Elder Dre, What Is Tithing? I'm not going to give (some) of you shameful readers, (I repeat: some, not all) would call a long, drawn out tediously exegetical, theological, hermeneutical, and philosophical perspectives on an answer to this question. But I will make it briefly worth your while.
Well my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, here we go. First of all "Tithing" in accordance with the Word of God in Deuteronomy 14:22-23 and 2 Corinthians 8:10-15, has purposes and principles. The purpose of tithing is to put God first in our lives in everything we have or do. We are to give God the first and best of what we earn in every aspect of the word. Not just in money or talent but also our time. For example, what we do first with our money, talent and time shows what we value most in our lives therefore we ought to value God first and foremost over any and everything in this life He has so graciously given us.
(1) Your willingness to give cheerfully is more important than the amount you give.
(2) You should strive to fulfill your financial commitments.
(3) If you give to others in need, they will, in turn, help you when you are in need.
(4) You should give as a response to Christ, not for anything you can get out of it.
How you give reflects your devotion to Christ.
(1) Each person should follow through on previous promises (2 Cor. 8:10-11; 2 Cor. 9:3).
(2) Each person should give as much as he or she is able (2 Cor. 8:12; 2 Cor. 9:6).
(3) Each person must make up his or her own mind how much to give (2 Cor. 9:7).
(4) Each person should give in proportion to what God has given him or her (2 Cor. 9:10).
God gives to us so that we can give to others.
Paul says that we should give of what we have, not what we don’t have. Sacrificial giving must be responsible. Paul wants believers to give generously, but not to the extent that those who depend on the givers (their families, for example) must go without having their basic needs met. Give until it hurts, but don’t give so that it hurts your family and/or relatives who need your financial support.
Last but not least, tithing is…
Mathematically it is a tenth. “… and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee” (Gen. 28:11).
Scripturally it is a law. “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase” (Deut. 14:22).
Morally it is a debt. “… Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings” (Mal. 3:8).
Economically it is an investment. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20). “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38).
Spiritually it is a blessing. “I will open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10).
There you go, simple and true.
I still love you all, I repeat, (you all, not just some) and always will.
Amen!
Read God's Word
About Me
- J.A. Vazquez
- I'm just a nobody, trying to tell everybody about Somebody who can save anybody. I give all honor to the Father for the privilege of being His instrument, through whom He lives and works for His glory alone. I served in the U.S. Navy for 21 years, retiring in September 2003. In my final three years, I was co-pastor at Greater New Refuge COGIC in Fallon, Nevada, under Pastor Gregory L. Brown. I supported my pastor and church by helping with a new sanctuary's construction and caring for all ministry needs while staying true to my mandate to preach the Word of God without compromise. In November 2002, I was licensed to preach and ordained in June 2003. While stationed in Virginia Beach, I served at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 17 years under Bishop-Elect W.D. Scott, Sr., and now I serve at Calvary Revival Church in Norfolk, VA, under Bishop B. Courtney McBath. I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Religion from Saint Leo University, deepening my foundation and commitment to this path of faith.
2 comments:
Deu 14:22 is a discussion of the 2nd festival tithe, not the first Levitical tithe as in Lev 27:29-34; ;Num 18:21-28 and Neh 10:25-28.
2 Cor 8:10-15 is not a discussion of tithing at all, but is an excellent example of freewill giving.
WRONG: "The purpose of tithing is to put God first in our lives in everything we have or do. We are to give God the first and best of what we earn in every aspect of the word. Not just in money or talent but also our time."
According to Lev 27: 29-34, tithes are neither firstfruits nor the best. Firstfruits were very small token offerings per Deu 26:1-4 and Neh 10:35-37. The first Levitical tithe of Num 18:21-28 was cold hard LAW and was only from FOOD PRODUCERS inside Israel.
TRUE: (1) Your willingness to give cheerfully is more important than the amount you give. THIS IS NOT TITHING; IT IS FREEWILL GIVING.
TRUE: (2) You should strive to fulfill your financial commitments.
TRUE: (3) If you give to others in need, they will, in turn, help you when you are in need.
TRUE: (4) You should give as a response to Christ, not for anything you can get out of it.
How you give reflects your devotion to Christ.
TRUE: (1) Each person should follow through on previous promises (2 Cor. 8:10-11; 2 Cor. 9:3).
TRUE: (2) Each person should give as much as he or she is able (2 Cor. 8:12; 2 Cor. 9:6).
TRUE: (3) Each person must make up his or her own mind how much to give (2 Cor. 9:7).
TRUE: (4) Each person should give in proportion to what God has given him or her (2 Cor. 9:10).
God gives to us so that we can give to others.
TRUE: Paul says that we should give of what we have, not what we don’t have. Sacrificial giving must be responsible. Paul wants believers to give generously, but not to the extent that those who depend on the givers (their families, for example) must go without having their basic needs met. Give until it hurts, but don’t give so that it hurts your family and/or relatives who need your financial support.
Last but not least, tithing is…
FALSE: Mathematically it is a tenth. “… and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee” (Gen. 28:11).
Biblical tithing was always only a tenth OF FOOD FROM INSIDE ISRAEL. Although money was common even in Genesis and essential for sanctuary worship, money is never included in 16 texts which describe the contents of the tithe.
TRUE/FALSE: Scripturally it is a law. “Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase” (Deut. 14:22).
It was only Law for OT Israel. It was never commanded to the Church in terms of grace after Calvary.
FALSE: Morally it is a debt. “… Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings” (Mal. 3:8).
Economically it is an investment. “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matt. 6:20). “Give, and it shall be given unto you” (Luke 6:38).
Spiritually it is a blessing. “I will open the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10).
It was only a debt for food producers who lived inside Israel. Jesus, Peter and Paul did not qualify as tithe-payers. The whole law was a test --not merely tithing. Obey ALL to be blessed; break ONE to be cursed. Galatians 3:10 effectively replaced Malachi 3:10 for Hebrews.
Russell Earl Kelly
www.tithing-russkelly.com
Amen sir, I do appreciate your insight and do stand corrected in various areas. Thank you brother Kelly and May The Lord continue to bless you as you've certainly have blessed me.
Post a Comment