How Faithful are your Tithes

Valerie - posted on 04/07/2011

First off, I don't think anyone here said you needed to give money in order to get into heaven. So I'm not sure where that's coming from. But we clearly see in the NT that faith without works is worthless. So yes, faith is what makes you a real Christian, but that faith is demonstrated by your actions. As a previous poster mentioned the example of the poor woman who only gave a coin and yet was praised by Jesus.
No one here has absolutely no money to give.....or they wouldn't be using the internet in the first place. All that the people here are pointing out is that it is all God's and that we should be able to give a portion of that back to him. But again, all the previous posters have mentioned the attitude behind it is what God really desires. God has given everything, including his own life, for us. It seems rather ungrateful to not even be able to give back to him a portion of how he has blessed us, both with money, time and talents. All of these things he gave us first.

Emily - posted on 04/07/2011

Ok I disagree with the way youre approaching this Cathy. Salvation isnt based on actions. Its based on what christ did for us. He died on the cross FOR us. Tithes yes are good but some ppl dont have money to give. No one is justified just because they give money. Were justified by FAITH. Giving money DOES NOT determine whether or not were REAL Christians. FAITH does.

Alyssa - posted on 04/05/2011

We tithe when we have the money but we also tithe in other ways too. We are members of our church and we do things for the church with out asking them to reimburse us, although they will. Anytime you can give to the church or time serving for the lord is considered a tithe. However I do think that you need to have your heart in the right place and serve happily in order for it to truely mean something. Anyone can give money but if they don't have a grateful heart when doing so, it really isn't meaningful.

Danielle - posted on 03/29/2011

THAT IS A WONDERFUL REPLY VALERY. sounds like you really care. by all means giving what we would depending on our hearts condition.



When they first started to give offerings, as stated in the old testament, sometimes they gave things other than money. in pauls day things as; materials, houses, furniture, ect.. to help the efforts of the christian community.

Carla - posted on 03/29/2011

Tia, God sees your faithfulness, and even when it is hard, He honors us.

♥TIA♥ - posted on 03/29/2011

Fully tithe, Even when I must take it out from the tight grip of my teeth because times are hard. I have faith.

Valerie - posted on 03/28/2011

I think we're almost diving into semantics here. Those who made posts saying 10% is not required in my opinion were saying that it shouldn't be part of a checklist. That you give that 10% and you're off the hook.
I think we can all agree here that it's the attitude that God wants. And it's not only money. I know many churches that have the financial means, but no one to actually do the work. We need to be giving not only our money, but our time, our prayers, and any other resources.

My hubby and I give 10% every pay check faithfully. Not because it's required but because I'm only human and it makes budgeting easier if we can factor in a specific amount for God. But then we also buy food for the food drives, bring meals to those who need it, sponsor a compassion kid etc.

I love that idea of trying to out give God. What a wonderful idea. Just keep giving till it hurts, your time, money, prayers, and see what becomes of your life. How awesome if we all did that!

Teresa - posted on 03/28/2011

I have a Compassion kid that I support. I also give money at church when I happen to have it on me. I try to always plan to have some on me, but it doesn't always happen. I'm also a single mom on welfare who doesn't receive child support, so 'technically' none of the money I give is 'mine' anyway.

Even though it's all from the government... it's all God's. How's that for seperation of church and state? lol

I try to be as faithful as I can. What I receive in welfare is less than my monthly expenses.... yet I've never run out of money yet. :)

Leah - posted on 03/26/2011

I know that personally God has really been laying on my heart about me and my husband not tithing. We hadn't been giving before, but right after our baby was born now it was an excuse of not being able to afford it. It's my thought that as long as we are able to give something God will honor it, but I really do want to get to the point where I am tithing 10% of our income.

Carla - posted on 03/26/2011

People have shared a lot of their feelings on whether to tithe or not to. Some have given Scripture as to why we should not. I believe, ultimately, this is a personal decision between you and Jesus. But I think we need to be fully persuaded, one way or the other, then act on your decision. We give what we feel is correct.

We were asked in the original question how faithful we were in giving, and why we thought people were hesitant to give and were WE ever hesitant to give. People of God know what is proper to give and will do it. Those who balk at parting with their money will find any reason not to. Simple as that.

God bless, all!

Danielle - posted on 03/25/2011

hi sharon, how are you?

let me make clear iam for giving to God. There is nothing wrong with wanting to give any amount to God, what you have purposed in your own heart though. THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE:

6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.



i feel the offering to God in finaces should go into the ministry; for the communional distribution of the saints needs, as the early church.

The widow was an example of one who sowed bountifully! i would also like to mention, during this time, they were still under the law of moses until christ died.



Now tithe and offering are two seperate issues. a tithe is 10% of someones income, carried down from the law of moses.

an offering is simply that: offering whatever you please, big or small.But let me point out, giving money unto a ministry that isnt using the money for the saints needs, is wrong. because we are the church. not the building

(((((.Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.)))))

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, 35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37 Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.



The goal was equity and the focus was on giving to those who lacked, not giving to the local church leaders.



If local church leaders were included, it was only because they too were in lack potentially because their work in the church prohibited them from working more to support themselves with their own hands.

even paul, who was an overseer over the church, made tents.



Jesus clearly categorizes the tithe as part of the Law of Moses in verse 23 He's acknowledging that the command to tithe was part of the Old Covenant and that in keeping the tithe, they were obeying the Old Covenant.



at the time of his statements in Matthew 23 concerning the tithe, the Law had neither been fulfilled nor had it passed away because those actions were completed by Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus commands the leper to go and offer the sacrifice commanded by the Law of Moses. And this makes perfect sense since Jesus had not yet put the New Covenant into effect by his death. But it does not imply that lepers would continue to be required to offer sacrifices once the New Covenant arrived. So, even if Jesus did command the tithe before his death while the Law of Moses was still in effect, that still wouldn't imply or suggest that the tithe continued after the Law of Moses passed away and the New Covenant came.



Jesus' comments here are clearly not intended to continue after the Law of Moses passed away and the New Covenant arrived. If Jesus' were intended to continue after the arrival of the New Covenant, then Jesus' instructions in verse 2-3 would still be binding on the apostles after the New Covenant began. The result would be that the entire New Testament Church would be required to "observe and do" everything that the Pharisees commanded them. But the apostles' response to the Jewish council in Acts 5:27-29 shows that they themselves clearly understood that with the coming of the New Covenant, Jesus instruction to observe and do what the Pharisees said no longer applied.

Jesus is not commanding the tithe. He is commending (note the "e"- commEnding, not commAnding) the Pharisees for keeping at least that portion of the Law of Moses while they neglected other things. He's not telling them to tithe. He's acknowledging that Moses' told them to tithe and that they were right to obey Moses in that regard but should have also obeyed him in more important things.



overall, here is some statements as to why people say we are to tithe:

statement 1: Tithing is an eternal principle.

biblical evidence: This is just an unfounded assumption with no backing or support from the Bible or the historic record. There is no evidence of anyone tithing before Abraham in Genesis 14, including no other instances with Abraham. This leaves about 2000 years of history between Adam and Abraham without any evidence of tithing.



statement 2: Jesus commands tithing.

biblical evidence: The only time that Jesus mentioned the tithe is recorded in Matthew 23 and Luke 11. In those passages, Jesus states that tithing is a part of the Law of Moses and he commends people for obeying the tithe while the Law of Moses was still in effect and at a time when the New Covenant had been not inaugurated by his death.



statement 3: Hebrews 7 instructs Christians to tithe.

biblical evidence: In Hebrews 7, Paul refers to the tithe as a historic fact in order to demonstrate his argument that Jesus is superior to Moses and the Levitical priests and that the Law of Moses had passed away and was replaced by the New Covenant. There are no statements in Hebrews 7 where Christians are said to tithe or where Christ Jesus or any New Testament figure is said to receive the tithe.



statement 4: The tithe should continue under the New Covenant because there is no statement in the New Testament specifically discontinuing it.

biblical evidence: This is false because in Acts 15 the apostles decided that Gentile converts were not required to keep the Law of Moses. For tithing to be considered an exception, a specific statement to that effect must be shown from the New Testament in which there are instructions to tithe or a record of Christians tithing. No such statements exist in the New Testament.



**********we are to give, but it is not to be a ritual as under the law of moses. we are commanded to give when asked, give not grudgingly but willingly, and give to those that are in need.***********



the point iam trying to make is that it is wrong for pastors to say you will go to hell, or commiting sin if you dont tithe 10%

Sharon - posted on 03/25/2011

Hey Danielle! This is an awesome discussion. I'm so grateful that my parents have always been an excellent example to me with faithful tithing. My Dad said that he learned early on in their marriage that they could never afford NOT to tithe. I don't know what amount they tithed, but they always were faithful in tithing. And their tithing was always an outpouring from their hearts - never done begrudgingly.

I struggled for a long time when I was on my own. I was just a walking financial disaster. Then one Sunday my pastor spoke on Malachi 3:10 - the only place in the whole Bible where God gives us permission to test Him (and we seem to test Him in every OTHER area of our lives...). I was so convicted that I began to tithe, even if I didn't think I could afford to do so. A day after I tithed for the first time, I received a small inheritance from a great uncle who passed away. God doesn't promise to bless us in this way if we tithe, but He does promise to meet our needs. But, my prayer had been, "Lord, I'm going to cling to your promise. You know what my check book looks like, and I need to get it under control and in order. Especially because this money isn't mine, and I have been an awful steward of your money. It's ALL yours, but I give you this tithe out of love for you." That small inheritance was coming anyway. But because it came after this prayer, it meant WAY more to me than it would have otherwise.

Danielle, I have to disagree with your statement, "but to command this from us would be against scripture to give without grudgingly, or necessity for god loveth a cheerful giver." In the Old Testament, God gave us the 10 Commandments. They are all just that, commands. He requires our obedience. But, as a Believer, I obey out of love for Him. All throughout the Gospels, Jesus speaks of finances in parable after parable. He is SERIOUS about our financial stewardship. If we truly love Him, we will keep his commandments and obey in every area, especially our money. We have a choice to either view His commands as something negative or as something positive. Think of the rules we have for our children. Rule #1 - NEVER cross the street without an adult. Our child can poo poo that rule all they want, thinking we are the meanest parents ever. But our rule was made out of love, because we have their best interest at heart. Every command God ever gave us is out of love for us, so that we can live life to the fullest. Therefore, we can TRUST Him in every area. We can TRUST Him to make our food last (like Elijah's story of the widow's oil) - which I have personally experienced!! We can TRUST Him to make the gas in the car last until the next pay day. We can TRUST him to provide the money needed to fix the water heater when it blows up. We can TRUST Him to meet ALL of our needs when we have need IF we are faithful to HIM by living obediently with our finances.

We can NEVER afford NOT to tithe. Just tithe SOMETHING. Pray about the amount, and Tithe what you feel God is asking from you. The widow gave more than 10% when she gave all she had. Do you think God took care of her when she had nothing?

Danielle - posted on 03/24/2011

thank you for your statements.

you cant out give god.he loves a cheerful giver.



the one who provides is the man, as stated, HE :



And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. 1Ti 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.



the new testament command for women is to be keepers at home.

the bible says to give in secret, you really shouldent tell everyone on here what amount you give to God.

the storehouses are Gods unto the ministry of the saints, not to keep lights on. IN THE EARLY CHUCH, THEY MET IN EACHOTHERS HOUSES.



i agree it is apperant to give to god. but to commmand 10% from us would be against the scripture to give without grudgingly, or as necessity for god loveth a cheeful giver.

to be done in secret, as does fasting, praying, and giving.

there is no NEW testament command to tithe.

not saying anything is wrong with tithing. just stating there is, under the NEW covenant, a command.



love danielle

Carla - posted on 03/24/2011

Paul talks about working hard so we have money to give to those who need it. We take our Christian duty very seriously. We give our tithe to our missionary friend (we don't have a home church), money to rescue mission, money to Chosen People Ministries, to bring Jesus to the Jews, Bibles for Africa. My husband gives 50% of his home repair business. If there's a person on the streets and I am prompted, I give them what I have in my purse. We volunteer at our neighborhood center, and counsel marriages in jeopardy, so we give a tithe of our time, as well. We have never gone without food, and our bills are met. As I have stated before, we downsized, at the time, because of absent incomes, but it has had a marvelous side benefit of teaching us good stewardship. When we were attending church, the lights had to be kept on, the property had a mortgage, etc, and the OT says the storehouse needs to be taken care of. I see nothing in the NT to negate this, so I am assuming the tithe, as well as gifts and offerings are honored by God. I don't think, just because it isn't specifically mentioned in the NT, that giving the Lord our firstfruits has been changed. As a matter of fact, there is more reason now for giving. More missionaries are in the fields. More people in our own country need outreaches. More people are losing their jobs, and more people are struggling. The Great Commission to go into the world and preach the Gospel isn't just standing on a corner. It involves reaching out to help those in need, to bring hope where there is none, and to provide a place to worship. I don't say any of this for recognition, but for example. We strain on 10%, but 10% is the starting point. When the little widow woman dropped her two mites in the offering, Jesus said she had given more than the rich guys, she gave everything she had. I doubt if she went to the priest after service to get change for her tithe. I have full confidence that her needs were met.

You can't out-give God.

God bless all

Dee - posted on 03/24/2011

I have to say that at one time I was not faithful when it came giving my tithes. I would always look at what my husband and I had and say well if we tithe we wont have enough money for this and for that. I have to say when I was thinking like this it always seemed that we would come short. Now that we do tithe God never lets us lack. We can not look at our situation or at our bank accounts when it comes to tithing because I know God to be a provider and He knows what we are in need of.

Victoria - posted on 03/23/2011

Tithe means tenth......It's as simple as that.

Danielle - posted on 03/22/2011

hello victoria, just wondering if you can give me the new testament command to tithe 10%. you are stating old testament scriptures.



we are to give, but it isnt a command as to do it 10%.

Victoria - posted on 03/22/2011

God said to Tithe, that the tithe belongs to Him. If we don't pay our tithe I believe we are robbing God, the word says so. Tithe means tenth, 10% of all we earn belongs to God. He gave us the other 90% to give offering and pay our bills and do other stuff. Yet we still need to be good stewards seeking God as to how to best use our funds.

Even Jesus said we shouldn't neglect to pay our tithe in the New Testament, telling us to practice mercy and Justice, that wasn't just for the pharisees, if we think it was we run the risk of becoming like them, not heeding the word revealed to us.

When we rob from God we will find our finances cursed.Also Jesus said He came to fulfill the law not abolish it, therefore the practice of tithes is still very much for the Church, not just the Israelite. Mt 22:21 "Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s." The tithe is Gods, an new testament endorsement of tithes.

Danielle - posted on 03/22/2011

tithing is something to be done willingly, secretly(not puting your name on the envelope) , and cheerfully.
maybe the reason why some people may not feel like they 'want to" is because they feel it as an obligation. but it isnt an obligation, or a command in the new testament to tithe.
6But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 2 cor.9 6

the other main reason why we have money, is to give to them that ask us who are in need.
((((Ephesians 4:28 (KJV)
28Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. )))

maybe some people in the church are weary of giving there money because they dont know where the money is going to. paul states the money was supposed to go to the sole purpose of the needy saints. not church lights, buildings, childcare, ect....
11Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; ect...2 cor. 9

the early church met in houses.
nowhere is the new testament mentions a command to have to pay a certain portion of tithe.

Carla - posted on 03/16/2011

You are absolutely right, Tabitha, about those who are scams. I go online and research before I give anything. If their administrative costs are over 20%, I don't give. Our local rescue mission gets $1 million a year. Out of that they feed people every day, just bought an old school and turned that into a women and childrens' home, they have a single man's shelter, as well as the mission itself. I have never seen people so frugal, and accomplish so much with so little! So, check them out, ask the Lord if He wants you giving to a particular charity. You absolutely can't out-give God!

God bless

Tabitha - posted on 03/16/2011

I tithe the 10% and give offering when I have it in my wallet. I also try to help out with donations or charities like the Operation Christmas Box... but it does get spendy. I think these days, people are a little more on the side of clenching their hand instead of keeping it open. I think we just need to really open our eyes and try to give more than take. You are right about dropping the $5 on a drink but also, there are so many charities to give to. I see them every where and eventually it is a question of when did we give enough? There are also a lot of scams that say they will give to charity, but really they are taking your money. So I guess there are a lot of reasons... doesn't make it right though!

Carla - posted on 03/15/2011

We tithe 'religiously' ;) We give our 10%, as well as money to our local rescue mission and Chosen People Ministries, an evangelism for the Jewish people. We have never gone hungry or unable to pay our bills. We have deliberately pared down our lifestyle so we could have more money to give. I believe that is pleasing to the Lord.

God bless, honey

Claudia - posted on 03/15/2011

The economy is definitely playing a part in the consistency and faithfulness of tithing/giving/donating at this time, however the Lord is specific about this area of our Christian walk and it is the ONLY area that he asks us to test Him. It's ALL HIS anyway, some will learn the hard way unfortunately.