Tithing

[Nicki]

My church leaders have been talking about tithing a lot lately - they more often refer to it as first 10% giving. I find it a bit of a scary idea. I once used to give close to a tithe when I was single and had only myself to spend money on; when I got married though my husband (a newish Christian) only wanted to give a small offering. We have increased it a little in recent years, which was his idea, but it's nowhere close to a tithe. There's been a lot of teaching at church lately about how the more we give away the more God can use and even multiply and return to us - not necessarily in monetary form though or even in this life. What do you think - does that passage in Malachi about bringing the full tithe still apply to us today? I can't remember much teaching if any about this at the Baptist churches I went to when I was younger but it's been pretty full-on at our current church (Church of Christ) and was at an Assembly of God one we went to as well.

[B. W.]

My church leaders have been talking about tithing a lot lately - they more often refer to it as first 10% giving. I find it a bit of a scary idea. I once used to give close to a tithe when I was single and had only myself to spend money on; when I got married though my husband (a newish Christian) only wanted to give a small offering. We have increased it a little in recent years, which was his idea, but it's nowhere close to a tithe. There's been a lot of teaching at church lately about how the more we give away the more God can use and even multiply and return to us - not necessarily in monetary form though or even in this life. What do you think - does that passage in Malachi about bringing the full tithe still apply to us today? I can't remember much teaching if any about this at the Baptist churches I went to when I was younger but it's been pretty full-on at our current church (Church of Christ) and was at an Assembly of God one we went to as well.

Tithe with grace and give with grace...

Often, due to economic issues, job lose, etc, folks cannot tithe. God's grace covers that. No condemnation for those....in whom?

However, one can still give time, effort, or a few cents when needed as that is grace in action.

Do you see what is being said here?

How do you interpret this?
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[Storyteller]

I read somewhere that there was a homeless lady who went into a church, gave a few pennies when everyone else gave more. Those few pennies meant more to the church, and God I reckon, as it was all she had.
Give what myou can, when you can.

[1over137]

Luke 21:1-4 ESV
Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. And he said, “Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”

[PaulSacramento]

IMO,
You give what you can, when you can BUT give to those that needed directly.

[RickD]

There is no set percentage to give. Give as the Lord leads you to give. 10% is Old Testament Law. And if your husband wants you to give x amount, and you do, God will bless you for giving what your husband wants.

The simplest way is to just pray about it, and give as the Lord leads you to give. He may lead you to give 1% or 50%. Everyone is different.

And IMO, if your "church" puts a specific amount on giving, you need to seriously think about finding another church. It's simply a matter between you and your husband, and God.

[jlay]

Tithing is an Old Testament practice, which, when established had nothing to do with currency, but with offerings to support the Levitical priesthood. However, this is common on the COC, which I am quite familiar with.

There is nothing in the NT to support tithing among Gentiles. Giving, on the other hand, is very much a Christian principle. Paul teaches the Corinthian church, "…6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;…" 2 Cor. 9:7

But here is the real kicker. When you attend a congregation you are choosing to sit under their authority. if the church is actually teaching tithing as a fundamental principle, and you don't want to conform to what the church teaches, then you have a problem. Now, many choose to simply ignore these things, which i think is irresponsible.

This could be a good time to do a full evaluation of not only your giving, but your congregational affiliation and role. If you are going to give to a congregation, then you should be attending business meetings, and have at least a basic understanding of the budget. Find out how much of the budget goes to paying staff and fixed operations and how much goes to serve the community.

[Nicki]

Thanks all - I feel a bit better now.

Tithing is an Old Testament practice, which, when established had nothing to do with currency, but with offerings to support the Levitical priesthood. However, this is common on the COC, which I am quite familiar with.

There is nothing in the NT to support tithing among Gentiles. Giving, on the other hand, is very much a Christian principle. Paul teaches the Corinthian church, "…6Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed;…" 2 Cor. 9:7

But here is the real kicker. When you attend a congregation you are choosing to sit under their authority. if the church is actually teaching tithing as a fundamental principle, and you don't want to conform to what the church teaches, then you have a problem. Now, many choose to simply ignore these things, which i think is irresponsible.

This could be a good time to do a full evaluation of not only your giving, but your congregational affiliation and role. If you are going to give to a congregation, then you should be attending business meetings, and have at least a basic understanding of the budget. Find out how much of the budget goes to paying staff and fixed operations and how much goes to serve the community.

I'm not sure if we have to conform to everything a particular local church teaches. It's a gathering of believers but I don't think we have to be in agreement about everything. I don't know how many people actually tithe at our church but the leaders basically point to Malachi 3:10-12 as proof that once we're giving the critical 10% things will start happening for us, and we're not really doing ourselves any favours by not tithing.

We do get financial statements from the church - paying staff is the major expense out of first 10% giving and I think the only community-serving spending is for the youth group. There's a separate fund for the overseas projects the church supports and another one for upgrading the 'environments' - the buildings and equipment in other words.

[Mallz]

Personally I would never give to a church. I rarely see churches do any lasting good, or good to begin with.
Instead of supporting a building (unless they have great programs to help out those in need [body and soul]), you could donate to organizations who actually do make a difference in the name of Jesus.
Remember, the church of Christ is people and is about people. You and your family are a part of that. He wants you to be able to take care of yourself and your family FIRST. Then take care of His other children next.