I think the best way I can answer that question for the purposes of this discussion is
Matthew 10:8, Freely you have received; freely give.
OT law & New Testament giving
- Thread starter Siloam
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I think the best way I can answer that question for the purposes of this discussion is
Matthew 10:8, Freely you have received; freely give.
To me this passage is referring to the things we inherit through Christ or as good works of His purpose or calling or power. How does this fit in the tithe unless you are talking about giving things up ( time spent doing other things ) in order to tithe that time unto God doing the things He calls us to do.
If I understand what you're saying, I think that's a fairly reasonable summary. Time spent serving others for the sake of the gospel is one of the ways we can give back from what we've been freely given.
God does require us to give Him our time, but He desires us to give Him what is HIS---and that is the first tenth of our increase, which is our income---for His use, which is given to the storehouse, the local church, as our spiritual supply house.
Where is that verse?
Tithes are calculated on one's "increase" (Deuteronomy 14:22, 28; 2 Chronicles 31:5).
To determine one's increase one must deduct the costs of doing business from gross income. For example, in the case of a farmer, the cost of seed, fertilizer, equipment and other farm-related expenses would be deducted from the profit of a crop to determine the increase.
After we determine our increase, we should give a tenth to God for the support of His work. If we receive regular paychecks, it is often best to send our tithes and our offerings (contributions above 10 %) when our paychecks arrive. Self-employed people who experience significant fluctuations in income and expense may not be able to accurately figure their increase until the end of a year.
To determine one's increase one must deduct the costs of doing business from gross income. For example, in the case of a farmer, the cost of seed, fertilizer, equipment and other farm-related expenses would be deducted from the profit of a crop to determine the increase.
After we determine our increase, we should give a tenth to God for the support of His work. If we receive regular paychecks, it is often best to send our tithes and our offerings (contributions above 10 %) when our paychecks arrive. Self-employed people who experience significant fluctuations in income and expense may not be able to accurately figure their increase until the end of a year.
I agree with your differentiation of tithes and offerings.
However is it possible that "tithe" means a "contractual recurring percentage which is most often a tenth in scripture?"
Is it possible that its theologically argued that the "tithe" in its various percentages will add up to be more than twenty percent in Mosaic law?
However I will agree that a "tenth" is the "primary percentage that was observed in the OT" before and during Mosaic Law. Abram "tithed a tenth" of the spoils to Melchizedek, Jacob promised a “tenth” to the Lord of all that he had, and the actual “storehouse percentage in Mosaic Law was indeed a “tenth.”
I believe that “tithing” is simply a “portion that you can commit to giving on a recurring basis (daily, weekly, monthly etc...) I believe that what separates "tithing" and "offerings" is "commitment." Tithes are contractual, and offerings are spontaneous, or circumstantially strategic.
Do you feel that the NT communicates a “contractual recurring amount?” After Christ fulfilled the Mosaic Contract upon the cross, do you feel that the early church ever endorsed a “mandated recurring tenth?”
Is it possible that a “local church today can require voluntary membership to tithe a percentage” and would it be honorable to “commit to a contract with the local body as the Spirit leads?”
This is a common modern version of tithing. It consolidates the three OT tithes (averaging about 23% annually), the (absolutely mandatory) first fruit offering, the temple tax, and other provisions for the Levites (all of which belonged to God) into one , much lower reoccurring payment. It also assumes that the source of the tithes and the intent/destination of the tithes are not significant. What scripture instructs us to make this new rule?
Euphemia I have deep respect for your contributions. Would it be too much to ask for a Biblical foundation for why you believe that "the tithe must always be a tenth?" Please know that I already agree that it "can be and often is a tenth in scripture."
My sister in the Lord, please know that I am already your beneficiary from your many comments, and grateful for your wisdom in scripture.
There's nothing new about it.
Thank you for your encouraging words, GF.
Tithe = tenth. That's the only reason. If one desires or is led by God to give alms or offerings, then that is not a tithe, but is in addition to the tenth, which belongs to God.
If I may humbly point out that simply stating that there's nothing new about it is unlikely to convince me. If there is a scripture that describes tithing as you have, I'd be happy to consider it.
As far as I can tell from scripture, though, it's different in the amount (about 23% annually), the source, and the purpose of the OT tithes. It what way is it not new?
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In the OT, much more than a tenth belonged to God. Three tenths belonged to God. The first fruits offering belonged to God; it was mandatory giving, not optional. The temple tax belonged to God. Other required provisions for the Levites belonged to God. Where is the scripture that shows where only one tenth started belonging to God?
Hello Great Fiction,
Perhaps it is best said this way. A person can over think things and try to disect things and even get caught up in deep understanding in a theologically out look on things OR They can simply Take what the Written Word Of God says and believe it and live by it.
Gods word is not something to get all caught up in theories or go about questioning it.
You as well as any one in this thread knows what the tithe stands for and that it is 10 percent.
One can either except this or not except it but the tithe and the 10 percent is NOT UP FOR DEBATE OR QUESTIONING. See we are called Believers Because we BELIEVE what God has said in His word....
There is nothing more that can be gained from this conversation and I think we all need to move on.....
None of us want to see any more threads closed because of heavy debating, Know what I mean ?
Have a very Blessed and wonderful Day
Jim
Which of these laws or mandatory unto God were set by God ?
First fruits always means the first part of any increase.
The written word of scripture says that God is owed three tithes, and in addition, He is owed various other forms of mandatory giving. If we were to "simply Take what the Written Word Of God says and believe it and live by it," by what justification do we now say that only 10% belongs to Him?
The distinction between the mandatory first fruit offering and tithing (including a great description of the intent of tithing) is described in Deut 26.
Where does it say there are three different tithes and various other forms of MANDATORY giving ?
But I hope you will agree that it is a good thing to question traditions, and see if they truly reflect Biblical teaching.