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Originally Posted by KMK  Many churches tithe. Some people that I have talked to just assume that it is common knowledge that a church is Biblically bound to tithe. Where is the basis for the tithing church found in the Bible? Is it based on the law that required the Levites to tithe to the High Priest? If so, that seems more like a requirement that gospel ministers tithe rather than whole churches. Is it to be a good example to the sheep? If so, that might seem like a good idea but where is this requirement taught in the Bible?
Can anyone help me? |
If we look at Nehemiah all the people were asked to give; not just the Levites; It was a time of rebuilding, and they were asking leaders from every tribe to come and live within the city, even casting lots for those who would go, and the rest made a covenant to financially and physically support those who went to serve and live in the city.
Shouldn't that be our model? To make a covenant to support our pastors and those who are called to serve the Church body full time? So that they can focus on what God has called them to do and not be distracted by the cares of the world and how they will provide for their families?
Even though 'tithing' is an Old Testament teaching and under the 'Old Covenant' do we not still glean from those teachings how God desires us to live and yes, even give of our time and money as God has provided?
The Priniciple was given to God's Covenant People...as Christians are we not still God's covenant people even though the type of covenant has changed? If so, then why wouldn't it still apply to us, as a Covenant People in order to support those who are called to do God's work, and others in need?
If we look at 2 Corinthians 8-9; we see the Macedonian churches giving out of their Love for God and what God has done--even in looking at verse 8 Paul even describes this as showing the sincerity of their love for God.
In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 talks of giving out of how God has prospered us.
And I have to agree, our giving is tied into our love for God, and speaks concerning our hearts and if we are trusting God to provide for our needs.
God does not need us to give, He wants us to give, not because He needs or even wants our money, but because it shows our hearts and what we are really trusting in...Him to provide or our riches...
God has provided us with the ability to work, should we not give to Him from what He has provided us showing our thankfulness?
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I am sometimes stunned when poor domestic workers in our church give much more than wealthier Westerners.
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Why are you stunned? Look at the widow who gave a mite, compared to the wealthier who didn't give much at all...what did Jesus say about her giving?
She held nothing back and gave trusting God would meet her needs, just as He claims.
Doesn't God also say Give and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together..(Luke 6:38)
And what of Luke 16:11-15?
So while 10% is what the Isrealites made a covenant to give...it was something they could ALL give equally...percentage wise of their earnings to provide for the needs of those called to serve in the city and temple...
10% might be more for some than it is for others...but doesn't God speak to giving as God has given to us? And doesn't God expect more from those He entrusts with more? (Luke 19)
Even looking at Malachi, God seems to be calling them back to Nehemiah when they made the covenant to give 10% for those serving, and they stopped...and appears to be calling them out on their not trusting HIM to provide on keeping His side of the covenant.
But the gist is, the new covenant people never made the same covenant to give only 10%, but have apparently used that as a guiding principle based on what the Isrealites made a covenant to give.