I was doing some research on tithing, earlier today, and came across some very interesting observations. If anyone wishes to comment on these, let the sparks start flying:

Abraham and Jacob gave a tenth of what they had - once. It was not a repeated deal. The Tithe has specific rules and is reserved for specific purposes, none of which can be obeyed in the church since none of the circumstances exist. If you choose to give 10 percent in faith, in response to what God has done in your life, that’s fine. But the instant you make it a demand and a requirement, you have passed from grace to law. If you want to give 30 percent or your income, that’s fine. But the instant you make it a demand and a requirement, you have passed from grace into law. And the two simply do not mix.

A church might not get “enough” money if they don’t require tithing? Hey, maybe that church shouldn’t exist. Or perhaps the pastor should be willing to - oh, I don’t know - GET A JOB like paul, to support himself. You don’t have a building? Rent a hall, as small a hall as the offerings will support. And if they are enough to support one at all, then maybe the group SHOULD cease to exist.

Most folks who push tithes generally promote the ideas that a church has to have a building, the pastor has to be full time, and they (the church) has to have a lot of money to do things in the neighborhood as a church organization. I suspect you would be hard pressed to show me any of these ideas in the New Testament. Sure an ox should be fed, but it doesn’t say he has to be fed vintage hay.

The tithe comes in the form of pressure…..

Prior to accepting the offering….”All the tithers please stand”…..

Now how is a novice to articulate what is occuring before them when the are sitting and those whom are giving are commended to stand?

So this is not some store front-church type of pressure tactic.

The pressure comes when the pracher reaches series’ on the tithe, preaching “first-fruits” or God won’t bless you….you will be cursed with a curse……

Pressure comes in the form of churches NOT assiting individuals monetarily unless they access their financials and tithe records prior to considering such……

Pressure comes in the form of conforming to the church “vision” or agenda…..or be left behind and chastised among your leaders/peers accordingly (to their interpretation of the Word)……

Now for the last time, the Bible instructs us to give to support the ministry. I’m not sure how many times that have been mentioned. And yes, if a person has the MEANS to give, but doesn’t, then they are acting in rebellion against God. But please lets not limit this to not tithing or giving to the church. What about the poor? What about folk that are less fortunate than yourself that are outside of the church building? Doesn’t that hold some relevance?

Pastor Arlee Turner Jr.

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Fugett:

You replied directly to my post which is why I am addressing you. You always reference the fact that we don’t attend the local assemblies so it is clear that you are addressing me. As for fellowship, no one can definitively say how we should fellowship seeing that the scripture never said to assemble in church buildings. That is your tradition and I don’t think the Lord has a problem with those who assemble differently. (ONLY YOU DO)

It amazes me how people seem to think that if you reply to a discussion you are bothered by it. When the Pharisees were always accusing Jesus of things, he replied as well with statements such as “YOU ARE OF YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL.” So don’t assume that my reply means I am bothered but only that this is a free forum and you should expect a reply if you post here.

My interpretation of tithing is that it is OLD TESTAMENT LAW and that under the new covenant it is called GIVING. Old Testament Tithing doesn’t even resemble what modern day church folk call tithing. Once again, man has put his own spin on the scriptures and shoves it down the mouths of the sheeple with no resistance. You all can follow after the traditions of man if you wish and I’ll just do as the Lord says.

God Bless
Spin on Rest of God, whatever
Abraham and Jacob gave a tenth of what they had - once. It was not a repeated deal. The Tithe has specific rules and is reserved for specific purposes, none of which can be obeyed in the church since none of the circumstances exist. If you choose to give 10 percent in faith, in response to what God has done in your life, that’s fine. But the instant you make it a demand and a requirement, you have passed from grace to law. If you want to give 30 percent or your income, that’s fine. But the instant you make it a demand and a requirement, you have passed from grace into law. And the two simply do not mix.

Do you think it inappropriate that a fellowship of believers ever impose upon themselves principles they derive from scripture, but for which they have no explicit command in the New Testament? If they share a conviction about their manner of dress, about abstinence from recreational drinking, about avoidance of certain worldly entertainments, or the like, and they establish those as rules of conduct for their fellowship, have they also passed from grace to law?

In your local church are there any rules for the membership other than those "instructions in righteousness" for which you can cite chapter and verse?
How to get into impositions, and not get into legalities? They are mutually inclusive.

And, when you began to impose, isnt that like saying this dispensation of grace simply isnt enough? that laws and legalities and impositions were/are better?
Does grace mean there are no rules in the church? Certainly we find that Christ had commandments and the epistles include instructions in righteousness. Those "impositions" stand in this dispensation of grace, don't they?
They should, if they do not take away from grace.
yes, Joseph, certainly we do have instruction in righteousness in the epistles... but when man decides in an ad hoc fashion to amend or add to, then it can take away from grace
Toni, most churches are covenantal in that the members have agreed to live in a special relationship with each other. This has historically involved codes of conduct. These codes of conduct often address matters of saintly decorum that are are not verbatim found in the bible, but are based on scriptural principles. They are valuable; they remind us that we do not live our Christian lives individualistically but within the context of the Body of Christ accountable to one another.
yep, I hear you
To round out the thought, Toni, it is because I think that codes of conduct in no way impinge upon grace, that I am untroubled by the notion that among those codes might be the stipulation that members of a church organization agree to tithe.
For the first three hundred years of the church (about as long as the United States has been in existence) when it came to the Law of God it was not a case of either/or, as Aristotelian logic demands.Rather, according to the Hebrew thought, it is a marriage between God's instructions for a righteous life (we call it the Law), and grace (living without the curse of the Law hanging over our heads)

I hope to have a study on the Law of God completed soon. When I do, I'll post the url (link) so folks can review it - study it - and see where it takes everyone - as individuals. No, the study is NOT the final word, but it should give everyone an opportunity to explore the deeper issues of scripture for themselves - form a different perspective (point of view).
Outstanding idea! I love it! For both The Law and grace have been in operation since the Garden of Eden, and the two shall continue through to the end.

A most excellent suggestion Brother Watson!

I am finishing up on addressing the paradox of man being required to obey the law while at the same time recognizing man's inability to actually obey the law. Question: "What did God do to us, and why?"

Okay, so it's a trick question. God didn't do it to anyone - we did it to ourselves. LOLOL

I hope to have that segment finished this coming week.

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