Tithe

On Thursday August 27, 2009 I was involved in a facebook discussion, which was started by a pastor of a large church in Las Vegas Nevada. The pastor implied that people trust God with their life's but won't trust him with their tithe.

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle/Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26;Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent, not the 10 percent which is generally considered the tithe amount today. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system.

The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says it is to be in keeping with income (1 Corinthians 16:2). Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a recommended minimum for Christians in their giving. The

New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God's wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give (James 1:5). Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver? (2 Corinthians 9:7).

The pastor removed the discussion and removed me as a friend, and all I did was to post the above. I am left thinking that he really did not want his congregation to know the absolute truth! Why would you think that would be? And if I am wrong why would he not take the time to teach me?