₦airaland Forum

UmarIbnShittu:
3:81. (Recall the time) when Allâh bound (the people) to a covenant through the Prophets (saying), ‘Indeed, whatever I have vouchsafed to you of the Book and the Wisdom, and then there comes to you a Messenger fulfilling that which is with you, you shall surely believe in him and have to help him.’ (The Lord further) said, ‘Do you agree and do you undertake the heavy responsibility of My covenant on these (terms)?’ They said, ‘We do agree.’ (God) said, ‘Bear witness to it and I am with you among the witnesses.’

Trying to create an error were. None exist Goodluck on your life quest (mission)

Questions for you:
1. Which translation are you using?
2. How did you come about the words in bracket?

Hymns Teaching God’s Guarantee Of Eternal Security (2)

Hymns with doctrinal content aid grace orientation. Such hymns orient the Christian to God’s way of thinking and operation – GRACE: An expression of kindness that is done NOT because of any MERIT or WORTH on the part of the recipient but ONLY as a result of the freeheartedness of God.

Grace DOES NOT depend upon us, but upon God. In other words, no Christian can WORK FOR grace, he can only adjust or respond to grace. The focus in grace is always God because of his character not on what man is and what he can do.

Another hymn that acknowledges grace and equally recognizes that our hope for eternal life depends COMPLETELY on Jesus’ life and work on our behalf, and not on any work on our part that ADDS TO Christ’s work is the hymn “ROCK OF AGES”
This hymn was written by Rev. Augustus M. Toplady (1740 – 1778).

The lyrics go as follows:
1. Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee;
let the water and the blood,
from thy wounded side which flowed,
be of sin the double cure;
save from wrath and make me pure.

2. Not the labours of my hands
can fulfill thy law's commands;
could my zeal no respite know,
could my tears forever flow,
all for sin could not atone;
thou must save, and thou alone.

3. Nothing in my hand I bring,
simply to the cross I cling;
naked, come to thee for dress;
helpless, look to thee for grace;
foul, I to the fountain fly;
wash me, Saviour, or I die.

4. While I draw this fleeting breath,
when mine eyes shall close in death,
when I soar to worlds unknown,
see thee on thy judgment throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
let me hide myself in thee.

The first verse uses a picture of “Rock”, usually seen as a strong fortification that secures against both natural (e.g. storms) and human (enemies) attacks. Only God, the ‘Rock’ that has been from ages past, provides the secured safety of eternal salvation. In hiding one’s self in him alone can any person be eternally secured. The closing portion of this first verse shows where the emphasis lies – being saved from sin and the wrath of God which came as a result of sin is accomplished by Christ’s work alone and by nothing else. It is only Christ’s work that cures from sin and makes pure. That wrath of God continues on those who refuse to believe on Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:36).

The second verse rejects any works-based theology or emotional expressions for acceptance by God. Simply put: we cannot earn salvation by means of works or with the show of emotion no matter how strongly it is expressed. Nothing any man can do will be able to fulfill all the righteous requirements of God – NOTHING! Neither works nor emotions can resolve the sin problem. Only God alone can save.

The third verse goes on to emphasize the fact that there is nothing we can present in our human power to God that amounts to anything. Like the Scripture says; all our righteousness amounts to filthy rags before God. Only God can clothe us in his righteousness; we can’t attain it in the energy of the flesh. Only God’s grace – unmerited favour – can provide us help. Recognizing that we are ‘foul’ (morally bad, detestable, wretched), stained by sin, it is only in coming to the Saviour that we can be washed or else we ‘die’ (eternal separation from God).

In the fourth and closing verse Toplady concludes by showing that in the face of the certain coming perfect justice and judgement of God to which we shall all appear – 2 Cor. 5:10, it is only in God’s expression of mercy (grace in action) that we can stand – “let me hide myself in thee”.

In this hymn we understand that anyone’s ultimate salvation after death depended on Christ alone as a rock with a stable, strong and unchanging nature to secure such a one for all eternity.
Again, this hymn clearly shows that salvation, from the beginning to the end, is by faith alone in Christ alone. Once anyone hides himself in the ‘Rock of Ages’ he is eternally secured, no matter what!

Ferisidowu:
pls I need someone to explained "follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord " for me in line with this post

Jesus summarized all the "Law and prophets" in love for God and love for others.

following peace with all men stems from our love for them. Love for God will engender holy living.

True love for God results in coming to salvation with the result of an acquired holiness from God which will qualify such a person to be with God forever.

The epistles and book of Revelations are clear as to the fact that the Christian and the CHURCH are not to add to the clearly revealed word of God.

But today's Church is acting as if it knows better than the forerunners of the church. Today's church is making many believe that new "DOCTRINES" are being revealed.

As a result any "new" revelation is swallowed hook line and sinker by majority of Christians who unfortunately have become very gullible.

Some strange doctrines come up, and you ask the Christian to be like the Bereans and examine the Scripture to see if these things are there, and what you get is "who do you think you are?".

'Holy Ghost fire!' was never used in Scripture nor prescribed by it. Period!

So many "DOCTRINES OF DEMONS" have found their way into the church. The result is temporary "power" but a weakening of the church which in the LONG RUN will lead to the defeat of the church.

A question to ponder on: "When the church had its greatest impact in history what doctrines was the church teaching and preaching?"

felixomor:
How come the same people who antagonise tithe cant show us in the new testament where God instructed us to circumcise male babies?

Here it is:
"Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation."
Galatians 6:14

I guess NOBODY preaches that anyone who is uncircumcised will go to hell. If any person does that he contravenes that verse quoted above.

The Christian life starts by GRACE and continues to be by the same grace. It does not start by GRACE and then goes on to be lived by works.

Nothing in the NT instructs the Christian to tithe.

How come those advocating TITHING have NEVER been able to show us anywhere in the life of the CHURCH in the New Testament where the Christian was INSTRUCTED to tithe?

How come these same people ALWAYS run to the LAW to seek to INSTRUCT the Christian on how to live his life of GRACE?

The plain truth is that the New Testament has given the Christian instructions on HOW TO GIVE. Those who ignore these are bewitching believers and entangling them with a yoke of bondage.

How come those advocating TITHING have NEVER been able to show us anywhere in the life of the CHURCH in the New Testament where the Christian was INSTRUCTED to tithe?

How come these same people ALWAYS run to the LAW to seek to INSTRUCT the Christian on how to live his life of GRACE?

The plain truth is that the New Testament has given the Christian instructions on HOW TO GIVE. Those who ignore these are bewitching believers and entangling them with a yoke of bondage.

umarshek6:
.
Y did dat paticular verse said none

Nd. Now u are saying three

D people were watching frm. Distance. U said it ur self

I don't read lies

And lastly I did not refer d question to u .

Is this an OPEN FORUM or a closed one? That your last statement is childish to say the least.

If you're not ready to learn that's your cup of tea.

Others are reading the posts; I hope you know that. If you don't want to be objective others may be.

felixomor:
Its the bible I quoted for you.

"similitude" "order"
Were the words used.
It needs no further explanation.

The scripture is not of your own private interpretation

Cheers!

felixomor:
Please read above

The bible clearly specified that the new priesthood is in the same order and similitude as that of Melchizedek

Hebrews: 7. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

Read it.

The plain truth is this: JESUS 's priesthood, even though it's a KING-PRIEST type of priesthood, is according to the book of Hebrews SUPERIOR to any other system that existed before his own.

(Note - in Israel as with many other systems the PRIEST position and the RULERSHIP position e.g. king or judge were SEPARATE institutions. That Melchizedek held this two positions what the writer EMPHASIZES here, nothing else. From the start of HEBREWS the UNIQUENESS and SUPERIORITY of Jesus Christ over every other BEING or SYSTEM is what is emphasised.)

Equating it - the New Covenant of Christ - with any previous system is either a lack of understanding of scripture or mischief.

umarshek6:
can u answer dis in one or two sentence den we r done here

CRUCIFIXION OR CRUCI-FICTION: None of Jesus disciples witnessed his death..they all forsook him and fled (MARK 14:50)... .... ...... ....

How many days will u b needing to. Present d answers?

The verse you quoted referred to what happened at the garden of Gethsemane. This was before his trials and before he was taken to be crucified. At the crucifixion the disciples WERE THERE.

"Now some women also were watching from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome."
MARK 15:40 AMP

"And all His acquaintances and the women who had accompanied Him from Galilee were standing at a distance, watching these things."
LUKE 23:49 AMP

"So the soldiers did these things. But standing by the cross of Jesus were His mother, His mother’s sister [ Salome], Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene."
JOHN 19:25 AMP

An objective approach clarifies things making them PLAIN.
The same applies to your other points. You may simply have copied this from somewhere. If you took time to look well into the Bible you'd have seen that there is simply no issues like you're trying to manufacture.

felixomor:
Firstly, the regulation being discussed as former is Mosaic.

Secondly, it involves the shedding of ox and Ram blood for remission of sin that were done as instructed by Moses.
It has nothing to do with what existed before Moses.

What existed before Moses is even described as being in the same category as that of the New Convenant

Psalm: 110. 4. The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews: 7. 15. And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

16. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.

17. For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec

Did the Mosaic Law replace anything before it? Yes!

As long as the Mosaic Law existed would it be right for any believer in God to GO BACK to the previous system? No!

Has the New Covenant replaced the Law? Yes!

Why would you now think the New Covenant must necessarily incorporate even pre-Mosaic Law observances EVEN where it has not specified so?

felixomor:
Every believer is a priest
But Jesus Christ is the high priest.
Please go and read it again
Stop interpretating your own version in brackets.

"The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God."
Hebrews 7:18‭-‬19 NIV

"Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant."
Hebrews 7:22 NIV

umarshek6:
by mere reasoning nd comparing the old nd new testament

It doesn't have to be stated

Congratulate yourself for "merely reasoning" very well.

History is filled with DEAD OPTIONS. Jesus is the ONLY LIVING option.

It's then either Jesus or NOTHING.

If anyone has God's stamp of approval it's the ONE who rose from the dead.

felixomor:
You tithe to your High priest, Christ
And the church is the body of Christ

According to Hebrews 7, with the coming of the High Priest order of Jesus Christ EVERY former regulation or commandment was SET ASIDE.
Instead of specialized priesthood every believer is now a priest and as a priest collects NO tithe (whether pre-law type or under the law type or a hybrid) from anyone and to nobody.

felixomor:
Yes because our high priest has changed

Thank you for admitting that a change has taken place.
The issue then is this: what does this difference entail as far as tithing is concerned?

felixomor:
You can give animals to the church as sacrificial donation
Nothing wrong
People do it.
Just that it wont be burnt or to Melchizedek like Abraham did.

So you agree that, from the way you stated it, the modus operandi has changed; don't you?

felixomor:
You can as well say because something is written the bible, doesn't mean you must do it.
Its a free world they say, afterall.

It is written in the Bible that Abraham sacrificed animals.
Are Christians expected to do same today? In a free world?

felixomor:
Haveu now see that tithe mustnt be from the land only?

No!
Just because Abraham DID something does not necessarily mean we MUST do same today. The key issue should be: what makes it BINDING on believers today?
You haven't pointed that out.

Rashduct4luv:
In a translation, Jesus is one & Only son

in another, she is begotten son

in another he is the unique son


lies lies lies

So, in your reasoning if a document said:
XYZ is a country.
XYZ is a nation.
XYZ is a people.
then is it a lie because of using different ways to describe the same XYZ?

felixomor:
What matters is that it wasn't from the land.
It was the properties of those God gave him victory over

So, does it matter that ONLY that which wasn't from the land be given as tithe?

felixomor:
Abraham paid tithe on things that were not from the land.
Next.

What SPECIFICALLY were those things Abraham paid as tithes?

Another Expose on Tithes
From: https://www.nairaland.com/113108/truth-pastor-not-tell-tithes#1960030

The truth your pastor would not tell you about tithes

“And my people shall know the truth and the truth shall set them free” John 8:32

“ will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say where in have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse for ye have robbed me even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the store house and prove me now here with saith the lord of hosts if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing, that there would not be room enough to receive it” Malachi 3 : 8 – 10

The above quoted scripture is probably one of the most quoted scripture in the bible. Unfortunately it is being quoted out of context and used as a weapon of mass intimidation, manipulation, extortion, oppression, cajolery and outright lies and deceit by some church leaders to collect ten percent of the gross income of their church members who have been hoodwinked into believing that they are doing God’s will.
Before I go into the details of this discourse, I want to state categorically that I am a God loving, bible believing Christian who as the fear of God in his heart. I am also not writing this article to undermine any church or pastor but to let people realize the truth about tithes and remove the yoke of tithes being placed by some pastors upon them. I also want to state categorically that I strongly believe in giving to the church for the sole purpose of propagating God’s work and the Christian ministry. I would also continue to encourage all Christians to give their all to God as exemplified by the widow’s mite which Jesus Christ himself referred to in the bible.

Now back to Malachi 3 : 8 – 10, the first question one should ask is that who was this message directed at? The answer lies in the book of numbers 18 : 25 -28 which states that “the lord commanded Moses to say to the Levites when you receive from the Israelites the tithe that the lord gives you as your possession, you must present a tenth of it as a special contribution to the lord. This special contribution will be considered as the equivalent of the offering which the farmer makes of new grain and wine. In this way you would also present the special contribution which belongs to the lord from all the tithes which you receive from the Israelites. You are to give this special contribution for the lord to Aaron the priest” from the above it is clear that it was the Levites that were directed to pay a tithe of the tithe they collected from the Israelites to the priest who represents God and not the people of Israel. It was this Levites that were being referred to in the book of Malachi as those who rob God. A thorough study of the book of Malachi would reveal that in those days the Levites were collecting the tithe from the people of Israel and not remitting a tithe of it to the house of God, hence Malachi’s statement which is now being quoted out of context. To understand what tithes really means one would have to understand the social reasons and cultural / religious setting within which it was situated this concept of tithes was properly explained in the bible as stated in the laws of the tithe which can be found in the books of Leviticus 27 : 30 – 34, Numbers 18 : 25 – 31 and Deuteronomy 14 : 22 – 29. Upon reading this passages one would understand what tithes really means, but unfortunately most pastors prefer to neglect these passages that tell us the true meaning of tithes and emphasize on Malachi 3 : 8 - 10 which was directed to the Levites of that time to remit the priest’s share of the tithes they collected to him. It is worthy of note that Malachi does not even define what tithes is and how it should be paid. The definition of tithes as practiced today was manufactured by modern day pastors to suit their purpose as it is completely in contrast with what is in the bible and it only seeks to manipulate Christians to believe that God requests 10 per cent of their gross income from them.

So what is tithes and why did God request it be paid to the Levites? The answer can be found in the following passages : Leviticus 27 : 30 – 32 which states that “one tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit belongs to the lord. If a man wishes to buy back any of it he must pay the standard price plus an additional 20 per cent. One in every ten domestic animal belongs to the lord when the animals are counted, every tenth one belongs to the lord.” And Deuteronomy 26 : 12 which states that “ every third year give the tithe a tenth of your crops to the Levites, the foreigners, the orphans and the widows, so that in every community they will have all they need to eat” The above quoted passages clearly tells us what tithes is and the reason why God directed the people of Israel to pay tithes. It is very evident that it was a social arrangement for the less privileged in the Jewish society of that time, it was also meant to take care of the Levites because they have no land or property of their own. (today pastors are amongst the wealthiest property owners in Nigeria). This social arrangement is obviously not relevant to us today. It also states that every third year is the year of tithing not the weekly/monthly tithes being extorted from church members today. Another passage that illustrates the true meaning of tithes properly and also states clearly that tithe is not money is Deuteronomy 14 : 22 -29 which states that “ set aside a tithe a tenth of all that your fields produce each year then go to the one place where the lord your God as chosen to be worshiped and there in his presence eat the tithes of your grain, wine and olive oil and first born of your cattle and sheep. Do this so that you may learn to have reverence for the lord your God always. If the place of worship is too far from your home for you to carry there the tithe of the produce that the lord has blessed you with, then sell your produce and take the money with you to the one place of worship spend it on whatever you want beef, lamb, wine, beer and there in the presence of the lord you and your family are to eat and enjoy yourselves. Do not neglect the Levites who live in your towns for they have no property of their own. At the end of every third year bring the tithe of all your crops and store it in your towns. This is food for the Levites since they own no property and for the orphans, foreigners and widows who live in your towns. Do this and the lord your God would bless you in everything you do” from the above passage, it is very clear that tithe is not money and it is not the exclusive preserve of the Levites (church). It was a religious practice in those days to give reverence to God and to celebrate God in his place of worship. The Levites were only included for the main reason that they have no land of their own and that reason is not relevant in today’s society. Yet some pastors would tell you that you are cursed and would not go to heaven if you don’t give them 10% of your gross income. All this hypocrisy would not have bothered me if all the money being collected was being used to propagate God’s work, but the truth as we all know today is that this money is being used to finance lavish, flamboyant and exotic life styles that is unbecoming of a man who truly claims to serve God as a pastor who is expected to be meek and humble like our lord Jesus Christ was.
As a concluding part to this article, I would want to refer us to the book of Hebrews which was written to the early Christians, this provides irrefutable proof that Christians are not meant to pay tithes as the priesthood of our lord Jesus Christ does not require it. Hebrews 7 : 5,which states that “ and those descendants of Levi who are priests are commanded by the law to collect one tenth from the people of Israel that is from there own country men even though their country men are also descendants of Abraham” from this verse we can jump to verse 11 - 13 which states that “it was on the basis of the Levitical priesthood that the law was given to the people of Israel. Now if the work of the Levitical priests had been perfect there would be no need for a different kind of priest to appear, one who is in the priestly order of Melchizedek not of Aaron. For when the priesthood is changed, there also has to be a change in the law. And our lord of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe and no member of his tribe ever served as a priest. It is well known that he was born a member of the tribe of Judah and Moses did not mention his tribe when he spoke of priests” The above passage is self explanatory and it’s states clearly that the practice of tithing has no place under the priestly order of our lord Jesus Christ in fact the passage suggests that the collection of tithes is belittling of the priestly order of our lord Jesus Christ. It states that it is wrong for us as Christians to receive or pay tithes and is not relevant to us as Christians because we belong to a superior priestly order.

Once again I would like to state that this article is not meant for us as Christians to revolt against the church or our pastors, it is just meant to establish the biblical truth about tithes and remove the yoke from people who labour to pay tithes ( not required of them by God) while their pastors are living luxuriously. Today many pastors see the church as their personal business and even fraudulent people are opening up churches so that they can have access to people’s tithes and use it for their personal aggrandizement. I encourage all of us as Christians to remain vigilant and continue to serve God in truth and in faith to the glory of his holy name. Amen.

PS:
Another point of note is: how come out of the 613 biblical laws of Moses which were handed out to the people of Israel, it is only an adulterated version of the law of tithe that is still being practised today, apart from the Ten Commandments? How come we are no longer required to offer burnt sacrifices? How come we no longer stone people to death for sinning? The truth is that only tithing was dug out of the laws of Moses because it presents material benefits to the collectors of tithes. Given that most Christians do not study their bibles and depend on their priests to guide them through, it was easy for pastors to pick a passage in the bible (Malachi 3 : 8-10), quote it out of context and use it to manipulate the flock into parting with 10 per cent of their income. Furthermore, it is worthy of note that neither Jesus Christ nor any of the apostles ever preached about or collected tithe. In fact, in the bible, Jesus Christ only spoke about tithes in Luke 11:42 which states that: “But woe unto you Pharisees! For ye tithe mint and rue all manner of herbs, and pass over judgement and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Here we can see that Jesus Christ is rebuking the Pharisees for laying emphasis on tithes instead of the more important things of the spirit, like our pastors are doing today.

In Acts 15, we find outlined what the apostles all agreed was necessary for the newly converted Gentiles to practise, and by inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, tithing is conspicuously missing. Yet, what is one of the very first legislated duties taught to Gentile converts by the Church today? It is that they must tithe their annual salaries to the Church. Where did this unscriptural law of Christian tithing come from?

Notice this telling bit of history from the Encyclopaedia Britannica (1963, volume 22, page 253, ‘TITHES’). “Tithes in Christendom—The earliest authentic example of anything like a law of the State enforcing payment appears to occur in the capitularies [Ecclesiasticals] of Charlemagne at the end of the 8th or beginning of the 9th century. Tithes were, by that enactment, to be applied to the maintenance of the bishop, clergy, the poor, and the fabric of the church. In the course of time the principle of payment of tithes was extended far beyond its original intention. Thus, they became transferable to laymen and saleable like ordinary property, despite the injunctions of the third Lateran Council; and they became payable out of sources of income [not just farming and herding, but other trades and occupations and salaries paid in the form of money] not originally tithable.”

The Catholic Church knows its own history. Here is how tithing got back into the Church after being absent for nearly five centuries:

“As the Church expanded and various institutions arose, it became necessary to make laws which would insure the proper and permanent support of the clergy. The payment of tithes was adopted from the Old Law… The earliest positive legislation on the subject seems to be contained in the letter of the bishops assembled at Tours in 567 and the [canons] of the Council of Macon in 585.”—The Catholic Encyclopaedia.

They “extended” their base of tithe collecting to eventually include all forms of income. All Christian scholars know that although money was in wide use in ancient Israel, it was never a titheable commodity. But modern pastors don’t want tithes of goats or oil or corn, they want money–cold, hard cash! God has a word to the “shepherds of the sheep”, and it is the very same message that He had for the Levites in the book of Malachi. And it is this:

“My people have been lost sheep, their shepherds have caused them to go astray” (Jer. 50:6).

Were Israelites aware that they were being led astray by their spiritual leaders? Not most, and neither are Christians today aware that they are being led astray by their spiritual leaders.

A FOOD FOR THOUGHT ON TITHING
From https://www.nairaland.com/2960906/tithe-not-tithe-whole-truth#43319087

TO TITHE OR NOT TO TITHE: WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES.

Tithe: A tenth of the produce of the earth consecrated and set apart for special purposes.

MALACHI 3:10 (New International Version):
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it".

Many Christians struggle with the issue of tithing.
In some churches tithing is over-emphasized at the expense of giving to the needy.
Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the Law in which the Israelites were to give 10 percent of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the tabernacle/temple
- see Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5.
In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes—one for the Levites, one for the use of the temple and the feasts, and one for the poor of the land—which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent.
Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system.


NOTE: Tithes were awarded to the Levites for their priestly service because they would not receive land in Canaan see: Num 18:19-21.
They, too, gave a tenth of what they received (v. 26).

Donation of a tenth portion, or tithe, was common apparently because most peoples counted in tens, based on ten fingers.

Tithing first appeared in the Bible when Abraham gave one-tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek, the priest-king of Salem see: Gen 14:18-20.
The writer of Hebrews presumed that tithes were paid to a higher authority and inferred that there was a greater priesthood than Aaron's see: Hebrews 7:4 Hebrews 7:9.

GENESIS 14:8-12:
The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah (Plus their allies) fought a battle against king Chedorlaomer king of Elam (plus his allies). Chedorlaomer king of Elam and his allies won the battle and took all the food supply and other goods from Sodom. They also took Lot, Abram's nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he (Lot) was living in Sodom.


GENESIS 14:9-17:
The incident was reported to Abram and he took 318 of his trained servants and defeated Chedorlaomer king of Elam. Abram brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative, Lot, with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.


GENESIS 14:18-20:
After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer, Abram was met by Melchizedek king of Salem and a Canaanite priest of God Most High, refreshing them with bread and wine and he blessed Abram. The blessing was given to Abram, a very important fact to remember. In response, Abram gave one-tenth (10%) of all the goods of Sodom that were stolen by Chedorlaomer to Melchizedek. Abram DID NOT tithe from his own possessions, an essential fact to refute tithing practices in the new covenant.


GENESIS 14:21-24:
The king of Sodom offered to give Abram all the goods of Sodom that were recovered for himself, but Abram refused, taking not one single item, to give honor to Yahweh, lest people say this pagan king of Sodom made him rich. This is a very important point, because Abram took NO INCOME and the tithe he gave to Melchizedek did not come from his goods, but those of the Sodomites and 1/10 of Lot’s recovered goods.


CONCLUSION:
If Abram’s aforementioned encounter is used by clergy men to justify the practice of tithing from one’s gross income, then they are justifying Christians paying 10% of goods and money they do not own!
Even worse, paying tithes this way means they have to find someone who has been robbed and recover the stolen goods.
For example, if jewelry was stolen in a burglary, the tithing Christian must first return the stolen goods to the rightful owner, who must not be a Christian, (in keeping true to the symbolism of Abram and Melchizedek) and then use 10% of the recovered goods as a tithe to the church.
This is an outlandishly absurd example and it ought to be ample proof for rejecting this false doctrine of church tithing.

The modern practice of church tithing is not supported by the teachings of scripture.
Church tithing began in the late nineteenth century when a Wesleyan Church in Cincinnati hosted multiple fund-raising events to erase its enormous debt.Fledgling on the brink of bankruptcy and devoid of options, a layman came up with the idea of, “storehouse tithing.”
It was an instant success and soon the news spread like wildfire throughout Christendom and the practice of storehouse tithing caught on.
At the time, it seemed the answer to the debts and financial woes of churches whose church members gave indiscriminately.

Today storehouse tithing is a deep-rooted tradition that is promoted on a regular basis by clergy men that misuse the context of Malachi 3:8-11.
Pastors insist that every church member is obliged (as a matter of righteousness) to pay 10% of his or her gross income.
In addition to the tithe that church members give, most churches teach that a, “freewill offering,” over and above the 10% tithe should be given to again to the church or any charitable cause, with the stipulation that his or her “local church” is always to receive the “tithe.”

The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says gifts should be “in keeping with income” -see 1 Corinthians 16:2. Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving.

The New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving.
We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give -see James 1:5. Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ.
“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver”- see 2 Corinthians 9:7.

Nowhere does the New Testament require Christians to tithe in the sense of giving 10 percent, but it does reiterate many things associated with tithing:
those who minister are entitled to receive support - see 1 Cor 9:14;
the poor and needy should be cared for- see 1 Cor 16:1; Gal 2:10;
those who give can trust God, as the source of all that is given- see 2 Cor 9:10,
to supply their needs -see 2 Cor 9:8; Php 4:19;
and giving should be done joyously- see 2 Cor 9:7.

Paul's vocabulary and teaching suggest that giving is voluntary and that there is no set percentage. Following the example of Christ, who gave even his life ( 2 Cor 8:9), we should cheerfully give as much as we have decided ( 2 Cor 9:7) based on how much the Lord has prospered us ( 1 Cor 16:2), knowing that we reap in proportion to what we sow ( 2 Cor 9:6) and that we will ultimately give account for our deeds ( Rom 14:12).

The New Testament directs that taxes be paid to the state- see Rom 13:6-7, which replaced Israel's theocracy.
In the days of Abraham and his contemporaries, there was no tax system. Society was largely theocratic. Tithes therefore, were next to modern day taxes. Jesus is seen in Matthew 17:24-27 asking Peter to pay their taxes.
Matthew 17:24:
When Jesus and the others arrived in Capernaum, the collectors for the temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your teacher pay the temple tax?”

25 “Yes, he does,” Peter answered.
After they had returned home, Jesus went up to Peter and asked him, “Simon, what do you think? Do the kings of this earth collect taxes and fees from their own people or from foreigners?”

26 Peter answered, “From foreigners.”
Jesus replied, “Then their own people don’t have to pay.
27 But we don’t want to cause trouble. So go cast a line into the lake and pull out the first fish you hook. Open its mouth, and you will find a coin. Use it to, pay your taxes and mine.”
Nowhere did we find Jesus speaking about tithe. This is because the essence of tithing, which is anchored in the law, is giving from one's abundance. Jesus came to fulfill the law. He therefore gave, not from His abundance, but His all - His life.
Christians today are called to look beyond ordinary tithing, submitting their lifes to God!
That is the perfect tithe.

WHY DON'T WE READ ABOUT THE TITHE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT?

Jesus actually called his followers to a standard of giving that went far beyond the tithe. He called us to give up everything and follow Him. The early Christians were able to do this. However, as the Church expanded throughout the world, its followers needed to be reminded that generous giving is a hallmark of the Judeo-Christian tradition. The Church Council of Macon in 585 A.D. ordered payment of tithes. In the 8th century, Charlemagne made tithing to the Church a civil law. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) also reiterated the call to tithe.

“Tell the rich in the present age not to be proud and not to rely on so uncertain a thing as wealth but rather on God, who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, ready to share, thus accumulating as treasure a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life.” -1 Timothy 6:17-19
A New Testament teaching on giving which may be helpful to you is found in 1 Corinthians 16:2:
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.” This passage brings out four points: we should give individually, regularly, methodically, and proportionately.
The matter of your giving is between you and God, and He always takes into account our circumstances. He knows when they are beyond our power to direct and control. The important thing is that we see giving (not just to the church, nay a pastor) as a privilege and not a burden. It should not be out of a sense of duty, rather out of love for the Lord and a desire to see His kingdom advanced.

- O.S. EMEJULU Esq.

felixomor:
Tithe is a word which means tenth or ten percent
Simple.
Tithe is tithe

Tithe was of things from the land – agricultural produce.

Tithes were for the LEVITES ONLY.

Money – cash – EXISTED at the time when God instituted tithing for Israel YET God DID NOT require it as tithe.

Tithes were to be EXCHANGED for MONEY (Deuteronomy 14:24) and RECONVERTED to “titheable” items to present as tithes.

Tithe may mean TENTH, but tenth of what did God institute as HIS tithe? Tenth of ANYTHING or tenth of SPECIFIC things?

Does man have a right to ALTER what God has specified?

Did the Apostles give us less than the whole counsel of God about giving by not EVER mentioning and EMPHASIZING it either to their Jewish or Gentile congregations?

What EXACTLY does the NEW COVENANT mean; a combination or POTPOURRI of the law, “eternal principles”, etc or SPECIFIC DOCTRINES delivered to the CHURCH by the foundation leaders of the church – Apostles?

JUST THINK ON THESE!
I SAID THINK, NOT REPLY ME QUICKLY. SO YOU NEED NOT REPLY ME.

Rashduct4luv:
It is one of those lies you throw to us by force just because we want to be educated.

How is it a lie?

umarshek6:
bcoz dey weren't coruppted at dat tym

dummy

Let's see who the self-deceived is:
Answer this:
Did Allah ever state in the quran that those books were corrupted; if so, where EXACTLY in the quran?

umarshek6:
u brainwashed zombie

It's funy and laughable that Moslems who have thoroughly brainwashed themselves will be the ones calling others brainwashed.

You people major in ABSURDITIES. As a result you fail to see the glaring INCONSISTENCIES in your book and religion.

If one points out something wrong instead of looking to see if it's so the next thing you do is resort to DEFLECTION.

A case in point: Does it make sense for Allah to tell Mohamed to the books of the Jews and Christians if those books were either corrupted or lost?

But instead of settling down to reason it you guys immediate take it as an offence and choose the path of hitting back at your perceived opposition.

What a way to seek the truth!

Rashduct4luv:
Please whose statement is this John 3:16? What is God talking or Jesus? What is the context and the setting?

You said uniquely born son, some Bible version says one & Only son, some says Begotten son. Hmmm! This is getting interesting!

You seem to know a lot about that verse of the Bible.
That's really interesting!

Rashduct4luv:
Please ask the Holy spirit to tell you when the hour will come as Jesus did not know it.


New International Version of Mat 24:36
"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.


New International Version of Mark 13:32
"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

I want you all to comment on the above verse. Did Jesus who can do miracles and said all the powers in heaven and on earth has been given to him, yet simple date he does not know. It shows he is human, he does not know everything. He is far lesser than the father. He could have asked the father and answer the question if they are one.

Plainbibletruth originakalokalo enilove shadeyinka malvisguy212

There are some things you need to understand before you can grasp what you are referring to.

Can you do simultaneous equation without first understanding the basics of arithmetic or maths?

You need understand these first:
"God so loved the world that he gave his UNIQUELY born son, that WHOEVER believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
"He who believes in the Son has life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him"

When you cross these huddles the other issue becomes very plain.

umarshek6:
I'm setting example with and answer is since u r finding dificult to read

Where morality and integrity are thrown into the background anything goes.

umarshek6:
dere is an adage in my tribe. That says a d punishment for. Betrayal is death while I was a cadet. Corp too(JAM) it in our rules even in d military

And there is knw hw a person would betray Islam and he won't later bcome an enemy.

Are we talking about your tribe, cadet or the military here?
Are you finding it difficult to express yourself?