Tithing Archives - A Proud Christian

Tithing in The New Testament

blogger — Sun, 14 Nov 2021 09:18:00 +0000

The practice of tithing in the New Testament is often discussed but rarely understood. Since many Christians don’t know how to tithe, they avoid the topic altogether. This is very unfortunate because giving tithe is one-way God has ordained for our prosperity.

When you understand what it means to give to God, you’ll be more inclined to participate. The reason why many find it difficult to give is that they lack a biblical understanding of giving. Some Christians don’t believe in giving of tithe though they have read many Bible verses about it. Some see it as part of Old Testament teaching which was not established in the New Testament. They believe we don’t need to continue in it. Today, one controversial topic modern Christians have to battle with is tithing in the new testament. Verses in the New Testament where tithing is mentioned are few when compared to the Old Testament. There God gave specific instructions to the children of Israel about it. As Christians, we are called to give our time, talent, money, or whatever we have to God. We can do this when there are needs to be met in any God-kingdom project. We received everything we have from God; hence He can ask us to loan Him anything we have. Tithing is one of the most talked-about ways of giving in the Bible. It goes as far back as the Old Testament. The first person to pay tithe in the Bible is the father of faith – Abraham in Genesis 14:20.

What God Says About Tithing

In the book of Joshua, God instructed the leaders of Israel not to share give land to the tribe of Levi. God chose them to minister in the temple, Joshua 14:1–5. Part of their duties is to collect the tithes of the remaining tribes as their inheritance. That was the beginning of tithe payment in the land of Israel. In Malachi 3:8, God called non-payment of tithe robbery. He said anyone who is not paying is robbing God and not man. He challenged us to pay all tithes and offerings promptly and see how He will release unusual blessings from heaven. “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need,” Malachi 3:10. The idea behind it is that we should give ten percent of what we have. This should not be a difficult thing to do, since we receive so much from God, but this is another area where some people argue about tithing. They said God was not specific about the amount or percentage of what to give, especially when it comes to tithing in the New Testament. John Macarthur, a foremost American Christian leader said that the Israelites gave between 20 to 40 percent tithe as against 10 percent that many of us believe that God is asking us to give. He argued that what they gave in the Old Testament was income tax. It was needed to run the theocratic administrative system that Israel was having then.

Tithes and Offering Scriptures in The New Testament

Tithes and offering scriptures in the New Testament are scanty when compared with the Old Testament. The truth of the matter is that there was no place in the New Testament where tithing was abolished or condemned, neither the payment nor the amount to be paid which is one-tenth of our income. Jesus said he had not come to abolish the law but to establish it. He condemned the religious Jews who love to obey giving tithe, but disobey God in other aspects of the law. He called that hypocrisy and said rather they should give the tithe, and also do other things that the law says. Many don’t tithe because they feel that their income will be reduced if they do. However, tithing does not reduce your income but increases your assets. Every time you sow into something, you receive a blessing in return. The more you give the more the Lord will bless you. Tithing is a misunderstood and often disliked financial practice. It can be hard to make sense of at first, especially for those who are struggling financially. However, as Christians, we understand that tithing was given to us as a commandment from God. The bible gives many reasons why we should tithe. The most relevant is that it is an act of worship and thanksgiving to God for what he has done, and what He is doing in our lives and the world around us. If you are wondering how to tithe effectively today, remember that God is always faithful. You can never do enough for Him or give too much to His work. 1 Chronicle 29:14 tells us that if we present our tithes and offerings joyfully, the Lord will direct our paths and bless all we do. We are living in a time where technology allows us to tithe online, this is a means that we can employ to give tithe faithfully. Many people have testified that they find it easy to transfer money electronically rather than when giving checks or cash for any transaction. This can be a solution for those people who find it difficult to tithe. Even if you are not earning much, God wants you to give from the little that you are getting now, so that He can multiply it. The truth is that if you find it difficult to give tithe when you are earning little, you will find it difficult to do when your income increases. The word of God is still true as it has always been. No one should be surprised that some people are opposing tithing today. They have equally opposed many Bible doctrines to their destruction. The Bible has warned that in the last day’s many people will not be able to stand sound doctrine. It is already happening now. Instead of the following man, do what God says and reap the benefits of obedience.

Should We Give Tithe to The Poor?

Anyone who needs something but has no capacity to get it can be considered to be poor. God told the children of Israel that the poor shall not cease in the land, hence they have to make adequate provisions for them. Some people believe that giving to the poor is important. They give money, food, clothes, and other goods to people who are in need. This is what the Bible asks us to do. The question is, can we give our tithe to the poor people around us? The answer is yes. Primarily, we need to give a tithe to the priests and the Levites, but there is a category of tithe reserved for the poor. According to Deut. 14:28,29, God instructed the children of Israel that every three years they should bring a separate tithe for the fatherless, widows, and the strangers in their midst. They are to do this in addition to what they are giving to the priests. The third-year was called the year of tithing which prophet Amos also mentioned in Amos 4:4. While giving is important, the right kind of giving is even more important. We must not mix the tithe meant for the priests with that meant for the poor. As one is important so is the other. The Bible says to obey is better than sacrifice and to hearken than the fat of ram. You may not be able to practice giving a tithe to the poor according to the year of tithing since you are not under a theocratic government, also most churches are not following it. On your own, you may set aside the tithe for the poor different from the normal tithe that you give to the priest – your pastor. Look for the poor around you and give to them, and the good Lord will bless you for it. Also Read

Can I give my tithe to the poor?

blogger — Sun, 24 May 2020 05:48:00 +0000

No, you cannot. Tithing is an act of giving one-tenth of our produce, profit, or wage to the House of God (Church).

According to Malachi 3:10a – Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.NIV. The purpose is for the sustenance of the “ministers” (pastors, church workers, and members) and the maintenance of the temple (variable costs).

The New Testament did not condemn tithing but rather encouraged us to give more (2 Corinthians 9:7).

The New Testament deals with and emphasizes the benefits of giving. New Testament asks us to be cheerful givers rather than the concept of tithing. It emphasis one to give, there are no stipulations as like 10%.

We are to give as we are able. This could be more than ten percent whereas sometimes it could be less than that. This all relies on the ability of the believer and the needs of the body of Christ.

There is no doubt that helping poor people is an act of God’s men. Tithing belongs to the Church and at the same time, we should not forget the poor. We need to support the poor and help them in every circumstance to pull them up by offering our help.

So giving an offering to the needy around you is good but at the same time tithe should be done.

This will help in the effective running of the church (tithe). Meanwhile, the Church does humanitarian services too.

You will be blessed by doing it, only if you do it with the right heart.

However, helping the poor should not stop you from giving your tithe to the church because this will aid the churches to operate effectively as churches have many humanitarian services too.

One has to pray and ask the wisdom of God in this about how to give as per James 1:5. Tithing is not a bribe to God; you are honoring God and giving back from what He has given you. It comes out of thankfulness.

Remember, the tithes we are giving need to be given with more motivation and it should be an act of worshiping God. It is all about giving God from what He has given to us.

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Paul gives a clear understanding of giving in his letter in1 Corinthians 16:1-12, each believer needs to set aside something to support the church. However, giving has to be done willingly and based on the giver’s decision in regard to the amount.

Mark 12:41-44. Even though the poor widow gave a fraction of a penny, this looked great before the eyes of the Lord because she gave out of her poverty. That shows the heart of her women.

Jesus wants cheerful givers and not those who give on compulsion. Give your best to God in everything He will take care of everything.

According to Matthew 25.33-46:

· We are commanded to give to the people who is around us who are needy?

· If they are hungry feed them with good food.

· If they don’t possess clothes, give them clothes to wear.

· If they need to have ministered, give them love.

Scripture says, if you do this least to any one of them, we do it to God. One can’t boycott the needy around us and give our tithes to churches. Both have to be seen as two eyes. The responsibility of a believer in Christ never finishes when the tithe is given, one has to be concerned over others. Jesus was compassionate over the poor, needy, widows, and destitute. If God has blessed you, we need to be a blessing to others.

If you follow the teachings of the New Testament, then you will be open and submissive to give away everything if asked it. What you have received so far belongs to God, and we are giving back from what he has blessed us. Your life, your family, your stuff all belong to God because He bought you lock, stock, and barrel.

Tithing in The New Testament