Arguments For and AGAINST Tithing, as some ask should Christians Tithe?
Written by: GOP | posted:
Tithing - to pay or give a tenth part of esp. for the support of the church
ARGUMENTS FOR TITHING:
God claims the tithe is His.
Lev 27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD.
Some belief this system was put in place in the old testament and wasn't changed in the New Testament.
Tithing is God's method of supporting the ministry.
1Co 9:13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
1Co 9:14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. God gave the tithe to them (Numbers 18:21). "even so" today requires tithing to continue.
Num 18:21 And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.
A blessing is promised if you do.
2 Corinthians 1:20 says that all God's promises are Yes in Christ. So the blessings promised to the tither in the Old Testament, such as Malachi 3:10, are still available and valid for you today.
2Co 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Some believe tithing shows God where one's allegiance lies
ARGUMENTS AGAINST TITHING:
One of the chief arguments against the tithe is the fact that it was part of the Law which is no longer in place because it was fulfilled. The Bible in Mat 23:23 speaks of the tithe being a part of the law though not carrying as much weight as others.
In God’s Word the tithe is always only plants or animals. The Bible should be used in order to define “tithe.” Secular dictionaries do not always provide an accurate explanation.
The contents never included money, silver, gold or anything other than plants and animals.(Lev. 27:30, 32; Numb. 18:27, 28; Deut. 12:17; 14:22, 23; 26:12; 2 Chron. 31:5, 6; Neh. 10:37; 13:5; Mal. 3:10; Matt. 23:23; Luke 11: 42). Proponents of the tithing act can not show in the bible where tithing plants and animals, have been exchanged for money.
One tenth of this tithe was supposed to be sacrificed to God. This is not done, because the days of the law where sacrifices were offered to God have come to an end, when Jesus died on the cross for all sins. According to Numbers 18:21-24 and Nehemiah 10:37, it went to the servants of the priests, the Levites. And according to Numbers 18:25-28 and Nehemiah 10:38, the Levites gave the best “tenth of this tithe” (1%) which they received, to the priests, who ministered the sin sacrifices and served inside the holy places.
Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek was a one-time recorded event. Abraham’s tithe was not from his own personal property but of the spoils of war
Israelites who earned a livelihood from farming and herding inside Israel were required to tithe under the Mosaic Law. Their increase came from God’s hand. Those whose increase came from their own crafts and skills were not required to tithe products and money. The poor and needy who did not tithe and received from the tithe gave freewill offerings.
First-Tithes were Received by Servants to the Priests.
In exchange for receiving these tithes, both Levites and priests forfeited all rights to permanent land inheritance inside Israel (Num. 18:20-26; Deut. 12:12; 14:27, 29; 18:1, 2; Josh. 13:14, 33; 14:3; 18:7; Ezek. 44:28). Even if tithes were New Covenant they would first go to the (Levites) deacons to assist the preachers and maintain the buildings.
The New Testament Does Not Teach Tithing. Tithing is not taught to the church after the cross.
Limited Old Covenant Priests Were Replaced by All Believer-Priests.
In the New Covenant every believer is a priest to God (1 Pet. 2:9, 10; Rev. 1:6; 5:10). And, as a priest, every believer offers sacrifices to God (Heb. 4:16; 10:19-22; 13:15, 16). Therefore, every ordinance which had previously applied to the old priesthood was blotted out at the cross. Since OT priests did not pay tithes, then tithing cannot logically continue
Christians were encouraged to give generously (Rom. 12:8), but the New Testament never gives a percentage as a required standard for our giving. Instead, it says, "Every 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. 9:7), (1 Cor. 16:1-2). God wants us to give because we want to do so. Our gifts should be “generous” (2 Cor. 9:5) and given with “liberality” (2 Cor. 9:11), for God will see to it that the generous giver will not suffer want.
This is one of the reasons why Christians is some cases do not receive bountiful blessings. It is because they don't realize there is liberty with Jesus. And that God likes a cheerful giver. Many Christians are forced to give because of a belief in tithing. This leads to the Christians in some cases giving grudgingly, which God doesn't appreciate.