often the nicest ones who truly knows how hard life can be for the comman man. If rich people contributed 10% of their income without expecting to run the church because of it, the church would be a better place. Instead the wealthy ppl that I know contribute more than most, although I dont know about 10%, but they expect to run the church and when they dont get their way, they threaten to pull themselves out and go to another church where their money talks. The ones that make more money typically got that way by running things themselves, and they usually want to do the same in church, and really be appreciated for the money they contribute. Its nothing like 1st century churchs. Maybe 3rd century churchs, but not 1st.

 

[newname]

You misunderstood me. Most pastors in the US do receive a salary and are fulltime. There are rare cases where they work a job and then minister to others. You know, like Paul did. The ones who work a job to supplement their pastoring are often the nicest ones who truly knows how hard life can be for the comman man. If rich people contributed 10% of their income without expecting to run the church because of it, the church would be a better place. Instead the wealthy ppl that I know contribute more than most, although I dont know about 10%, but they expect to run the church and when they dont get their way, they threaten to pull themselves out and go to another church where their money talks. The ones that make more money typically got that way by running things themselves, and they usually want to do the same in church, and really be appreciated for the money they contribute. Its nothing like 1st century churchs. Maybe 3rd century churchs, but not 1st.

Oh wow.
That's a recepy to get false teachers preach what you want for money.
Well but because here not many tithe, it's a temptation here too. You either preach what God wants and don't get money or a big church hires you for a normal income and the message becomes off. If ppl would just not let someone always work for free, you wouldn't have that temptation.

 

[Trevor]

Is Church Tithing an Abomination to God, or Unbiblical?

Tithing, as practiced by Christians, has no Biblical foundation; there's no support for giving 10% of your income to the church. The Bible's primary guidance is that we look after the poor.

Church tithes go here (approximately):
50% Staff salaries
30% Building
10% Missionary (salaries)
0.05% Direct help for the poor (if they're lucky)

Once you understand this, you may well find yourself asking:
Does God despise the church tithe?

Thoughts?

Simon, bless you.
I don't see scripture as a rule book, to see it that way I believe, would be to miss the point. When I read the passage in Malachi, two things happened, first, I realised that by putting 10 pence in the pound to one side would allow God to have funds in my home that would be available for people in need. Secondly, it occurred to me that if everyone did this, there would be less poverty in the world. Whether or not it agrees with the cannon of accepted doctrine was not on my mind at the time. I just believed that God would have me do it, and that is betweenthe Lord and myself. I do not adhere to the abomination of denomination that only separates believers.

 

[newname]

I read that the system in Holland started centuries ago with churches giving tithes to the poor and then the govt did it, so no-one in the country dies from hunger. But because of high taxes you can't give tithes twice. Thus some pastors are unemployed and paid by the govt. to do church work for the good cause. Only works for the single/divorced ones though or with jobless wives. Problem when you let the govt do it is that, although even a godless one is more christian than rich ppl in church who keep it to themselves, you get things like my ex experienced. He worked full time for God. It only gave us debts to pay the building and conferences in Canada and America and help there (here you can counsel ppl for free, but if you need it yourself you can go to America or Canada) and he was first treated like a lazy peace of crap who didn't work a day in his life.
Before the crisis he got 700 a month. Those other pastors envied him. 300 was my tithes and 100 my mom's tithes. Then pay taxes, but not much when the liberal socialists reigned here. When the chritian party reigned he could more or less stop his church or get debts.

 

[newname]

We divorced in 2009. 2 years ago he wanted to start a church, help someone else whose husband died, who was a pastor. He rented a building in that place from a reformed church. Those have money enough and pay ministers. They asked 75 for one evening. 10 ppl showed up. Later he calls me if I can please pay the bill, cause I could make debts and he couldn't. I did but I said if they want to sit in a luxurous building they may pay for it. This was the last time. Let them travel and go to your house. Never worked. My company helps me get rid of debts now that I made for him without paying extra. I still give him money for the kids. Work only 3 days a week. The church I now go to gets no tithes from me. I have paid enough for those churches. Bye.

 

[newname]

Last year he almost fell for some scam. He's remarried. His wife is from Brazil. May not live here cause he doesn't make enough money. So every 3 months she has to leave and pay the plane. She has no money. Used to be a housewife. Gets 250 there for a full time job. She got sick of it and left. Then a woman from Germany wanted him to marry her and get a big ministry. They asked him and advertised. He could make big money. Signs and wonders, they were a fan of Bill Johnson. My mom got a warning dream from God. I warned him. Said it was sin to remarry and a Jezebel spirit. He didnt really like that lol. He wanted to take the kids and take em to Germany. God said: don't fear. You won't see these enemies again. He went once and was unkind to one of the kids and she didnt want to marry anymore and the whole thing blew off. Now his wife is back but still can only stay 3 months, 3 months not. I don't borrow money for her anymore. Let his sister do that. She has no small kids and she was in his church for decades and never paid tithes. She told him to divorce me and tried to steal the kids and told the judges I was crazy.
I'm glad that he gets money from the govt so I can still work 3 days. Fabulous that they give him money. They wanted me to work more to pay him alimony so they can steal it and have to pay him less. I flipped out completely. Work more and see your kids less. Judge said: she's not stable. She doesn't have to work more. Yay!
Sorry, the tithes subject makes me want to vent. Love of money is the root of all evil.
I recently read a similar story of a pastor who worked for free and his marriage blew up and he took offense and wanted an income and died. I wonder how much his congregation hated him to not pay him. Go elsewhere to a huge ministry if you want it for free.

 

[newname]

It's all because of that health and wealth teaching. Recently I went to a small church. That guy ministered in Australia and was used to have a big house and a car and live cosily from it. His wife had no job either. Came to Holland. Had to pay the building cause yeah we have to have a nice building. He fell for a scammer. A Nigerian prince. Man don't be so dumb. I warned him by email. I looked that scammer up. He didn't believe me. Now the church is gone. I heard one guy who helps everyone gave him thousands and he gave that to that Nigerian prince. He pulled his members into it. Unbelievable.

 

[newname]

Once my ex had a new small church. Now he got govt money and it was in a house, so it costed nothing. He borrowed my bike to go to the food bank to get food for him and the kids. Couple there buys a new kitchen and goes on a trip to Israel. And then someone told me we were filthy money grabbers because it was partly Word of Faith. Guess they think everyone who teaches that is like Benny Hinn.

 

[newname]

Five Things You Should Know about Pastors’ Salaries | Church Answers

UPDATE: Listen to the podcast episode about this topic In many churches, the pastor’s salary is a quiet issue. There is a sense of discomfort from both the pastor and the members when the topic is broached. Such discomfort is unfortunate, however, because a number of churches will not seek every...

thomrainer.com

 

[newname]

Giving money to God is for the poor. Not the poor paying for the rich pastors or church members.

 

[Br. Bear]

Five Things You Should Know about Pastors’ Salaries | Church Answers

UPDATE: Listen to the podcast episode about this topic In many churches, the pastor’s salary is a quiet issue. There is a sense of discomfort from both the pastor and the members when the topic is broached. Such discomfort is unfortunate, however, because a number of churches will not seek every...

thomrainer.com

Greetings,

there are certainly many interesting comments on that page.


Bless you ....><>

 

[newname]

Is Church Tithing an Abomination to God, or Unbiblical?

Tithing, as practiced by Christians, has no Biblical foundation; there's no support for giving 10% of your income to the church. The Bible's primary guidance is that we look after the poor.

Church tithes go here (approximately):
50% Staff salaries
30% Building
10% Missionary (salaries)
0.05% Direct help for the poor (if they're lucky)

Once you understand this, you may well find yourself asking:
Does God despise the church tithe?

Thoughts?

No He despises it when those big bucks preachers eat the houses of the widows, like the pharisees. Tithing is old testament. N.T. is: they sold their houses and everyone had enough.

 

[Jellani]

Hi Blessed day, i was just curious with the title of this thread. Is tithing abomination to God or unbiblical?

I am sorry but does this question makes sense when it is already written in God’s Word?

Why we do always question when we bless God? But I do understand that we need to be discerning if the church that we are in are just preaching prosperity gospel.

Bless us all.

 

[DiscipleofYHWH]

Tithing is an unbiblical practice in the NT under grace. Now we give freely from the heart without any law demanding us to give.

 

[Jellani]

Hi @DiscipleofYHWH Greetings to you!

I understand you point giving from a cheerful heart that is right but i think i will disagree with what you say, tithing is unbiblical in New Testament.

Lets look at this verse first:

““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23:23‬ ‭

I think Jesus is rebuking here the pharisees because they have been tithing but their tithes are just out of obligations, following what the law says but Jesus says in connection to that, that do not neglect the weightier matter which is justice mercy and faith. THESE you ought to have DONE WITHOUT leaving the others undone.

It means Jesus is saying that do your tithe but dont do it beacuse you are just oblidge to do it but do it from your heart. Do it with a willing and cheerful heart.

And i think He also says to simon before that what is for ceasar give to caesar and what is for God, give to God.

Jesus came here not to abolish the law but to fulfill it.

And let us remember Grace is never a licensed for us not to obey what is being commanded to us for the furtherance of His kingdom here on earth.

 

[DiscipleofYHWH]

Hi @DiscipleofYHWH Greetings to you!

I understand you point giving from a cheerful heart that is right but i think i will disagree with what you say, tithing is unbiblical in New Testament.

Lets look at this verse first:

““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23:23‬ ‭

I think Jesus is rebuking here the pharisees because they have been tithing but their tithes are just out of obligations, following what the law says but Jesus says in connection to that, that do not neglect the weightier matter which is justice mercy and faith. THESE you ought to have DONE WITHOUT leaving the others undone.

It means Jesus is saying that do your tithe but dont do it beacuse you are just oblidge to do it but do it from your heart. Do it with a willing and cheerful heart.

And i think He also says to simon before that what is for ceasar give to caesar and what is for God, give to God.

Jesus came here not to abolish the law but to fulfill it.

And let us remember Grace is never a licensed for us not to obey what is being commanded to us for the furtherance of His kingdom here on earth.

Christ's words to the Pharisees where spoken while under the Law of Moses. If he had commanded them to stop the tithe he would have broken the Law. Christ was using them as an example, showing that the pharisees were hypocrites in what they did.

In the NT under grace tithing has never been Preached or taught by the Apostles or Christ. But instead we are told that the Law of Tithing is completed/finished along with the Priesthood(Hebrews 7:1-12)

 

[Trevor]

Hi @DiscipleofYHWH Greetings to you!

I understand you point giving from a cheerful heart that is right but i think i will disagree with what you say, tithing is unbiblical in New Testament.

Lets look at this verse first:

““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23:23‬ ‭

I think Jesus is rebuking here the pharisees because they have been tithing but their tithes are just out of obligations, following what the law says but Jesus says in connection to that, that do not neglect the weightier matter which is justice mercy and faith. THESE you ought to have DONE WITHOUT leaving the others undone.

It means Jesus is saying that do your tithe but dont do it beacuse you are just oblidge to do it but do it from your heart. Do it with a willing and cheerful heart.

And i think He also says to simon before that what is for ceasar give to caesar and what is for God, give to God.

Jesus came here not to abolish the law but to fulfill it.

And let us remember Grace is never a licensed for us not to obey what is being commanded to us for the furtherance of His kingdom here on earth.

It seems to me that as soon as one mentions giving to God, it causes "Christians" to search scriptures for excuses not to. The reason I first posted regarding this subject, was because I was so lifted, (a) because the Lord led me and instructed
Me

Christ's words to the Pharisees where spoken while under the Law of Moses. If he had commanded them to stop the tithe he would have broken the Law. Christ was using them as an example, showing that the pharisees were hypocrites in what they did.

In the NT under grace tithing has never been Preached or taught by the Apostles or Christ. But instead we are told that the Law of Tithing is completed/finished along with the Priesthood(Hebrews 7:1-12)

Jellani, Are you intimating that the old testament is no longer valid ?

 

[Trevor]

Jellani,

No He despises it when those big bucks preachers eat the houses of the widows, like the pharisees. Tithing is old testament. N.T. is: they sold their houses and everyone had enough.

Have you sold your house ?