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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What does the Bible say about tithing? | Lev 27:30 | kalos | 163429 | ||
What does the Bible say about tithing? New Testament believers are never commanded to tithe. "Two kinds of giving are taught consistently throughout Scripture: giving to the government (always compulsory), and giving to God (always voluntary). "The issue has been greatly confused, however, by some who misunderstand the nature of the Old Testament tithes. Tithes were not primarily gifts to God, but taxes for funding the national budget in Israel. "Because Israel was a theocracy, the Levitical priests acted as the civil government. So the Levite's tithe (Leviticus 27:30-33) was a precursor to today's income tax, as was a second annual tithe required by God to fund a national festival (Deuteronomy 14:22-29). Smaller taxes were also imposed on the people by the law (Leviticus 19:9-10; Exodus 23:10-11). So the total giving required of the Israelites was not 10 percent, but well over 20 percent. All that money was used to operate the nation. "All giving apart from that required to run the government was purely voluntary (cf. Exodus 25:2; 1 Chronicles 29:9). Each person gave whatever was in his heart to give; no percentage or amount was specified. "New Testament believers are never commanded to tithe. Matthew 22:15-22 and Romans 13:1-7 tell us about the only required giving in the church age, which is the paying of taxes to the government. "Interestingly enough, we in America presently pay between 20 and 30 percent of our income to the government--a figure very similar to the requirement under the theocracy of Israel. "The guideline for our giving to God and His work is found in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: "Now this I say, he who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he who sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver." ____________________ (www.gty.org Click on Issues and Answers. Then click on Previous Topics) For much more in-depth information on Tithing, including many Scripture references, look up Tithing in Baker's Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology. Baker's Dictionary is available online at (bible.crosswalk.com) |
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2 | What does the Bible say about tithing? | Lev 27:30 | kalos | 163436 | ||
'What does the Bible say about tithing? 'The tithe is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was basically a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earn and grow to the tabernacle/temple (Lev 27:30; Num 18:26; Deut 14:24; 2Chr 31:5). Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites of the sacrificial system. 'The New Testament nowhere mentions the tithe system and nowhere recommends that New Covenant believers follow it. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1Cor 16:1-2). The New Testament nowhere assigns a certain percentage of income to set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with his income” (1Cor 16:2). The Christian church took the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. However, New Covenant believers should not feel obligated to always give 10 percent. They should give as they are able, “in keeping with his income”. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent, sometime that may mean giving less than 10 percent. It all depends on the ability of the giver and the needs of the church. 'Each and every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom for how much he or she should give (James 1:5). “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2Cor 9:7).' ____________________(www.gotquestions.org/tithing.html) |
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