Where does the tithe argument first come into play?
Some feel that, according to God’s direction, 10% should be portioned off to the local church
First, In the early NT all was taken from everyone and all was distributed to everyone. In other words, there is no mention of a ten percent portion going anywhere. Second, The local church is not the representation of the OT storehouse. OT pictures were earthly parables with everlasting meanings. for instance, the OT storehouse is the picture of our eternal storehouse, “lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moth or rust comes or thieves can steal”. So why must we designate a tithe and offering to the local church? Yes we are to be stewards of 100% of it. So in teaching stewardship, why is 10% commanded to store in a false storehouse? You can put 10% into your local church if that’s where and what the Spirit is telling you to give. But I can guarantee America’s fat church complexes aren’t in that big of a need. I give what i feel is right to my local church, but i do not encourage thoughtless spending with something that wasn’t needed. To think about this logically, demanding a guaranteed church income is not the best way to have accountability in spending it. Just look at the government.
Related posts:
The Church Storehouse
We’ll Leave That up to Tithing
Baptist Press News Article - Generous Stewardship
Tithe Definition
I just want to say that I have been free from this law of tithing. I did not pay my tithe to receive my salvation. It was really a free gift from God alone. By his grace I am saved. I claimed that freedom everyday. I don’t have to continue to live under an old covenant but under the new covenant of Jesus my Lord.
Does anyone feel sometimes that if you don’t put your tithe in you feel guilty? and you feel condemned for not doing so? I use to feel that way. There was this particular time when the Lord brought me to Hebrews chapter 7 and I read it over and over again. I just knew that I don’t have to tithe. I only give from what my heart tells me to. I give generously and freely, that’s where I found my freedom. And God bless me everyday.
When I use to tithe, I never was free. I use to worry about how much I should put in. I learn teachings about taking your tithes out of your gross income first before tax and so forth.
Now, I follow the New Testament teaching; help the poor, the fatherless, the needy, the homeless etc those who are in need whether Christians or non-Christians as the scripture says “Love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Just to make sure; I still give my offerings to my church or any ministeries that I want to help. This is still my free will to so.
Rejoice in Your Freedom.
Comment by Nash — July 1, 2008 @ 9:35 pm