Tithing

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The word 'tithe' means ten percent. Specifically, ten percent of one's 'increase'. Technically, any offering of an amount other than 10% cannot be called a 'tithe'.

Is your question, "Is $10 a week an example of a good 'offering'?"
 
It seems God believes that we should tithe:

Malachi 3:6-8
6For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
7Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Matthew 23:23
23Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

I would add that the Bible nowhere forbids tithing.
 
I think the problem with the question is in the word, 'requires'. To be a Christian, it is not 'required' that you tithe, but only that you be found in the righteousness of Christ.

If you are asking whether a Christian should tithe, then that is a different matter. God does say that Gospel preachers should be supported just as the Levitical priests were supported. (1 Cor 9)
 
While tithing (10%) to the Levitical priesthood appears ceremonial in nature, it's worth noting that both Jacob and Abraham are seen giving tithes in certain circumstances before Moses. As for the new covenant, 10% is as good a place as any to start. Give generously and sacrificially.

A church needs more support than $10/wk from each member. Unless you are starving, that number is way too low, in my opinion.
 
Is your question, "Is $10 a week an example of a good 'offering'?"

People just call giving money to the church a "tithe". So, you always hear about tithing etc...

So whatever you call it, what is an acceptable/normal amount to give to a Church every week given a normal middle class income?

I do not believe that the Bible teaches we must give 10% of our total income to the Church.
 
I do not believe that the Bible teaches we must give 10% of our total income to the Church.

As do most church-goers. That probably explains why giving is so low in churches across the country.

Agreed. But it could be that in some cases, those who disagree with tithing do so because they believe giving 10% is too little.
 
I do not believe that the Bible teaches we must give 10% of our total income to the Church.

As do most church-goers. That probably explains why giving is so low in churches across the country.

Agreed. But it could be that in some cases, those who disagree with tithing do so because they believe giving 10% is too little.

Or it could be that they are using all of their money to live on.
 
I do not believe that the Bible teaches we must give 10% of our total income to the Church.

But, does the Bible teach we should give 10% of our increase to the Church?

I can't remember where in the New Testament it says that Christians should give 10% of their increase.

What is the increase?

Be careful with this line of reasoning. The NT does not say that Christians should baptize their infants either but I assume you believe they should.

As to the increase, its exact particulars are often debated but it appears to be those earthly things of which God has provided for your 'living'.

Deut 14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
 
Or it could be that they are using all of their money to live on.

I agree with that--it is very well likely that those people who don't tithe are living on that extra money. But how well are they living? Your comment makes it sound like the vast majority of church-goers are scraping by and cannot survive as a family if they give 10% of their firstfruits. While I am certain that is the case for some, I don't think that is the case for most.
 
We have a lot of laws we don't follow in the OT books of the law. How do we know which ones we are to follow and which ones we are freed from?
 
Regardless of whether 10% is mandated, our churches are in dire need of financial support among a nation that lives in luxury (think of all the technology we carry around). We must give sacrificially.
 
We have a lot of laws we don't follow in the OT books of the law. How do we know which ones we are to follow and which ones we are freed from?

We are commanded to give for the support of the Church in numerous New Testament passages (New, not Old). Here's one example of an offering being taken for the financial support of the Church, its ministers, and its needy on the Lord's Day:

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.
-1 Cor. 16:2

We know from other passages ([KJV]Acts 2:45[/KJV] being one of many examples) that they gave extremely generously.
 
How much should a family tithe?

Is $10.00 per week a good example of a tithe?

David,
I believe you have poorly worded your question and therefore I am not sure exactly what you want to know. Perhaps if you would like to rephrase your question with a more specific understanding of what you would like to know, myself or others may be better able to help you.
My understanding is that tithe means 10%, therefore to ask how much one should tithe doesn't make sense because the answer is automatically 10%.
Are you asking if tithing is biblical? My answer is yes, it is found in the bible. Are you asking if the tithe is required of believers today? No, it is not required of believers today.
Are you asking how much someone should give in a weekly offering to the local church? There is no set answer. This is something you and your wife should decide upon. The best scriptural advice I find for giving to church and in general is found in 2 Cor 9:6-8 which states: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
Based upon that passage, I believe you should give generously and always cheerfully. If a person is giving reluctantly or out of compulsion, then they need to examine their heart.
 
I'm just wondering what is normal for an average middle class income, that is all.

Somewhere in there I mentioned that I don't believe the bible teaches that Christians must give 10% which is correct. However, yes, I believe that we should give what we can. I usually don't give very much, and should probably give more. Maybe I'm just cheap.
 
I'm just wondering what is normal for an average middle class income, that is all.

Somewhere in there I mentioned that I don't believe the bible teaches that Christians must give 10% which is correct. However, yes, I believe that we should give what we can. I usually don't give very much, and should probably give more. Maybe I'm just cheap.

But that's the answer to your question. 10% of your income is the expected norm. Our churches need our support, and that's a good place to start.
 
There have been some good threads on this topic you may find useful (cf search feature).

The "tithe" and even "offering," strictly speaking were part of the Levitical law, that is civil law given Israel as a church under age.

Here's where the Westminster summary of the doctrine of Scripture helps us. Basically, equitable principles contained in these laws may still apply, though the exact application of the law, required as a standard of righteousness in the Old Testament, does not apply to us today.

Chapter XIX
Of the Law of God

.....

IV. To them also, as a body politic, He gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the State of that people; not obliging under any now, further than the general equity thereof may require.[7]

The tithing laws were quite detailed involving things like money, animals, produce and increases from year to year.

Remember also that God organized Israel with land grants to tribes except the Levites (priests) got no land because they were to be supported through the tithe. Obviously, no other nation is constituted that way, where one "tribe" is prevented from owning land.

Offerings were often designated for buildings. The actual tithe for the Jew under the Old Testament law was much more than 10 percent, because there were multiple tithes.

Does the Malachi principle of giving to support the local church, people and building still apply?

You bet.

And you see that continued in the New Testament.

If anything, 10 percent is a starting point for giving back to God... not an end in itself (because now we see more explicitly revealed in the excellency of Christ that God owns absolutely everything... absolutely all of it).:)
 
"Normal" in our household is 10%. But that's obviously not what you're looking for.

Again, what do you think your money pays for?
Define "normal" and "middle-class," please.
 
"Normal" in our household is 10%. But that's obviously not what you're looking for.

Again, what do you think your money pays for?
Define "normal" and "middle-class," please.

Thanks.

-----Added 11/16/2009 at 05:07:46 EST-----

Ok. Here's a question.

Is the 10% people pay after bills and living requirements or before?
 
We have a lot of laws we don't follow in the OT books of the law. How do we know which ones we are to follow and which ones we are freed from?

Whichever laws were not abrogated, (repealed by authoritative act). We know from Hebrews that the ceremonial laws of Moses were abrogated.
 
Ok. Here's a question.

Is the 10% people pay after bills and living requirements or before?

Firstfruits were the best of what you have. Think of it this way; how much does a full time teaching elder need to live? Probably 10 households' x 10% = one regular income. Plus, churches have other expenses. If you have benefitted from the ministry, should you not give generously to it? 10% is just the start.

Cheers,

Adam
 
What I keep coming back to is 2 Corinthians 9 and the reference of giving out of the cheerfulness of our hearts. This does seem to in some ways advocate what your saying in that 10% is not what is required. In this case of giving we are asked to give cheerfully and without a feeling of obligation. The definition of tithe is the giving of one tenth of something, often in regards to taxation. Allbeit the word tithe in English is one that comes out of Old English origins (I believe) and thus may be only 1000 or so years old. So seeing as God has asked in the OT for the tithes of our first fruits it does seem that He is pleased with giving of this nature. On the other hand, He wants us to give generously, cheerfully, and without obligation in the New Testament. I wouldn't say that this is a tearing down of the Old Testament law, but instead expounding on what was previously laid out and asking for giving to be done generously and without grumbling, questioning, or spirit of compulsion. I imagine that the church at Corinth was at the time experiencing questions similar to this and thus Paul was trying to address the church with love in this way.
 
The principle in 1 Cor 9 seems to relate specifically to the gospel ministry. First and foremost our desire as Christians should be the preaching of the Gospel. Preachers of the Gospel are supposed to be supported by Christians. The amount Christians give to support Gospel ministers is a reflection of how much Christians value the Gospel.

Christians value cel phones and they, therefore, support phone companies.
Christians value satellite television and they, therefore, support satellite providers.
Christians value cars and they, therefore, support car manufacturers.
Christians value a plumber's services and they, therefore, pay the plumber.

Where your money goes is a reflection of what you value in your life.

However, when a Christian becomes convicted that they should be supporting Gospel ministers more than they have been, it takes time for them to rearrange their spending habits to match their conviction. I think most Christians are playing 'catch up' with their desire to support Gospel ministers. That is perfectly fine because what is in the heart is the important thing.
 
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