Karen, from what you wrote it sounds as if we are on the same page, which does not coincide what DCFM had said. I believe giving is a heart issue, and that the LOrd is looking for obedience than mere money.....The tithe is the law, and people are misled to give in compulsion, and not out of obedience to Gods will. Many are taught it is a commandment, many are led into compulsion to give, and out of fear of Gods wrath....not out of there Love of true obedience to him...like offering up a magic potion so God won't do you harm. In Him Scott :-D

Hello Scott,

I am not sure we are clearly on the same page, nor am I completly on the same page with DFCM. I agree with what he said regarding the tithe being given before the law. The Word of God speaks for itself as DFCM showed based on the scripture given.

What I am pointing out, is that the tithe is a law if it is placed on a rule of giving 10%. We should give from our heart as the Lord asks or as we so choose. That could be more or less than 10%. God wants us to give to Him in all things, not only monies, from our heart and cheerfully. My point is that to state that 10% MUST be given, would make it a RULE, which then makes it a LAW. We are no longer under the LAW, therefore our giving on anything is based on our relationship with the Lord. If God asks and we do not give, that is still between God and that individual. To say that we have to give 10% as Abraham did BEFORE the law, would also imply (based on New Testament scripture regarding doing as our father Abraham did) that we would have to do everything exactly as he did. I do not believe that is what the Lord is saying there. It was accounted to Abraham as righteousness because of his faith.

I could go on, but I think that is enough and I hope I am making myself clear on what I am sharing.

All For His Glory,
Karen

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Karen

There was mention of tithing before the law but keep in mind there was circumcision before the law to. Do we believe that circumcision for today just because it was before the law. No. So why should folks think we should and must pay tithes from the standpoint of a law in the New Testament? Don't get me wrong im not against giving and say giving your whole paycheck away if God inspired one....and if God ever led one to do this he would provide for that week.....that's basically what the real question is....what is your source of supply....God?

Or your job....I do not believe however from the New Testament that we actually see a tithe demand upon people as yes we see it became for a short period of time during the law....the tithes with Israel in the Old Testament it became a law, but at that time it was a one nation Israel and it became their welfare system....the tithes largely was given to the poor....the nations in which most of us live through taxation are probably giving more money to the poor then most ever did while tithing in Israel. Anyway all we see in the New Testament is an encouragement to give to the poor and God will bless you and to help out those who are preaching the gospel....not a demand or a law...if God meant it to be an actual demand from a percentage standpoint he would have stated a tithe or 10% ....he never did that however.

Bobber wrote:

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Jeff Marshalek

The Isrealites gave 10% to the Levites not only to support spiritual leadership but governmental as well since it was a theocracy. This was a federal income tax of sorts. They gave another 10% for their festivals, another 10% every three years for "welfare." Then they left their crops unharvested at the edges, the men paid a didrachma temple tax, and they left their land unfarmed one season every seven years. This is like a 25% federal income tax system under a theocracy. To take our 25% federal income tax system and then mandate a law of tithing to the church is very different. If that is proper, then why not mandate a "temple tax" as well? We should give cheerfully to the church and the poor, but consider the ten percent as a reasonable guideline rather than a law.

7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Why, yes, tithing is a new testament/covenant teaching.

We are children of Abraham by faith... the same faith by which he was pronouced righteous by God.

Abraham did a great many things in obedience to God long before the 'law' was given through Moses.

By faith Abraham heard God's voice and left his home in search of a city whose builder and maker is God.

By faith, and in obedience to God, Abraham and all males in his house were circumcised.

By faith he interceded on behalf of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to the escape of Lot & company.

By faith Abraham being ancient in years became father of nations.

By faith, and in obedience to God, Abraham offered his only son, Issac up to God.

By faith Abraham met and gave a tenth/tithe of everything he possessed to our Melchizedec.

Let all who are of like precious faith with faithful Abraham follow in his steps.

Money is not an issue. God doesnt demand 10% of your money, he demands it all! EVERYTHING must belong to God. Secondly we are under no law. The laws are the wishes of God, but the real issue is the reason behind why the law was made. Jesus said that the sons are exempt from tithe, and the the Spirit said "behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we could be called the sons of God." So now that takes care of the legal part. Now for the good part. Tithing is a Old Testament law and it shall ever be one because the old testament laws were not enough. We who have the Spirit of God, should rise to a higher standard since we have an empowerment greater than those who had the law. We dont just give 10%, we give everything. Our entire lives and will and wants. If you can further the cause of Christ with money, then do it! Its not about 10% of income being taxed by God, its all about making the gospel go further. We are freed from the law so that we would become holier than we ever could with the law. If you have to talk to the people in the church about investing in the Gospel, I doubt that they truly love God. People that truly love God love that which he loves. He loves the lost people of this world. If they dont love the lost, they dont know God.

All to and for Him,

John

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John C. Kelly

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Notice Christ said to the Pharisees that they were tithing even on small things and then finishes the statement with "these ought ye to have done".

More food for thought.

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Kendal Shipley

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John C. Kelly