₦airaland Forum

JesusisLord85: hahaha 'christian' bullies . It is true what they say about you mods. Will you be presenting, and on what topic? I shall be ready for you.

Word against folly.

Shalom

JesusisLord85: Banned for speaking the word. Let me joy in this persecution

JesusisLord85: First speaker
JesusisLord85 - "Are God's Laws done away with"

Shalom

Candour: [quote author=Candour]Simply cry out to God to effect a change in the situation and he will according to his love and will for us. Then i refuse to give in to fear because my whole being believe the scriptures below



Romans 8:31 KJV
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

1 John 4:4 KJV
Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

I hand over to God like Moses and the Israelites at the red sea and trust him to take care of the rest.
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ProphetUdeme: point of correction mr drummaboy without knowledge.. I never said that tithes is needed before salvation...

MarkMiwerds: My Brother, I am open to at whatsoever time slot you choose for me to present my message on "The Wonder of God's Grace"

But please, take into consideration our time difference and send me a message on my Facebook account the morning that message is supposed to be delivered. I get confused with the time zones. I think (not entirely sure) it is a seven hour difference, with you being the first to see midnight of a day before I see midnight of the same day. I am on Central Standard Time in the United States.

The time will not matter to me, day or night, as long as I have enough advance notice that it is my day to present.

DrummaBoy: [size=16pt]SHOULD YOU TITHE TODAY?[/size]

The answer to the title of this tract is “No” and we shall be examining “why” in the remainder of the tract. The subject of whether Christians are to tithe or not to tithe is a deeply contentious one today, and obviously so because it involves money. This tract shall be offering biblical proofs to the thesis that “Christians are not obligated to tithe today”.

The Biblical Tithe

When we hear the word “tithe” today, our minds are drawn to the concept of 10% of a person’s income. Unfortunately, this is not the definition the bible offers for the tithe. In fact from Genesis to Revelation there is no account of anyone giving a tithe of his income to anybody; neither was the tithe money in the bible, even though there are ample evidences to show that money was being used since the days of Abraham. The word “tithe” had been mentioned in the story of Abraham and Jacob in the book of Genesis, but it was not until Leviticus 27:30-32 would we find something close to a definition for the tithe.

30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD'S: it is holy unto the LORD… 32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

The tithe is defined here to be of the “seed of the land”, “fruit of the tree” and tenth of the herd. The biblical tithes were agricultural products or food, they were never money. This so called definition for the tithe is accepted by many because Leviticus 27 is the first time in the bible God would mention the word “tithe” and while mentioning it, he describes it as holy and he tells us what it consisted of.

Later in other books of Moses, we find passages of scriptures that help us to comprehend the biblical tithe better. Numbers 18:20-28, Deuteronomy 14:22-29 and Deuteronomy 26:12-15, showed us that the biblical tithes were a tenth of the agricultural products Israel harvested off the holy land God had given them. The tithes were to be given to the Levites. Levi was a tribe in Israel God had separated to serve him and who had no inheritance in Israel; the tithe was their inheritance. In the process, the Levitical tribe, that included the Aaronic priests, were the people involved in the administration of the civil and the religious life of the nation of Israel. The tithes became something like a system of taxation with which the Levitical tribe was provided for as they served the people. The aforementioned scriptures also showed that the tithes were given to the poor, the widows, the orphans and the stranger. Therefore this class of people was exempted from tithing. At other times, the tithe was even eaten by the tither himself. Every scripture in the bible that referred to tithes showed that the tithe was food. When God mentioned the bringing of tithes in Malachi 3:10, he also said “that there might be meat (food) in my house”. When Jesus mentioned the tithe in Matthew 23:23, he enumerated “mints, anise and cumin”. These were spices for food.

Also, the injunction to tithe under Moses was part of the Mosaic laws that were done away with through the sacrificial works our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross (Romans 10:4; Ephesians 2:15; Hebrew 8:13). If we must tithe today, we should also keep every other aspect of the laws of Moses (Galatians 5:3; James 2:10 ). If this is not practical, then it is simply not practical to tithe today.

Finally, it is not particularly correct to ask Christians to tithe because Abraham tithed. Abraham tithed from war spoils and not from his possessions or income. And it is clear from scriptures that we are called to imitate Abraham's faith and not every detail of his life - some of which were not exactly exemplary (Genesis 12:11-13 ; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:7). Abraham also circumcised his sons, following a direct instruction from God in Genesis 17, but by the time of the New Testament, Jesus' apostles show us that circumcision was not a New Testament obligation (Acts 15; Galatians 5:3-4; Colossians 2:16-17; Philippians 3:3).


Tithing and the Gospel

The doctrine and practice of tithing is threatening the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ is shown clearly in the New Testament to be a free gospel (Romans 8:32; 2Peter 1:3). The idea that salvation or any gift of God can be purchased is strongly repudiated in the bible (Acts 8:20). Unfortunately, this is the impression that modern day practice of tithing is giving the world. There are many Christian churches today that make tithing compulsory. They go to the extent of saying that people cannot be members of churches except they are “faithful” tithers. Apart from the fact that such a position is foreign to scripture, it also betrays the central truth of the bible that our salvation is no longer fully paid; rather, it gives the impression that there are things we must add to it. In the days of the bible some thought to add good works to their salvation; in our days pastors are asking us to add tithing to our salvation.

Despite the abuse the gospel of Jesus Christ has suffered in the hands of false teachers, its basic content remain unchanged. Jesus Christ died on the cross for all men so as to save men from sin. All that is required to enjoy the blessings of the cross is for the individual to understand this truth and to repent of his/her sins and believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. By believing in him you will be saved. God does not require a penny from you to be saved; neither does he demand a kobo from you to keep you safe. The salvation that Jesus Christ purchased for the world has been fully paid for, we need not add a tithe, a firstfuit, pledges, a giving, or any kind of good works to make it complete. The salvation you receive by faith is a complete one (Colossians 2:10). All that God requires of you is to repent and believe. I trust that if anyone reading this tract is not saved, they would take advantage of this free offer of salvation. And for those who might need further understanding on the subject of salvation, you can refer to the contact address below this tract.

Christian Work Ethics

The leading lie that is sold to people about the need to tithe is that tithing is a means to financial prosperity. People are told to tithe to either secure their finances or to break the stranglehold of poverty. Those who teach this doctrine resort to Malachi 3:8-12 and interpret God's saying he would send a blessing, following the act of tithing, as God promising prosperity for tithing. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Malachi 3:8-12, in its literal form, is a message to Jews and not to Christians and this is the reason why despite years of tithing, many Christians are yet to see these blessings that have been promised. What secures prosperity for Christians is not tithing but plain hard work. The New Testament teaches that we should work so we may eat (2Thessalonians 3:7-10) and it encourages the strong to work and provide for the weak (Acts 20:33-35). God is not a magician and he does not do money doubling. Nations who are godless but prosperous today got to that point by adhering to basic Christian work ethics, and not by tithing. After we have done what we ought to do, the Christian might then call upon God to bless the works of his hands and God is certain to do this. Giving to get or tithing is not a Christian means to financial prosperity.

Christian Giving

The laws of Moses that enacted tithing were a shadow of things to come, which is the New Testament Christian life (Heb 8:5). Therefore Malachi 3:10, an extension of the Mosaic law, was pointing the church to a spiritual lesson.

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies, "I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! (NLT)

The Christian's body is the temple of God today (I Corinthian 6:19; Ephesians 6:22). The temple which was a copy or shadow of something to come has been made perfect in our body through Christ. Therefore the storehouse is not in any church building made by hand. It is in us; in our body.

Giving help to a brother or sister who is in need means bringing food (or tithe) into the storehouse of God. That is why God is pleased with sharing among brethren (Heb 13:16) and that is why sharing was a major feature of the early church (Acts 4:32; 2Corinthians 8:1-2). This is why our Christ, the High priest who receives tithe(gifts) in his temple(our body) said, "whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me." This is how to give to God through Christ.

Take your tithe or 5%, 20%, 60%, etc of your income cheerfully to the true storehouse of God (people in need) and fill it. Whosoever it is. Mandating anyone to PAY tithe in the church is refusing to understand the true spiritual lesson that Malachi 3 wishes to teach us. There is no greater commandment than these: Love the LORD your God and love your neighbour as yourself, Mark 12:30-31.

Further Study

A tract like this cannot contain everything that needs to be known about the biblical tithe. I therefore refer the readers to some readily available materials on the internet for you to study more on the biblical tithes:

1. Gary J. Arnolds works on www.tithing101.com
2. Matthew E. Nerramore’s works: www.tekoapublishing.com.
3. Dr. Russel Kelly whose PHD theological thesis was on tithing: www.tithing-russkelly.com

Contact Address:

(As shall be agreed by the publishers of the tract)

EDITED

ProphetUdeme: Confess and mention all ur problems here and every afflictions shall be delivered....

Sickness
asthma
malaria
hiv/aids
cancer
ulcer
herpatites
pneumonia
piles
diabetes
and all manners of sickness

joblessness
lack of favour
struggling with sin
oppressed by the devil
barreness
miscarriages
witchcraft oppressions
satanic manipulations
mental illness
addictive habits
poverty and all manners of afflictions wil be solved here only if u acknowledge; confess and believe.....

THE LORD SENT HIS WORD AND HEALED THEM AND DELIVERED THEM FROM ALL THEIR AFFLICTIONS AND DESTRUCTIONS psalm 197 vs 20

Adaodogwu: Lol.

God punish poverty!!

See hustling.

Gombs: You and your usual delusions! U started a thread about he and his wife's 'troubles' then someone came along and said pastor Chris said some really funny things in the bid of calming the brethren. (Now, going through that thread of yours, I not only find it silly but outright malicious, with enough stench of bitterness and monumental evidence of the bile u carry in your heart)

Now Deji, be as the bereans and search the scriptures for yourself and answer me, don’t try to side step this one...

Does the Church of God practice Democracy? Or should they practice democracy!?

Pastor Chris has said " I don't preach denominationalism, I look at the scriptures" that explains for example why BLW in not a member of PFN (not that PFN is a wrong body or evil). Now, I implore u to please oblige me...for posterity sake!

Gombs: But a quick quiz bro, does the Church of God practice democracy or should they practice democracy?

Candour: Actually, these type of lifestyles slowly become doctrine for members. I remember it took a Tuesday bible study tape by Kumuyi in 1989 or 1990 (cant remember for sure) to help us realise it wasn't a sin for a woman to leave her hair open in public. Folks saw Biodun Kumuyi's lifestyle and converted it to heavenly requirement. In fact when Kumuyi encouraged women to allow their hair get aerated when they're outside church, the auditorium erupted in applause and you could almost touch the relief all the women felt.

ayoku777: Lol

I can relate too. Almost every christian who got born again around the 80s and 90s believed and practised this style of christianity to one degree or the other, for a while.

Mine was even worse, you didn't even need to perm your hair to be a sinner, you only needed to be beautiful. To me, every beautiful girl was a queen of the coast -whatever that means.

I remember one day in secondary school when I trekked the very long distance back home from school. I refused to take our school bus home coz they were playing a "worldly song" in the bus. Guess the song? I believe I can fly by R. Kelly. Lol, it was that bad.

But I must also admit, after God delivered me from that form of extreme legalism, I drifted to the other extreme -extreme liberalism.

I practised licentious grace for a while as well. I believed that no matter what you do wrong, God doesn't see it, coz you're robed in Christ's righteousness. That was another reckless phase of my christian walk.

Some of my old friends who knew my strict "holiness" in secondary school will try to talk to me, but I wouldn't listen. And they could not out-debate me, coz I knew the word -or should I say the letter.

Until I came under strong conviction and true repentance by the Holy Spirit.

With hind-sight now, I can say both extremes were wrong and don't truly or fully represent Christ or His gospel truth. Truth is usually (not always) found somewhere in between two doctrinal extremes.

My experience with God and His people have humbled me. That's why now I love to listen to other believers, even ones who disagree with me. Coz I now realise that even though they may not have THE TRUTH, they may have A TRUTH. And even though they may not make me cross over to their own extreme, they may deliver me from my own extreme.

striktlymi: Whatever date is chosen, kindly schedule my discourse to be on a Saturday because of my other obligations during the weekdays.
Thank you!

frosbel: Part 2 can be found here :

https://www.nairaland.com/1842233/pentecostal-experience#25216051

Sorry I have not replied on the tithe tract issue ( getting busier again ), it is still on my radar, the next mail will be to move into the next steps.

nannymcphee: how do u explain Galatians 3:13
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree

How was he made a curse for us?

I checked about 13 translations for 2corin5:21, they all said "he was made sin"

nannymcphee: Mark15:34
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

Wasn't Jesus abandoned by God at this point?

nannymcphee: I understand all the above, it's also foolishness for a Christian to go stand in front of a Mack truck & claim to have power or try walking on water or to hold an electric wire but I know if he finds himself in that position maybe thru accident then God may or may not deliver him

But babaG said its not for 21st century Christians, that's the part I want to understand

striktlymi: Sorry for the delay. BabaG should go ahead and pick a topic first. Since I am the least selected of the 'Nine horsemen' I am obliged to get the last topic after the others have selected theirs.

nannymcphee: pls i need clarification here, who was jesus referring to?

nannymcphee: pls i need clarification here, who was jesus referring to?

Candour: Hi bro, would you mind if I offer to discuss your question and share some insight with you? Also I wouldn't want to usurp the position of the lead discussants or derail the thread so would you accept if we can schedule our discourse till after the presentation?

I'm a learner too and believe we could sharpen each other's spiritual knowledge and christian life.

@nannymcphee, sister, pls you're included in my offer to our brother

Cheers