Is Tithing Money?

[gundee123]

Hi Gundee,

I think you are wise to ask for various opinions.

Whatever you end up deciding, I hope that you will do so because it is what you believe in your heart, not because it's what people at your church expect you to believe.

If that is happening, find another church.

Different Biblical interpretations are why different Christian denominations and sects exist in the first place, but a lot of people are unaware of this. I know I was for a long time.

Thank you very much for your comment and suggestion. Please know that I agree with you 100%.

 

[gundee123]

In our parish Tithing is made up of the three "T's"
Time, Talent and Treasure. I am able to contribute a lot more time and talent then I am treaure

Thank you for sharing this with me. I think that it's great that you're able to contribute in your Parish in these three ways. I encourage you to continue to do so. If I may ask, "Do you consider these acts to be tithing according to biblical scripture?" Or would you consider them in performing acts of kindness similar to what Jesus taught?

Please know that I am in no way trying to question or undermine anyone's belief. I am simply trying to understand why tithes, as it is practiced in the churches today, means something totally different from what it does in the bible. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with me.

 

[Camp Creek Kid]

Luke 18:12 "I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess." The context of this scripture is the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. It shows that by the New Testament times, tithing was paid with whatever they possessed--there is no qualification of its form.

The first mention of tithing is in the Old Testament when Abram paid tithing to the King of Salem, who was the high priest (Genesis 14:16-20) "And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people . . . And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth. And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."

The "tithes of all" references the "goods," or spoils of war that Abram and Lot brought back from Sodom and Gomorrah. The goods could have been anything including livestock, treasures, money. We know that "goods" does not reference food because in Gen. 14:11 (KJV) it says, "And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way." So this talks about goods and food being separate.

 

[gundee123]

Luke 18:12 "I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess." The context of this scripture is the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. It shows that by the New Testament times, tithing was paid with whatever they possessed--there is no qualification of its form.

The first mention of tithing is in the Old Testament when Abram paid tithing to the King of Salem, who was the high priest (Genesis 14:16-20) "And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people . . . And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine; and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth. And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all."

The "tithes of all" references the "goods," or spoils of war that Abram and Lot brought back from Sodom and Gomorrah. The goods could have been anything including livestock, treasures, money. We know that "goods" does not reference food because in Gen. 14:11 (KJV) it says, "And they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their victuals, and went their way." So this talks about goods and food being separate.

Thank you for your insightful comment. You are correct about this verse not revealing the form of the tithe, in that, it does not specifically say what the Pharisee possess. However, we see that this is a Pharisee at the temple, praying with himself. He is telling God that he was not as other men are and what he has been doing, i.e., fasting twice a week and "giving a tithe of all that he possess."

This scripture also reveal that the Pharisees trusted in themselves that they were righteous and despised others (Luk 18:9). If this is the model that churches uses to justify tithing today, I would compel Christians to question it. Nobody should have confidence in monetary tithing because, everyone who exalts himself shall be abased (Luk 14).

I agree that the tithes referred to by Abraham are not necessarily food. However, this tithe was made before the law of Moses. When churches refer to Malachi 3:10 (as well as Deu 14:22) , they are not referring to this pre-law tithe. Also notice that this was a one-time event. There is no other bibical scripture where Abraham tithe anything. In addition, please note that Abraham did not tithe any of his personal possessions, i.e., his money. So if the churches are to follow Abraham's model for tithing, they should recognize two important facts: (1) - this was a one time event; (2) - it did not come from Abraham's personal possessions, but rather the spoils of war.

Thank you for your thoughtful insight and sharing the scripture with me.

 

[gundee123]

I have something I'd like to add to this thread: you used the phrase "God fearing" in your first sentence in your first post (the converstaions you've had with some "God fearing" Christians). I am of the belief that God is not to be feared. He (or She) does not punish.

I realize this was not your original question but I felt the need to express this. After the exposure I've received in my job for the past 8 years, I've witnessed a kind, caring God, not a punishing, God fearing one. That to me seems more important that the tithing confusion/question.

That's all I wanted to say.

Thank you for your inquiry about the phrase that is used, "God Fearing." I apologize for not responding earlier, but I did not realize that you had made this comment. I was reviewing some of the responses to my question, when I discovered that I had overlook your question. Please accept my apology for not providing a timely response.

My reason for using the phrase "God fearing" can be found in Psalm 103:17-18, where it states: "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them."

I can neither agree nor disagree with your assertion that the tithing question is less important than the phrase "God fearing." Many Christians believes that God does punish sinners. What is your view on this?

Again, thank for your insightful question and again I apologize for the tardy response.

 

[steyou]

I believe, through study, you could replace the word "fear" with "reverence" in this passage. I may be mistaken but I believe this is correct. Fear in this passage does not mean "scared".

 

[Rudyjohn]

I believe, through study, you could replace the word "fear" with "reverence" in this passage. I may be mistaken but I believe this is correct. Fear in this passage does not mean "scared".

Right on! Good description. God is not a punishing God. (imo.)

 

[gundee123]

I believe, through study, you could replace the word "fear" with "reverence" in this passage. I may be mistaken but I believe this is correct. Fear in this passage does not mean "scared".

Thank you for your comment, and I think you make an excellent point. On the other hand, you will notice that I never mentioned the word "scared" or "reverence." You asked, why did I use the phrase "God fearing." My reason can simply be found in the scripture.

I agree that through studying the bible, you might interpret the word "fear" to mean "reverence." However, if we start replacing words with other words, "Do you think that we are then rewriting the bible?" You see, I am under the belief that the bible means what it says. I realize that some scripture are not clearly understood and needs interpretation for some of us to get a better understanding. But if we start rewriting the scripture, I think that we may then be setting a bad precedence.

If I may, please allow me the opportunity to give a perfect example of what I think is rewriting the bible as it relates to the tithe. Many people believe that Malachi 3-10 (Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.) supports tithing as it is practiced today. The reason for this belief is that many people replace the word tithe with money; they replace the word storehouse with church; and they replace the word meat with the spiritual word of God.

Now if these are the true interpretations, is the bible really saying, "Bring ye all the money into the church, that there may be the spiritual word of God in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it?"

Again, I think that you make an excellent point when you say that "fear" in this case could be replaced with the word "reverence." However, the actual word that is used in the bible (KJV) is "fear." Therefore, it was in that context that I was referring to when I said God fearing. I really appreciate your opening up my mind up to another perspective about the word fear, and thank you again for your response.

 

[steyou]

There is no punishment from God for our sins if we are believeing. God sees us through the blood of Christ. We are blameless. Christ paid for our sins from yesterday, today and even the ones for tomorrow when he was nailed to the cross some 2000 years ago.

Through Christ we are free. We are free from the Law of the Old Test. Freedom is a good thing. We are free to be stupid or do stupid things or even sin. There are reprocussions to stupid behavior but we are not punished by God, if you are believeing. That is the key. Do you believe or trust in Christ. From the moment we believe, God holds us in his hand and no one can remove us from his hands. He has the biggest hands ever. He has the strongest hands ever. Yet, They are the softest hands ever.

He will not punish us but he will correct us. Remember the saying that everyone has herd, "We rear what we sow"?

I see Christ as one gently asking where I have been, I have been waiting for you. Some see Christ as someone Lording over that with a 5 lb hammer, cocked and ready. That is not love and God is Love.

 

[gundee123]

Right on! Good description. God is not a punishing God. (imo.)

Thank you for your comment. If you believe that God is not a punishing God, may I ask, "What say you about the term "wrath of God?"

Some Christians believe that the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah are examples of the divine wrath. Do you agree or disagree with this view? And lastly, many Christians traditionally believe that Hell is a place of punishment. What are your thoughts about this belief?

Thank you again for your comment.