Post by Jo Smith on Nov 24, 2008 19:44:00 GMT -5
From: joie (Original Message) Sent: 12/3/2001 11:47 PM
Tithing is NOT taught in the N.T. It is the law. It was not taught in the Garden of Eden. It is not in the book of Genesis as a concept; the only time it is mentioned is where Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedec, which was a heavenly being.
They were to bring tithes into a 'storehouse' for the purpose of helping the Levites and people who needed help.
The only time 'storehouse' is mentioned in the N.T. is when Jesus said the birds which have neither storehouse nor barn, God feeds. The Church is NOT a storehouse; If it is, it is wrong.
Jesus said we are to be like a RIVER. or a well of water SPRINGING up. A river does not store up anything.
If you will carefully study the Book of Acts; which tells how the N.T. Church opperated, you will not find the word 'tithe' mentioned; for they did not practice giving 10% of anything to God; they gave 100%.
Now, that is the real reason most preachers and church people cling so much to the law way of giving (10%)---for they do NOT want to go by N.T. ways = that of giving it all.
No one (at least, not many) want everything they are, or have, to be on the alter to God!!! No sir!!! They want to cling to the O.T. way of giving only 10%---and keeping back 90% for themselves!!!
But, I tell you, it is not N.T. giving. It is not acceptable to God. We must give our all to God. This does not mean I have to give away everything I own; but it does mean that it should be on the alter; letting God direct my every move. IF God said give it all, then I must do that. It he directs me to give half this month, this might be a test to see if I obey him. I must do that.
If they (N.T. Christians--in the book of Acts) had more than one home or piece of land, they sold it and distributed it to all. They who had houses(plural) or lands (plural) sold them...
WHERE in the N.T. are we told to tithe? Jesus told Pharisees (who were still under the law) that they did this but omitted the weighter matters of the LAW. This ought you to have done, and not leave the other undone. But why did he tell them, This ought you to have done? Because they were STILL under that. We are not.
11Cor. 9:6--But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly: and he which soweth bountifull shall reap also bountifully.
v7---Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of NECESSITY: FOR GOD LOVETH A CHEEFRUL GIVER.
Here we are told that is not of necessity. If we are still under a command to tithe, then it would be of necessity. Nothing in the N.T. is of necessity; we do it out of love. We give whatever we purpose in our heart; it is not a certain amount; it is not a command. That is clearly taught in the N.T.
If you teach O.T. tithing, you are clinging to law and bringing people into bondage which Jesus set them free from. You are trying to set for people a certain amount; and telling them they must do this. But Paul said for each person to decide for themselves how much to give. Very few things in the Word are said this way: for us to decide for ourselves; and you are trying to take this freedom away from people. When did God make you (tithe teachers) overseer of how other Christians give?
You need to study these things out by the Word before you try to teach others.
Jo
Tithing is NOT taught in the N.T. It is the law. It was not taught in the Garden of Eden. It is not in the book of Genesis as a concept; the only time it is mentioned is where Abraham paid tithes to Melchisedec, which was a heavenly being.
They were to bring tithes into a 'storehouse' for the purpose of helping the Levites and people who needed help.
The only time 'storehouse' is mentioned in the N.T. is when Jesus said the birds which have neither storehouse nor barn, God feeds. The Church is NOT a storehouse; If it is, it is wrong.
Jesus said we are to be like a RIVER. or a well of water SPRINGING up. A river does not store up anything.
If you will carefully study the Book of Acts; which tells how the N.T. Church opperated, you will not find the word 'tithe' mentioned; for they did not practice giving 10% of anything to God; they gave 100%.
Now, that is the real reason most preachers and church people cling so much to the law way of giving (10%)---for they do NOT want to go by N.T. ways = that of giving it all.
No one (at least, not many) want everything they are, or have, to be on the alter to God!!! No sir!!! They want to cling to the O.T. way of giving only 10%---and keeping back 90% for themselves!!!
But, I tell you, it is not N.T. giving. It is not acceptable to God. We must give our all to God. This does not mean I have to give away everything I own; but it does mean that it should be on the alter; letting God direct my every move. IF God said give it all, then I must do that. It he directs me to give half this month, this might be a test to see if I obey him. I must do that.
If they (N.T. Christians--in the book of Acts) had more than one home or piece of land, they sold it and distributed it to all. They who had houses(plural) or lands (plural) sold them...
WHERE in the N.T. are we told to tithe? Jesus told Pharisees (who were still under the law) that they did this but omitted the weighter matters of the LAW. This ought you to have done, and not leave the other undone. But why did he tell them, This ought you to have done? Because they were STILL under that. We are not.
11Cor. 9:6--But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly: and he which soweth bountifull shall reap also bountifully.
v7---Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of NECESSITY: FOR GOD LOVETH A CHEEFRUL GIVER.
Here we are told that is not of necessity. If we are still under a command to tithe, then it would be of necessity. Nothing in the N.T. is of necessity; we do it out of love. We give whatever we purpose in our heart; it is not a certain amount; it is not a command. That is clearly taught in the N.T.
If you teach O.T. tithing, you are clinging to law and bringing people into bondage which Jesus set them free from. You are trying to set for people a certain amount; and telling them they must do this. But Paul said for each person to decide for themselves how much to give. Very few things in the Word are said this way: for us to decide for ourselves; and you are trying to take this freedom away from people. When did God make you (tithe teachers) overseer of how other Christians give?
You need to study these things out by the Word before you try to teach others.
Jo