Why didn't Paul teach tithing to the New Testament church when he had the opportunity to (2 Corinthians 9)?
2007-01-24 05:25:21 · 17 answers · asked by Catherine 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have been taught that we should tithe. I grew up as Southern Baptist. But, I was not taught that you could only tithe with money. There are some people who just really cannot afford to give 10% of their income every month, there are also wives who attend church alone, and their husbands will not allow them to give money. I was taught that there are many ways to tithe. You can give of yourself. You can work within the church. You can tithe with your time, with your expertise. For example, you can help older members of the church who need house repair. Or if you are a lawyer, you can help members of your congregation with advice,etc. Or you can just volunteer to work in the church library, or in the nursery. There are so many things that you can do, to contribute to your church, besides money. And if you are doing these things with the right heart and not just doing them because you feel like you have an obligation, it will make you feel so good, and it pleases God.
2007-01-24 05:41:26 · answer #1 · answered by Kat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can't give willingly then you may as well not give at all. The reason you need to tithe is so the church can continue to stay open for you to come in and worship. Do you like to sit in the dark? The church can't pay the light bill without money. Do you ever go to the restroom there? Water bill. Churches have bills too. Also a lot of churches try to help missionaries in other places...which is called spreading the word. Some churches like to do special things for the members this also requires money. When you are tithing you are helping the church continue to stay open so they can spread the word of God.
2007-01-24 05:46:58 · answer #2 · answered by precious1too 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I like your question. I hadn't ever thought about it since our church teaches that tithing is not of any particular benefit to the Lord, only as He is pleased in the faithfulness of his children and desires to see them walk in the path which leads to salvation and eternal life. Which means it is all for our individual benefit and the benefit of our children. I hope that makes sense. Now for reference to tithing in the N.T. (see Matt 23:23 and Luke 18:12). Believe what you will. Pray on it. Sometimes it is hard to imagine what the writers were thinking in their time. It is a fact that the Apostles gave everything they had...even their lives. It also seems that we Americans are straying from the guidelines given to us by so many that make up the Old and New testaments.
2007-01-24 06:03:30 · answer #3 · answered by robert c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have read 2 Cor 9 then you know what the NT teaching is on the subject of giving. However tithing is a very practical answer to people who say "How much should I give?" Well, 10% is a reasonable amount for anyone to give to the Lord, and still have enough to meet their living needs. It is not compulsory as 2 Cor 9 teaches, but is a very practical anwer.
2007-01-24 05:32:49 · answer #4 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally don't believe we are under the law as far as tithing goes. We get to give to the Lord's work, we don't have to. God loves a cheerful giver. If I can't give ten percent cheerfully, I think it's a waste. You don't do it to give points. A tenth is now a good guideline - like 20 percent is a good guideline for tipping. Then after giving what you give as a "tithe" of your income, you can always give "offerings" all week long because you love to give because you love Him. It all belongs to Him. Spend some, save some give some. Many people live like this and not just Christians. It's freeing and God looks at the heart. Remember the widows mite?
2016-05-24 04:39:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
tithes is only mentioned in the old testament. Its a law, of 10% of your earnings. Regardless of what U may think, Paul Kept the laws of god. So just remember to pay your tithes.
2007-01-24 05:34:42 · answer #6 · answered by poetified2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Giving 10% of the first fruit, or tithing was the ONLY thing that God has ever asked us to test him in. Malachi 2:10
Jesus encouraged us to give to charity, to help people, to keep his commandments. Obviously the Christian movement is dependent on people giving money, based in some ways on the same structure of the Jewish priests in the old testament.
I would encourage you to tithe, it is a spiritual excercise. Test God in this, see for yourself.
2007-01-24 05:53:05 · answer #7 · answered by TK421 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paul speaks several times in his writing of giving...... it is no different today than it was then... it takes money to keep most ministeries going.... and it takes money to keep even a modest gathering place maintained and the lights lit.... and it takes money to keep missionaries in the field.... to feed the poor... to provide emergancy assistance... to pay a full time pastor who usualy works long hours and is available 24/7/365... to keep any number of ministeries, youth, music, elderly, shutin, etc etc... tithing is a necessity.... it must be freely given not compeled... but cash is always needed.... and lots of voluteer help as well.
2007-01-24 05:37:03 · answer #8 · answered by idahomike2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paul was careful to not give jewish law to gentiles at the outset. Don't you think that was wise of him? The New Testament does require a cheerful giver,so be happy about your giving. It is now time to be grateful to the God of Israel and pray for peace to reign in that land as a personal payback, eh !!!
2007-01-24 05:35:24 · answer #9 · answered by rapturefuture 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus taught in the bible about tithing. Look at Matthew 23:23 in the KJV.
2007-01-24 05:53:49 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋