Does a Christian have to tithe?

Question

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.

What do you think?

Answer 1

I don't know about any specific amounts, but the Lord loves a cheerful giver. People can not only of their money, but also their time and their service.

Answer 2

Tithing is an issue that many Christians struggle with. In many churches tithing is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the Biblical exhortation in regards to making offerings to the Lord. Tithing / giving is intended to be a joy, a blessing. Sadly, that is rarely the case in the church today.

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were give 10% of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle / Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites of the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

The New Testament nowhere assigns a certain percentage of income to set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with his income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). The Christian church has essentially taken the 10% figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. Although the New Testament does not identify a specific amount or percentage to give, it does talk about the importance and benefits of giving. They should give as they are able, “in keeping with his income.” Sometimes that means giving more than a tithe, sometime that may mean giving less than a tithe. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Each and every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom as to whether to participate in tithing and/or for how much he or she should give (James 1:5). “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).

Answer 3

In tithing we make God Lord over our money. If a person is unwilling to tith a tenth os his money to the Lord. That person will find life can be very hard with satan Lord over his money. The reason for God asking us to give him 10 percent goes back to Lordship. If you are not faithful over little God can't give you much. He is a rewarder of the faithful, not of the unfaithful. God is not blind he watches is all, And he also test his people. But if you are so messed up that you think that tiths are not required you might want to study about Aberham and the first tiths. God always required the first fruit of all thing. This includes money, animals increase, crops, and children.

Answer 4

It is recommended to tithe, however, Christians have been freed from feeling bound to traditions. Do what is comfortable, tithing doesn't only mean money. You can tithe your time. Give some of your free time away to helping the needy, and, it doesn't have to be directed towards your church, not even to Christians. God doesn't care whether that child in your arm is Christian, Muslim or Hindu. He just sees a child

Answer 5

This is for all time. This is how we keep the bills paid, to start different ministries, to bail people out of tough spots. This goes to overseas missionaries for the food and supplies that they need. God loves a cheerful giver. For a long time I had doubts about tithing. Then i found out that when I tithe on a weekly basis, my bills get paid, and i even have some left over for myself. I guess that when they say that you can never outgive God, they know what they are talking about!! The Bible says try Him and find out, His blessings will be pressed down, shaken up, and poured out!!

Answer 6

We are supposed to tithe so if you earned a £100 then you would give £10. But when I talked about it with my church leaders they have said that to give slightly lower each week & then when there appeals for overseas work and other thing you can give more and then over the year it should balance out as a tithe. + now with charity aid most churches can reclaim I think it 28p out of every £1 you donate if you fill out the right forms! so in a way I do tithe.

Answer 7

I tithe. I am blessed. Even with the question on other commands and laws, doesn't it make sense to follow them? Such as don't eat things that are bottom dwellers of the seas?
Jesus didn't replace the law, but fulfilled it.

One thing that titheing promises is that the devourer will be rebuked for us. We will live more abundantly.

Answer 8

The Nation of Israel was required to give at least twenty three and one third percent of all they had.

Deut 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.

Deut 14:28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:

Lev 27: 30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD.

Num 18: 21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Mal 3:8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. 9:Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.10:Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

When the Lord was upon the earth the requirement for getting into the kingdom on the earth was one hundred percent.

Matt 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Acts 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, 2:And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

In the Grace age we are to give as we purposed in our heart:

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

II Cor 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

I Tim 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

II Thes 3:10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.

Answer 9

I think tithing is very important..... I have seen the difference in my life from when I did not tithe and when I didn't.... You couldn't pay me enough not to tithe.

Answer 10

Principles are eternal. Giving money to the Almighty acknowledges His gift of the ability to get means. He set up the system. One tithe went to the Levite (There are no Levites now) One tithe went to pay for pilgrimages to the place He established. (The temple is now destroyed) One tithe went to the widows and orphans. We still have plenty of those. It is very clear to me that YHVH's money should not be sent to someone who is using bad (prohibited) names for Him. (and His son YAHOSHUA)!