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Originally Posted by C. Matthew McMahon  Quote:
Originally Posted by panta dokimazete Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Ritchie Tithing, therefore, removes guilt-manipulation. | So does discernment.  | But God haas not allowed His character (the Law) to be based on subjective "discernment" by fallen creatures who don't know better, or believe they have "heard from God". He bases it (and everything else we do) on His spoken word already written down. |
The law of God cannot be equated with His character in such a simple manner, in as much as God's character includes attributes such as wisdom and grace that, strictly speaking, cannot be categorized as an element of law. We can, however, take a gift of God's Holy Spirit (such as wisdom), and by looking at kingdom needs, family needs, projected and real levels of income, and the like, make decisions regarding our giving. Wisdom will include a study of things in Scripture, but it is more than that as well. I think that what was meant by the word discernment above, would be co-equal with that of wisdom.
Imo, and that of other Reformed ministers besides, the tithing laws of the Old Covenant were ceremonial and social, and passed with the theocratic government of Israel. New Covenant giving is to be accomplished, as Paul writes, w/o compulsion, and from the joy of a redeemed heart. The OC tithing laws are not set forth as a standard of giving in any NT writing, and (as one of my OT profs pointed out) nobody who holds to tithing today really gives according to the larger OC system of tithing, which would be around 30% total of one's income when all put together.
