Does God require a tithe?

Question

Is it a sin for a church to require or encourage a tithe?

The idea of tithing is no longer biblical. We are to give everything to God. The idea we need to give 10% to a church so they can afford a new carpet, air condtioner, roof, or whatever is insane.

The old widow gave EVERYTHING she had.

Answer 1

Tithing is like almost all other doctrines or dogmas. They are interpretations perpetuated by man. The widow gave from her heart. I doubt that most who tithe give from their heart?

Answer 2

The original purpose of the tithes was to maintain the Temple and provide for the levites, levitical priests, the poor and to facilitate the pilgrimages. The maximum amount of all the tithes was about 21% of one's crops. In the modern day, for a church to ask (require) that one give 10% of one's income to the church is not unreasonable. Churches need money to operate, just like anything else.

That said, local church official should know their congregants to make sure that one doesn't give too much. This is a huge problem with these mega-tele-churches which often keep soliciting the same people over and over with no regard for how much they can afford to give.

Answer 3

The Old Testament teachings of tithing are still in place, for the maintenance of a church (Temple) as a gathering place for the saints. [Since tithing preceded the law, tithing is not done away with like the Levitical Law.]

10% is a great place to start your level of tithing. Knowing that God loves a cheerful giver (literally, a hilarious giver), then He only wants our giving to be what we can give with joy. Start at 10% and be faithful for a year. If you need to adjust up or down to achieve hilarity, then go for it.

Answer 4

I'm not sure I understand your question--are you saying we shouldn't give 10% or that we should give more than 10%?

The way I believe is this--everything is God's. I don't want to take a chance on "robbing" Him, not because He needs my $, but because of the blessings I may miss by not giving, and even the possibility that He will take His part another way (unexpected expenses, etc.) I have seen this principle work in my life--when I don't have the $ but I give anyway, somehow I always manage to have enough, but when I get stingy, it's like there's a hole in my pocket and the $$ just goes. Things start breaking, expenses pile up, etc. God used the principle of the tithe to teach people to invest in His kingdom and lay up treasure in heaven instead of getting caught up in the material rat race here on earth.
If we don't give it to a local church where we have membership and a vote in how the money is being spent for the Lord's work, how are we supposed to determine where to give and how to give to God? Occasionally I give additional offerings to Christian charities and non-profit organizations when I believe in their causes, but our family tithes through the local church body because I believe this is what the Lord teaches, and so that I can see up close how the $$ is being spent and see the blessings that come from it.
If you think your church is wasting your tithe money, it's time to either speak up about it or look for another church.

Answer 5

Are you speaking of any old neighborhood church? If a church does need an air conditioner and only the congregation are the ones tithing and they want the air conditioner because sitting in a room that's too warm when it's 95º and humid outside is very uncomfortable, how does that trouble you? If they start going door to door and asking you to contribute, then you can complain.

Answer 6

If someone is instructing you in Christianity, they are entitled to a salary.

"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."
1 Timothy 5:17-18

As far as a fancy church building, you may indicate on your check that you only wish your tithe to be used for ministry purposes if you so desire... 10% giving is like training wheels - I agree with you we are to give more, but 10% is a good place to start.

Answer 7

Yes, God expects us to support those who do His will on earth. Churches provide for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the community.

The people who work for the church to carry out the mission of the church are due a living wage. You cannot run an effective church on volunteers. The water, electric and gas companies do not donate water, electricity and gas to the church. The HVAC contractor does not donate the aire conditioner or provide service for free. Roofing contractors do not fix the church's roof for free.

Answer 8

No. No specific amount is required. 2 Cor. 9:7, 1 Cor. 9:18.

Tithes weren't money anyway, but animals, foods, wine and oil. They were kept in temple storehouses and then poured on the altar and burned up. Only the priests on duty could eat some of the offering.

Modern stories about it are just to extort money from followers.

Debbie

Answer 9

you may desire to examine that passage extra intently. That replace into in terms of the "tithe of the tithe" that the Levites sent directly to the temple in Jerusalem. They have been neglecting to try this. Tithing is an old covenant requirement. As such, you may't be held to the situations of a covenant you weren't a celebration to, and a covenant that ended. additionally, a tithe replace right into a 10th of the upward push of produce and/or farm animals. no person replace into ever commanded to tithe of their wages. purely wolves in sheep's clothing prepare human beings to tithe interior the hot covenant era of religion. .

Answer 10

Actually, it IS still Biblical. If you recall the NT, Jesus was once approached by the Pharisees who were trying to trick Him and trip Him up into saying something blasphemous concerning tithing and taxes. He said, 'Show Me a coin." When they did, He asked "Who image and superscription (name) is on it?" They answered "Caesar's". Jesus then said, "Render (pay) unto Caesar what is Caesar's and render unto GOD what is GOD'S." If that's not a statement about supporting the church and it's charities and etc. through TITHING as described in Malachi, I don't know what is!

Answer 11

Tithing is still biblical but as you rightly mentioned we are to give everything- our life, our talents, our time etc.
Tithing came before the law- Melchizedek and Abraham.
It isn't so much about how much you give as it is how you give- that is why the bible says "God loves a cheerful giver", I guess.
Give your tithe. And then give some more. But whatever you do, do it cheerfully.