tithing questions

[ronirico]

The other day, and this has come up in my thinking in the past, we were sitting in church when the Pastor was asking for an offering for a new gym floor.

My question has to do with the nature of tithing. I understand the biblical concept of offering the first 10% to the Lord. If our mandate is to feed and shelter those without, then obviously that 10% does not necessarily always go directly to a church. What about relatives or others that are without?

Are we giving to the Lord if we send money to people in need or is that outside the realm of tithing?

By the way, some of you might be thinking, why don't you just ask your church? My thought is they will say, for example, "First give to the church and then give to your family." By the way, my wife is from the Ukraine, she never asks for help, but her family are desparately poor (making approx., in U.S. dollars about $150 per month.)

[Blessed2B]

Well, I can only give my OPINION but here goes:

Every preacher I've ever heard (even my own) has always said that you are to give 10% to the church FIRST, this is your tithe. Anything above & beyond that is your offering (which could go to other sources).

HOWEVER, these verses come to mind:

Mat 25:35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:


Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed [thee]? or thirsty, and gave [thee] drink?

Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took [thee] in? or naked, and clothed [thee]?

Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done [it] unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done [it] unto me.



Also, there are only 3 places in the bible that mention 'TREASURE in heaven'.
How do you lay up treasure in heaven? Prayer? fasting? reading the bible?

No, all three verses tell the same story and it says give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.
(Mat 19:21, Mar 10:21, Luk 18:22)

So, in MY opinion...when giving to those that are SINCERELY in need, you are not only giving to the Lord, but also laying up treasure in heaven!

[ronirico]

Thanks for the opinion Blessed2B. This is sound scripture.

Ronirico

[Old 33]

The tithe I give isn't going directly into the church operating budget. I earmark a portion of it for specific missions projects which I like to support, and have the church pool that money with other people's before sending it along.

[abkn]

We put people and Christian organization names in a hat and pick one each week. We then send cash so it reamins anonymous.

[ronirico]

Old33 and abkn, "Missions" or other "Christian organizations" I understand are the same as giving to your local church, but the broader ? is just giving to people in need. How does that line up with tithing?

Also, I might add, there is never a lack of noble causes to give to. But, is giving to friends and relatives different?

Thanks

RR on RR

[Hootmon]

The most basic reason for tithing is to support a full-time priesthood so that they can devote their full attention to their duties instead of having to farm or raise livestock.

Obviously we are supposed to help those in need as well, but that is more of a circumstantial thing, and can vary week to week.

[pilgrimian]

The most basic reason for tithing is to support a full-time priesthood so that they can devote their full attention to their duties instead of having to farm or raise livestock.

Obviously we are supposed to help those in need as well, but that is more of a circumstantial thing, and can vary week to week.

Exactly. That's why I don't call it a tithe. This is not the consistently Scriptural term to use...it's a "gift" or "offering."

One ought to give an offering at their place of worship, I believe. Paul writes nothing of 10% in 2 Corinthians 8...that Scripture speaks of a "cheerful giver." If you can give 10% cheerfully, and led of the Spirit...go for it! If you can give 50% so be it. The Lord wants us to be financially smart. Some folks have a lot of debt, and it would be unwise of them to give more than they can. They need to budget what the Lord has given them so that they can give a certain amount while satisfying creditors.

We are to give cheerfully, whether it is to a child in Peru through World Vision...to our local congregation...or to the construction of new churches and ministries.

I also believe we ought to give to Jewish missionaries, and this way fulfill Romans 15:27.

Godspeed,
Matthew

[blessanna]

First of all we are to bring the tithe to God His storehouse the purpose is to further His kingdom. Giving to the poor or needy or relatives is giving not tithing. The tithe belongs to the Lord.

[Patty T]

First of all we are to bring the tithe to God His storehouse the purpose is to further His kingdom. Giving to the poor or needy or relatives is giving not tithing. The tithe belongs to the Lord.

I understand about giving back to God. What I don't understand, is how or why the church stands on Malachi 3:8-12 to vallidate the tithe.

Isn't Malachi, especially chapter 3, God talking to the nation of Israel? As I read it, God says:

therefore the sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Return to Me and I will return to you.

You are cursed with a curse for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.

All nations shall call you blessed for you shall be a delightful land, says the Lord of Hosts.

When God talks about opening the "floodgates of heaven and pouring out a blessing, and rebuking the devourer for their sakes, isn't He talking to and about Israel?

[pilgrimian]

I understand about giving back to God. What I don't understand, is how or why the church stands on Malachi 3:8-12 to vallidate the tithe.

Isn't Malachi, especially chapter 3, God talking to the nation of Israel? As I read it, God says:

therefore the sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Return to Me and I will return to you.

You are cursed with a curse for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation.

All nations shall call you blessed for you shall be a delightful land, says the Lord of Hosts.

When God talks about opening the "floodgates of heaven and pouring out a blessing, and rebuking the devourer for their sakes, isn't He talking to and about Israel?

Yep.

We need to take 2 Corinthians into account. So many people seem to forget that passage. I used to attend a Baptist church in Michigan where the guilt trip was made every couple weeks...and the pastor used the Malachi passage to say we were robbing from God if we didn't pay up 10%.

Hmmmmmmmm...