Stopping Tithe

[Pilgrim]

SasyBoy,
It sounds like you're really working hard on paying back your debt and that you are working really hard on listening to the Lord and do what He wants you to do. That is awesome. Its not for me to say whether you should tithe or not because I don't know the exact answer, actually. But I just wanted to encourage you, because I think its wonderful that you're making such an effort. You've been paying off a lot of debt recently and that must take an awful lot of work. It sounds like you are putting in prayer time and trying to listen to God about what He wants you to do, and trying to do the right thing. That's really awesome, and I just wanted to congratulate your efforts. :shade:

 

[eddieb]

i dont mean physically.

and btw He dont make "deals"

God is God of all or not at all. what i say i say because i believe you may harm your walk. and i say it in Love.

edited part: please just seek him and get an answer. and if my words are wrong treat it like fish.(throw back what you cant eat) you dont know what tommorow holds. or even if its comming. maybe this is a test to see how faithfull you are. please seek him. im going to pray for you to see what he wants too.

 

[jiggyfly]

I definetly agree with your decision to get out of debt, it seems that you are having a struggle with tithing. Have you ever done an in-depth study of tithing and what it means? I am sure you have listen to others express their opinion concerning the tithe but do you actually know what the scriptures say? Study it out and maybe you will find that your mental struggle will cease.:wink:

 

[SasyBoy]

Today I've gone out of the red and into the yellow. Joy! :shade:

Still absolutely miles off but I can see a light and my soul feels lighter if that makes scene.

It's funny but now I think of it all as being possible where as in that past I would think it'll never happen but paying it back as aggressively as I can is the right thing to do.

I know the Lord is helping me with this. I feel His hand in my life helping me out here and there. I praise Him for his amazing timing.

I'm just used to paying off the debts now. It's surprising how priorities change in life and you can just concentrate on what's important.

The day is coming and I'm predicting to be in the green on my Birthday - July. What could be better than a more lighter feeling? This is going to make life so much easier although I'm not really feeling it as any money I have is going to these debts.

Although saying that my family gave me some cash to help out with some much needed DIY so that was earmarked but in turn it's helped me stay with my plan.

Praise God.

 

[truthreigns]

Stopping Tithing

To tithe or not to tithe is a tough decision.
I too was in a deep financial fix. I had been tithing all along but when an extra big bill came in I decided not to tithe for a couple months.

What happened, I got deeper in debt than I was when I paid tithes every month ( I got paid once a month) When I started to tithe again I was better able to handle my debts. Never had anything left over but bills were paid and managed other necessities.

Another time I went through the whole thing. I got into debt because I was buying many things I didn't need. Quit tithing. Same thing happened.

I have been tithing faithful. MY bills get paid and extra money comes in from time to time and always unexpected. God does provide. But just how much money do we waste? We do have to be good stewards of our money.

Hope this helps you.

 

[Coconut]

I recommend this short study on the fulfillment of Tithe if anyone is interested:

"Tithing is no more appropriate for believers than killing a bull in our front yards next Saturday as an "offering" with the idea that "Hey, it is commanded in the Bible, isn't it?"


Acts 17:11 Dialog: The Tithe, A Biblical Perspective

 

[Boanerges]

I recommend this short study on the fulfillment of Tithe if anyone is interested:

"Tithing is no more appropriate for believers than killing a bull in our front yards next Saturday as an "offering" with the idea that "Hey, it is commanded in the Bible, isn't it?"


Acts 17:11 Dialog: The Tithe, A Biblical Perspective

Amen x 10. Tithing is only mentioned in connection with practicing Judaism. Never once is a Christian in the New Testament told to tithe but instead we are encouraged to be cheerful givers.
Do not get into legalistic bondage but give as the Lord moves your heart.

 

[B-A-C]

Well, actually it is mentioned indirectly. - Heb 7:4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.
Heb 7:5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest's office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their brethren, although these are descended from Abraham.
Heb 7:6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises.

What is the purpose of a tithe? To support the church and the ministry.

1Co 9:1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord?
1Co 9:2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
1Co 9:3 My defense to those who examine me is this:
1Co 9:4 Do we not have a right to eat and drink?
1Co 9:5 Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?
1Co 9:6 Or do only Barnabas and I not have a right to refrain from working?
1Co 9:7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock?
1Co 9:8 I am not speaking these things according to human judgment, am I? Or does not the Law also say these things?
1Co 9:9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, "YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE HE IS THRESHING." God is not concerned about oxen, is He?
1Co 9:10 Or is He speaking altogether for our sake? Yes, for our sake it was written, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing the crops.
1Co 9:11 If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

In the old testament, the Priests were allowed (even expected to eat a part of sacrifices given to God) (Lev 7:31 for example) what Paul is saying above is, if working for God is our "job" (much like an ox plowing a field being the oxen's "job") then we should expect the ministry (i.e. church, body of believers) to support them.

 

[B-A-C]

Mal 3:7 "From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts. "But you say, 'How shall we return?'
Mal 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
Mal 3:9 "You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!
Mal 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

This is the only place in the Bible where God actually says "test me in this".

Mat 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Mat 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
Mat 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

2Co 9:6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2Co 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

 

[Boanerges]

Well, actually it is mentioned indirectly. - Heb 7:4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils.

Perhaps I should qualify my statement- no Christian anywhere in the New Testament is ever told to tithe and the only references (Hebrews chapter7) after the Book of Acts is specifically talking about Abraham and His descendants (Jewish people). This Chapter is demonstrating the changing of covenant and gives no tithing instruction to the believer.
Oh yeah, that is what i said last time- LOL! Seriously though, I don't want to offend anyone I am just making a point of saying it is a Jewish Law and never biblically applied to Christians. I give 10% as a starting of point because I love to give not because of Old Testament regulation.

 

[Boanerges]

Mal 3:7 "From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from My statutes and have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," says the LORD of hosts. "But you say, 'How shall we return?'
Mal 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings.
Mal 3:9 "You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you!
Mal 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.

This is the only place in the Bible where God actually says "test me in this".
Yet this is specifically old covenant and in keeping to my comment is never stated to born again believers. While the Old Covenant (the covenant of a servant) is good it is not what the men of the New Covenant (the covenant of sons) . I love the Old Testament but it is not how I walk but instead as a son of God I walk in the New Covenant based on the shed blood of Christ.

Mat 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
Mat 6:20 "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
Mat 6:21 for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Excellent verses. Though this predates the birth of the Church (the Book of Acts) and Jesus preached primarily to either practicing Jews or lost people there is no mention of the word tithe here. Instead you will find it referencing alms (giving out of compassion), prayer, fasting and the condition of the heart (does it seek to please God or magnify self.
2Co 9:6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2Co 9:7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Amen to 2 Corinthians 9:6-7. Again there is simply no mention of tithe here as this is referring to the church.
Meeting the needs of others, giving to support ministries and etc should be done from a loving giving heart (the results of the indwelling Holy Spirit at work) and no some rule or regulation.

I am not writing this antagonize anyone nor to hurt anyone's feelings. It is my sincere desire that the brethren walk in the love and the freedom that Jesus Christ purchased at such a great cost. Givng (as the Lord leads) will not come up short when compared to Old Testament rule when God's people are walking close to His heart.
Many blessings in His wonderful Name,
your brother Larry.

 

[Coconut]

Oh yeah, that is what i said last time- LOL!

You are officially a Parrot! ~ welcome to the family

Givng (as the Lord leads) will not come up short when compared to Old Testament rule when God's people are walking close to His heart.

Aaaaaamen! ~ and Glory to God!

 

[lettheredeemed]

You have made some valid points. But we have to realize that along with these valid points the tithe is a valid vital part of scripture. Scripture also speaks that those who feed us spiritually are worthy of payment.

 

[jiggyfly]

You have made some valid points. But we have to realize that along with these valid points the tithe is a valid vital part of scripture. Scripture also speaks that those who feed us spiritually are worthy of payment.

The tithe is no longer valid, required or recognized by God, it was an old covenant practice and requirement. Even if it were still required by God I know of no one today who practices tithing according to the demands of the old covenant stated in the scriptures. Today most of the tithing taught and practiced by the religious system is merely a man's teaching and religious tradition. There are several threads here at TJ that discuss the tithe in more detail. :wink:

 

[Boanerges]

You have made some valid points. But we have to realize that along with these valid points the tithe is a valid vital part of scripture. Scripture also speaks that those who feed us spiritually are worthy of payment.

The tithe was indeed valid for Old Covenant people. Their lives were indeed an example to us but now we have a better covenant.
The New Covenant born again believers give with joyful hearts and the Spirit of God leads them to cover such needs. We cannot and will not fail when we follow what God has given specifically to us the church His bride my friend. Is it not our joy to give? Is it not our desire to help and bless others? This (like all good fruit) flows quite naturally in the life of a believer when he is led of the Spirit of God.

 

[spirit1st]

Wise people of GOD here! THANK YOU LORD for sending many spiritual teachers here! Bless then FATHER GOD with all the truth and understanding they can Gain! Fill them with your Spirit as much as they can gain! Cause them to Walk in the full Power of Your Holy Spirit! And to serve you as PERFECTLY as they can! Bless there household With LOVE and Faith And truth And protect Them and there Household. Give Them Everything they need in this life here and more to share and give to others!
Thank you Father God in the mighty name above All names JESUS CHRIST
Someone agree with me! Bless You

 

[Coconut]

amen Gary



Mar 12:41 And Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny.

And Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them,

"Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

 

[lizabe]

Dear sassyboy
Just keep obeying God as HE guides and leads.
Do not be daunted by any negative replies or quotations of scriptures etc.
Only you know what your situation is between you and God, so keep
following HIM.
Sincerely
LIZABE

 

[SasyBoy]

It seems like forever since I started this thread and thought I'd give an update.

At last it looks like I'm standing at the end of the dark tunnel that has ruled my life for the last ~10 years. I'll soon pay off most of my debt and can start saving.

I did start repaying tithes about 4 months ago partially because the thought of being out of debt scared me but also because I wanted to be obedient to my paster and support the church.

Lifes been good, I've recently spoken in tongues for the first time and I'm finding pockets of money here and there. I'm giving but only when I feel compelled.

Overall things are good and to those who are riddled with debt the only thing I can say is

'Persevere'

You'll get there... God is good... all of the time.

 

[stephen]

When it come's to the 'tithe' I cannot afford not to give it.

I believe it is biblical and I find it a joy to give to the Lord, the 'tithe' and whatever else.

"Give it to the Lord" Many make the mistake of wondering where their tithe is going. It is not my/our concern.

My concern is to honour my Saviour, to recognise I belong to God.

I could talk about 'blessings'. ...... I have had to inform my wife....years ago....and still applies,..... not to talk about the blessings. Some would immediately say. God has never blessed me like that.

It is a wonderful privelege to be able to give to God. That is the motive.........That I could give to God.