Tithe-Whipped

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Permalink Reply by Darrell Meeks on February 8, 2012 at 7:54pm

The link below is a GREAT message on giving:

http://truthforfree.com/files/audio/teaching/GaryCarpenter-TheWidow...

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Permalink Reply by Kenny Russell on February 9, 2012 at 3:57am

What a joy we have in giving 100% of our lives knowing Jesus paid it all. It was Catholicism that introduce the tithe - one of the many points the first reformation did not deal with resulting in Protestant (protesting Catholic) religion adopting many false rituals. I have renounced protestant christianity and chose to follow Jesus Christ. the passage in Malachi was not addressing the people but the priests as the people could not rob from God as the tithe was presented on there behalf by the temple priests. you are right on there is not scripture that states a tithe should come from your wage slip because not all trades were required to pay the 10% tithe a blacksmith a carpenter and any trade outside of producing fruit from the land and livestock was not required to tithe. When Abraham gave to the great high priest the tithe he gave was not from him but from the plunder of a single battle. praise the Lord for his goodness and freedom we now have!!
I am a hilarious giver and will always be freely reaching out.

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Permalink Reply by Darrell Meeks on February 9, 2012 at 1:29pm

Amen to that.

 

It's also of interest that those who had, for example, only nine lambs or calves born in a year, they were not required to hand over anything.

 

One thing I will say is that I thoroughly appreciate the OT system of tithing because it met genuine needs. Today, many lavish the major, primary portion of their giving back upon themselves by way of various luxuries such as their communal facilities, staffing, programs, etc. That's not giving any more than handing dues over to the Elk, Moose, Beaver, Possum, Masonic, or whatever lodge in which one may be a member.

 

I'm so thankful to the Lord that He has given us the freedom to purpose in our hearts what to give, even though it's ALL His.

 

Again, Amen, brother.

 

Glory to the Most High.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Hartson on February 9, 2012 at 3:31pm

I have seen a lot of sermons on the tithing, or giving; some of them very strange.  I remember some time a go when my adult daughter was a teen, and going through a very difficult time, was being hauled off in a police car. We called the pastor of the church we were attending, seeking some definite help as our world was falling apart. His response was, "Have you been tithing, like you should?" There are very few moments in my life when it seems as if the world was standing still....that was one of them. Anyhow, lots of sermons on tithing, but I have never heard or seen one sermon or a discussion about what was actually done with the old testament tithe, or even the New testament tithe for that matter.   

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Permalink Reply by Darrell Meeks on February 9, 2012 at 8:22pm

Michael,

I certainly understand what you're saying. Very few ministers ever speak the TRUTH about the tithe.

In OT times, the tithe was the inheritance of the Levites who were not allowed to make a living by any means as was common among the people of that day. The Levites also used a portion of the tithe to meet the needs of the fatherless, needy widows, and the strangers in the land.

Although there are some out there who seem to enjoy complicating the tithe, it really was a simple system that relied mostly upon personal honesty before God. Nobody came around to bird-dog those who owned producing lands, flocks and/or herd owners. It was an honor system.

Additionally, every third year, those who had what they were to tithe from, if they were too far from the appointed place to convey their tithe, they could sell it all, take the money to the appointed place, buy whatever their hearts "lusteth" after with the money, even strong drink, and partake of it all before the Lord, with all their household (including the servants), not forgetting the Levites.

Brother, that was a wonderful system that reflected the heart of God for the needy. It met needs AND allowed for thanksgiving celebrations before the Lord. No money touched the hands of the Levites from the people who handed over a tithe. No wage earners, like you and me, were required to hand over a portion of their wages, even though institutional church organizations teach otherwise.

From the perspective of the scriptures, tithing today is purely voluntary, not compulsory.

Unfortunately, many people rob God by handing over to organized religion their tithe, which for most people, is the largest, primary portion of what otherwise would have been their giving.

I say that because handing over what should be their giving to something from which they reap direct benefit isn't giving at all....not in accordance with biblical giving.

Never have I seen anyone give to the poor, and receive back any earthly benefit as they do from all the luxuries institutionalized religion affords those who support it.

That, my friend, is robbing God. When that which could have otherwise gone to help meet needs of fellow believers is used for luxurious slef-lavishment, we have robbed even the least of His.

I'm guilty of that very thing myself, but have been forgiven by the Lord.

Thank the Lord for having taken my sins upon Himself on that cross.

DM

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Permalink Reply by Michael Hartson on February 9, 2012 at 9:09pm

Very interesting.  If you know of some book or material that dives a little deeper into the subject, I would appreciate it.  Send my a message if you know of anything.

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Permalink Reply by Darrell Meeks on February 9, 2012 at 9:56pm

I don't know of any books off the top of my head, but I know they're out there.

One place to start is the following link:

Tithing Article

And Another

Dr. Russel Earl Kelley had some interesting observations you might find of value:

Dr. Kelley's Website

I'll find some more resources to share with you as time allows.

DM

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Permalink Reply by Michael Hartson on February 10, 2012 at 11:46am

Thanks. Pretty good info.  Always felt like something was up.  Amazingly freeing, to have a man made burden lifted off of me.

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Permalink Reply by Darrell Meeks on February 12, 2012 at 8:03pm

Glad to have been of service to ya. Blessings to you and yours.

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Permalink Reply by Al San on February 10, 2012 at 11:29am

I tell you what amazes me the most: when you have theologians with PHD's preaching on people muts give a githe to God. I then remember that Christ will choose the foolish ( thats us) of the world. It is theivery when they steal from the members of the church. I would like to be nice but a thief is a thief.

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Permalink Reply by Darrell Meeks on February 10, 2012 at 12:32pm

I like reading both sides of the issue, and then reading for myself what is written in the Bible. Some thieves have PhD's, and some don't.

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Permalink Reply by John Tyler on February 16, 2012 at 5:47am

Darrell, I think you hit the nail on the head. Listen to both sides and then check what the bible actually says. People have this nasty habit of taking small texts out of context and using them to suit their own ends. When it involves tithing, it makes me want to sit down and make a whip...

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