Tithing

[society]

According to the holy bible tithing is a spiritual law encouraging one to give a portion of their earned income. Practicing this habit helps one find abundance, fulfillment, and gratitude in their everyday lives.

When a person tithes, the universe that works under the spiritual law of tithing says - 'if you have that much to give, then you are open to receive more'. As we fulfill our part of the covenant by giving, then God fulfills his part by continually blessing us.

What is your opinion on tithing?

[birdie1971]

GaryArnold - “...In the New Testament, born-again believers are given guidelines for living a good life. The only so-called law or command we are under is that of love. If one is truly born-again and possess the Holy Spirit, then one knows what he is supposed to do by listening to the Spirit. Those who have not been born again might need laws to tell them right from wrong...”

I'm not sure I understand. On the one hand you're saying that born-agains need guidelines for living a good life and yet immediately afterwards you say that in order to know right from wrong, a born-again just has to listen to the 'Spirit' (whatever that means). So do you need guidance to know right from wrong or not? Your post is internally contradictory.

[GaryArnold]

Birdie1971: "Do you also think that the creation story in Genesis is no longer valid? Is this retraction of the teachings of the Old Testament only concerned with its 'laws' and not its stories?"

The Old Testament is meant for history, to show us where we came from, and how we got to where we are today. It is obvious from your comments that you have little to no understanding as to what the scriptures say or mean. Before I became a born-again believer, I didn't understand the scriptures either. I used to be where you are now, so I understand.

[GaryArnold]

Birdie1971 - you are going way beyond the purpose of this blog. The topic is tithing, not whether there is a God or not, or whether the Bible is true or not. Take your discussion to the proper discussion group.

[naomi24]

GaryArnold, //Birdie1971 - you are going way beyond the purpose of this blog…… Take your discussion to the proper discussion group. //

Like most things, discussions on here evolve. In the absence of an answer to my question, I can't help thinking that this conversation is beginning to touch upon elements of religious doctrine that you are just a little uncomfortable with.

[vulcan42]

Ah, after being a member for only two days, GaryArnold has used the resident theologians stock answer,you don't understand.

[GaryArnold]

naomi24 - Sorry if I didn't answer your question to your satisfaction.

Which law do I follow? I follow the laws of the land. The laws given in the Old Testament were given to the Jews, not to the gentiles. Gentiles were never under the Old Testament laws.

[naomi24]

GaryArnold, I didn't ask which law you follow - the question was 'whose law are you keeping?'

[GaryArnold]

Whose law am I keep? Man's law.

[modeller]

Beings as Man wrote every word of the bible. Then Man's Law is no different from the Bible's Law by your definition.

[GaryArnold]

@modeller - If that's as good as you can understand what I said, no sense answering.

[naomi24]

GaryArnold, //Whose law am I keep? Man's law.//

Indeed you do. "If that's as good as you can understand what I said, no sense answering." Your words.

[birdie1971]

GaryArnold - “... The Old Testament is meant for history, to show us where we came from, and how we got to where we are today...”

It does neither of these things. For instance, the Genesis creation story is complete nonsense. It tells an utterly ludicrous tale which you'd have to be deluded to honestly believe. Historical it ain’t.


You further say, “... It is obvious from your comments that you have little to no understanding as to what the scriptures say or mean. Before I became a born-again believer, I didn't understand the scriptures either. I used to be where you are now, so I understand...”

Not true again I'm afraid. I'm rather well versed (if you'll pardon the pun) in the scriptures and I dare say I understand some of them a great deal better than you as I view them without the distortion of religious baggage. You have quite clearly been lead up the garden path where the scriptures are concerned – as are all born-agains. You are fed and happily consume a diet of nonsense served with side orders of credulity and self-importance.


You continue, “... you are going way beyond the purpose of this blog. The topic is tithing, not whether there is a God or not, or whether the Bible is true or not. Take your discussion to the proper discussion group...”

Would that be the 'Region & Spirituality' discussion group? That would be here then.
You seem to be yet another poster who thinks they can dictate to others what is and what is not permissible within a given thread if that discussion seems to be heading in a direction they'd rather not go. After Naomi, let me be the second to disabuse you of that notion. You do not control the content nor the direction of this thread. You have voluntarily made your born-again beliefs known to all and have argued your point directly from the scriptures. It is now wholly appropriate to discuss the scriptures regardless of whether or not you think it's appropriate.

If you're not happy with this reality, then I suggest that it is you who goes elsewhere.

[FredPuli43]

GA, "all born again believers are priests" and therefore they do not tithe. The priests worked as priests and their stipend was provided by the rest of the community.

Do you believe your living should be provided by the rest of the community, as should everyone's, we all being priests ?

[GaryArnold]

FredPuli43 "Do you believe your living should be provided by the rest of the community, as should everyone's, we all being priests ?"

Of course not.

[FredPuli43]

Then what is the sense in your original reply?

[GaryArnold]

FredPuli43 "Then what is the sense in your original reply?"

Priests did not tithe, according to the scriptures. Since the scriptures show that priests do not tithe, and the scriptures say all born-again believers are priests, common sense tells us that we do not tithe today. Simple as that.

[naomi24]

The scriptures mentioned in the same breath as 'common sense'. Surely there's a bit of an oxymoron going on there somewhere?

[birdie1971]

GaryArnold - “... Priests did not tithe, according to the scriptures. Since the scriptures show that priests do not tithe, and the scriptures say all born-again believers are priests, common sense tells us that we do not tithe today. Simple as that.”

Your argument on this matter is a rather cunning deceit. I wonder if you're aware of it or if you're simply regurgitating what you've been taught? No matter; allow me to expose it.


You've previously stated [18:53 Mon 27th May 2013], “... When God gave the Israelites the promised land, He RESERVED, for Himself, a tenth of the crops and every tenth animal (Leviticus 27:30, 32)... According to the scriptures, priests do not tithe (Numbers 18)...”.

As you know, Leviticus and Numbers are Old Testament [OT] books. Let's keep that in mind.


You then said, [17:53 Tue 28th May 2013], “... Where does it say in the new testament [NT] that the old testament laws should be ignored? Well, let's see..”.

You then went on to list some verses in the NT that supported your view that the OT laws should be ignored.


You now say [03:47 Thu 30th May 2013], “... Priests did not tithe, according to the [OT] scriptures... we do not tithe today. Simple as that.”.

Correct me if I'm wrong here but aren't you saying that the OT scriptures which justify you not tithing your income to the church are the very same OT scriptures which you say are now invalid according to the NT?

There's an internal inconsistency to your current argument which renders it invalid as a method with which to prove your point.

[GaryArnold]

birdie1971 - I have covered TWO circumstances.

1 - My interpretation of the scriptures is that the OT laws ended at the cross. According to Hebrews 7:5,12,18 tithing was disannulled.

2 - For those who insist the OT law of tithing is still valid today, I merely pointed out that priests did not tithe; therefore, for those who believe we are still subject to God's tithing commands, priests don't tithe.

I'm just covering both basis as I actually teach this subject to both those who believe the law ended, and to those who claim a denomination that believes they are still under the OT laws.

[idiosyncrasy]

I am currently writing an article on tithing so the comments on this thread have proved very interesting.

My understanding of the tithing from research is:

God gave Israel tithing laws for definite purposes, apparently involving the use of two tenths of their annual income, except during the Sabbath years, when no tithe was paid, since no income was anticipated. (Lev 25:1-12) However, some scholars believe there was only one tithe. Such tithes were in addition to the firstfruits they were under obligation to offer to God.—Ex 23:19; 34:26.

The first consisted of one tenth of the produce of the land and fruit trees and of the herds and flocks. This was brought to the sanctuary and given to the Levites because they had no inheritance in the land but were devoted to the service of the sanctuary. They, in turn, gave a tenth of what they received to the Aaronic priesthood for their support.

The second tenth, was set aside each year for purposes other than the support of the Levitical priesthood, though the Levites shared in it. Normally it was used by the Israelite family when assembling together at the national festivals. In cases where the distance to Jerusalem was too great for the convenient transport of this tithe, then the produce was converted into money and this, in turn, was used in Jerusalem for the household’s sustenance and enjoyment during the holy convention there.

But at the end of every third and sixth years of the seven-year sabbatical cycle, this tithe, instead of being used for expenses at the assemblies, was set aside for the Levites, alien residents, widows, and fatherless boys in the local community.

So it would appear that the tithes were also a "social benefit" system.