Clearly when one looks to the Bible the picture of giving a tenth is found pre-law, during the period of the Law, and then one discovers something changes in the New Testament. It is at this point that some will argue that the above statement proves our disregarding the tithe in the New Testament under the New Cov. I disagree with those who would say this and in fact I think that what they miss is vital to more than this discussion of the tithe.
GRACE is the incredible reality that God did for us, who did not deserve it, what we could not do nor could the Law do - GRACE allowed me and everyone reading this post to have the opportunity of Salvation through the person of Jesus Christ due to His death, burial, and resurrection. Oh to GRACE how great a debtor I am! In fact, I love the words to the song sung by Travis Cottrell - Jesus Saves! I am listening to it right now as I post. It is this topic and more the reality of GRACE that opens the window into the plan of God. It is the picture that describes more vividly than anything else can just who God is and why He is so incredible!
When one reads the laws that were given to Israel, one needs to understand that those laws were in fact, by living up to them, the only way from a human situation, that a person could be accepted by God. The law shows each of us that we need a Saviour. For none of us can live up to and keep the law. Jesus Himself said that He came to "fulfill the law..." in Matt 5:17 and NOT to destroy it. He became the sacrifice and thus fulfilled the law for us. Not that we are under the law as we clearly in Galatians. We are free. Yet, the "being under..." is not the issue.
The law was clearly a picture for us of God's standard. In the tithe, regardless of the crops issue that some so want to claim, the law only continued what was already seen in pre-law days. In the New Testament, no mention is required to know that the standard had not changed and the picture is still present with one very important fact - GRACE raised the mark.
As we under GRACE are the recipients of such great love, the question must be asked pertaining to the tithe as to how or why or what then should we do? Clearly a person is free to NOT tithe. Clearly that person would NOT be destined for hell on the issue of the tithe. Clearly 10% is not a requirement. For under GRACE, all of our lives are called into the position and obedience of FULL surrender. If a person says "I tithe 10% and thus I am doing well." That person is abusing the principle of the tithe and the GRACE factor. Clearly the minimum from the beginning of scripture through the end is seen in the 10% example. But in Christ's surrender to the Will of God for us, the issue is no longer "a tenth" or "what is the minimum" but rather my WHOLE life, finances and all are to be yielded to Him. Colossians makes it clear that everything we do is to be done to His Glory.
So would we do less than the law asked for? Would we do less than what was done in pre-law times?
Absolutely NOT!
And this gets us to the issue of the church. And the fun will continue!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
The Tithe, Law, New Testament, and Grace
Often people only view the law in Old Testament when trying to validate the tithe or invalidate it. It is clear that the Law teaches tithing for Israel. There is usually NO arguments or discussions about this fact save for the 3 tithe issue. The discussions get heated however when the topic of New Testament practice begin.
As we have previously noted, Jesus makes mention of the tithe in His conversation with the Pharisees. In a future post we will look at the teachings of the Apostle Paul and some key things that must be noted and applied when accurately developing a case for or against the tithe from his teachings and life.
What seldom is noted in current discussions is the fact that the tithe appears PRE - LAW in the Old Testament. Abraham and Jacob both voluntarily embraced the tithe (the giving of a tenth). It is in this study that we discover the Biblical Heart of the tithe. For the arguments against the tithe due to legalism, this study sheds light on the misuse of Legalism in the discussion and the truth that the Biblical Tithe has always been voluntarily done out of love for the Lord God.
The Law codified the tithe for the nation of Israel. The standard of the tenth was kept from pre - law to the law. If you will continue to trace the journey of the tithe, you will discover that unlike the FOOD issues, the tithe is never repealed. The tithe is embraced just as Abraham, Jacob, and the law embraced it. Jesus told the Pharisees that they should have given the tithe while also doing other things. Not once did he say "stop giving the tithe!" Why? What about GRACE?
I actually love the discussion of GRACE in light of the tithe. The norm and error by many as seen in our current culture inside the church, is to argue that we are under GRACE thus the tithe is no longer valid. The acceptance of less than 10% is thusly justified when one takes this appraoch. While another major error is made in the acceptance that 10% is enough. GRACE changes the discussion. Neither are accurate.
And we will continue here later in the week...
As we have previously noted, Jesus makes mention of the tithe in His conversation with the Pharisees. In a future post we will look at the teachings of the Apostle Paul and some key things that must be noted and applied when accurately developing a case for or against the tithe from his teachings and life.
What seldom is noted in current discussions is the fact that the tithe appears PRE - LAW in the Old Testament. Abraham and Jacob both voluntarily embraced the tithe (the giving of a tenth). It is in this study that we discover the Biblical Heart of the tithe. For the arguments against the tithe due to legalism, this study sheds light on the misuse of Legalism in the discussion and the truth that the Biblical Tithe has always been voluntarily done out of love for the Lord God.
The Law codified the tithe for the nation of Israel. The standard of the tenth was kept from pre - law to the law. If you will continue to trace the journey of the tithe, you will discover that unlike the FOOD issues, the tithe is never repealed. The tithe is embraced just as Abraham, Jacob, and the law embraced it. Jesus told the Pharisees that they should have given the tithe while also doing other things. Not once did he say "stop giving the tithe!" Why? What about GRACE?
I actually love the discussion of GRACE in light of the tithe. The norm and error by many as seen in our current culture inside the church, is to argue that we are under GRACE thus the tithe is no longer valid. The acceptance of less than 10% is thusly justified when one takes this appraoch. While another major error is made in the acceptance that 10% is enough. GRACE changes the discussion. Neither are accurate.
And we will continue here later in the week...
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Tithe Today
The current debates relating to the tithe are focused on whether or not the tithe is part of the New Covenant or is it applicable today? Those who desire that the tithe be eliminated today always use the fact that it was limited to Old Law.
What many miss is the fact that no where was the tithe ever done away by Jesus himself nor is it fully understood as to how GRACE applies, thus fits within the total scriptural teaching of the tithe and stewardship. For those who have wondered when I would get around to scriptural application, we are here. This is actually my favorite part of the study. We will explore the New Testament model and see what is often omitted from the discussions of today.
We begin with the New Testament church as seen in the New Testament. We see Paul. A man sent out to share the Gospel. In fact repeatedly we read that Paul was supported, financially and prayerfully, by the churches. How was he supported by these churches if tithing/giving to the church was not taught and lived? In the letters that Paul wrote, he commended the churches for their giving (2 Cor 9:2 and 1 Cor 16: 1-4). The conclusion is thus simple, they collectively gave and the church then gave. In fact the church in Jerusalem was one of the benefactors of many churches giving.
How did the people give to the individual churches?
It is clear in the New Testament that GRACE raised "the bar" when it came to giving as a whole. It stands to reason that a person who was a recipient of the GRACE of God would out of love, devotion, and thanksgiving give far more than the tithe required under the law. It is here that the tithe is seen in the New Testament as a standard that acts as the starting point in our giving.
Giving to our churches is easily seen and cannot be ignored in the New Testament. The needs of people, poor and hungry, the spreading of the Gospel, the care of the servants, all are there. As mentioned in previous posts, the huge disagreements that are often mentioned relating to giving to local churches today are weak at best. Yes there are churches that are poorly handling the money that God's people give. Yes there are issues that each church must deal with. Those issues DO NOT lay the basis for one neglecting the giving to one's church. To do so is violate the whole of scripture.
The giving today of God's people should be far above the requirements of the tithe. The Bible is also very clear that churches who were in poverty gave out of their poverty and the blessings of God were seen. The joy and thanksgiving in our hearts should permeate our giving. And this giving should be done based on our first fruits.
And we will continue...
What many miss is the fact that no where was the tithe ever done away by Jesus himself nor is it fully understood as to how GRACE applies, thus fits within the total scriptural teaching of the tithe and stewardship. For those who have wondered when I would get around to scriptural application, we are here. This is actually my favorite part of the study. We will explore the New Testament model and see what is often omitted from the discussions of today.
We begin with the New Testament church as seen in the New Testament. We see Paul. A man sent out to share the Gospel. In fact repeatedly we read that Paul was supported, financially and prayerfully, by the churches. How was he supported by these churches if tithing/giving to the church was not taught and lived? In the letters that Paul wrote, he commended the churches for their giving (2 Cor 9:2 and 1 Cor 16: 1-4). The conclusion is thus simple, they collectively gave and the church then gave. In fact the church in Jerusalem was one of the benefactors of many churches giving.
How did the people give to the individual churches?
It is clear in the New Testament that GRACE raised "the bar" when it came to giving as a whole. It stands to reason that a person who was a recipient of the GRACE of God would out of love, devotion, and thanksgiving give far more than the tithe required under the law. It is here that the tithe is seen in the New Testament as a standard that acts as the starting point in our giving.
Giving to our churches is easily seen and cannot be ignored in the New Testament. The needs of people, poor and hungry, the spreading of the Gospel, the care of the servants, all are there. As mentioned in previous posts, the huge disagreements that are often mentioned relating to giving to local churches today are weak at best. Yes there are churches that are poorly handling the money that God's people give. Yes there are issues that each church must deal with. Those issues DO NOT lay the basis for one neglecting the giving to one's church. To do so is violate the whole of scripture.
The giving today of God's people should be far above the requirements of the tithe. The Bible is also very clear that churches who were in poverty gave out of their poverty and the blessings of God were seen. The joy and thanksgiving in our hearts should permeate our giving. And this giving should be done based on our first fruits.
And we will continue...
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Defining the Tithe
As discussion grows in modern times concerning the tithe, the definition of what actually was and is the tithe moves to the front of the arguments. There are those who would specify that the Old Testament tithe was restricted to items grown and raised. Some will say that it was "asset only" driven and that regardless of the mentions in the New Testament, it ended with the cross.
It is this position that reveals what a few call the New Covenant application. In this approach the tithe is out because the Law is out in the New Testament. After the cross, according to this thought, GRACE is the deal and thus giving the tithe is replaced with giving what ones decides due to our being under grace. Also out in this thought is giving to the church. The reasoning here is that the tithe, according to this thought, was specific for the law and the temple and the government and ... and does not thus apply to the New Testament Church.
As I have raised some questions previously, I feel it is important for us to understand the abuses that DO take place from many who teach the tithe is applicable today. It is these abuses that often cloud the issues and actually rally the cries for adopting a GRACE Giving approach (which I will define Biblically in another post).
The tithe is abused when:
It is this position that reveals what a few call the New Covenant application. In this approach the tithe is out because the Law is out in the New Testament. After the cross, according to this thought, GRACE is the deal and thus giving the tithe is replaced with giving what ones decides due to our being under grace. Also out in this thought is giving to the church. The reasoning here is that the tithe, according to this thought, was specific for the law and the temple and the government and ... and does not thus apply to the New Testament Church.
As I have raised some questions previously, I feel it is important for us to understand the abuses that DO take place from many who teach the tithe is applicable today. It is these abuses that often cloud the issues and actually rally the cries for adopting a GRACE Giving approach (which I will define Biblically in another post).
The tithe is abused when:
- Churches beat the people over the head
- Churches spend money frivolously
- Churches ignore the Biblical model for teaching and encouraging
- Churches teach that one will prosper from giving the tithe
- Churches make it a requirement of membership
- Churches fail to do ministry and missions
- The full teaching of Stewardship is ignored
- Grace Giving is seldom emphasised and taught
These are just a few. Yet how does one answer the questions and challenge the issues? Defining the tithe must start with the Bible and it must stay with the Bible. Prosperity preachers and those who want to diminish the tithe will always bring the above into their defense of NOT tithing while ignoring that though abuses do occur, the Biblical model is NEVER subject to change due to culture or abuse.
And we will continue on with our study Monday...!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Common Arguments Against the Tithe
As our discussion moves forward we must pause and look at some of the current reasons being given for NOT tithing. Most of the justification for this stand against the tithe is rooted in human secular materialism and spiritualization of will full manipulation of scripture. Maybe that is a strong statement but when the reasons are viewed I can think of nothing better to describe.
I will not spend too much time on these but I will share some of the "best of the worst":
1. The tithe was "cold Law" and thus no one outside of Israel and definitely no one from the point of the cross forward should be tithing. We are under grace. We are free from the law!
2. The tithes discussed in the Old Testament are not applicable today.
3. The churches mentioned in the New Testament were never commanded to tithe or teach tithing.
4. With all the growth of Mega and Super Churches and the high salaries of their Pastoral Staff, the people who give a tithe to the those churches are wasting the money.
5. A person should place their money where they think it would serve best.
6. The Free Will offering is the offering of today.
7. Pastors and churches who teach tithing (storehouse) are abusing their people.
8. And the list goes on and on...
The problem with these are that some interesting forms of hermeneutics are used as "theological" justification. One may hear terms like "New Covenant" and "Dispensational" that lead many to believe that the one advocating the change in understanding related to tithing is actually valid.
And the "poor" are actually being used while NO definition of poor is ever given. The approach is that Pastors and church leaders DO NOT care about people.This subject is obviously one that goes far beyond Bible Interpretation and Theology. The fuss and confusion actually prove that man can create a mess of what God has been clear about only because man does not always like what God says.
And the fun will continue...
I will not spend too much time on these but I will share some of the "best of the worst":
1. The tithe was "cold Law" and thus no one outside of Israel and definitely no one from the point of the cross forward should be tithing. We are under grace. We are free from the law!
2. The tithes discussed in the Old Testament are not applicable today.
3. The churches mentioned in the New Testament were never commanded to tithe or teach tithing.
4. With all the growth of Mega and Super Churches and the high salaries of their Pastoral Staff, the people who give a tithe to the those churches are wasting the money.
5. A person should place their money where they think it would serve best.
6. The Free Will offering is the offering of today.
7. Pastors and churches who teach tithing (storehouse) are abusing their people.
8. And the list goes on and on...
The problem with these are that some interesting forms of hermeneutics are used as "theological" justification. One may hear terms like "New Covenant" and "Dispensational" that lead many to believe that the one advocating the change in understanding related to tithing is actually valid.
And the "poor" are actually being used while NO definition of poor is ever given. The approach is that Pastors and church leaders DO NOT care about people.This subject is obviously one that goes far beyond Bible Interpretation and Theology. The fuss and confusion actually prove that man can create a mess of what God has been clear about only because man does not always like what God says.
And the fun will continue...
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Questions on Tithing
No doubt that a subject like Stewardship would bring about questions and even some heated debate. One of the things that I hope this series does is to bring about a discussion when often in the past discussion was tough. The reality of the tie that Stewardship has with basic Bible doctrine has always intrigued me. Vigorous debates always flow from this discussion with Doctrinal issues spreading quickly into multiple areas.
Here are some questions that I think will highlight the challenge with this subject:
1. Was the tithe only for Israel?
2. Though much is said in the New Testament about giving and even some mentions of tithing, is it true that after the cross the tithe was to cease?
3. Does "grace giving" mean that NO standard of tithing exists?
4. How is it that there is so much confusion over the subject of tithing?
5. Why do things like adultery get certain treatment in the OT that tithing does not get?
6. Is there a Biblical Standard for those of us alive today in regards to tithing and giving?
The danger with a subject like tithing is that often people approach it from a position that they hold or would like to hold and thus they set out to prove their case. Some may even suggest that I could be approaching the subject from a "I believe it" position and thus that I am setting out to do the same. Before anyone jumps to conclusions I simply ask that you follow along and watch and read and pray! You just might be surprised in the whole of the series.
Here are some questions that I think will highlight the challenge with this subject:
1. Was the tithe only for Israel?
2. Though much is said in the New Testament about giving and even some mentions of tithing, is it true that after the cross the tithe was to cease?
3. Does "grace giving" mean that NO standard of tithing exists?
4. How is it that there is so much confusion over the subject of tithing?
5. Why do things like adultery get certain treatment in the OT that tithing does not get?
6. Is there a Biblical Standard for those of us alive today in regards to tithing and giving?
The danger with a subject like tithing is that often people approach it from a position that they hold or would like to hold and thus they set out to prove their case. Some may even suggest that I could be approaching the subject from a "I believe it" position and thus that I am setting out to do the same. Before anyone jumps to conclusions I simply ask that you follow along and watch and read and pray! You just might be surprised in the whole of the series.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Tithing and Stewardship - Praying It Returns
I will begin a series here that highlights the Biblical call to tithe and what a return to Biblical Stewardship will and can do for America. I realize that many today are questioning this doctrine and might challenge the truths made. That is fine. Good discussion and debate actually leads to learning and prayerfully conviction.
If America is ever to be reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ we must realize that Lordship will move to the forefront of our daily lives. Stewardship is one of the key truths that gets our attention when we grasp Lordship.
We begin with the words of Jesus:
Matthew 23:23"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." NKJV
Clearly Jesus taught and one might say reinforced the tithe in this statement. The words here are spoken in a clear lesson being taught to the multitudes. The Pharisees are being called out for their lives which were not lived in surrender to Jesus as Lord. Interesting here is that as the "wrong approach" to life is being called out, the right disciplines are being taught.
So why do you think that with Jesus clearly teaching the tithe people today desire to belittle or do away with it?
Do you teach Biblical Tithing? Does your church believe and practice Tithing and Stewardship?
Just think of the changes that could occur when we return to this Biblical Doctrine.
If America is ever to be reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ we must realize that Lordship will move to the forefront of our daily lives. Stewardship is one of the key truths that gets our attention when we grasp Lordship.
We begin with the words of Jesus:
Matthew 23:23"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone." NKJV
Clearly Jesus taught and one might say reinforced the tithe in this statement. The words here are spoken in a clear lesson being taught to the multitudes. The Pharisees are being called out for their lives which were not lived in surrender to Jesus as Lord. Interesting here is that as the "wrong approach" to life is being called out, the right disciplines are being taught.
So why do you think that with Jesus clearly teaching the tithe people today desire to belittle or do away with it?
Do you teach Biblical Tithing? Does your church believe and practice Tithing and Stewardship?
Just think of the changes that could occur when we return to this Biblical Doctrine.
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