Is tithing just for the O.T. or is it for the new covenant, too?

Question

Please support your answers with scripture to qualify for "best answer" selection.

Answer 1

I can find no references or quotes that indicate that Christian ministers are less greedy or less interested in money than rabbis.

Cough up or make some excuse.

Here's an excuse for you: http://www.thepropheticyears.com/comments/Are%20Christians%20commanded%20to%20tithe.htm

but here's a rant about no reason to discontinue the requirement:
http://www.biblestudying.net/tithing4.html

Balanced view with biblical references that doesn't come down to a clear "yes" or "no":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tithe

Answer 2

The truth is, nowhere in the pages of the NT does Christ teach that a Christian should tithe. Yet Yeshua came to maintain the law (Matthew 5:11-19). This would of necessity include the tithing law of the Levites since the Temple was still standing 29 years after Christ established his Church.

One would not have to be an accountant to figure that if Our Lord's disciples were tithing to both the Levitical priesthood serving in the Temple and to Christ himself, it would have cost them a fortune! Yet Christ doesn't command tithing, nor did the apostles commend it (or even suggest it). In fact the NT ministry was supported solely by freewill offerings (Matthew 6:25-34; Lk 10:4-8; Acts 4:32-35, 20:33-35; 2 Cor 8:2-15, 9:6-12, 11:8-9; 1 Jn 3:17-18) and not by some tithing system. In the days of the early church, with the example of the monks at Qumran and the Dead Sea Essene sectarians before them, Christians pooled their goods and shared their possessions equally (Acts 4:32-37).

The apostles were legally unable to receive tithes from the people to financially support the Work of the primitive Church because the Temple was still standing and none of the apostles were of the tribe of Levi serving in the Sanctuary. That Matthew Levi was a Levite is conjecture, for many Jewish people possess such a surname. Most of Messiah's talmidim (students/disciples) were Jewish, not Levites. Yeshua himself was Jewish (Heb 7:12-14) and could not therefore have accepted tithes.

Only the Levites were authorised by God and the Mosaic legislation to take tithes from the people. Even Paul, who was certainly not a Levite, could not have demanded or received tithes from his churches. Yet he shows that a teacher or minister has a right to earn a living from the preaching and teaching of the Gospel (1 Cor 9). In fact he even states that such a teacher ought to receive "double honour" or a "double gift" (1 Tim 5:17). Really, his churches were made up predominantly of Gentiles and they were not even permitted to tithe. Personally I do tithe....

Answer 3

Is tithing for all that want to obey God? Yes.

Part of the test is; is titing (such as in Genesis 14) scriptural 'old testament'? No.
First,keep in mind testament is an older term for what today in this country we call a 'will'.
Second; the scriptural 'old testament' is the law of Moses; not Genesis-Malachi. If one applies the 2 or more witnesses' principle (Matt 18:16, 2 Cor. 13:1) (along with 2 Tim. 3:16-17) one may find this to be true. The law of Moses is referred to as the 'old testament' 2 Cor.3:13-14)(KJV) or the old covenent in many other versions.

Witnesses (copy and pasted from another document).. My 'two or more witnesses' for that assertion include Joshua (Joshua 8:31), David (2 Kings 2:3), Solomon (1 Kings 8:9), Nehemiah (Nehemiah 8:1), Daniel (Daniel 9:11-13), Malachi (Malachi 4:4)i, Jesus (Matt. 19:7-9), God the Father (Matt. 17; in effect he backs up whatever Jesus his Son says), and the apostle Paul.

Answer 4

I don't believe the NT voids the Old Testament. But I do believe that the New Testament teaches us to be givers.

Whether its 1percent or 90 percent
( like the late Mr. JC Penny), we should be givers. The way I see it is, God is not going to condemn you for not tithing the way some Christians might. On the other hand, there are special blessings that we receive because we are givers.

God even Blesses people that are not Christians because they give to other people or ministries.

I mentioned the late Mr. JC Penny earlier. God Blessed him so much that before he died, It was noted in a newspaper article that he tithed 90 percent and lived off of 10. How awesome is that? Hope I helped in some way.

Answer 5

Christians who want to please the Lord often have questions about tithing. The dictionary defines the word "tithe" as "a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment." It was a common practice in the Old Testament and required of members of the nation of Israel.

Many Christians believe that this principle of giving one-tenth should be carried over to the New Testament in giving to the church and other Christian organizations. I have found in our own home, as have thousands of others, that God's blessing upon the nine-tenths, when I tithe, helps it to go farther than ten-tenths without His blessing." However, even then the question as to whether to tithe from one's net or gross income is not answered in Scripture, nor is the question of whether to give it all to the local church or to include other ministries. I feel that such decisions should be based on personal conviction.

Other Christians who tithe do so simply because they respect the Old Testament principle and find it a helpful place to begin in their giving. They do not believe, however, that tithing is a New Testament obligation. It is not mentioned in the New Testament except where it is describing Old Testament practices, or in the Gospels where Jesus is addressing people who were under the Old Testament law. Note Jesus' comments to the Pharisees in Luke 11:42.

A New Testament teaching on giving which may be helpful to you is found in 1 Corinthians 16:2: "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income." This passage brings out four points: we should give individually, regularly, methodically, and proportionately. The matter of your giving is between you and God, and He always takes into account our circumstances. He knows when they are beyond our power to direct and control. The important thing is that we see giving as a privilege and not a burden. It should not be out of a sense of duty, but rather out of love for the Lord and a desire to see His kingdom advanced. Second Corinthians 9:6-7 says: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

The deeper question, you see, is this: What has priority in our lives? Is Christ really first—or do we put ourselves and our own desires first? Make sure Christ is first in your life, and then ask Him to guide you.

Answer 6

I believe it is. I know its a principal that still works.

I know theres been times where i didnt think tithing was part of the new convenant, but then i tried it and found that you actually do prosper and have more voice in spiritual issues when you do.

But everything is by faith. The 3rd chapter of malachi gives a great passage about tithing. I know its old testiment, but the principal still functions the same today. I know there are some in the new testiment, i just cant think of any right off.

Answer 7

You already know that The Bible contains support for tithing... Tithing is needed to support all of the functions of the individualy congrigations. Also for support of mission work...to provide for charitable causes...and to keep the heat and lights and water on for the meeting buildings... It is not intended to by the pastor a stretch limo... but if the congrigation is large enough to require a paid pastor then that is covered by the tithing also...

For those of The Christian Faith we are to be good stewards of that which God provides...this includes honestly and properly manageing the money needed to maintain the physical church.

Answer 8

This is a sticky issue with many. We are called to give to those in need within the Church (I Cor.16:1 & 2; Romans 15:25 & 26) and to have the proper attitude when giving (II Cor.9:7). Tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament concerning the Church, but is never revoked either. I believe we are called to give to help with the expenses involved with our local assembly and to give when a need arises within the body.

Answer 9

Tithing should be something you want to do, regardless of a verse tellin you to do so, or not. If you want to support the church you frequent, or are a member of, then please tithe. It doesnt have to be 10%, it can be whatever you can part with. You can give it directly to a missionary friend, or another group, as long as it is spreading the Good News! Being a part of building God's church should be a joy

Answer 10

Luke 18: 12
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.


Alma 13: 15
15 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid atithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.