“Storehouse Tithing” is a favorite topic among fundamentalist pastors, especially when building project fever strikes a congregation. And why not preach on tithing regularly? It’s a frequent theme through Scripture as evidenced by at least 3 or 4 verses in the New Testament — most of which involve Jesus using it as example of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. And then there are all the times when the command is given to the church. There’s…uh…well…I’m sure it’s in there somewhere.
Asking a fundamentalist to explain this lack of New Testament commands about tithing will likely be met by a lecture on “evil questioning” and a few hand-picked verses from the Old Testament that fundies somehow know are still applicable today. One can only assume there is a special class in “Figuring Out Which Old Testament Stuff The Church Still Needs To Do” given at the local basement bible college. (Short Answer: Whichever parts don’t involve giving up cotton blend shirts or bacon)
A fun experiment is asking a fundy whether or not 9% of their tithe is kept in the levitical refuge cities. After all, if we’re following the Scripture let’s follow all of it, amen?
Now where did I put my wave offering….
“a special class in ‘Figuring Out Which Old Testament Stuff The Church Still Needs To Do’ given at the local basement bible college.”
Nice. I dated a girl once whose parents adhered to Old Testament dietary law, meaning no shrimp or catfish–impossible in my southern family. My mom always wanted to know why they didn’t offer constant sacrifices, too.
And make sure you don’t mention tithing 10% of your time or labor to fundies. That’s WAY harder to do than give 10% of your money.
Ah yes, tithing. And of course don’t forget the importance of tithing your gross income, not your net, or God won’t open the windows of heaven and bless you. (Hmm, sounds a lot like prosperity gospel to me!) Yet another issue where fundies ignore pesky little details like not ripping verses out of context and teaching the whole counsel of God, emphasizing what God considers to be important. Regardless of your views on whether tithing is still applicable to believers under the new covenant, it should be pretty clear from Scripture that it is not the main thing or even that important of a thing (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) – which is not what you would think based on the number of times it is mentioned in your average fundy church!
Well if you a good fundie your “wave offering” should be located in the upper left front pocket of your double breasted suit. What you dont own a double breasted suit? Hmm you must not be tithing or God would have blessed you with enough money to get one. Tsk Tsk. =)
Good one!
You know, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a sermon on the tithe that the Israelites were supposed to party with. Deut.14:23-26
“You know, I don’t think I’ve ever heard a sermon on the tithe that the Israelites were supposed to party with. Deut.14:23-26”
Yeah and you definitely won’t hear anything preached on verse 26: “and spend the money for whatever you desireâ€â€oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household.”
I liked your comment so much I posted it on facbook, giving you credit of course!
You don’t want to support your Pastor? Help heat or cool the church or provide the materials that missionaries need all around the world? Maybe this should not be preached on constantly. But giving to the ministry should be important. I don’t always like to give my money, but in the end I’m glad I do. I am not forced. I feel that God owns it all anyway, why should I keep it when others may use it for a better purpose?
Forgiven, I don’t think anyone here is against all types of giving. The issue is whether the tithe (giving at least 10% of your income) should be preached as a command and as often as it is.
I’m not against giving for needs, but maintaining a massive general fund (by creating a guilt trip) to pay for whatever the pastor “feels The Lord is leading” him to do is not the Scriptural way.
Repeat that word “strong drink” in verse 26 and hear that IFBx scream “worldly”! =)
Um…there are plenty of commands to give in the New Testament. Just none that mandate OT-st yle tithing.
“You don’t want to support your Pastor?…”
Forgiven – the Church survived 1900 years without tithing and many still do. Tithing is really a lack of trust in God. Preachers who teach tithing do not allow the Holy Spirit to work in a believer’s heart in order for them to be the kind of givers outlined in the New Testament. In a sense, those who are “robbing” God are actually the ones who are tithing. I was a tither for years, until I actually studied my Bible on the subject. Modern-day tithing is a man-made doctrine that has no Biblical support. OTOH simple heart-felt giving is very Biblical.
just to raise a ruckus (and yes, it is another OT reference), but what about Abraham setting a tithing example pre-law ((w/ Melchizadech (sp?))?
What Abraham did was his own business. He was not COERCED into giving tithes to the Priest of God (like many churches today). Also, this was apparently a one-time gift, given by choice, not a weekly or monthly ritual of dropping a large chunk of your income into the bottomless pit general fund.
Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek is hardly an example for Christians to tithe 10% of their (gross) income to the church. This tithe was never commanded by God and it was not Abraham’s personal property. In addition, he returned the other 90%!
Simply put, tithing was not an enternal principle that was supposed to be practiced before, during, and after the Law as many believe and teach. If God wanted Christians to tithe it would be very clear in the New Testament. It just ain’t there.
Almost sounds to me that Stan is saying that if it is taught in the Old Testament that we shouldn’t follow it as Christians unless it is also mentioned in the New Testament????
Tithing is a good place to start and if we want to give more as we are led, then we should do it. Even John Piper and John MacArthur have taught on tithing.
Again Darrell is trying to divide people as he posts on his site, but it is his site. How about Philippians 2:3.
Charles, do you offer burnt sacrifices?
The “tithing is a good place to start” sounds nice, but again it’s not biblical. It goes along the lines of “Israel gave 10%, we can give more”, or “it’s the least we can do,” type thinking. These and other talking points are used by pro-tithers because they have no scriptural basis for their practice. They need to have guilt-promoting quotes or even “tithing testimonies.” Believe me, I was the tither of tithers for many years and I used to say the same things.
On the other hand, simple, sacrificial giving is extremely clear in the NT. And as I’ve mentioned before on this site, that’s the way it was for a long time until tithing suddenly got “rediscovered.”
Are you sure about Piper and MacArthur? Articles I’ve read from both men are not pro-tithing at all. Even still, it doesn’t matter what Piper, MacArthur, or even any IFB preacher teaches. It’s what the Bible teaches.
Stan – Easy does it, you are getting all excited. At least you didn’t blast me on Philippians 2:3. As for Piper and MacArthur, Piper had a sermon in 1995 and MacArthur was quoted in Christianity Today magazine. Have a good day.
Not excited in the least. Sorry, did you want me to blast you on Phil 2:3? 🙂 At least this site is fun! Thanks Darrell.
I disagree; this site is not fun and causes strife and unrest amongst believers like many others on both sides.
I don’t understand why people come here, find out what goes on in here, and then whine that they don’t like it.
That’s why the early Church met in HOUSES……
Low overhead…. No need to gripe about not “tithing” when the assembly ISN’T in debt for HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS of DOLLARS.
An often overlooked fact is that the early Church also didn’t have official, permanent pastors…
This site is, in fact, very fun. And I think the type of “believers” that hold to this BS deserve to have strife and unrest. Try reading Paul’s letters. See how many times he cares about whether he offends any believers with what he says…
BIBLE SCRIPTURES THE TITHE POLICE DO NOT WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND:
John 19:30 It is finished.” The Translation is: “Paid in full”
Galatians 5:4 “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace”
Galatians 3:10 “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law”
Galatians 3:11 “So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life”
This cancels the Old Covenant curse in Malachi
Galatians 3:13 “Christ has redeemed (rescued us) from the curse of the law by being made a curse for us for it is written “Cursed is everyone that hangs on a tree”
Galatians 3:14 “He redeemed us in order that THE BLESSING given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through (tithing? NO WAY) through Jesus Christ, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Romans 8:32 “Since He did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all surely He will freely with Him (God’s Son Jesus) FREELY give us ALL things.
Do not respond back with Abraham and Jacob tithe they gave a voluntary tenth one time and God did not command it however God did command them to be circumcised and all male babies on the 8th day? So if anything they should be teaching on circumcision not tithing. Can anyone see the inconsistent selection in their tithe mandate.
Stop robbing Jesus of the payment he made by giving your tithe payment the credit–You boasters need a clear revelation of Grace (UNEARNED FAVOR)!
John 1:16 ” For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace”
John 1:17 “The Law was given by way of Moses but Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”
Sadly the majority of Christians do not have a clue what this means!
I don’t think there’s any other topic that pisses fundies off more than to question tithing. (Can I say “piss” here?)
No, “pisseth.”
Yes, tithing is not biblical in the NT. Christ fulfilled ALL of the law…ceremonial and moral. Tithing is an OT mandate for the nation of Israel.
Our Lord, in the NT, instructs us through his apostle that we are to give not grudingly or of necessity…God loves the “hillarious” giver! We give what we purpose in our heart to give.
Now, the moG’s of the world would have us give 10% of our gross income. Afterall, we do have to pay for the sacred building (unbiblical) and the ordained clergy (unbiblical) along with all the things that go along with the building and clergy.
We are bound by men’s tradition.
B.R.O.
Good answer, BRO, except for one thing. You forgot to tell John (not the fundie one) that he must needs standeth while he yet pisseth, elseth he must returneth his man card.
Some good insight here on the scam of ‘mandatory’ tithing. Again, more twisting of scripture to line the MOGs’ pockets & keep ‘their’ ministry growing.