What exactly is tithing?

Question

Is tithing ONLY to church? Can it be tithing if money is donated to a charity? Such as Pro-Life organizations or childrens homes or a shelter?

but is it ONLY to the church?

Answer 1

Many Christians tithe because they've been coerced by the clergy (through greed or ignorance) into thinking they must; some are even told that God will not bless them financially unless they do. Nothing could be further from the truth.

For folks not aquainted with the concept, "tithe" means "a tenth part of." Abraham was the first documented "tither," as referenced in Genesis 14:20; however, the Bible doesn't state he ever tithed again. The Mosaic Law required Jews to give a tenth part of their increase to God's Temple. Why? So the people would become used to giving to God, instead of only taking. It served to shift their focus away from accumulating wealth only for themselves. The peoples' tithes were given to the Levites as part of their "inheritance," since the Levites didn't inherit any of the land. In turn, the Levites had to tithe a tenth part of their personal incomes. The remainder was used to maintain the Temple, purchase Temple supplies and offerings, feed the poor, and even fix roads and walls. The tithe was to be kept in the Temple's storehouse.

With the New Covenant under Jesus, Messianic Jews and Christians are not bound by the strict tithe concept. First, it would be impossible to tithe properly nowadays, because the Temple no longer exists (instead, believers are Temples for His Holy Spirit). A local church is never equated with the Temple in the NT. Second, today's clergy are NOT the same as the Levites; the Levitical system was done away with when Jesus fulfilled the Law and made us all priests.

Instead of tithing, Christians and Messianic Jews are expected to use their money, time and other resources to further God's purpose. We are expected to give to charities, support our local church, support our pastor, etc. as a replacement for the strict tenth tithe. If a believer gives ten percent, that's admirable, but it's not required. Each is required to give as he or she may prosper. If a believer is unable to give any money, but instead gives of his or her time, God recognizes that. Jesus said, "whatever you do for the least of these, you do for me." That hits the heart of the NT concept of giving to God. It's not all about money -- it's about love for Him.

Answer 2

Tithing means many things, tithing of time and service, most churches teach that it is manditory and it is ten percent of your gross income, however they use old testament scriptures to back this up, in the old testament they were actually giving more than the 10% more like 33 to 35 percent, they gave money, the best of their livesock for sacrifices, they had to leave a portion of their fields for the poor and the widown to glean, support the churches and the widows, our churches today use the tithe money to run the church and pay heating to support missionaries and to help feed the poor and to pay the pastors, and to help those in need. If it is a good church, there are alot of churches that do not use their tithes wisely. The new testament says to give with a cheerful heart. Sometimes you can give more than others, but when you give to the point that it might hurt a little God will belss you and see you thru. God knows you have bills to pay and responsibilities to meet, it does teach however that we are to owe no man nothing and that the borrower becomes a slave to the lender. John Mac Arthur offers an excellent set of tapes on tithing you can order them from 1-800-55Grace if you order them request a catalog as he has some really good ones that answer alot of questions on different topics.

Answer 3

Tithing is your honor to God for the things that God has given you. Most people consider that a 10% tithe of your income is proper, and they base that on Abraham paying a 10% tithe to Melchizedek, the High Priest of the Most High God (Jesus).

When I tithe, I take 10% out of each check first, before any bills are paid, no matter how big my check is, or how small. I usually pay tithing to my church, but I have occassionaly paid tithing to organizations such as Pro-Life organizations, homeless shelters, food kitchens, or to a friend who is in dire need -- not a loan, but a gift.

Check out this link. On the top left of this site there is a drop down menu called "our church," and at the bottom of that menu is a link called "Library." There are many good articles in there concerning tithing, stewardship, etc. It really did teach me a lot.

Good luck!

http://www.wlalwcc.org/office.html

Answer 4

Tithing is give 10% back. Personally I think it should go to your home church or current pastor. But if thats not an option then giving in some way is better than nothing I suppose.

Answer 5

Tithing is God's version of protection money, just like the Mafia and neighborhood gangs do in inner cities. You either pay up to them or something bad will happen to you, like your windows broken or your house or business broken into. In God's case it is the devil that does his bidding for evil.

The best thing that you can do is to think for yourself. If you are the charitible sort, and I hope you are, find charities or better yet individuals, that you believe in and donate directly to them.

You maybe see a penny on the dollar of your "tithing" go to charitable issues. The rest goes to pay the salaries of the clergy and the utilities and maintenance on the building, or a mortgage, etc., etc.

Answer 6

Tithing in the old testament was God's way of taking care of the poor. They were requires to leave 10% of their crops for poor people to harvest. Note they were not require to harvest it and make the bread and then give it to the poor. Poor people still had to work for it.
In the new testament we are required to give with a joy full heart and no amount is given. Most people think 10% is the amount to give due to the old testament teaching. I know many people who give far more then 10%.
You can give where ever you feel God leading you to give, but tithing is generally used to describe giving to God

Answer 7

Tithing is organized religion's way of brainwashing u into voluntarily giving 10% of all your income to a church LOL and it works.

Answer 8

Well seeing as Tithing is a biblical term, then maybe we should follow the instructions in the bible. The bible says to give 10% to support the leaders and pastors.

Answer 9

"Tithing" is a term mostly used in regards to giving part of your income to the continuation of a church. It is giving a percentage of your income to God.

Answer 10

Tithing is giving decrease back to God what He owns from the income He substances. contained in the former testomony it quantities to 23.3 % of each and every of the income that you obtain from the potential that God gave you: 10% to the clergymen, 10% for the upkeep of the Temple, and 10% each and every 3 years for the undesirable.