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NASB | Malachi 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Malachi 3:10 "Bring all the tithes (the tenth) into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you [so great] a blessing until there is no more room to receive it. [Mal 2:2] |
Bible Question:
I have 2 questions regarding tithing. My wife and I have been cheerfully tithing a great deal for the past several years (and especially this past year) and then in December we became disappointed in our church because it seemed that they began placing a huge emphasis on tithing to help with a huge expansion of church facilities that is being financed from loans. Neither my wife or I agree with a church taking out large loans for expansion, especially when the existing facility is plenty sufficient. (At all Sunday sermons etc each week there is only about 50 per cent capacity.) It seems like the church would focus on filling the pews before expanding the facilities. Now I am at a point where I have written checks for year end tithes but I have been wrestling with sending it in because of my feelings over the way the church is forging ahead with this big project (especially when my wife and I have been struggling financially etc). My question is two-fold and is as follows: 1) Can tithes only be given to CHURCHES or can a contribution to other ministries or the needy or poor also be considered a tithe? and 2) If a tighe can only be given to a church does it have to be given to the church you attend or can it (for example) be given to a church your relatives attend (and speak very highly of). Just looking for some alternatives to cheerful tithing. |
Bible Answer: '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).' ____________________(http://www.gotquestions.org/tithing.html) |