THE TRUTH ABOUT TITHING. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE REALLY SAY? By Very Agent Of ChangeI have been looking into what the Bible actually teaches about tithing so I have to share my understanding with you all concerning tithing, and I think it is important that we separate what Scripture says from what we have simply been told by people and most men of God.1. Tithing was definitely commanded under the Law of Moses.The Israelites were commanded to give tithes. The tithe was connected particularly with their agricultural produce and with supporting the Levites and the worship system.So I don't think it is correct to say, “Tithing was never biblical.” It was definitely biblical under the Old Covenant.2. Jesus mentioned tithing, but we need to understand the context.In Matthew 23:23, Jesus criticized the Pharisees because they were very careful about tithing but were neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.Jesus said they should not neglect the former while practicing the latter.So Jesus did not condemn tithing itself. His concern was that people could be very religious about giving while neglecting the things that matter more to God.3. The New Testament does not directly command every Christian to give exactly 10% of their income.This is where I think we need to be very careful.Paul says in 2 Corinthians 9:7:“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion.”The emphasis is on willing and generous giving, not giving because someone has threatened you, pressured you, or told you that God will curse you if you don't give exactly 10%.4. What about Malachi 3:10?“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse.”Yes, that verse is in the Bible. But we also need to look at the context.Malachi was speaking to Israel and addressing their covenant obligations, including the temple and storehouse system.So I don't believe it is right to simply tell Christians, “If you don't give 10%, God will curse you.”Neither do I believe Malachi 3:10 should be used as a guaranteed formula that says if you give 10%, God must make you rich.We need to read Scripture in its proper context.5. So, is tithing a sin?No. I don't believe giving 10% is a sin.If a Christian decides, “I want to give 10% of my income to God's work,” there is nothing wrong with that. It can be a sincere expression of generosity.But I also don't believe that someone who doesn't give exactly 10% is automatically committing a sin.The New Testament emphasizes giving willingly, generously, and according to what a person has, rather than giving under compulsion.And I believe church leaders should be very careful not to manipulate or frighten people into giving.Christian giving should come from the heart.This is how I understand the Bible:The Old Testament commanded tithing as part of Israel's covenant and worship system.Jesus did not condemn tithing, but He strongly condemned people who focused on religious practices while neglecting justice, mercy, and faithfulness.The New Testament teaches Christians to give generously, willingly, and without compulsion. It does not plainly command every Christian to give exactly 10%.So I don't think we need to choose between saying “tithing is a sin” and saying “every Christian must give exactly 10% or God will curse them.”I believe we should simply read the Bible carefully, understand the context, and allow God's Word to guide our giving.READ THE BIBLE. STUDY THE CONTEXT. GIVE FREELY, GIVE GENEROUSLY, AND GIVE WITH A SINCERE HEART.
In Album: Millard Kinnison's Timeline Photos
Dimension:
1122 x 1402
File Size:
259.9 Kb
Be the first person to like this.
