Posted: Wed May 18, 2005 1:11 pm
The very word tithe, and the Hebrew words from that we translate as such, maaser and asar, mean "the tenth part," or "ten percent."
Tithing was actually established under Old Testament law, which Christians are free from. Of course, we are also free from the laws that say not to lie, murder, fornicate, etc. etc. etc. We still follow those laws, not because we have to, but because when we follow God's law with a willing heart, it is pleasing to Him, and we as Christians desire to please the Lord.
At no point did Jesus abolish the law in the New Testament. He merely <B>fulfilled</B> it and set us free from it. Yet He also said that those who love God will obey His commands -- not because we are under them, but because they are good and we desire to do that which is good.
My question to you is why would someone <B>not</B> give at least 10 percent, and do so willingly? There are a few reasons that people tend to give, but they all fall flat.
"I'm too poor." -- We are told that God will always meet our needs, and that we are to give with a willing heart. Nothing is ever mentioned about giving only if we can afford it. You disobey His command to give willingly when you refuse to tithe in such a situation, and you also demonstrate a lack of faith in God to meet your needs and to bless your offerings.
"The Bible doesn't command it." -- Again, I say that tithing was an established practice long before Jesus came, and He never abolished the law. We are not under the law. We are not required to tithe. We have the Holy Spirit inside us, are new creatures in Christ, and should <B>want</B> to tithe.
"I just don't want to." -- Now this is just selfishness, and goes against everything Christianity stands for. The church provides great services for you, fellow Christians, and for lost people. It serves as a base of operations, allowing us to easily gather together, organize missions, and a whole host of other things that really help in the Christian life. To deny the church simply because you don't want to give is to deny everyone that it's organized to benefit. Also, the whole "willing heart" thing. Why would you <B>not</B> want to give in the first place?
Tithing was actually established under Old Testament law, which Christians are free from. Of course, we are also free from the laws that say not to lie, murder, fornicate, etc. etc. etc. We still follow those laws, not because we have to, but because when we follow God's law with a willing heart, it is pleasing to Him, and we as Christians desire to please the Lord.
At no point did Jesus abolish the law in the New Testament. He merely <B>fulfilled</B> it and set us free from it. Yet He also said that those who love God will obey His commands -- not because we are under them, but because they are good and we desire to do that which is good.
My question to you is why would someone <B>not</B> give at least 10 percent, and do so willingly? There are a few reasons that people tend to give, but they all fall flat.
"I'm too poor." -- We are told that God will always meet our needs, and that we are to give with a willing heart. Nothing is ever mentioned about giving only if we can afford it. You disobey His command to give willingly when you refuse to tithe in such a situation, and you also demonstrate a lack of faith in God to meet your needs and to bless your offerings.
"The Bible doesn't command it." -- Again, I say that tithing was an established practice long before Jesus came, and He never abolished the law. We are not under the law. We are not required to tithe. We have the Holy Spirit inside us, are new creatures in Christ, and should <B>want</B> to tithe.
"I just don't want to." -- Now this is just selfishness, and goes against everything Christianity stands for. The church provides great services for you, fellow Christians, and for lost people. It serves as a base of operations, allowing us to easily gather together, organize missions, and a whole host of other things that really help in the Christian life. To deny the church simply because you don't want to give is to deny everyone that it's organized to benefit. Also, the whole "willing heart" thing. Why would you <B>not</B> want to give in the first place?
