₦airaland Forum

I wish the answer were 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.

[color=#000099]We Are Expected to Give!/color]
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 Churchs, 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 if a person resented giving the full tithe that God might not want it anyway?

"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

Tithing in the Old Testament came in to cater for those serving in the priestly office! Deuteronomy 14:22-29

There have been voluntary contributions in Israel since the commencement of temple worship apart from the TITHE which was mandatory! Deuteronomy 16:16

So the TITHE has a purpose, which is to cater for the priests because they are in the full time service. If the people should fail to pay their TITHES then those in full time services will go hungry! Nehemiah 13:10

That's exactly what happened back then in Israel when most of the people lost interest in the Temple worship, so God asked Malachi to remind them the covenant he had with them regarding taking care of the workers in the Temple! Malachi 3:9-12

When Christ established Christianity, the worship in the Temple was condemned and anyone who wants to worship God acceptably must join the Christians. In fact Jesus cursed those engaging in tithing during his days because the purpose had been thrown into the thrash. Matthew 23:23-24

That's how the TITHE became obsolete amongst the Christians.

So Paul wrote a letter to Jewish Christians to desist from paying tithes because that old form of worship is no more having divine backing! Hebrew 7:5-12

TITHE wasn't mentioned in any part of Paul's letter to other congregations apart from the letter to the Hebrews because tithing was not practiced amongst the first century Christians. He included it in his letter to the Hebrews because some of the Jewish Christians were still going to pay TITHE in the Temple thinking it's still part of the requirements in pure worship!

God bless you!