₦airaland Forum

John MacArthur is his "Commentary on the Book of Romans 9-16 (Moody Bible Institute) has this to say:
".......Christians are not under obligation to give a specified amount to the work of their heavenly Father. In none of their forms do the tithe or other Old Testament levies apply to Christians." page 233.
PRINCIPLE NUMBER TWO
Giving is from the heart.....
In fact giving should be more appropriately termed free will offerings in the context of the New Testament Church for Paul commanded us to give as we purpose in our heart. If the amount is a fixed one, there will be no need to purpose in one's heart anymore!!
2 Cor 9:7
7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
(NKJ)
I repeat there is no curse for "NOT TITHING" in the New Testament church (as is often implied on sermons from Malachi 3:10-12).We should not go back to Melchizedek (where tithing was an example and may be taken as a guide-line) or the Mosaic law (where tithing was by compulsion.) Our Lord has fulfilled all the requirements of the Mosaic Law and taken the curse of (not obeying) the Law away from us (Galatians 3:13). The New Testament Christian should abide by the teachings of the Apostle Paul (which has superseded Moses' Law.)
Christians who insist on keeping the Law of Moses or part of it are under a curse!
Gal 3:10
10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law."
(NIV)
Churches advocating tithing as compulsory are putting a curse on their congregations!
So in summary, 'Giving' is a New Testament 'Church' Principle as opposed to tithing by Law (by compulsion.) Jesus clearly commanded (take note that it was not an option) that we have to give to God.
Matt 22:21
21 "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."
(NIV)
"What is God's" implies a fixed sum. BUT we must remember that Jesus made the above statement in the context of the Mosaic Law which was still existent in His Time. Further on in the epistles, the Apostle Paul qualifies this "giving" as "from the heart" and proportionate to the degree that one is blessed. He specifically spoke against "compulsion" (from sources outside). Manipulating a person to give (whether directly or indirectly) is a form of witchcraft...........
2 Cor 9:7
7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
(NIV) Emphasis mine
"What he has decided in his heart to give" clearly has to be some amount (not zero). It may be ten percent or more. Well, it may even be less, but give as the Holy Spirit directs your heart; NOT AS THE PASTOR DIRECTS YOU. This is the distinct difference between giving to God and giving to the church.

Very often, this question has been asked by well-meaning Christians who are plagued by the torrents of appeal from churches for funds. Thrown into these appeals is the standard request to pay your tithes and offerings. Let me say from the very beginning that there is a distinct difference between giving to God and giving to "the church". Giving to God is a scriptural concept (Matt 22:21); Giving to "the church" could just be an emotional response to a well-orchestrated man-made appeal which is out of God's Will and God's Word. So it is important for us to study God's Word so that we are able to discern whether funds being solicited in a particular church are based on sound New Testament Scriptural principles. Prayer is the other means of helping to discern God's Will in a particular area of financial need (of such a church).
LAW OF FIRST MENTION
It is important when attempting to derive spiritual principles from the Bible on a particular subject to go back to the time it was first mentioned. When was "the tithe" first mentioned?
Gen 14:18-20
18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High,
19 and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
(NIV)
Verse 20 says Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. What is a tenth of everything?
Here we turn to the Living Bible for more clarification...
Gen 14:15-16
15 He divided his men and attacked during the night from several directions, and pursued the fleeing army to Hobah, north of Damascus,
16 and recovered everything-- the loot that had been taken, his relative Lot, and all of Lot's possessions, including the women and other captives.
(TLB) Emphasis mine.
Gen 14:19
19 Then Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: "The blessing of the supreme God, Creator of heaven and earth, be upon you, Abram; and blessed be God, who has delivered your enemies over to you." Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the loot.
(TLB) Emphasis mine.
From the verses above, it is clear that Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth or ten percent of all the loot that has been recovered (verses 16 and 19 above) not of all that Abraham possessed. See also Hebrews Chapter 7 verse 4.
This is important because the tithe is based on the increase, not the capital.
The next time we hear of the word "tithe" is in Bethel after Jacob had his famous dream of angels ascending to and descending from heaven.....
Gen 28:22
22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."
(NIV)
Notice that Jacob promised a tenth of what God intends to give him not a tenth of what he already had (not much though at this point in time). So once again we find that tithing is based on increase not capital.

TITHING IN THE MOSAIC LAW
There are three kinds of tithe mentioned in the Mosaic Law, viz,
TITHE #1: This tithe was entirely devoted to the priestly tribe of Levi who had no land allocated to it and no inheritance among the Israelites. This is sometimes referred to as the Levite's tithe.....
Lev 27:30
30 "'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
(NIV)
Lev 27:32
32 The entire tithe of the herd and flock-- every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod-- will be holy to the LORD.
(NIV)
Num 18:24
24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: 'They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.'"
(NIV)
The Lord then commanded the Levites to give a tenth of their portion to the priests (see also 2 Chronicles 31:4)........
Num 18:28
28 In this way you also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD's portion to Aaron the priest.
(NIV)
TITHE # 2: The second tithe may be called the festival tithe.
Deut 12:11-12
11 Then to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name-- there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the LORD.
12 And there rejoice before the LORD your God, you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites from your towns, who have no allotment or inheritance of their own.
(NIV)
It is only to be eaten at a place specified by the Lord in the land of Israel or as in the case of those living far away, in their own towns-Deuteronomy 12:18,21. Burnt offerings and sacrifices and special gifts are also included (verse 11). The celebration of this tithe is seen as an event to foster national unity and instill a sense of "brotherhood" among the people of God.
TITHE # 3: The third category of tithing in the Mosaic Law may also be known as a "welfare tithe"....
Deut 14:28-29
28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns,
29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
(NIV)
Take note that this tithe is only implemented once in three years (verse 28) and it is a tenth of the year's increase. It is to be consumed not only by the Levites but also the aliens, fatherless and widows. See also Deuteronomy 26:12.
Of special note is the fact that tithing evokes a blessing from God and the failure to tithe invokes a curse from God (under the Mosaic Law)....
Deut 14:29
29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
(NIV)
Mal 3:10-12
10 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 you will not have room enough for it.
11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty.
12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.
(NIV)
Malachi Chapter 3 verses 10 to 12 have been used to instill fear by churches on their congregations. Let me remind you that these verses are part of the consequences of not obeying the Mosaic Law and are therefore not valid in New Testament Churches.
Our Lord Jesus has fulfilled all the requirements of the Law and has therefore taken the curse of not fulfilling it from us!
Matt 5:17
17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
(NIV)
Gal 3:13
13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
(NIV)


TITHING IN THE GOSPELS
In the following two Scriptures, Jesus commanded observance to tithing as part of the Mosaic Law (which he was under)...
Matt 23:23
23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-- mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
(NIV)
Luke 11:42
42 "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
(NIV)
Jesus said that it was not wrong to tithe the spices (which appear to be trifles to some) but that these teachers of the law and pharisees should also practise the other important matters OF THE LAW i.e. justice, mercy and faithfulness and the love of God. In the above context, Jesus implied that the pharisees were fastidious when it comes to tithing and other legal issues but they did not show the love of God in them. This, He defines as hypocrisy. Tithing to them is just an outward show of their self righteousness (see also Luke 18:12). Just as a reflection on this passage........if tithing was compulsory for the New Testament Christian,, would'nt it be a a sin if he forgets to tithe the "spices and herbs" or "flowers" he receives (as a gift)?

"TITHING" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH
What is mentioned in the Scriptures with reference to the New Testament church is now relevant to all christians of all denominations.
PRINCIPLE NUMBER ONE
Giving is proportionate to the degree that God blesses a person without an obligatory figure being mentioned.
1 Cor 16:1-2
1 Now about the collection for God's people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do.
2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
(NIV)

This actually happen in a friend compound not in 5th Avenue but 1st avenue. They were four in number and were about breaking his door down when he summon courage to call another of our friend who immediately alerted the police. Two manage to run away why two were killed.

Sunnymatey:
Very soon only witches will be flying in this contry. This eight assembly dey dull me.

Lol..... Even the witches are affected cos they don't even have food in their stomach to fly.

News flash.. According to sahara reporter, Arik Air has shut down operation. More details to follow.

martha89:
Ekp is Esan west not central.You are constantly talking crap are you the only one who schooled there and for your inform they survive on farming even before the university was formed. Ekpoma is changing its just the roads that are bad. Its not that backward if its attracting a new movie theater and palm oil factory.Ekpoma is know for Agriculture expecially the rice even though AAU is overshowding it. Inferiority complex you are not better than any one.

I totally agree with you. The only bank in Esan central Unity bank maybe they have extra one now. In Esan west Ekpoma u can't even can't the banks, beside that commercial activities there far better. The bad road was caused by the delibrate neglect of APC govt, it wasn't like this back then when I school there but even with the bad roads, the place is still better and richer than the rest Esan follow by Esan north.

slim75d:
4. Esan Central. Located in Edo state, it’s
composed by several towns and cities. Its major
sector is agriculture. However, people of this
land are also engaged into industry. There are
lots of hotels, factories, and hospitals there.

Seriously Esan central? Is this a joke?. Have you heard of Esan west? Were you have Ambrose Alli university, almost 12 standard commercial banks, luxury hotels, malls and so much more.Nothing in Esan central central at all. apart from one specialist hospital.

Should I say there is a positive side of recession? Well, maybe yes on housing sector in Abuja. It's no news that Abuja is the most expensive place to live in Nigeria but the news now is Landlords that used to increase rents almost every year has suddenly be the one begging their tenants not to leave.
A good friend of mine who used to pay 2.5m in Maitama threaten his landlord, he wants to leave and guess what? His landlord agreed to collect 1.5m from him as his new yearly. Also, 2bed room that used to go for 1.2m in some area in Abuja is now 750k and you still have to beg tenants to bring the money. Most landlords have taken drastic measures by slashing their rent in half just to retain their old tenants.
Even myself writing just gave my tenants a notice of decrement of almost 30%..lol.. cos I prefer to be owed rent than lose tenants in this critical time. I see recession from this angle as a blessing in disguise though recession is hitting us hard in other areas. Thank

Aboki taking over.

Bossmd:
Don't allow the poverty in the land to consume you. Break away from it and refuse to be poor. Cast and bind any spirit of poverty around you. Only poor people talk the way you are talking.

So not to used iPhone is cos of poverty? You are one of the kid on nairaland am talking about. Someone like me is counting how many house I have own not like you still rating iPhone users as rich people. By the way if u read my post very well u will see I pay people bills that uses Iphones. So wake up kid and face reality. Dumb kid.

Well if u can afford IPhone fine but it didn't make you more superior to people using other phones. Me personally I used Infinix hot note 2 for more than a year now and the phone still dey kampe. The truth is most Nigerians used IPhone for show up especially kids which I think are much in this thread. The other day I sent money for my kid sister for her school up keep the next thing I saw was iPhone 6 with her. Tomorrow such kid will come to nairaland and start making mouth....lol.

Sergio Canavero, 51: Shaven-headed, flamboyant Italian neurosurgeon who compares himself to Dr. Frankenstein, mentions Nazi doctor Josef Mengele and has written not only dozens of respected scientific papers but also a guide to seducing women. In 2013, he announced he wanted to try to transplant a human head.
Read it here.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/surgeons-want-to-transplant-a-human-head--really--and-a-russian-is-offering-his/2016/08/29/16795a56-6987-11e6-ba32-5a4bf5aad4fa_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-more-top-stories-2_headtransplant-10pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory

By December all these hype phone will be outdated again. I think the best phone infinix has ever produce which still stand as the best is hot note 2 pro.

I know white people can be mean to blacks sometimes but this story is a big lie. I have been so Switzerland several times and stayed there briefly. That country don't behave that way but If you are found with banned substances then you expect what this man just experience.

As someone with a broad knowledge in the I.T sector, the six laptop is to gather information about the EFCC from the CIA. Just six laptop? thats Weird. Believe me those laptop are sophisticated and in a year time you will see that with happen.

CLEVELAND ― New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) suggested during a speech at the 2016 Republican National Convention on Tuesday that presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was to blame for the kidnapping of hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram.
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_578ea51be4b04ca54ebf5d97

Olasco93:
Click Like if you know say your Popcy or Mumcy use this phone, and Share if na your Uncle use am.

I used it.

When I was little kid, I used to do all meniac job while staying with my mom who was a trader. My mom was still schooling then while my dad no where to be found so to carry my cross. We were the one of the poorest in the whole village and people always look down on us. Rewind back to 2016. My grand mom visited united state 4times before she died 2006 and her burial still remain one of the best in the whole village. Me typing now got 8 degree with two masters all not in Nigeria. I even resign from one of the top oil company in Nigeria to go into business which Is still doing well. I go anywhere in the world I want to go to. Those who used to look down on us have benefited from my family . no condition is permanet just be focus. One love all.