This list of ignorant statements about tithing are listed here because they are the cream of the crop when it comes to oblivious arguments. Every time i hear these statements i either roll my eyes to the back of my brain or i shake my head in disbelief about how shallow their brain must be. I know my mood seems uncaring and sarcastic, well, that’s probably because it is. Sorry, it’s been a rough couple weeks. So, onward we go into the barren, thoughtless, and ignorant statements about tithing.
- You don’t pray about tithing, you do it
Who can recall the countless times i’ve come across this statement. This argument pretty much stems off the mentality, “God said it, and that settles it”. I could understand if we skipped the whole prayer thing if we were talking about murder, adultery, or stealing; but curiosity should arise when we realize that God is present, but i don’t need to pray because all i need to know is in this little black book. After all, it says “Holy” on the front, so it must answer all my questions.Who needs a God that is able to communicate? There are many other religions out there that pray to idols who can’t speak to them. For some reason, i don’t think God is made of wood or stone.
- Tithing acknowledges that God owns it All
STOP! Think about that: Does giving 10% mean you are giving 100%? Notice how they always say that tithing “acknowledges”. They know it doesn’t bring fulfillment, or completion to stewardship. It’s because they know if we aren’t committed 100% to God, then 10% means nothing. It is very possible that many people have tithed without acknowledging that the other 90% belongs to Him as well.We’re in a bit of a quandary here. Is it tithing that acknowledges God owns it all, or it is a circumcised and sacrificial heart that acknowledges God owns it all. Which is it?
- Freewill givers do not give as much as tithers
I am sure that is probably true, but truth is not based on success or results. Let’s take Islam for example. Right now, it is the fastest growing religion in the world, so does that make Islam right and Christianity wrong? I’m even sure many more Muslims are ready to die for their faith than Christians are.(shout out to Achmed the dead terrorist!)One of the reasons tithers follow through with their commitment to give more is because they place themselves under a storm cloud that will strike them with a curse if they disobey. Even though God directly says, “you are no longer under a curse”, tithers still think that God didn’t mean he removed the curse about tithing also.
- All scripture is profitable
If i could define ignorance in one of these arguments listed here, well this is it. This is one of those responses i get when people think i’m just trying to throw out the whole Bible whenever i say that the tithe is no longer valid. Forget the fact that they don’t believe in the Sabbath on Saturday, animal sacrifices, or even clean meats for the same reasons i don’t believe in tithing.This is how it usually goes: I basically tell them that the tithe is no longer commanded, and they basically say, “How dare you throw out God’s Word”. Then comes either one of the two statements: ‘all scripture is profitable’ or ‘i did not come to abolish, but to fulfill’. Why should i even bother asking them why they don’t fulfill the sabbath?. . . sigh. . .
- God never Changes
This kind of goes along with #4 . . . as in why should i even bother asking them why God changed the sabbath, or the priesthood, or the temple. Debating with people over these tithing arguments is like arguing over an algebra equation with a 5 year old when they don’t even understand multiplication. If tithers just stop and think about what they are saying, then they would soon realize that if God never changes in the way that they are implying, then we would still stone our children.This is what i mean when i said ‘thoughtless’ at the beginning of the blog. These tithing arguments are just that – thoughtless.
- Where does the Bible say to stop tithing
It doesn’t say, “stop tithing“. I believe there are over 600 some-odd old testament laws that we do not practice anymore. I would imagine if God took the time to rewrite a verse in the new testament commanding us to stop each law in the Old Testament, then our bible would be a few hundred pages longer.We are born again, adopted in God’s family, indwelled with God’s Spirit, and given a new covenant. On top of all this, the earthly priesthood was eliminated, the temple destroyed, and Judaism is not my religion, nor am i an Israelite; and yet, we find it hard to believe that tithing could have been replaced by Spirit led giving?After all the changes, i think we need to find where the bible says to continue tithing. Don’t you?
- Tithing is the starting point
This philosophy is not even in the bible. First of all, first fruit offerings were given prior to the tithe, so tithes were not even given first. Second, tithes were only given from food and animals, and were not given from occupational income. So, there was no starting point for blacksmiths, lawyers, doctors, or carpenters.Here’s a little saying, that i’ve thought of all by myself (as you can see i’m boasting)
Where should our giving begin?
Where should our giving end?
WHICH ONE SHOULD WE TEACH? - Would you like God’s net or gross blessing?
No, this is not necessarily an arguement used to defend tithing, but more or less used to persuade those who are tithing, to tithe more. First, this argument exposes the root of why tithing has such a hold on many lives. It is the promise of blessing and the fear of the curse. Who cares about gross or net blessing from God, you should want to do what’s right. Right is either right, and wrong is wrong. There is no gross right, or net wrong.The problem is that those, who are concerned if they should tithe on the gross, ask others who couldn’t give you a biblical answer. So the best thing to do is conjure up a catch phrase that seems to have wisdom embedded in it.
- How Much do you give?
Ah yes, this question is their famous “gotcha” argument. They know that biblical reasoning will not win their argument so they resort to personal attacks because your character is all they have left to attack. I have to admit, this is a tricky one to respond to. First, they have no business investigating what you give. Second, if you happen to give less than a tithe of your income, they let you know, your works do not shine as bright as theirs. Last of all, if you do give above 10%, they will convince you that tithing is the minimum and your conscience knows it.This question is in the ignorant list because either they want to corner you; no, not on biblical truth, but on your performance; and also it is ignorant because anyone should know better than to determine scriptural truth based on the performance of mankind.
- We can’t rely on people to be Spirit-led
This is an ignorant statement that tithers unfortunately believe, and yet ironically in the same sentence they believe the book of Acts is historically accurate. I don’t know, maybe they do believe the book of Acts was a fairy tale. What they are saying is that ‘i don’t trust that people can be Spirit led, but of course, the Christians in the book of Acts are the exception‘.With their ignorant statements, they don’t even realize that they deny the power that God has on his children. They deny the blood of Christ, and they deny that any Christian can be sacrificial and liberal with their giving while being filled and led by the Spirit of God. What a shame, and what ignorance.
- How will the church stay open if we don’t tithe
There are thousands of non-profit organizations that keep their doors open all year without demanding, or imposing a tithe of their freewill donors. What makes us think that an operation that is commissioned and overseen by God’s almighty hand would fare less than any of these non-profit organizations? Are you kidding me? is your faith that little?It might just be that you have seen your astronomical church budget, and it is in the millions! Yeah, you’re right, if there’s anything that God could struggle with is to continue paying for your worthless, under-performing, humanistic kingdom that does very little in out-reach but a lot of in-reach. In that case, you are right, we probably would see some church doors close. That’s the price you pay when God is in charge of financing his kingdom.
Now i’m looking for your input. But please, if you have anything to say, ignorance is not welcome.
Related Posts
- 5 Roadblocks to the Tithing Truth
- A Spirit-led Response to Tithing
- Stop Tithing for Lent
- Definition of Tithing Principle
Tags: charity, christians, church, debate, giving, offerings, tithe, tithing
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Hector merry Christmas! I was once where you were. Back then I was often telling others to give 10% to their Christian leader’s ministries. Now I believe that I am a priest and all Christians are priest in Jesus. Believing in 10% money income tithes brings with it a responsibility to teach others 10% money income tithes. A believer in Christ who believes this will begin to feel that there are those who receive the money tithes the leaders and those who give the money tithes the non leaders. This is a huge inequality and it leads to less love in my opinion. A Christian leader becomes a kind tax collector. The opposite should be true. The Christian leaders should be giving and sacrificing the most time talent and treasure like Jesus. The Church is not a place you are the Church along with every believer priest.
Please discover a present from Jesus, your real responsibilities with money time and your talents. You are a priest in Jesus so discover your ministries in Jesus and use your money to help the poor and the lost. That may involve paying off debts or going to College or giving to the poor right away. Give what Jesus wants you to give and please tell others of this new freedom. At first disbelieving in the Christian money tithe system brings relief. But then one becomes shocked that so many Christian leaders have obligated other Christians to provide for their ministries. In a gentle way you should tell others to be free.
Also one begins to discover that Jesus wants you to be responsible with all of your money and ministries. What is so sad is that the money tithe to the local group of fellowshipping believer’s doctrine destroys the concept of Christian priesthood. It also affects the ministries that all Christians have been given which are different for each Christian. Jesus wants so many to give to the poor before giving to their local fellowship. Jesus wants many people to give to missionaries or to get Christian counseling when their marriages are in trouble before giving to their local fellowships.
Christians who believe in Church tithing have lesser views of Christian giving when it is not going to a Church. Giving to the poor with a money tithe belief system is secondary and a little less holy. If a Christian was given a choice in many of our American fellowships called churches, they would give to their local fellowship first and then send their kids to Christian school or give to their own families that might be in financial trouble. In reality Jesus gives us all of our money to give wherever the spirit leads. Jesus many tell you to do things with your money that others do not understand. Go give to the poor, send your kids to Christian school or give to missionaries or buy presents for you family in the name of Jesus. But spend all of your money in the name of Jesus.
Christ in us Merry Christmas Hector
I recently resigned from tithing after 30 years. It has been a tough journey for me. I had been giving grudgling for my entire christain life until I discovered the truch about tithing. I wrote a resigination letter in hopes that others would be able to use my letter to help them resign also. See the link.
http://blackchristiannews.com/bloggers/2009/12/how-to-resign-by-dr-frank-chase-jr.html
Dr. Chase has a change in your tithe beliefs affected your attitudes towards Jesus and your beliefs on how believers in Jesus should look at Christian leadership? I believe that the best Christian priest leaders are those who suffer the most for Jesus. The least entitled priest are the true leaders. All Christians are priest but very few priest are real pastors. Our pay and entitlements weaken most folks called Christian leaders in America. The missionaries and persecuted Christians are the ones who we should all look up to they are the most like Jesus. I want to get rid of my entitlements so it is hard to look up to people who so strongly believe in their entitlements. We are all priest in Jesus but our current system slows our ministries down. I am not against Christians getting paid but I am against spiritual money entitlements for Christians. That is what money tithe system becomes and entitlement system. Is it what Jesus wants?
Have you begun to understand how the money tithe system promotes super entitled leaders amongst followers of Jesus and how money tithe system believers have reflexive reactions like Union system members to the Idea that tithes are unnecessary and counter productive. Most government Union members think that they are underpaid and over worked. They think the idea of breaking up government unions is stealing. High paid professionals are best in their opinions. Many professional Christian leaders feel and act the same. However their jobs have excellent benefits. If their pay was cut in half hundreds of thousands of people would line up to replace their jobs.
The best persecuted Missionaries are the opposite. Buildings and Bible colledge degrees do not make priest of Jesus Pastors. Jesus makes pastors through loss and suffering like what many missionaries face. Few people would want their jobs if you doubled the pay. There is less worldly glory and benefits. They cannot be easily replaced. The opposite of Kings and politicians is what I think the Bible teaches as Jesus leadership. Who disagrees that the best are those who suffer the most? I am not a self sacrificing person who is unafraid yet but I want to let go of my selfishness. I respect the true Christian leaders and they are my pastors. Most people called pastors in the U.S. only have titles mainly man made in my opinion. I don’t know if Jesus considers them pastors they may be nice people but they are entitled in my opinion. It is very hard for me to listen to anyone who claims that I must give 10% to their ministry to help my priestly ministry.The greatest Sheppard’s for Jesus teach the sheep young believers to loose the most entitlements by example and words. Go be a priest in Jesus and teach others to do the same friend.
Christ in Us.
This article is the ABSOLUTE BOMB. It just busses out the FALSE TEACHINGS that have infiltrated the body of CHRIST.
Crystal Yes Yes Yes praise Jesus! All of us generate false teaching and actions and traditions your post have been insightful. Crystal thank you for expressing your praise to Jesus in your post. The goal is to see more of Jesus living in us. I have the same reaction all the time after discovering things daily about my self and my holy traditons are mearly traditions of men. Church Tithing is one tradition which often leads away from understanding the full grace, in the person of Jesus. Yes, Christ in Us is the goal thank you.