₦airaland Forum

[b][/b]PLS READ THE FOLLOWING TO SEE THAT DEBATE ABOUT TITHING IS IRRELEVANT FOR A CHRISTIAN LIVING BY NEW TESTAMENT TEACHING.

Note the following about tithing in the New Testament:

(1) Tithing is never commanded in the New Testament
• Few places tithing is mentioned in the New Testament it is in reference to Old Testament/Jewish event or practice. However, the fact that it is not mentioned is not enough reason to rule out tithing for a New Testament believer. Are there not many ideas we follow and things we practice which are not explicitly commanded in the New Testament but only inferred?
• Also, if tithing is invalidated by it not being commanded in the church, it is not only tithing that will be stopped but all forms of giving in support of the local church. This is because nowhere in the New Testament is believer commanded to give to the church. All giving commands/encouragement in the New Testament is to the poor and needy.

(2) Tithing is never invalidated in the New Testament
• Jesus endorsed tithing by saying it is something that the Pharisees could practiced but not at the expense of more important matters of the law. Matthew 23:23 (NKJV) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
• Jesus said He did not come to destroy the law (tithing inclusive) but to fulfill it Matt.5:17.
• The righteousness Jesus expected of His disciples is one that exceeds that of the Pharisees Matthew 5:20 (NKJV "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven, So, if the Pharisees gave tithe as a right thing disciples of Christ are to give more than tithe.
• In Jesus pursuit of fulfillment of the law He usually demand higher standard of obedience to the law.
Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32 (NKJV) 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.' 22 "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, 'You fool!' shall be in danger of hell fire. 27 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not commit adultery.' 28 "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 31 "Furthermore it has been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' 32 "But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
If Jesus had addressed Old Testament law on tithing in similar way he would have demanded for something greater than a tenth of our income.

(3) A tithe of one’s income is far less than the New Testament standard on giving.
• Jesus’ encouragement/commendation about giving was giving of all. For instance, he told the rich young ruler to sell ALL that he had and give to the poor (Lk.18:22). Likewise he commended a widow for giving more than all simply because she gave all that she had (Lk.21:1-4).
• Paul’s teaching on giving is based on generous/bountiful giving. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (NKJV): 6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2Cor.8-9.
Can a thousand naira out of ten thousand naira qualify to be regarded as generous/bountiful giving? No. So, what God expects of New Testament believer is generous/bountiful giving, which surely is more than a tenth of your income.
Whereas one cannot be legalistic about the issue of tithing it is very clear from Jesus’ and Paul’s teaching that God never expects any believer to give less than a tenth of his/her income. Thus, it is not out of place to use Mal.3:8ff teaching on tithing as an encouragement towards meeting up with the New Testament standard of giving.


Although quite a number of ministers exploit their congregation today, that is not an excuse not to give generously/bountifully. Apart from the Biblical basis is it not unfair to your church, for you to enjoy the fan/Ac, good music, good sermon, clean environment etc (which all cost money) as you worship and yet not give at least a tenth of your income to support that church?

Based on all the above, the question of whether tithing is mandatory or not is not relevant for a New Testament believer for what is expected of a New Testament believer is far more than tithing. It is generous and bountiful giving. if you are not giving more than a tithe of your income to the Lord can we say you are a generous giver? Give generously to support your church, though not out of compulsion but from youre heart and cheerfully. Any giving made out of compulsion is not acceptable before God. God bless you.

Old Testament Men of God and New Tetament servants of God like John the baptist were never politicians but played their role well as 'conscience of the nation", especially of national leaders. they spek fiercely against ungodly leadership and acts. so, I expect every servant of god, especially those who with national recognition not to keep quite when in comes to speaking about unrighteousness in "high places' in Nigeria.

If it is in Nigeria they would have died waiting to be rescued. so, the incident should challenge all Nigerians to pray that God will help us to reach a stage where we will have all that it takes to do similar feat.

It should be well investigated to ensure that the company is not a victim of people who specializes in adulterating genuine products. But once the company is found liable all the individuals involved should be severely punished in a way that will serve as a lesson to others. And the punishment should be made public.

Bravo! Fasola is a pacessetter Governor.

Nairalanders who have collected etisalat pre registered sim card, is it free? I sent someone to a center in Ibadan few days ago to collect for me but their system was down and was even told that it goes for N200. From their adverts is it not supposed to be free?

Go to etisalat official site for a list of all the places you can get the sim card. Her is the link: <www.etisalat.com.ng/contactus_experiencecenter.php>

Skannet is very good in terms of quality, one of the best if not the best in Ibadan and the cheapest in terms of monthly subscription after having initial payment for equipment. I have been using it for over a year now and it has been doing well.

No need for a New testament believer to argue about tithing. Rather, all should concentrate on obeying all that the New Testament teaches about giving. There is no way you will obey New Testament in its entirety that you will give more than 10% of your income. Giving 10% of your income cannot be regarded as bountiful/generous giving that 2Cor 9:6 teaches.

I uses Motorola L7 and I have eight different translations downloaded free through PC. Visit the following sites and you will have access to 13 different translations of the bible at no charge: www.teddy.christianxp.com/bible/ (for NIV, NLT, NKJV, MSG); www.bible4phone.com (for AMP, ASV, BBE); www.biblephone.net (for BBE, DARBY, KJV, WEBSTER, YLT, ASV, WEB), and www.moements.net/wiki/ (for NET).

Here is a link for free download of the following Bible versions: NIV; NLT, Message, and NKJV - http://teddy.christianxp.com/bible/. I have been looking for Amplified too and i am glad to get it at Naira forum few minutes ago. Anyone with links to Good News Bible, Living Bible or any other newer translations should please post them.