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"To Tithe or Not to Tithe"
Is it Required

This article is in response to a visitor’s inquiry about the age-old question regarding the tithe.

I wish the answer was a simple yes or no concerning the tithe, nevertheless I believe the Scriptures and information here will make it easier for you to decide.

Although many Christians declare that prosperity follows their tithing there is no written New Testament requirement for the tithe; nor did Scripture require it to be discontinued.

Tithing was indeed taught in the Old Testament, but some assume that since it is not imposed in the New Testament it is no longer required. So, your confusion is understandable.

We Are Expected to Give!

Christians want to please God, and some believe that regardless if it is thought of as a tithe or a gift, we are expected to give.

There are many New Testament Scriptures on giving so it is not a matter of, should we give, but of how much.

When speaking to his followers the Apostle Paul said, "On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come" (1 Cor. 16:2). 

So, we are expected to give on the first day (Sunday), in proportion to our prosperity (income). But, in what proportion?

Paul simply said, "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give."

He also said not to give sparingly, so perhaps we need to ask ourselves if giving less than 10 percent would be, "sparingly?"

Something to ponder; if God considered a tenth of our income to be appropriate in the Old Testament, why would it be different in the New?

Most Christians understand that God does not need our money, just as the “cattle on a thousand hills”, it is already His, (Psa 50:10).

Reason to Give

God has clearly placed the responsibility on His people to supply the Churches, missionaries, and great ministries that "go into all the world" to preach the Gospel and feed and care for the poor, sick and homeless.

In my opinion if the Church received ten percent (and used it for these purposes) there would be little need for a welfare system.

God looks on the heart, and just as His Word advises to not eat a stingy man's food, (Prov 23:6), neither does He desire a selfish person's money. 

"So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Cor 9:7, NKJV)

Could this mean that God might not want a tithe that was given resentfully?

"If ye love me keep my commandments." (John 14:15-31). This Scripture can at least partially be defined as the Christians “Freedom in Christ.” 

Unlike the Old Testament, the tithe is not explicitly demanded in the New, nor are we ordered to obey the commandments as a way to reach Heaven, we obey and tithe, if we choose to do so, out of our love and reverence for Jesus.

According to Scripture We Are to:

• Put something aside the first day of every week, (1 Cor. 16:2)
• Give willingly, not as an exaction" (2 Cor 9:5)
• Whatever amount should be given cheerfully, (2 Cor 9:7)
• And we should do it all in love, (1 Cor 16:14).
  
  

In Summary

Although not declared to be a tithe we are expected to give on the first day of the week in proportion to our income.

Christians want to please God but are to decide in their heart how much to give. Since we are not to give sparingly each individual must determine if sparingly means less or perhaps more than ten percent.

Samuel Mills

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Scriptures:

"For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,"(2 Cor 8:3).

"On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come." (1 Cor. 16:2) 

"So, I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to go on ahead to you and arrange in advance for the gift you have promised, so that it may be ready as a willing gift, not as an exaction" (2 Cor 9:5).

To Tithe or Not to Tithe

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Why is it so difficult for our educators and society, in general, to understand that love and respect for one another taught from a young age can solve much of the world's hostility and social problems!

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov 22:6).

Love is the answer!

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