₦airaland Forum

trustman:
Hagin said:

"Making a New Testament application of Old Testament technicalities violates every principle of Bible interpretation, especially when there isn't a single New Testament usage of the word "firstfruits" in the context in which it is being preached by some ministers. 

The concept of firstfruits is not used in the New Testament in reference to financial giving. There is not even the vaguest hint of it by any New Testament writer in reference to money or the support of ministers."

The commonsense understanding of what Hagin said is simply this: Hagin does not advocate the demand for or the paying of 'Firstfruits'. 
However since your church believes in it strongly you are finding it hard to wriggle out of it. 
You have good 'comprehension' don't you?
Then explain these portions to us.

If the above colored is what you lot want to use to nullify first fruits, if from it you conclude Hagin condemned it, why then doesn't it apply To tithing Hagin wrote about? You remember Hagin said some of his brethren brought the cotton they farmed as tithes, did Hagin send them away? What if they brought cash?

If firstruits were not controversial, and you work in a barber shop, and Hagin wrote the above bold, rrom your angle of reasoning, how do you intend giving your firstruits?Your clippers or the cut hair?

For the last time, Hagin was using the above colored to say those preachers who claim to be priests and that firstfruits belong to them, that was the technicalities. It however is not the center point of the book, why you guys are carrying it on the head is bewildering.

Candour:
If you believe that he didn't condemn it but you DO NOT DENY that he said First fruits has nothing to do with money and has nothing to do with support for ministers, i would ask how you now do your first fruits giving? If you agree that first fruits has NOTHING to do with money, what then makes up first fruits today?

I give in cash terms because I can't give my job to church

vooks:
You are hopelessly obtuse

Thanks

^^
So, Hagin condemned firstfruits giving? Yes?

Ok, I get the post now... you want me to do what exactly? I simply told you the one who gives to someone who can't pay, that the verse said God will pay on behalf of the person who could not pay. I did not say there will be no interest from God. I found the with interest part laughable sef, because it was strange to me

I never experienced such in my church, we are encouraged to give those who don't have, our stuffs we don't use anymore, shoes, clothes or give them cash.

Nannymcphee, can you make your post clearer, ie the quotes. I ignored the firstfruits question because I have treated it. Hagin did not condemned firstfruits, he condemned preachers using it to get money in the guise that they are priest today. Notice he said "and the support of ministers"

As for monetary giving, it's been said iver and over, since if for example I sell tyres, should I take tyre equivalent of my firstfruits to church? But if you feel He condemned it in its entirety, then fine.

LambanoPeace:
Some people are too hypocritical. What is wrong in wearing a $2 cloth? Later they would complain when a millionaire Pastor owns a Bentley. Oh, of course they are pastors and should be on cheap cars and while they eg lobeez a millionaire should be in Bentley.

Some people stupidity amazes immortals.

Forget these guys abeg. Double standard hypocritical brood of vipers. Nattering sods of negativity. Not only incompetent in mathematics, some are dyslexic and morally bankrupt

Lobeez:
Wow! what a story!
You got 50k clothing items for just 3k? That's appropriately $2 for each , I wouldn't wear them if I were you. Which kain 'bend down select' you buy those okirika?
So with all these tithe blessing noise you've been making, this is the story you come up with? SMH
I'm sorry kid but you are probably living way below average and you are yet to taste 'prosperity'.
I'm a millionaire so trust me I know what I'm saying

Some folks obviously have comprehension and mathematical problems. You are a millionaire! Dear Lord Jesus!

You lot are hard to please. If I wear an expensive suit like 520k or so, you lot would complain, If I wear N250 shirt, una go complain, if I don't wear, you still will. Now, you are a millionaire, thank God. If I had said so, I'd have been boasting like your fellow band of misfits like to say.

If I had said "I got 9 clothing items for 800, 000k, your ilks would:

1. Call me a liar
2. Call me proud and boastful
3. Call me extravagant and that poor folks are everywhere
4. Etc

You would even say "Jesus was poor, he wore clothes Herod dashed him" "Paul bla bla bla" "Wofist are bla bla bla, they are not contended at all"
For eg a pastor bought a dog for$16, 000, alot of you guys came here and cried foul, as if you will tell him how to spend his money, of course the idea you lot has was that he uses church funds, if he has a dog of $2, you lot would still call him poor, and cheap. You just called yourself a millionaire, yet ... let me just be quiet.

I said I got clothing items worth 50k for 3k (miscellaneous expenses) . You folks said

1. Cheap
2. Okirika
3 etc

If I had said "I got 9 clothing items for 1000" you hypocrites would bellow. See you saying you wont wear a $2 cloth, if a pastor had said it, you'd run here open a thread and start typing rubbish.

Let Your Faith Prevail · Friday, October 24th

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4).

There’s so much negative information in the world today, and this has instilled fear in the hearts of those who aren’t rooted and grounded in the Word. The Lord Jesus referred to this in Luke 21:25-26 when He described some of the signs of the end of the age. He said, "…there shall be …distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth…." In Luke 18:8, He asked a thought-provoking question, "…when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"

You’re to stand your ground in faith, irrespective of the challenges and hardships in the world. Refuse to give up or give in to the pressures of life. The Word says in Ephesians 6:13-16, "…having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."

With your shield of faith, you have the inherent ability to completely neutralize all (not some) of the fiery darts of the enemy. When he throws the dart of fear at you, declare, "I refuse to fear, because the greater One lives in me!" If it’s the dart of sickness, say, "I refuse to be sick; my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit!"You can train your faith to accomplish anything.

In the area of your finances for instance, you can watch yourself grow from one level to another. Imagine if in acting your faith, you said you would receive a certain sum of money within a week, but you ended up receiving it after one month; don’t feel bad. Instead, say, "I’ll get it right next time." Then give more attention to studying and meditating on the Word, and act your faith at every opportunity. That’s how you train your faith to grow and accomplish bigger things.

This isn’t only applicable to your finances, but to every area of life. You can train your faith with the Word to prevail against all odds and adversities of life.

Prayer...
 Dear Lord, thank you for my faith is the victory that overcomes the world. As I demonstrate my faith today, circumstances bow to me; obstacles are eliminated, and I walk in supernatural success and prosperity. I exercise dominion over sickness, poverty, disease, failure, and the elements of this world, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Further Study: 
1 John 5:4; For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

Proverbs 18:21; Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

1 year Bible reading plan: 1 timothy 6:1-21 Jeremiah 15-16
2 year Bible reading plan : Hebrews 12:1-13 Ezekiel 23

WinsomeX:
I am still pleading with you to take it easy with the vulgar languages because they destabilize one spirit and that's what causes long vacations from Nairaland. Theological discussions are not for boys who resort to cheap words to defend their position rather well reasoned arguments.

And let's not forget what brought us this far, I mean let's not be distracted from the first point made: the video that was posted by nora544 is very relevant to this thread. It might actually be the needle that always breaks the camel's back each time though. But shouldn't the camel go and find out what his back is made up of, since it takes only a needle to break it?

Everyone is a boy to you the moment they sting you with the truth of a matter. You are so certifiable.

Goshen360:
So you cheap like this?

If I send you some $$$ now, na tithe you go go carry am pay instead make you buy better cloth for body or shop better food. Ol boy, you dey fall hands o. So because you dey pay tithe na eim make way for 3k trousers instead of 40k? Chei, see as you dey expose yourself. One would think your paying tithe will bring blessings and increase you so you can efen pay cash down 50k.

Now i am beyond doubt, you surely have reading and comprehension problems. Go back and read my posts again.

But me I no dey boast o but I don buy brand new car, tear rubber without paying tithe and I have good job in the State and God is gracious to me

NOw it's boasting, one of you band mate asked for my stories i obliged him, you call it boasting. See how hard it is to please you guys? Hagin wrote about whether preachers should preach you must only give to be blessed of God? Maybe you should read what he said there, and stop monkeying around.

.....I can't boast or take credit for it boy!!! Learn from this apostle of God's unmerited and underserved favour...boy I'm telling you mehn.

with the way you are going and you constant and legendary dishonesty, you may be going in for a huge surprise, give time time.

Goshen360:
Abeg keep quiet if you can't answer this question. Do I need to teach you that Jesus CAME TO SHOW A NEW WAY.......to us as against the Jewish way of life? Allow Emeka to answer the kweshun please. No make me explode o....

yet he paid tax, did Jewish traditions, washed himself as they did, but he did not tithe rather he asked the real jews (pharisees) to. Weldone o

brocab:
Could you tell us your stories" with the blessings you had received, over the years of ministry. Could you share with us about your financial blessings. Do all tithers live rich, or is it just those few Thanks I cant wait to hear your story..

You could not (not did not) belive Hagin in writting, how would you me?

Yesterday, for example, i got 6 shirts 3 trousers that'd have cost 40-50k for just 3k!


Yes, 3k. Unbelivable right? #LessExpenses . God knows i use my personal cash for cell ministry and tithes, etc

abeeeegi, time for morning prayers jare

nlMediator:
Pray, what is vulgar about my language? Your thread is foolish and I don't know how saying so means I'm using vulgar language. And you're the one to teach any person about decent use of language? Only this week alone, you're calling people 'WOF brood of vipers who litter the Lagos/Ibadan expressway.' Wow, sounds like choir boy language. You may not have noticed it, but hardly anybody uses vulgar language in describing others here more than you and your friends.

And you need to learn when people are using humor and figurative expressions. Funny you took my mention of the word 'sanity' literally when it was obvious I was joking. Or did you miss the exclamation mark there? I guess, very soon you'll harp on my reference to popularity in those messages and accuse me of vanity. Chei! You have a point though: one way to maintain my sanity is to do my best to avoid engaging in conversations with you and your co-travelers here.

Oh, and saying your foolish thread mildly affected one person (who continues to worship at a WOF church as we write) is a pathetic Delusional claim.

Fixed

the bold got me cracking

Goshen360:
Please, where did Jesus PAID tithe while on earth?

Smarten up na, wasn't Jesus a Jew?

trustman:
That 'coolest writing you've seen all day' actually shows your unwillingness to be objective.
Remember one of the things your Hagin said:
"Making a New Testament application of Old Testament technicalities violates every principle of Bible interpretation,... ..."
It's unfortunate that you guys fail woefully here to apply the same thinking to tithing.

It's sad you have comprehension issues. Hagin quoted that for those preachers who claims they are the now priests, and first fruits belongs to them. But if you feel that Hagin will say that and still talk tithing, in same book, then I must say your comprehension ability is beyond redemption

nlMediator:
I thought you had a foolish thread you claimed would solve all the problems generated by WOF? Why can't you post this video there and hear me complain still? The point, which you know but pretend not to, is that this thread is about a book on prosperity. You can launch all your baseless attacks on WOF relating to that topic. To no avail, of course. But at least, you'd be on point. You are more interested in what you and your ilk do best: scatter a thread so at the end of the day nobody learns anything meaningful.

Let me know when you're done with your empty thread on WOF. It must be such a huge success that you find the time and cannot reist the urge to continue your WOF attacks on other threads.

I thought I was the only one who noticed. These folks vooks, Babagnoni, WinsomeX, especially kept proliferating the WoF foolish thread on every thread they visit. If they made any remarkable success in that thread, surely, no need for their staining every thread with their WoF thread. These blokes never cease to amaze me sha.

Hagin has been a minister for 68 years, way longer than we were born, the success of his ministry is impeccable, yet, they feel they know better because the studied harder. They rejoiced and misquoted him, I opened the book, they were all waiting, Hagin condemned certain practices, they want to take credit. The crudest of them all WinsomeX claims Hagin would uave renounced WoF if he had lived longer, later he said Hagin just wanted to clean the mess he made, he didn't do much as he was supposed to condemn Word of Faith.

Now, Hagin who they cheered, now has mentioned tithe, they all disagree with him, msame folks who loved the book. Free these men... they are worse than those Israelites in Moses' day

mbaemeka:
1. Jesus did not FUNCTION as a priest on earth. Jesus is now a high priest forever. Jesus paid tithes while on earth.
2. Melchizedek did not collect tithes "where he was able to use it". You don't know enough about Melchizedek to make such a statement.
3. Jacob learned to pay tithes from someone, care to tell us who it was? I wager he learnt it from his father, Isaac.

NB: I am not interested in this endless tithe arguments. I just wanted to raise red flags to some of your unsubstantiated claims.

Gbam!
1, 000, 000, 000 gbosa!

the colored is the coolest writting I've seen all day

Goshen360:
@ Gombs,

I will show you from scriptures, the foolishness of this your tithe teaching adopted from Hagin. Stay alert! !!

Save that for newbies.... we've been through it all

Lobeez:
Okay Gombs so answer me: Is tithing compulsory?

Is being blessed by force?

mbaemeka:
1. Certain came from James.
2. When they came he [Peter] withdrew and separated himself from the gentiles fearing THEM [certain that came from James]
3. Other Jews like Barnabas too were carried away by the dissimulation.
4. Paul rebuked Peter before THEM [certain that came from James] all [including the other Jews around Paul like Barnabas]

Who were these certain men? Where they 'floor members' or 'Excos'? Why did James (leader of the Jerusalem church) send them?

Those who have eyes to see will see while the incorrigibly positioned hooligans will keep trolling by making moot points here and there.

my man forget these guys... leave them in their ignorance. Imagine Paul in the midst of thousands of brethren rebuking Peter.

[size=20pt]Understand Why and How You Should Tithe[/size]

About fifty years ago, I was pastoring a church in the oil fields of east Texas. One of the deacons of the church had a good job working for Humble Oil Company. And he was always faithful in his support of the church.
One day he said to me, "Brother Hagin, can you explain something to me? I 've been a Christian for thirteen years, and
I 've been faithful in paying my tithes and giving offerings."

I knew that was true. He was a regular tither whose support really blessed the church. "What is it you want to know?" I
asked.

He said, "Well, I don't know why I'm doing it. I've never heard any teaching or preaching about tithing. When I got saved, they told me I was supposed to do it, so I did. But I don't know of anything that's ever come of it in thirteen years. If I've ever gotten any blessing out of it, I don't know it."

I was amazed. Here was a good man who had been tithing strictly from the standpoint of slavish duty, and it hadn't worked for him. So I took a few minutes and told him a little bit of what I'm sharing with you in this chapter.

Then I said to him, "The next time you get your tithe envelope out, say, 'Lord, I'm doing this by faith. I'm giving for the purpose of keeping this local church going, which is benefiting the Body of Christ by helping people. I'm helping spread the Gospel so that people can be saved. Thank You, God, for making it possible for me to be part of Your work. I am giving in faith and expectancy to be blessed according to Your Word.'"

"I'll sure give that a try," he said. And he did.

About thirty days later, he came back to me with a big grin on his face. "I've been doing what you said, Brother Hagin. Every week I've been praying when I get ready to pay my tithes. And boy," he declared, "it's really working. I can definitely tell a difference in my finances!"

Another time, in another east Texas church, a man came to me and said, "Brother Hagin, my wife and I have been paying tithes ever since we got saved, nearly twenty-five years. But we've never heard any teaching from the Bible about it. Many of our friends in the church are farmers. They borrow money to buy seed to plant, and when the cotton is ready, they hire people to pick it. How do they pay tithes?

"I talked to one or two of the deacons," he said. "And they don't know much about it, either. They said they had thought about asking you to preach about it, but they didn't want you to think they were trying to tell you what to preach. So I wanted to see if you thought you would be talking about it anytime soon?"

I said to the man, "Brother Williams, I'm glad you brought this up. God has been dealing with me about this before you ever said anything. So I'm going to do it right away."

In those days, the biggest crowd we had at our church was on Sunday night. The building was usually full, and if the weather was good, sometimes there would be people standing outside. Because I wanted the most people possible to hear what the Bible says about tithing and giving, I took a Sunday night and spent about an hour on the subject, going into great detail.

I had always tried to preach a balanced message to the church. I had preached about salvation, the baptism of the Holy Ghost, and the gifts of the Spirit. I had preached about healing, faith, and living a life of love and service to others. So the people knew I wasn't trying to cram something down their throats when I preached about finances; it was something they needed and wanted to know.

After the service, many of the folks told me how glad they were that I had preached about tithing and giving—that I had helped them understand what the Bible said and the purpose for giving to God. I could tell they had taken it to heart.

[size=20pt]Tithing Brings the Promised Blessings of God[/size]

Well, immediately the income of the church tripled! Without any special emphasis or pull, there was a generous response when we passed the offering plate. Even sinners started paying their tithes. There were two ladies in the church who were married to unsaved men. These two men would come to church with their families on Sunday night.

The very next day after I preached on tithing, one of these men stopped by the parsonage. "Brother Hagin," he said. "My wife and I talked about your sermon on the way home last night. We believe that God will bless us if we obey His Word. I just got off my first bales of cotton so I wanted to stop by and pay out tithes."

Well, those unsaved fellows kept on paying their tithes. And it wasn't long until both of them got saved and filled with the Spirit. Their families were blessed too. Later, one of the wives was called to preach, and the family went out on the field to minister. The last account I had of them, they were traveling about and evangelizing.

In my more than sixty-five years of ministry, I've heard thousands of testimonies from people who have practiced God's biblical plan of returning a tenth of their income to Him through the local church. A great many of them, in the beginning, weren't sure how they could get by on the remaining ninety percent of their income when they had been barely making it beforehand. But somehow they did. Oh, it wasn't always easy. It required patience, determination, faith, and some time.

But if they persisted, the promised blessings came. Sometimes they noticed that God had "rebuked the devourer" in their lives—the car or the appliances didn't break down as often or the kids weren't sick as much, resulting in fewer medical bills.
If they worked in construction or as farmers, bad weather didn't keep them off the job. Then many times, extra income would come from totally unexpected sources. Perhaps they would get a raise, some overtime hours, or maybe even a bonus! Others reported that they got an insurance settlement, collected on an old debt, or received an inheritance. ***Some folks will think Hagin is lying or it was God just being fair

The bottom line was that when they paid their tithes, they had more financially and did better. And most people were also blessed spiritually with a closet walk with God, physically with better health, and mentally and emotionally with a greater sense of joy and well-being. The Bible says, "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it" (Prov. 10:22).


*** the blessing aren't necessarily monetary, for me, i get less expenses in ALL things and crazy gifts, including cash . Oya, food don done, where are shedemidemi and Goshen and others ? Lobeez, vooks are somewhat lost. Come give you theories

i am going out for follow up by 5pm.

see you all by 7pm

WinsomeX:
Gombs, provide the whole text on tithe which Hagin taught and let's discuss. Though I cannot understand why you will believe us on tithes when you refuse to accept thst Hagin rejected firstfruit. Is it tithe, which he advocated, that you will now accept?

Point where he rejected firstfuits... if he did, he would have spelt it out clearly. He said preachers used to say they are the priests now, hence firstfruits are for them. that was what he spoke against. A critic of Hagin wrote thus

Teachers like Hagin from the word of faith taught the 10% and more. They teach give to get it back. I've heard others claim a "first fruits" giving which is a calculated 10% annual figure given as a one lump sum in January for the projected year. It's a lie and there is no arguing that.

http://mkayla./2009/11/18/the-dangerous-teaching-methods-of-kenneth-e-hagin-junker-jorge/

at least the critic is on your side, he has nothing to hide.

I am not here to convince you to tithe, just to discuss the book. Hagin knew tithing is great and should be done, and used the word "Absolutely", if he was against firstfruits in its entirety he would have written so in clear terms

i will put up the whole text

vooks:
the Law also 'merely' regulated circumcision,sacrifices and offerings. Were circumcision,sacrifices and offerings BEFORE the Law by faith?
It is nonsense to claim that tithing BEFORE Moses was by 'faith' since there was no Law as if no Law automatically means faith

So, Abraham did not tithe by faith, by what exactly did he tithe?

Goshen360:
Go into scriptures, the NT...See how the early churches WAS ABLE TO DO EVERYTHING OR MOST THINGS WITHOUT RECORD OF ONE SINGLE TITHE COLLECTED. That's what we should stay with, NOT ADDING TO THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD.

list them out please.

[quote author=Goshen360 post=27388895]

There's absolutely no way you people can teach tithe without going back into self efforts or performance. You take us back into the law and wants us fall from Grace of God. You only hide under the umbrella of "BY FAITH. ..WE TITHE" You simply or quickly forget THE LAW IS NOT OF FAITH. ..SO ALSO, FAITH IS NOT OF THE LAW. If Abraham tithed by faith, where is this monthly continuous tithing AS A LAW CAME FROM?

It is not a monthly thing, i tithe of all my increase, salary, bonus, dash, etc... one can tithe as much as 6 times a month... it is not a monthly thing, nor a law.

Faith that Abraham was justified by was clearly taught in scriptures, NOT THAT BELIEVERS ARE TO FOLLOW THE ACTS OF ABRAHAM. ...else, believers will sleep with their maids BY FAITH,

stop being cynical. But you follow his act of worship, his act of responding to the Word and also claim his blessings by faith, was sleeping with Hagar an act of faith? It was Sarahs idea, not his.

we will lie BY FAITH,

so Abraham lied? stop being like this na, was Sarah not really his sister?

we'll go to physical war BY FAITH.

David fought and won wars by faith, for God was with him in it. Now, why not call God biased for promoting wars then and telling us not to?

We'll kill BY FAITH. I hope you people are not trying to twist THEY THAT ARE OF FAITH ARE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM?

you never fail to disapoint

vooks:
If the people of God circumcised their boys BEFORE the Law, Moses was nearly killed over uncircumcision BEFORE the Law, they circumcised UNDER the Law,Jesus was circumcised, should we,who live by the grace do anything less when we have a better covenant?

I think we should circumcise boys and girls (FGM)

Does what you wrote make sense at all? it doesnt to me

Candour:
^^^. Very good. Time to talk about regulated and unregulated tithes

At least, we are done with first fruits, 100-fold return, double portion return, using the parable of the sower to manipulate Christians into parting with money etc

Ah! the only sensible post so far after my Tithe post from the book Hagin wrote.

Hagin highlighted the law MERELY regulated tithing, and we tithe by faith (a fact you attacked me and Joagbaje for) check the tithes and offering thread. Now, If churches are not to tithe, how then should they raise funds? Offerings and free willed donations alone? right? ok

from what Hagin wrote, you think he missed it? if so, kindly point them out

vooks:
Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
2:12 For before that certain came from James , he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all , If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?


REBUKED BEFORE THEM ALL. Who is 'THEM'?

smh

alright folks, i have been busier today, would upload tonight ... and a little change, our next topic is Chapter 4: THE PURPOSE OF PROSPERITY

it has wonderful topic such as;

God's People Must Prosper To Fulfill the Great Commission

Tithing—God's Plan for Financing The Church and Its Outreaches

Understand Why and How You Should Tithe

Tithing Brings the Promised Blessings of God

To Tithe or Not To Tithe

More Money Results in More Ministry

etc

from the above bold, let me put a little excerpt:

From time to time over the years, people have asked me if the practice of tithing is still valid for the Church today. "The New Testament really says very little about it," they say. "Should pastors and other ministers preach and encourage tithing with so little New Testament information on the subject. Should Christians be bound by the Old Testament Law?"
It is true that there is very little mention of tithing in the New Testament. Two of the Gospels, Matthew and Luke, report the only recorded incident of Jesus saying anything about it. But in this instance, Jesus clearly affirmed His belief in the practice of tithing:


"Yes, woe upon you, Pharisees, and you other religious leaders—hypocrites'. For you time down to the last mint leaf in your garden, but ignore the important things— justice and mercy and faith. Yes, you should tithe, but you shouldn't leave the more important things undone."
—Matthew 23:23 (TLB)


Jesus upbraided the hypocritical religious leaders of His day who ignored vitally important parts of the Law such a justice, mercy, and faith, while meticulously paying the tithe they owed down to the last leaf in their garden. He was saying that giving money doesn't take the place of living right. God is not as interested in a person's money as He is in his heart. But Jesus did say that a person should tithe.

Although the majority of biblical references to the tithe are clearly part of the Old Covenant, the fact of the matter is that tithing was not introduced under the Law. It was merely regulated under the Law. Tithing originated as an act of faith, and faith transcends both the Old and New Covenants! And "by faith" is how we should tithe today—not as an act of legalism, but as an act of faith.

Genesis chapter 14 tells us how Abram paid tithes to Melchizedek, king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God, four hundred years before the time of Moses and the Law. Obviously, he did not pay tithes by legalistic requirement because he lived before the Law. Isaac and Jacob also lived before the Law and paid tithes (Gen. 18:19,20;28:22).

By faith, Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, who was a type of Christ. We see this in the Book of Hebrews, which also tells us that, "... Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant" (Heb. 7:22 NIV).
Galatians chapter 3 makes some crucially important statements.

But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. 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: That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
—Galatians 3:11-14

So should we pay tithes today? Absolutely! But we pay them like Abraham paid them—not by the Law, but by faith. And besides that, if the people of God paid ten percent before the Law and ten percent under the Law, should we, who live by grace, be doing any less when we have a better covenant? *** Wow, Good question***

Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of the Most High God, who was a type of Christ. And he received the blessing, which was threefold—spiritual, physical, and material or financial. Because we are redeemed from the curse of the Law by the sacrifice of Christ, we have received the blessing of Abraham—spiritually, physically, and financially.

We, then, by faith follow the example of Abraham in paying tithes. We pay our tithes unto Christ! The Bible says in Ephesians that when God raised Jesus from the dead, He gave Him to be the Head over all things to the Church, which is His Body (Eph. 1:22,23). So when we pay tithes to Christ, the Head, they flow to His Body, the Church. Do you see it? Through the Church, we have the great privilege of giving to Jesus to do His will and work.

I believe if every Christian would be faithful in tithing and giving, there would be more than enough funds for the Church to carry out its mission in the world. Researchers have found that amazingly few born-again Americans tithe regularly, and a surprisingly large number give nothing! Imagine what could be accomplished if all Christians were faithful in their tithing and giving!


on second thought.. should i still put up chapter 4? Hagin explained Understand Why and How You Should Tithe ...it was a masterpiece.

WinsomeX:
Galatians 2:11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. 2:12 For before that certain came from James , he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 2:13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 2:14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all , If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?

Why don't we look at the scripture instead of continual conjectures that are fruitless.

1. Paul rebuked Peter.

2. This rebuke was in public, not an isolated ministers conference as Gombs wants us to believe. It was in Antioch, the same place they were first called Christians.

i believe you have comprehension skills... but if you think Peter stood and Paul was ebuking him in the presence of the whole brethren in Antioch church, fine. Keep the delusion up

3. There is nothing in that scripture that depicts a sort of ministerial heriachy were Paul and Peter were mates. In those days the apostles were faithful to Jesus words that we are all brethren to the extent that a latter or Junior apostle like Paul could rebuke a senior one like Peter.

Paul was Junior apostle shey? Because you read he said he is the least of the apostles, abi? So, you did not read one was to the circumcised church, the other uncircumcised abi? no wahala

This passage is no justification for rebellion or confusion in church but the fact that believers should submit one to another and if God will speak through the least of apostles, the for most apostle should listen.

oya, sit here an type away.

I am not sure what version if scripture Imsge123 is using to come to a conclusion of mates on a certain heriarchy.

i wish you would quit been biased

Image123:
Scriptures twisted as usual. Paul wasn't on nairaland monkeying himself and gossiping or backbiting about dead people. He ACTUALLY withstood Peter to the face.
Two, Paul was right and Peter was clearly wrong, no debate.
Three, Paul corrected Peter in the spirit of meekness and love, not gloating like a rabid animal over Peter's mistake.
Four, Paul was Peter's mate as they were both apostles with marks and credibility. Unlike folks here who can't correct their kids to save their lives, but delude themselves with a calling to rain insults and jabs on ministers that they couldn't achieve a fraction of what they've done in three lifetimes. Spiritually, materially, academically and any other 'ally' there is.

Exactly... shedemidemi claimed Peter was rebuked publicly. He never mentioned it was in the midst of other Men of God, not public as in publicly.

but you got some classic sense of humor. the colored is sooooo true