ishmael.u are my kind of person jo.who does this tithe go to?the pastors or God?does it go to God for him to buy a hummer in heaven?this so-called xtians are deceiving themselves.imagine a man with a wife,4 children,rent to pay and other obligations and he earns #5000.u xpect him to pay 5%(500) out of that.no way!ismael,we should give to those who are in need when we have what to give.

better dont be deceived, God cant be mocked, read your malachi chap 3 very very well.you could still give to the needy but omo, pay your tithe oh!

henrijin:

this so-called xtians are deceiving themselves.imagine a man with a wife,4 children,rent to pay and other obligations and he earns #5000.u xpect him to pay 5%(500) out of that.no way!ismael,we should give to those who are in need when we have what to give.

Lol. . . if the reasons you enunciated make any sense for not tithing, does it make any sense to "give" anything at all out of the same N[/b]5,000 that you're grudging against?



[b]2 Corinthians 8:12 -  "For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not."

u only give when u have something to give. would u have nothing and give something?

henrijin:

u only give when u have something to give. would u have nothing and give something?

Lol. . . did you not "explain" that the hypothetical family-man had N5,000?

And for all that you were disenchanted with him giving anything:

henrijin:

u xpect him to pay 5%(500) out of that.no way!

Person wey no get heart to experience God's power in the supernatural will miss out. Even if such a person has N15,000 and he is not willing to give, nothing go drop from his hand!

u could check page 2 on religion that says '' paying tithes to widows and orphans.

Fileki:

u could check page 2 on religion that says '' paying tithes to widows and orphans.

Page 2 or what ??


There is wisdom and there is reason. The Christian Religion has never been based on man's reasoning but God's word and man's faith in his word. Giving to the poor is good but disobeying God because based on reasoning, we feel that it is the best route has never really paid anyone. For those who believe God does exist, and he is not just a figment of your imagination. The Question should be why you believe that going against his word will be better if He is really who you believe He is. If Jesus himself who is the one Christians are to follow, knew to pay his tithes to the temple which he considered corrupt, Why is it a bigger deal for you

If you are to believe the book of fairy stories they call the holee bible, then you will know that Jesus supposedly went into a temple a overturned the tables of the merchants there and told them to get out of his daddies house

Seems a bit of a contradiction that he would later pay monies to to same institution?

Oh Well, that is what religion is all about - MONEY< MONEY AND MORE MONEY

Reverend:

If you are to believe the book of fairy stories they call the holee bible, then you will know that Jesus supposedly went into a temple a overturned the tables of the merchants there and told them to get out of his daddies house

Seems a bit of a contradiction that he would later pay monies to to same institution?

Oh Well, that is what religion is all about - MONEY< MONEY AND MORE MONEY

The Topic is apparently for those who believe in the bible I guess. What has Jesus overturning the tables of MERCHANTS in the temple to do with paying tithes?? Well, I do not expect any answer but thought you could think about that for a bit. There is nothing EVIL about money in Christianity. It is, just like food, land and other resources gifts from God. Possible to use each wisely or for evil. That is just what it is.

A tithe (from Old English teogoþa "tenth" is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a (usually) voluntary contribution or as a tax or levy, usually to support a Jewish or Christian religious organization.

To support a religious organisation and as you see not neccesarily to help the poor at all

Tax or Levy is the key word here

The merchants in the story were supposedly paying tax and levies for the use of the church to the priests

Reverend:

A tithe (from Old English teogoþa "tenth" is a one-tenth part of something, paid as a (usually) voluntary contribution or as a tax or levy, usually to support a Jewish or Christian religious organization.

To support a religious organisation and as you see not neccesarily to help the poor at all

Tax or Levy is the key word here

The merchants in the story were supposedly paying tax and levies for the use of the church to the priests

So according to your post there, the tithe should be seen in the same light as one would rent paid by a shop owner to his landlord??

Matthew 23 vs 23, King James, Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.


Matthew 23 vs 23, New International Version , 23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.


Matthew 23 vs 23, The Message, 23-24"You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You keep meticulous account books, tithing on every nickel and dime you get, but on the meat of God's Law, things like fairness and compassion and commitment—the absolute basics!—you carelessly take it or leave it. Careful bookkeeping is commendable, but the basics are required. Do you have any idea how silly you look, writing a life story that's wrong from start to finish, nitpicking over commas and semicolons?

Matthew 23 vs 23, Contemporary English Version, 23You Pharisees and teachers are show-offs, and you're in for trouble! You give God a tenth of the spices from your garden, such as mint, dill, and cumin. Yet you neglect the more important matters of the Law, such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These are the important things you should have done, though you should not have left the others undone either.

Paying of tithe in the scriptural essence is about the same as giving to the needy.
The book of deuteronomy (deut 14:22-29 and deut 26:12 & 13) list those who should benefit from the tithe as
1) the levites - They have no inheritance with the rest of Israel ecxept land to build their homestead. They thus didn't have farms or graze land for sheep and cattle and such like
2) The widows - women generaly weren't supposed to inherit land and property. They were either married back to their late husbands brother (in which case they are no more widows) or if they are rejected (tough luck).
3) The "Fatherless" - This will not be orphans. More like bastards. Children born to Israeli mothers without a man laying claim to the pregnancy. The mothers will be put to death anyway and since the childs father is unknown he cannot inherit any land. A child of the state. A welfare case.
4) Strangers within the gates - Probably refugees from other cities either sacked by war or famine or such. Poor and un-eligible to own land within Israel.
The tithe was basicaly a means of welfare for the needy and sustenance for the priests. Though the priest benefitted more since they get tithes every year as opposed to the "others" who only partake of the tithes once in 3 years on the year of tithing (deut 14: 26-29).

Sure other provisions were made for the "others" in form of alms, gleaning of fields etc.

Malachi's call for a restoration of the tithes of Isreal should not be taken as a call that the tithe is meant for priest alone. His emphasis was on the preist because he was pointing out the reason why the preist had to forsake their preiestly duties in order to eke a living ffrom the land, to the detriment of the spiritual well being of the nation. Restoration of the tithes would be a sure remedy. He did not pronounce any new laws however. He refered to the same Mosaic laws as stated in Deuteronomy.

The welfare of the needy is very important to God (deut 15:8-11). So witholding your tithe is robbing God. And God also said he who gives to the poor Lends unto God (Proverbs 19:17).

Paying of tithe in the scriptural essence is about the same as giving to the needy.
The book of deuteronomy (deut 14:22-29 and deut 26:12 & 13) list those who should benefit from the tithe as
1) the levites - They have no inheritance with the rest of Israel ecxept land to build their homestead. They thus didn't have farms or graze land for sheep and cattle and such like
2) The widows - women generaly weren't supposed to inherit land and property. They were either married back to their late husbands brother (in which case they are no more widows) or if they are rejected (tough luck).
3) The "Fatherless" - This will not be orphans. More like bastards. Children born to Israeli mothers without a man laying claim to the pregnancy. The mothers will be put to death anyway and since the childs father is unknown he cannot inherit any land. A child of the state. A welfare case.
4) Strangers within the gates - Probably refugees from other cities either sacked by war or famine or such. Poor and un-eligible to own land within Israel.
The tithe was basicaly a means of welfare for the needy and sustenance for the priests. Though the priest benefitted more since they get tithes every year as opposed to the "others" who only partake of the tithes once in 3 years on the year of tithing (deut 14: 26-29).

Sure other provisions were made for the "others" in form of alms, gleaning of fields etc.

Malachi's call for a restoration of the tithes of Isreal should not be taken as a call that the tithe is meant for priest alone. His emphasis was on the preist because he was pointing out the reason why the preist had to forsake their preiestly duties in order to eke a living ffrom the land, to the detriment of the spiritual well being of the nation. Restoration of the tithes would be a sure remedy. He did not pronounce any new laws however. He refered to the same Mosaic laws as stated in Deuteronomy.

The welfare of the needy is very important to God (deut 15:8-11). So witholding your tithe is robbing God. And God also said he who gives to the poor Lends unto God (Proverbs 19:17).

Please I will encourage you to read the verses carefully. Tithe is only meant for the Levites. Sharing the Promised Land and other Possession is where God commanded what should be giving to the Levites. This is not sharing formular for the tithe. Tithe is different form giving to the needy.

Tithing is not compulsory. It's a cheap shot to
make money by the churches.

dafidixone:

Please I will encourage you to read the verses carefully. Tithe is only meant for the Levites. Sharing the Promised Land and other Possession is where God commanded what should be giving to the Levites. This is not sharing formular for the tithe. Tithe is different form giving to the needy.

Well, from what I see in the scriptures, Christians should indeed pay tithe. But how are we to pay our tithe and who has authority to disburse the tithe?
lets consider the following scriptures:
Deutoronomy 14:22-29
Deutoronomy 26:12-13

1) The tithe was of two types. There is the regular tithe and there was the tithe paid on the third year (the year of tithe) - see Deuteronomy 26:12

Deu 26:12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled. . . .

thus the tithes of the first two years were different from the tithes of the third year.

2) In the first two years, after the tithes had been blessed, the tither disburses the tithes amongst Himself and his family and the levites. - see Deuteronomy 14:26-27

Deu 14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever, thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
Deu 14:27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.

3) In the third year (the year of tithing) the tither disburses the tithe amongst the levites, the widows, the strangers and the fatherless (neither the tither nor his family will partake of it). - see Deuteronomy 14: 28-29 and Dueteronomy 26:12-13

Deu 14:28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates:
Deu 14:29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.

Deu 26:12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;
Deu 26:13 Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them:

these verses clearly show who should benefit from our tithes and when. It is also clear that the tither is responsible for the disbursement of his tithe. So I don't think the attitude of just giving all your tithe to someone and saying you are not concerned with what is done with it is the right one.

Children of the Most High, this thread no be small suntin o!

My humble view; Apostle Paul admonished everyone (pastors inclusive) to work for their needs (food) so that no-one would be a burden to the other. In the new testament era, everyone should work, therefore, tithing can't be said to be compulsory. We are all advised to care for the needy, which I perceive to be a cardinal point for the Christian faith as what use would be paying your tithes when people around you suffer and are in need. One fact I have come to accept in this era of the multiplicity of churches is that churches should be a place where the word of God is shared (not dictated). We have promoted people to the level of mortal 'gods' that people hardly read their Bibles but believe whatever the pastor reels out. The word says the spirit of God would minister and teach us accordingly. Shouldn't Christianity be a personal experience?

The body of Christ is not the buildings, speakers, chairs etc that we have come to accept as 'the church'. We should see christianity as a faith not religion, for we are saved by faith not by righteous works. The way I see it, most people tithe because of what they would gain spiritually (selfish) while others give to the needy based on the love and concern within their hearts (selfless), which is the foundation of christianity. BOTTOMLINE: Whether it's tithe-based giving or mercy-based giving, it is the intention and faith behind it that matters.

GBAM!

duabba:

Children of the Most High, this thread no be small suntin o!

My humble view; Apostle Paul admonished everyone (pastors inclusive) to work for their needs (food) so that no-one would be a burden to the other. In the new testament era, everyone should work, therefore, tithing can't be said to be compulsory. We are all advised to care for the needy, which I perceive to be a cardinal point for the Christian faith as what use would be paying your tithes when people around you suffer and are in need. One fact I have come to accept in this era of the multiplicity of churches is that churches should be a place where the word of God is shared (not dictated). We have promoted people to the level of mortal 'gods' that people hardly read their Bibles but believe whatever the pastor reels out. The word says the spirit of God would minister and teach us accordingly. Shouldn't Christianity be a personal experience?

The body of Christ is not the buildings, speakers, chairs etc that we have come to accept as 'the church'. We should see christianity as a faith not religion, for we are saved by faith not by righteous works. The way I see it, most people tithe because of what they would gain spiritually (selfish) while others give to the needy based on the love and concern within their hearts (selfless), which is the foundation of christianity. BOTTOMLINE: Whether it's tithe-based giving or mercy-based giving, it is the intention and faith behind it that matters.

GBAM!

You are very correct with your submission. Tithing is historically and scripturally non-christian.

duabba:

The body of Christ is not the buildings, speakers, chairs etc that we have come to accept as 'the church'. We should see christianity as a faith not religion, for we are saved by faith not by righteous works. The way I see it, most people tithe because of what they would gain spiritually (selfish) while others give to the needy based on the love and concern within their hearts (selfless), which is the foundation of christianity. BOTTOMLINE: Whether it's tithe-based giving or mercy-based giving, it is the intention and faith behind it that matters.

GBAM!

True talk. Some are giving because they have been told, windows of heaven will open and not that they really love God or fellow men

Some Christians will even dupe another Christian brother, evade tax and still pay tithe "rob man & pay God" Self-centredness.

Motive / intention crucial in giving.

pls those talking about tithe read he book of hebrew chapters 7 n 8.move to 1thesolanians 2:6-9,2nd thes 3;7-9.there u will find out that st paul was working for his own feeding and never relied on anyone .

Paying tithe or giving to the needy
I do both. HOLLA!

read ur bible please. do not rob God in all that u do.

Pay ur tithe cos its a must and as well give the needy.

if ur given , give and give and give and d returns will never stop coming.

Tithing has no basis in christianity, it was arrived at by the mordern church through the twisting of injunctions to the levitical priesthood and modified with out scriptural ground. It is the biggest fraud in the history of the world and this scam would surely come to an end very soon as christians are becoming more enlightened. Even the apostles that established christianity condemned tithing. I wonder were the crooks preching it today got there injunctions from.

What is tithes:
My most considered definition of tithes according to the word of God is that : tithe, a mandatory sacrifice in goods or monetary form giving at the appointed year of tithes to any man of God to fulfill our part in the covenant of blessing and prosperity made to us by the good God.

There is a clear difference between ALMS and Tithes. Alms though considered very important in our service to God is not in nayway rule out the commandment of God.

In my observation, we find out that many are stingy and so they hide under the N5 they give to begger as doing good. Those beggers are not even happy with what you give to them. Helping the poor is outside your tithes. Before you help anyone form your income, it is important to note that God must be considered first.

So to get us to real meaning and definition of tithes, from the biblical declaration, the tithe definition in its broadest sense means a tenth of one’s INCREASE – Deuteronomy 14:22. That is the broadest definition of tithe that should be accepted by most of the population of God’s people.

We must also see discard any interpretation giving by any body apart from GOd. The correct tithe must consider the correct definition, the purpose, and limitations.

Conclusively, we must know that God never accept our discretion above His command or Word.

Our God reigns

@otitokoro
Your definition of tithes and it's use is twisted and faulty. The verse below which i am sure you are aware of but choose to ignoreclearly defines what tithes is and how it is to be implemented according to the obsolete Mosaic laws which is clearly not applicable to christians.

Deuteronomy 14:22-29:

22 “You must set aside a tithe of your crops—one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. 23 Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the Lord your God chooses for his name to be honored—and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the Lord your God.

24 “Now when the Lord your God blesses you with a good harvest, the place of worship he chooses for his name to be honored might be too far for you to bring the tithe. 25 If so, you may sell the tithe portion of your crops and herds, put the money in a pouch, and go to the place the Lord your God has chosen. 26 When you arrive, you may use the money to buy any kind of food you want—cattle, sheep, goats, wine, or other alcoholic drink. Then feast there in the presence of the Lord your God and celebrate with your household. 27 And do not neglect the Levites in your town, for they will receive no allotment of land among you.
28 “At the end of every third year, bring the entire tithe of that year’s harvest and store it in the nearest town. 29 Give it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work.


It is very evident even from that passage that the tither is supposed to eat of his tithes with his family, give to the orphan, widow and stranger even before giving to the levites [that pastors faultily claim they are] Also note that vesre 26 makes it very clear that money is not what tithes is as it states the money must be used to buy food stuffs that must be eaten in the presence of God

Dear Kunle, I am happy you finanlly agree that tithes is a pronouncement from God to His people. You will also agree with me that tithes is the 10% of our Increase.

On the way tithes should be used, one thing was communicated here, it must be taken to the house of God and not to the house of the needy. Another thing similar to this is who must eat the tithes, people of God.

From the passage you quoted, you will also see that it is an interpretation to the procedure for bringing the tithes. ANd there are 2 forms of tithes that is expressed here. the first one is the regular tithes that must be brought to the house of God every harvest year and the other is a form of tithe that must be giving to the priest every 3 years.
the yearly tithes must be brought to church for people of God to eat before the Lord while the other is meant for the servants of God.
I have a project on this particular topic, it is in progress. I will love to have your mail address I could forward the draft to you for your comment if you would not mind.

@Otitokoro
I am sure if you want to be truthful you would agree with me that tithing as it is practised today is a totally alien to the kind of tithing that was prescribed in the bible for the jews[not christians] That is aprt from the fact that tithing was specifically anulled for christians in hebrews 7:5-19. That apart tithing was strictly from the produce of the land of Israel and not from their income. those who deed not produce from the land were not expected to tithes then. i is mischievious and fraudulent to say tithing should be from one's increase when the bible specifically said it should be from the increase the fields produces each year and the reason why levites were entitled to a share in the ithes is becos they have no part in the land God gave the people of israel for farming[deut 14:27] this reason is not valid today. What it essentially means today is that pastors should not be allowed to own property or other sources of income if they want tot benefit from a share of our tithes. But today they want to eat their cake and have it. This to mean is fruadulent and toutright twisting of the word of God for their own greed. Read what the bible as to say about preachers who twist scripture
Jeremiah 8:8-10:

8 “‘How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the Lord,”
when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies?
9 These wise teachers will fall
into the trap of their own foolishness,
for they have rejected the word of the Lord.
Are they so wise after all?
10 I will give their wives to others
and their farms to strangers.
From the least to the greatest,
their lives are ruled by greed.
Yes, even my prophets and priests are like that.
They are all frauds.

Has your user name[otitokoro] impllies the truth is bitter but the bitter truth is that tithing was anulled for christians even though agood number of our greedy clergy don't like admitting this bitter truth becos of their love for filthy lucre.

Hebrews 7:5-19:

5And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

6But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

12[b]For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law. [/b]

13For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.

14For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

15And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

17For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

18[b]For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.

19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.[/b]

Dear Kunle, I think you are right to some extent in your allusion to the existance of false teachers.  However, this does not provide us immunity on going against the will of God.  Timothy says: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." - 2Tim. 2:15. The fact that people are not doing it right does not remove the fact that it must be done.

Yes those people at that time are mostly into farming of one kind or the others but there are also people of other skills.  Another fact is that tithes can be converts to money if it is more convinient that way for the payer.  Tithe is all about increase.  Farmer or no farmer, we all have areas where God increase us in substance.

It must also be noted that God is building a people who would be employers of labour not servants.  However, the secrete of tithe is to launch the payer into that propperity God had for them.  It is clear in the book of Malachi that tithe payer will not experience losses.  The issue at hand is paying tithe in the way God intends the concept.

@otitokoro
If money was meant to be used as tithe, God would not have instructed the tither use the money [deu 14:26] to buy what ever his heart desires before eating it in the presence of God. The tither would have been simply told to tithe his money. Even the Malachi 3:10 that is fraudulently twisted never implied money could be used as tithe. it is consistent with the earlier scriptures in leviticus, deuteronomy, numbers e.t.c that tithe is farm produce. Now where in the bible was money ever used as tithes. that is apart form the fact that tithing today is not based on any sound scripture but on pure manipulation of scripture and tithing was NEVER directed to christians but to Jews who were under the levitical priesthood. The Apostles were commissioned by christ to establish christianity and they NEVER for once preached tithe as a doctrine when they were spreading the gospel. Tithing was smuggled into christianity after the council of Macon in 585 AD by the catholic church when they needed money to finance their growth. The catholic church has since rescinded preaching tithing as compulsary. I see you refused to comment on Hebrews 7: 12&18 were tithing was anulled and totally condenmed for christians. That apart those who tithe under law at at risk of being cut off the grace of christ[in essence loosing their salvation] if they keep depending on keeping any part of the obosolete and archaic mosaic laws to be put right with God. The scripture below makes this crystal clear:
Galatians 5:4:
4 For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.


otitokoro, i know the truth is bitter and your church (RCCG) depends on this fraud to finance their personal expansion but the question i beg to ask is that are they really pursuing the will of God or are they just on an ambitious empire building drive building using God's name to acheive personal aggrandisement.

@KunleOshob
New to this forum. But I couldn't have summed up the biblical position on tithing better. Not for christians under the new covenant.