I am touching on a sensitive subject here, tithing. Is this something we should be doing today or is this practice under the law? Galatians 2:16 says "yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified." Tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament so where does it appear in the Bible? It appears in the Old Testament, Malachi 3:10 says "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Is tithing is part of the law? Yes, we do not live under the law but under grace. Colossians 2:14 says "having canceled the written code (the law), with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross." Galatians 3:10-13 says "All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, The righteous will live by faith. The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, The man who does these things will live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." Many people live in bondage over tithing. Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." So do we give to the church or not? Yes, but not as tithing but as an offering. God is more concerned about you, not your money. God wants a relationship with you. If we are still under the law then why aren't we still sacrificing animals and giving grain. We are not under the law but grace. He was sacrificed for our sins and so we could live a life free without bondage.
4 comments:
Interesting post:)
Thanks Jackie, this topic has been on my mind for sometime. It's not a popular point of view for some but one that I've found peace about.
Jack,
We have learned over the years that you can not out give God. When you realize what you have is because of His blessings it is easy to give back to Him. He always gives back blessings. Not just financial blessings, but peace in your home and in your walk with Him. We had to "learn" that giving is a blessing, not just 10%, but in all things.
Time, talents and money!
He is so faithful!
God Bless you today,
Karen
Karen I agree that we can never out give God but my point in my post was we live in the age of grace not under the law. We are not bound by the law but by the teachings of the New Testament church. Many of the people in the Old Testament actually gave 27%, not 10%. God wants our life not our money. I believe one reason why so many churches today preach tithing is because they do not trust the Lord to provide. Sure we should give to the church but it is not 5%, 10% or 27%, it is what the Lord lays on your heart. Many churches today spend the tithe on buildings and programs. I would rather see it spent on feeding the poor and winning the lost.
If a group of Christians met in a home they would not have the overhead of a church and I wonder who they would tithe to then. Would you give all 10% to missions or to someone else's church even though it is not your personal storehouse. The A/G requires churches in KY to give 2% to the A/G headquarters; I disagree with that as well and do not find any scriptural basis for it.
When I used to travel to churches singing in Kentucky and Florida, I never asked for a dime from the church and often I never received a dime as well. But you know, God always provided my needs.
Like I said in my post, tithing is a sensitive subject. We all must pray for understanding and wisdom when it comes to finances or anything for that matter.
Post a Comment