Joagbaje:

@frosbel,
I love the way you presented your case it's wonderful , and I feel your friends here should learn from that we  don't need to throw insults to communicate . Even though I don't agree with everything I want to save a copy for further studies.

I don't see tithe as a scam, because for me it's the least of my giving, I  presently don't even give tithe (10%) again because it's just so small. I give 20% or more . It's personal conviction and I know several people who do far more 30% upward.
I don't think a man who wants to go to heaven will be lying to people to deceive them and he expect God to recieve him in heaven. There are several issues that the body of christ may not agree for the now, but we ought to accept each other and respect their conviction until Gods greater light will make the change . It is wrong to scare people to tithe as a manipulation, God is not cursing anybody for not tithing. For me tithing has it's benefit , if you do it , you partake of it, if you don't, you miss the benefit.
   

Enigma link=topic=586248.msg7540618#msg7540618 date=1295131739:

Bottom line is that a lot of our people who are supposedly educated and supposedly Christians have not got out of the "consult a babalawo mentality"; the only thing is that they have transferred the mentality into what they call "Christianity". Thus just like what the babalawo says must be followed, the same way what the "pastor" or "MOG" says must be followed because of course he is an "oracle".

Any intelligent and honest person who studies the Bible on "tithing" will easily discover that "tithing" cannot honestly and should not be taught as a Christian obligation. As others have pointed out and as we have said here for years, it is however fine if an individual chooses to practise "tithing" particularly if they know that it is not an obligation.

nuclearboy:

The article above by "Frosbel" PROVES there is "something" wrong with tithes the way it is preached today as a compulsory mandatory rule for Christians. Tithing in todays context negates the principle of love and upholds "DUTY" and LAW as the criteria for being in Christs' Body. Further, it removes the target of Christianity (heaven) and replaces it with a materialistic mindset that is built around "owning" the world and giving BECAUSE you want "returns".

It is particularly repulsive seeing as there does exist a user's manual (the Bible) which shows Christ and His Apostles living the true Gospel which definitely had heaven rather than the present as focus. But anyone could try to disprove us by giving examples (not mangling scripture) of the fore-runners being involved in tithing.

PS: The New Covenant started AFTER Christ was crucified. Tithing should be shown in the NEW Covenant

Frosbel must be highly commended for his insightful teachings and exposition on the controversial subject of tithing in New Testament dispensation. The double presentations he made, one on tithing and the other on New Testament Giving are a must-study for any serious minded believer who loves to know and walk in the full truth of God's Word for our time. Frosbel's works are maturely and humbly put together, quite revealing and well founded. However, I do not agree with all he says. But, then he does not have to be perfect to contribute to our development. Neither do I have to be seen as knowing more than he in expressing my slight reservations to some of his far-reaching conclusions. Somehow, we are all seeking the whole truth and best to do it respectfully and humbly.

In my response, I have decided to quote the other above responses because I allign largely with what they said and I do not have to repeat it all over again. Joagbaje, Enigma and Nuclearboy have done some meaningful submissions I could not overlook. Their view were quite mature and enriching. I have the very little to add.

One, tithing takes the form of a law in the old testament. However, without a law, Abraham gave a tithe. And then, later, Jacob did also give a tithe. Why? Definitely not in response to a law (for then the law was not yet given by Moses). They were inspired to, convicted to, led to by the Spirit of God. It is a dimension higher than the level of operating by the law on tablets. By revelation due to the relationship they have with God, Abraham and Jacob perceived that it was the will of God to give the tenth when they did, and they acted by faith. Note the following scriptures:

As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:14
The Just shall live by faith. Gal 3:11, Heb 10:38
Therefore, it is of faith that it might be of grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. Rom 4:16
So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham. Gal 3:9

There is no place for tithing as a law that compels people to give one tenth of their monthly earnings to church or wherever for the new testament believer in Christ. The tithe as a law went with the old testament but as a divine principle of God for His people, it precedes the Law of Moses and also is still present today captured as in "Giving". Tithing is a small part of God's divine principle expressed clearly as Giving in the new testament. You couldn't be accused of not tithing if you truly fulfilled and lived faithfully in line with all of Paul's teachings of wilful, free-will, sacrificial and generous giving as a lifestyle just because you were doing it voluntarily rather than as a law with all its compulsive tendencies and fears. By God's principle of Giving, a man may get to the level where he is inspired and enjoys the release to freeely give 20%, 30% or even 90% (like R.G. Le Tourneau) of his earnings to God. That is not a tithe by any standards of lawful obedience of scriptural observance. Yet, will it be accepted by God?. I perceive so. What if a man is only able to muster enough conviction to give five percent or even one percent. Would it be accepted?. Yes. So long as he is sincere that is the level of his faith at that moment. If he keeps his heart open to God, there is room for a higher level of faith and giving. We leave that to the Spirit of God. There is nothing more important in New Testament giving than that it should be without compulsion and in love. The tithe can be removed from our vocabulary and it would not violate the scriptures. Or we can retain it as a label for some category of giving to mean that regular freewill giving I determine of my own freewill and voluntarily give by faith towards the promotion of God's work. It is private and a reflection of my personal walk with God. The tithe can have a new testament definition but I think it is best done away with to enforce the concept of freewill faith giving rather than the compulsive manipulable giving of old testament orientation.

All said and done, I still believe the tithe teaching and practice is not always a fraudulent scam by preachers to fleece the helpless followers. Some errors are taught with all sincerity because it is the level of revelation the teachers have. Some would not do it if they knew better. However, there are many preachers who over the years have sensed the truth Frosbel emphasises but would not dare preach it for fear that their church or ministry will suffer severe financial lack. I mean, a people that barely give with the fear that God compels it as a law, it looks like sheer stupidity and suicidal to let them know that they are supposed to give freely like there was not exactly the compulsion of law in it. Their survival and sustenance of the ministry depends so largely on whipping the flock with the legal baton of the tithe law and the fear of malachi 3:10 and the dreaded devourer. Such fears are not of God. The truth is the truth. The truth sets free. The consequence of teaching the truth about tithe and new testament giving is not poverty. Let God be true and everyman a liar.

I will certainly keep a copy of Frosbel's work for further studies and deeper insights. I encourage all who desire higher experience with God to do likewise. Nothing in the Bible says you must buy hook, line and sinker all the position of your pastor on the word of God. You can on some subjects differ with your pastor and still remain in God's good books. Your own personal development is still your individual responsibility.

Thank you Frosbel.