Were these tithing amounts given to certain groups to help certain groups? Is it in the Old or New Testament? Do our present day taxes cover this? Did they tithe money or wheat and chickens? Should we be giving lots of $$ to homeless people, widows, orphans, and the elderly instead? Are our churches supposed to be rich? Dear friend's regional minister has a limo methinks.
2007-10-30 04:57:45 · 16 answers · asked by goddessinglasses 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The tithe was a point of law within the confines of the old covenant made between Israel and God. No others were a party to this covenant.
The tithe was the increase of produce and livestock only. No one under the law paid tithes based upon wages.
The tithe was used in several ways. Post exhilic Rabbinical teachers concluded there were three tithes to cover the three major ways tithes were used, but this creates an oxymoron. You can't have three tithes; you can only have one, and it was 10% and not 10% times 3 or a 30% tithe.
Any church that would today teach tithing would be the same as a church today teaching circumcision or sacrifices. It just doesn't fly.
A Christian's motivation is not law; the letter of the law, but rather the Spirit of the law. Ministers who would use tithing in the letter do so without authority, and invariably are the "wolves in sheep's clothing" devouring flocks through the guise of tithing.
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2007-10-30 05:08:09 · answer #1 · answered by Hogie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tithing is a way to give back for the work of God, just a small portion of what he gave you. Our church has some wealthy people who give quite a bit of money. Our pastor receives no salary form our church. Some of the tithes pays for the church operation, elect. water, gas. etc. The rest goes to those in need. Not in want but in need. We fund missionary's around the world. WE fund a orphanage in Mexico. We fund a soup kitchen just outside of Brownsville TX. We have food for any in need in our town. There is nothing wrong with having a nice church. Expensive, and nice are two different things. Money should never be the subject of a service. If you are doing God will, he will see to it you have what you need. Now as to giving it to widows and orphans. This is the job, and responsibility of the church not you. If you give your tithes to those in need, then YOU provided the aid., not God. If you give your tithes to the church then the church should do its work, and that work is to help our people.
2007-10-30 05:17:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the Old Test, you're supposed to tithe to Levite Priests. It then goes into a "storehouse", some of which is given to the Biblical God in the form of sacrifices (animals), but the rest is for those who truly need it. The tithing that is done in the churches today is not Biblical. I don't think nomadic tribes in the desert had a whole lot of money... it was done in crops, animals and I believe even slaves.
2007-10-30 05:17:51 · answer #3 · answered by River 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Abraham first tithed to the High Priest in Jesus' line of preisthood.
Moses and the Jews tithed to the Priests in Arron's priesthood.
The Prophet Malachai wrote, "Why do you rob Me (God) of tithes and offerings?"
Jesus said, 'Render unto God what is God's".
Paul taught that the preachers of the gospel should live off of the gospel.
You need to find a good old fashioned church that preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ from the Bible. They need to have a soul-winning program. A Baptist Church is the best choice in my personal experience and opinion. An Independent Baptist Church is the very best option of all. They are the world leaders in Missions.
The offering is ultimately given to God. But in a reputable Baptist Church there are financial reports giving full disclosure of the expenditures by the Church on a regular basis.
2007-10-30 05:07:49 · answer #4 · answered by realchurchhistorian 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tithing means giving 10% of your 'income' or 'assets' to those who are 'less fortunate' than you are. Whether you give money, time, or goods, it is UP TO YOU to choose who/what your 10% goes to and how it is distributed.
My husband and I were homeless before we got together, and for awhile after we got together. We now have a very good income of $60,000 a year ... and we are EXTREMELY CAREFUL about who/what gets our 'money' donations ... we give mainly to our church (Catholic) with the understanding that ALL of our donations go 'to the homeless' (yes, it CAN be done that way if you want it to, in ANY church, and you can ask for PROOF, too, in the form of the 'annual report' and accountings of YOUR money and how it was spent). We also give (but rarely) to the people themselves, in both money and goods, but ALWAYS with the 'tale' of the two of us, who were homeless, but who knew how the 'system' worked and used it to 'get onto our feet' in a GOOD way so that we can now 'give back.' You'd be surprised how many homeless have heard me say, after putting a quarter into some raggedy person's hands, that 'I was like you once, and so was my husband. He now makes $60,000 a year, because he got a 'one year certificate' from a community college through the city in a program to help the homeless.' That person stands up straighter and smiles ... because the 'telling' is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than the quarter ... if WE 'made it' then they can, too ...
If you 'give' and want to 'snarl' because these people are 'using you and your money' then your giving will do NO GOOD. If you 'give' because you want others to have a life 'as good or better' than you have, then the things you choose to donate to will reflect that ... and then and ONLY then will your 'tithing' be PROPER and 'right with God.' So ... don't give to your friend's 'regional minister' with his limo, but LOOK and find a 'good charity' that does 'good works' and give to that ... and SMILE AND BE FRIENDLY with EVERYONE, especially the 'homeless' or the 'ragged' ... they will SMILE more, and eventually, your smile will fill your heart with JOY. THAT is what 'tithing' is about ...
2007-10-30 05:10:29 · answer #5 · answered by Kris L 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you should tithe 10% to the church or more. But don't give it bitterly, give it with love. Before we started tithing I think we had a lot more problems with money. And someone actually gave us a year 2000 buick with only 90,000 miles for free which I think was God providing. If you tithe you are trusting in God and God will use his people to help you but don't sit there in expectation, just know God will take care of your needs.
Giving is something separate from tithing. Giving is in addition to tithing...you can give to whomever you feel God would like you to give to.
As someone mentioned before, if you think your church is being selfish with the money then you should find a different church or confront them if you have the guts. The church is also supposed to tithe 10% at least to needy, missions, etc.
2007-10-30 05:04:53 · answer #6 · answered by Dani Marie 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The word "tithe" literally means a tenth.
If you can and if you want to, you tithe a % of your income to your church. In turn, your church provides community services for the needy -- soup kitchens, food pantries, necessities, etc...
If you don't trust your church to do God's work, find another church! If you don't go to church but still wish to help others, you can certainly give whatever you can to whomever you want.
Buy food for a needy family and leave it anonymously on their front porch at night. Help a homeless person by giving them hot soup and a sandwich to eat. Help build a house with Habitat for Humanity. Help an elderly person paint their home. Whatever you do, make sure it is from the heart. It doesn't have to be from the pocketbook! The gift of your time is also doing God's work.
2007-10-30 05:01:06 · answer #7 · answered by kja63 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋
the tithe is obsolete until the temple is rebuilt and the levite priesthood is re-established
the temple tax is not the tithe.--tax is for temple maintenance.
tithe was ONLY from crops, not other income.
tithe WAS for the orphans, widows, and orphans.....otherwise, it was eaten , and some was shared with 40,000 priests...
i can send you a study i did on it....just email me....tithe is an old testament concept only.....the church uses it to raise money...inappropriate
2007-10-30 05:04:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think you are supposed to "support" your church with your "gifts"...whether it is monetary and/or talents, time, etc. Whatever you are blessed with, it was given by GOD. It is right to support your church to do GOD'S work. Tithing is a guideline provided in the Old Testament.
2007-10-30 05:06:48 · answer #9 · answered by dalenjen 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
tithing is old testament
God wants you to give from a good heart
go to jamesknox.com listen to tithing vs giving
will open it up for you from Gods word
2007-10-30 05:00:12 · answer #10 · answered by jesussaves 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋