A recent debate between Evangelical Leaders discuss wether or not tithing is required as a Christians. Take a look at the article below to gain more knowledge about tithing. Also, view the CNN clip of the debate. Leave a comment of you thoughts. Should these leaders be making tithing optional or is it required?
What Does God's Word Say About The Tithe?
By Pastor Eddie Cude
What is the tithe? It is the "gateway for the believer into the covenant of blessings." In the Hebrew "maaser" or "maasrah," is translated tenth, or tenth part, and in Greek "apodekatoo" and in both, it means a payment or giving or receiving of the tenth.
The tithe is that tenth of our income that we give to God, which enables Him to move on our behalf in the area of blessings. The Bible records numerous accounts of man tithing to God. God is the creator of everything that exists. He owns everything and we are simply stewards of what we have been entrusted with. The tithe principle is this; "He gives unto us, we give back to Him one-tenth of all that He has blessed us with."
Abraham tithed unto Melchizedek, Isaac tithed, His son Jacob and many others also even before the law was given. Many Christians do not tithe because they have been taught that they are not under the law, but under grace. While this is a true statement, God did not institute the tithe to bring us under the law, but to get blessings to His children. Abraham tithed before the law, and God blessed him supernaturally. We're under grace that we might establish the law; not turn from it. Jesus said that He didn't come to do away with the law, but to fulfill it. Because He fulfilled it, we are to establish it. His Words are forever settled in heaven, therefore we establish His Words upon the earth.
1 comments:
I am a bit unsure about your definition of the tithe as I have never come across this in any verse of scripture.
No verse of scripture ever cites tithing as a condition for receiving God’s blessing. And Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek was a one time event which was to pave the way for the priesthood of Jesus. This event was used by the writer of the book of Hebrews to prove the legality of the Priesthood of Jesus. Scripture never records that Isaac tithed at all. Jacob’s was a vow and there is no proof that he ever paid it. Other than that, no other person in scripture tithed before the Law.
Also, everything that was done before the law and during the law spoke about Christ and all were fulfilled in Him. He was revealed in the beginning as the Word of God through whom all things were created. He was proclaimed as the seed of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent. His death and the power of His blood were foretold in the death of Abel.
He was also described as the seed of Abraham through whom all the nations of the earth would be blessed. And like I said earlier, His priesthood was foretold in Abraham’s encounter with Melchizedek.
Furthermore, contrary to your assertion that we are to establish the law, Jesus’ fulfilment of the law frees us from observing any aspect of the law. And He gave us the Holy Spirit instead as our guide. We are no longer led by the law but by the Spirit. Thus we have not been given the command to establish the law. You cannot establish something that has been done away with.
The early church never tithed, neither did the apostles teach nor demand it. Instead everybody was encouraged to give what they could afford as they were led by the Spirit.
The New Testament church has not been given the command to tithe.
God bless.
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