Tithing is not Christian...period.

A tithe is calculated. That is not a gift from the heart.

Jesus showed us all what a true gift was (the widow and her 2 cents).

And that story ought to convict us all.

I don't see how Old Testament passages like the Malachi 'storehouse' text are relevant to us now. Malachi's words were to the nation of Israel, commanding them to follow the ancient laws on tithing.

In my opinion, we should look to the New Testament and tithing is hardly mentioned. Instead, Jesus and the apostles taught that we should give beyond what is comfortable so that there will be no needy among us. I'd suggest this means that some folks within any particular church will actually receive money, not give it.

Am I right in saying that tithing was only introduced into the Christian church after the Roman empire adopted Christianity? The church began to acquire buildings and other things that needed funding so it was decided to teach that God required tithing, in order to bring in the funds needed to support all these new buildings and so on.

Why isn't tithing taught from an Abrahamic point of view? Go to war, defeat your enemy, take his stuff and then give 10% of that.
Tithing shouldn't be taught as a standard for the church.

I teach the tithe as a point of reference. 10% is a great goal to work toward for those trying to get their finances under control, or those for whom giving is a new concept. For example, starting at 2% and working toward 10% as a goal is a positive move.

For others, I've used 10% as a starting point and encouraged them to grow from that point forward. The principle is generous giving. The tithe is tool by which the principle can be lived out.

When Christians talk about tithing, they immediately jump to Malachi… and not to the passage that actually describes tithing, Deuteronomy 14:22-28.

In it, the Hebrews were instructed to set aside 10 percent of their crops, bring it to the tabernacle, and eat it in His presence. (Unless it’s too far away, in which case convert it to cash, bring the money, buy food, and once again, eat it.) But every third year, instead of eating the food, bring it to the nearest town, so that it could go into the storehouse—the food bank, so to speak—for Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. When God says in Malachi to bring the whole tithe to the storehouse, He’s not talking about the first 10 percent of your income; He’s talking about 3 percent of your crops.

Ergo, nobody is tithing correctly.

I do encourage people to contribute financially to their churches; the model in Acts is of people sharing freely with one another, and even selling property to contribute to the church’s needs. Give and it’ll be given to you. But a legalistic 10 percent of your income is not scriptural, and subtly threatening people with financial ruin if they don’t contribute that is irresponsible, even abusive. God loves a cheerful giver, not a fearful giver.

I am rather floored by this, but okay, here's how I see it.

Money, cash, currency of the realm is the mode/method/material-concept we use to purchase goods/services/wants/needs/desires illicit, or legal.

You, me, and everyone around spends an inordinate amount of our time we trade for the currency of the realm to function economically. Our time is measured in the currency of the realm, which means our time is valuable to us.
Time is money.

When you tithe, when you give money, when you go beyond yourself you are stating to yourself and to the world around you...G-d is worth my time. G-d is important enough to me that I take my time measured in the currency of the realm and give it to G-d.

I cannot think of a better form of worship than tithing...but that's just me.

Give what you can, give what you can, do it because you want to do it.

"God loves a cheerful giver"

That is Christian.

Formulas are not.

Let what the Lord Jesus said concerning giving guide you:

"And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” Luke 21:1-4

Giving, tithing, beyond tithing, is all good. All the scripture about it all is inspired by God for us to be good stewards. But saints nullify it by 75 -85% when we devote this % to buying buildings and hiring experts to fluff that which benefits mostly ourselves and is taught as godly by those who get a paycheck and pedestalizing title from it.

There is systemic failure in believers complete ignoring of Paul's teaching and example on "refusing the right to be paid". So systemically we saints are giving 2.3% on average in the wealthiest nation and most Bible lectured nation on earth. It will not change for the better until the system is changed in light of revelation. Our hearts are locked in this mode because where our treasure is will force our hearts there. Nuancing words and teaching gimmicks will not fix anything until our hearts are freed to give beyond ourselves rather than pool to ourselves..

"Give what you can, give what you can, do it because you want to do it.
"God loves a cheerful giver"
That is Christian.
Formulas are not."

Just an observation:
G-d feels the love from those who love him by loving the least of his kingdom.
And I find it ironic that you close with "Formulas are not Christian" and yet begin your post with a formula which, to further the irony, is already in use by 91% of Christians.
So...if we use the bible's "Where you store your treasure is where your heart is" then what are we to make of the 9% of the people who tithe versus the 91% who don't?
What statement can be made?

I think tithing can be a good tool for learning to lead a generous life if it is used in that way--as a tool, rather than as a legalistic rule that either causes people to think they need to give more than they can afford to, or that they don't need to give as much as they ought.

I noticed that several folks have already mentioned the story of the poor widow from Luke 21. In the previous chapter, Jesus was telling His disciples to beware of the teachers of the law who "devour widows' houses and for show make lengthy prayers." He then points out the widow who "put in all she had to live on." I think the focus of the verses changes when they are taken in context like this--they become less about giving from the heart and more about not manipulating the poor out of their money.

With that said, most Americans could probably give a lot more. As a society, we need to learn to be more generous, as we are called to be.

Wow. It seems like the anchor did not get the difference between giving and tithing at all. And Kluth's interpretations was... disturbingly ego-centric "people don't want to miss out on the blessings God has for them." While Anderson says we give because of what God already gave us.

This was actually the final straw for me and my husband at our last church - requiring leaders to tithe, and not permitting them to take on a leadership role if they failed to. It's one thing to believe it is a personal sin to fail to tithe, and another thing entirely for the church to police it. And we visited a church we won't be going back to because the pastor preached basically what Kluth said. Honestly, Paul called imposing Hebrew Law on gentile believers "judaising," and yet we act shocked when someone suggests that tithing is not a NT requirement.

Anderson also reminds us that in the NT we are called to be much more generous than just 10%. That should be the true emphasis of this "debate." C.S. Lewis once said something like, if you have the same quality of life as those who make the same income as 6you, you aren't giving enough. I agree with that totally, and my husband and I aren't there yet, but hopefully one day we will be.

I'm confused when people say "using the tithe as a tool". I mean, you either believe in tithing or you believe in gving generously, right? Is teaching someone to give generously that difficult? I understand people want to measure how mug their giving, but once you get to deep into that, it's no longer giving out from a generous heart.

Too bad we JUST have to ignore Jesus' encouragement to tithe in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 to believe what some of the posters here have said...

Pardon me, but giving what you want to, what you can, out of a desire to do so...is NOT formulaic.

In other words, give from the heart.

Get out your calculator and your w-4 and divide your wages by 10.

THAT is a formulaic, and does not refleact the freedom of the Christian, or the spirit of giving which our Lord spoke of.

"In other words, give from the heart."

What if they are giving from their heart?
Are you saying the 91% of Americans claiming to be Christian and do not tithe are not giving from their hearts?

I have to say I think you are missing the whole point of giving...it's not charity, it's worship.
Again, where your treasure is, so is your heart.
Perhaps, you should look at it from that angle, and if you are...it isn't coming through in your writing.

@Holly: nice post, you summed up my views on this, so I won't repeat that.

@Sheerahkahn: I agree with you about the worship angle BUT, if you really want to buzz kill worship, then REQUIRE a certain percentage (I don't care which percentage you pick) and now you have a "have to" instead of a want to. Love your goal, hate your method. And yes, many of us, myself included, have miles to go in being REALLY Spirit led-generous. But the tithe (which I use as a tool) does not replace the higher plan of ridiculous , Spirit led, generosity.

May GOD Himself help us all towards HIS Son and worship.
GregR

@Alberto: it's possible to use tithing as a tool, or guideline, and not swallow it as a NT mandate. Used this way, it can be useful as a stepping stone toward Spirit led generosity. The problems come in when it's made a NT equivalent of what it was in the OT. Bad idea. As a "tool", if it doesn't take you to Jesus, and worship, great, use a different tool. Love GOD, and do as you will.....

@Alberto Medrano,

Are you not aware that the New Covenant doesn't begin until AFTER Calvary? In Matthew 23:23 Jesus was speaking to those still under the Old Covenant.

"Love your goal, hate your method."

hmm, I think I'm now seeing your's and Steve's thoughts now.

Alright, let me put it this way...self-discipline comes in many forms, mental, physical, financial, inter-relationships, and of course spiritual.

For us here in the United States swimming in a sea of money, desires, wants, needs, think-we-needs, and just plain old fashion, "Gimme!" we suffer, perhaps unknowingly of a dibilitating sin.

I speak of Materialism.

So, to begin, I don't expect new believers to tithe...if they have the means to give a few dollars, it shows they're heart is in the right place, and there is room to grow in closeness to G-d. But that is a new believer.
However, a mature, seasoned believer, one who is considered a man, or woman of G-d...they should be tithing AT LEAST 10%.

You see it as formulaic, I see it as a starting point...when we give money to G-d, we are in fact acknowledging a multitude of things...one of which is that money is not our master.

Now, for open honesty sake, I had a problem with giving money to the church, much like what Tim pointed out up thread.
In my opinion at that time was that "giving money to the Church is like giving alcohol to a drunk, I'm not doing either any favors and I'm just encouraging further bad behaviour."

But then I had a long chat with G-d...actually, that is not entirely honest...he had a long chat with me...a very long chat with me...hmm...yeah, I didn't like it much, but well, done is done.

Anyway, after that, my opinion changed, and though I still suspected the people of the Church, G-d pointed out to me that my tithe is worship to him, not them...and that instead I should pity the people responsible for what I give rather than suspect them because if they screw up with it...G-d will demand an account from them...a brutal, harsh account...and that, I have seen too.

Anyway, I have to say my opinion has changed quite a bit since then, as you can see, and now I'm of the mind that we, us Americans, must combat the sin of materialism.
Tithing is a good way.
Yeah, it's tough, yeah, it's formulaic, but it also, believe it or not, instills self-discipline in finances that will amaze you a year or so later...and as I found out, there are...other side benefits that come with it. Not monetary ones, though there is some there, namely due to financial discipline, but an outlook on life benefit...yeah, a better outlook on life.

@Alberto,
It's not an either / or scenario. Giving generously is the principle, but having a concrete reference point (the tithe) gives us a goal to grow toward or a point to grow from. Maybe a better word than "tool" would be the word "catalyst".

This approach grew out of questions asked of me after I would teach on the principle of generous giving. Folks would ask, "what do we shoot for?, or "where do we start?"

Hope this helps!

@Sheera:
Let me find our areas of agreement: as a method of fincial discipline, and as a starting point, tithing is a great goal and method. I use it myself (though not always 10% to the local church, but this is another BIG can of theological worms....try defending the "give to the local church 1st" from the NT, BTW, good luck with that..)
And YES: giving our hard earned cash (which never really was ours to begin with, it was always a stewardship) is a great way to adjust the lousy, unthankful attitude and position of the heart.

Just don't fall into LEGALISM, which stinks just as bad as MATERIALISM. Don't be the 'drunken peasant' of Luther's parable that climbs up one side of the donkey , only to fall off the other side. The sadducees and pharisees were FANATICAL about tithing.....but missed the weightier provisions of the law (mercy and justice); this post is getting heavy, more later.

Praise HIS name, Our generous Father and SON
GregR

After three or four (or maybe more) generations of pounding away at the "tithing IS in the bible and GOD"s will for you...." tune, we just dont' have that much to show for it. Is this mostly because of our narcissistic, what's-in-it-for-me society at large and within the church ?? That's part of it, but part of it is you don't get NT, and New Covenant fruit by banging away at a "let's return to the law" approach. I think a great many pastors (Sam Storms, Chuck Swindoll, RC Sproul) have been awakened to this reality and pushed for more of what the older guy in the video was promoting: Tithing= good, but a good guide, not a mandate. This is wisdom, and we won't get to the ridiculous generosity of our Father's heart, and the generosity seen in 2cdCor9 by preaching strident messages about the law's requirements.

Fixation on a percentage will never get us there. The Father has given us all things... in worship we give HIM back all things (and including US); any other arrangement and we need to be rereading Galations, or maybe Hebrews, or both.

Interesting that the tithing guy built his entire argument around:
1)his own experience
2)the pragmatism of "if you do this, GOD will do that..."

There just isn't a solid NT case to be made for the mandate of tithing.
GregR

"Just don't fall into LEGALISM..."

Hmm, I'm seeing more and more of this of late and I'm beginning to wonder if people who use this truly understand the point of it?
GregR, let me start off with that I'm suspecting, without proof, that your use of "Legalism" is a fear of tradition/Law entrenching itself as a formalized standard that is used instead of grace/mercy...would this be an accurate assessment?

@Sheerahkahn: Yes, that's a pretty good description, but the subtlety is that "formalized" can mean "has an importance that goes beyond a God ordained boundary, and attaches itself to one or even a few individuals" so it need not be written down as bylaw or holy writ anywhere. It could even be the (not so solid) interpretation of a solid guideline, taking what is good (honoring a particular day of the week as Sabbath rest) adding the lethal HAVE TO....and we know the end of the story. In this case, taking a very good and workable GUIDELINE or STARTING POINT, adding the mandate part..... and in my opinion, you've just laid a very fertile environment for a legalistic approach.

How can anyone deal mercifully and GRACEFULLY with another brother in Christ when that other brother or sister sees freedom in an area that I see "mandated" or clearly ordered of GOD ?

Clearly we need to push ourselves to the generosity we see in the Trinity and in the early church. Hammering away at tithing will not get us there, IMO, and will do (has already done, I'm convinced) more damage than good.

PS: Faithful Mormons tithe religiously....or else (no temple pass card)

The question should not be, "Does emphasizing tithing actually limit Christian giving?" but rather, "Is tithing commanded of a Christian?

The first question focuses on the money, the second on the issue of law verses grace. As with special days, I believe that each person should give what is in their heart. For some that might be a few bucks, for others much more. To make tithing a requirement on earth means it will also be one for judgment. If so, how many people just got the pearly gates slammed in their faces!

Enforcing a tithe, i believe is very wrong, whoa re we to judge who has what, and how much God has told them to give? But i would and do recommend and tell people to give at the very least 10% of their income as a firstfruits offering to God, and on top of that, to live a life of extravagant generosity. Blessing your brothers, sisters and even total strangers. After all its not our money to hold on to is it?

I love Sheerahkahn's point where tithing is not even necessarily abut the money, but when you do it, your outlook on life is completely changed, no longer do you care for the things of the world, and the materialistic nature around us, but rather you see it all from a different perspective. (I think that was a part of his point :) )

Besides all of this, i have recently started as a missionary, and realize just how much a small amount can truly change someones life. Previously i would hesitate to give $50 to a need i saw, and i was earning decent money. That money would have been spent on nothing better than food and coffee probably. Yet now i have no income, and $50 can actually make a huge impact to my living situation, let alone others in the world. Also, i do not hesitate to give that amount and more now, when i have by the worlds standards, no money to give.

God always comes through, I dare you to put Him to the test.

Deut 6:16 "You shall not put the LORD your God to the test.."

Malachi 3:10
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 there will not be room enough to store it.

In Malachi, God is speaking to a specific group at a specific time, because Jesus repeated the statement to satan that one is not to test God.

Matt 4:7 "Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"

I personally, would not dare test the LORD.

@MIB: the scripture there in Malachi is there for a reason, both for the original audience and for us...BUT: to our peril do we make an isolated OT verse drive our theology on giving (or anything else). May I recommend letting the NT and the words of Jesus interpret the rest ? If you aren't careful, you'll be reconstructing temples, and pushing circumcision and who knows what else. Plenty of scripture on all that also.

Major in the majors: ridiculously generous Spitit led giving, minus any particular madated percentage or rule. I see nothing in the NT (yes,, even Matt.23) that tells me different.

Greg, I assume you were actually addressing your post to me and not MIB. It might have been helpful to read my entire post.

And then may I suggest you read what Jesus said (who quoted Deut, so it certainly isn't isolated). Matt 4:7 "Jesus said to him, "On the other hand, it is written, 'YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.'"

I feel sorry for the "red letter only" people who don't realize that the entire Bible is inspired (God-breathed), and therefore the whole Bible is red letter.

Barb: No, my post was to mibsbt, not to you. I would not recommend testing GOD either.

GregR,
You got me thinking...and yes, I've been thinking these past few days because I think...there are questions we need to collectively resolve.

Is tithing legalistic?
Is going to Church on Sunday legalistic?
Is requireing people to be baptize legalistic?
Is a public profession of faith legalistic?
Is any form of requirement by G-d on us legalistic?

You see, as I think about the use of "legalism" I'm thinking that we are using the term "legalism" to denude our participation in G-d's Kingdom, an excuse to justify our human nature's tendency towards selfishness, self-centeredness, self-serving.

And then we have Y'shua praising the pharisees for giving a tenth of their yield to the temple...praising them, mind you, not calling them down for it, but actually praising them.
And in fact, at one point, using them...the Pharisees, the target of his ire, as the rod of measurement for the listeners to compare themselves too in terms of Righteousness.

"Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees..."

Granted, it's not a ringing endorsement, but neither is it damning conviction either.

So...again, where do we draw the line between legalism and the requirements of faith?

P.S. Yes, Daniel, that is my intent. I'm glad you picked up on it.

btw, my own personal view on money.

Money...easy come, easy go.

Money...hard to come by, easy go.

Money...spend your health, life, and humanity accumulating it, and yet, still, easy go.

As I have learned, one dollar is a lot, and a million dollars is never enough...I've been poor, and I've been rich.
It's just money...and we need to learn that hard little lesson soon else we're all going to be hating life.

@Sheerkahn: thanks for the conversation. You've pointed out many possible ways that the tithing thing can work out. And you are so right that if a person is so inclined to NOT give to GOD what is HIS, and what has always been HIS , I'd add, then that person can squawk about "legalsim" all as a ruse to hoard their junk.

It's also quite possible for someone to hold very firmly to the "mandate" position and have very good motives, and a solid view of grace. Man looks at the outward appearance (maybe what we write in our church bylaws) while GOD looks at the heart. Just as every person who holds to "mandated in both testaments" is not cold hearted and without mercy, so also not everyone with my position is working an angle to keep their stuff and look out for numero uno.

there is not easy answer to your question "where do we draw the line..." That's the Holy Spirit's job, not mine, but I will say that a good place to start is to consciously , daily, give all of yourself to GOD and HIS Kingdom, have grace for those whose understanding of this differs from yours, and try not to assume motive. I also recommend being very cautious using the words "required" , "commanded" or "mandated" or anything like that. The NT is a LOT more vague on these things than most Ev. pastors I've met or read. Especially more vague than the one's that are jones'in for the $$$ for that VITAL program that GOD wants done this week. There is 'sarcasm font' on that , BTW.
Blessings to you and yours, this issue has had me thinking and meditating for a couple of years now, let's together pursue the mind of GOD and the steadfastness of Christ.
GregR

Is tithing legalistic?
Is going to Church on Sunday legalistic?
Is requireing people to be baptize legalistic?
Is a public profession of faith legalistic?
Is any form of requirement by G-d on us legalistic?

PS: the answer to this is simple: they all CAN BE legalistic....or very life giving, it depends on the package and the context; how they are presented and explained makes all the difference in the world.

"the answer to this is simple: they all CAN BE legalistic....or very life giving, it depends on the package and the context; how they are presented and explained makes all the difference in the world."

Which now further begs the question...how do we explain tithing, fellowship, baptism, public professions, and loving G-d with all our heart mind, body, and soul without being legalistic?
And, to further complicate things, still being able to "discipline through love" those of our brethren who stumble?

@sheerK: you ask good questions. My take on explaining almost anything in a way that avoids legalism is : teach the principle or idea involved (and in some cases, the commandment) but leave the DETAILS(in terms of what MUST be done) of the fulfillment to the audience, their conscience, and GOD alone. The more we combine the "have to's" with a higher order of specifics, the more likely we've gone beyond "what is written".

There are 1000's of ways to evangelize, worship, and be generous. What GOD has shown YOU, is not necessarily the path HE has shown me or your neighbor. The principle will be the same, the package might be (often will be) quite different. Please notice how SIMILAR IN FORM is the obedience of "ordinances" within many of the cults. The bust on people for uniformity of obedience, and end up looking like clones. Let's not go there.

As I said seveal times above, we DO need a Spirit led call to woshipful giving, an expression of gladness to a ridiculously generous GOD and Father. But do NOT sweat the details (tithing) and forget the new convenant (giving from the heart, according to that need, that moment, in response to our GUIDE HIMSELF).
Hope this helps
GregR

To begin with my response is based on how GOD's Holy Spirit has given direction to me on the matter of tithing. When pastor's spoke that I was doing wrong if I was not a tither or tithing, I immediately went in prayer to my heavenly FATHER asking HIM if I was robbing HIM in any area of my living whether in tithing or otherwise. HIS response to me was "NO". Following with I know you. I know you have a generous heart and desire to give cheerly to the church, ministries and people.

"Should you tithe?" "YES!" This PRINCIPAL (not an absolute requirement) is IN ORDER that the HOUSE OF GOD, WORSHIP CENTER, or place where congregations meet can be maintained. There are resources required that need attending; i.e., gas&electric, heat&cooling, orphans and widows, etc.

However, give cheerfully and with a pure conscience and generous heart, not as being compelled to do so, or expecting anything in return for the doing.

Ask GOD in earnest prayer what would HE have you to do and in what measure. HE loves you and does not require that you lack the means of living; i.e., housing, food, clothing, required medication. Your means of living for yourself and family members should be such as to be able to handle the necessities of living (not overspending your income. MODERATION is a key consideration in all matters. HE does not expect you to lack in these areas for a tithe; mainly because our relationship to HIM and our worship to HIM is priceless and not and cannot be limited to or valued for the price of any coin or money in general. Consider: What price would any LOVING parent place on their child or that relationship.

Our living ought to be sacrificial and holy unto GOD. Knowing that all things belong to GOD! In your giving you give back a portion already HIS in honoring what HE has blessed you. Your desire: to be obedient to HIS word, whether in LAW or in PRINCIPAL and please HIM. HE knows all things in your heart and how you think, etc.

True and faithful believers know that
we are only STEWARDS of that which belongs to our heavenly FATHER. To make this long "story" short, earnestly go before our LORD GOD in prayer and HE will lead you on how to do with that HE has allowed you to steward. As JESUS said give GOD's things to GOD, and Caesar's things to Caesar.

Give generously (over 10% if able); but give according as to how GOD's Holy Spirit directs you. Each and every circumstance and ability is different and only GOD knows the right portion that HE would have you to give. Christians ought to be seeking HIS guidance in all areas of living.

I hope this has been helpful. TO GOD BE the GLORY, HONOR and PRAISE!

@Joice: preach it sister; nice post, HE is a talker, and HE will guide us into all things, including giving. Well said.

"Earn all you can; save all you can; give all you can." -- John Wesley

Treating the tithe, giving more generally, or any other spiritual discipline in legalistic terms is wrong. However, the tithe can be lifted up as a model that God ordained for the nation of Israel. That model is still valid, even if not prescribed, as a first measure of the kind of giving God desires as a reflection of our gratitude for the riches we enjoy (however great or small). Jesus never disavowed the tithe as the proper model; He only stated that the heart behind the gift means more than the gift itself.

As a friend of mine has said, the genious of the tithe is that it is not so much that it can't be done; but it is not so small that it can be done without thinking about it.

The issue of the tithe is that it was formulated by God to provide for the Levite, the priests of the day. They were the people who stood between man & God and interceded between man & God.

The language of the tithe is PAY the tithe, this is like pay your gas bill, pay your road tax - it is legal you "Pay" things that are legal to pay. You dont have a choice about it you just do it.
However once we cross from the OT to the the NT and past Pentecost there seems to be little if any reference to the tithe. There is a reference to generous giving and to meeting the needs of the saints but not to tithing to meet the needs of the clergy!!.
If Paul had been on the Tithe wagon then he would have said about the tithe in 1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. but he didnt he said as God Has prospered. If Paul was preaching tithing then he would have mentioned it here but he didnt.
The early church didnt practice tithing until Augustine came and romanised the church with buildings, dressing up, clergy / laity separation and financial accountability to pay for all this.

I would like to suggest an article authored by Dr. James Bollhagen, an Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, entitled “Tithing: The 10% Rule and the Church”.

Kindly refer to the link: http://www.mtio.com/articles/bissar56.htm

Read Numbers 18 which describes why tithing was introduced. V26 tells the Levites that when they receives the tithes to give a 10th of the tithes as an offering to God.
As for Malachi, read Nehemiah first as it will show that it was the priests where steeling tithes from the store house. Now read Malachi 1 v 6 and 2 v 1 in both verses Malachi was addressing the Priests. It was they who where stealing from God.

I read through the posts and wondered why no one saw what I have found in the scriptures. Adrian, you are right on! The reason why the tithing system was done away with was written in the NT. It did not work. Heb 7:18-19 "For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God." The priests in OT stole the sacrifice and beat tithers, I Sam 2:15-16. NT tell us to give ourselves first to God and then all we have is His. We give money out of love for the church leader who is worthy of honor,the needy,for bldgs, etc. but 10% from a congregation is a multitude of wealth and that is often not being used as storehouse for the needy. Are today's ministers more trustworthy that the OT priests who received sacrifices but still resorted to stealing. If people would do the math, they would see what's going on. For example: If only 100 people making $2,500 mo. pay 10%, that's $25,000 per mo. or $300,000 yr. Most churches have at least 200 people or better, yield of $600,000 yr. But the same salary for a church of 2,000 people yields $500,000 mo. or $6,000,000 yr. That's why we cannot get the truth about tithing from the pulpit. People will have to read the scriptures, seek God and get it themselves. And a thorough study of Hebrews 7 should do it.

The worldly definition do not work, GODS DEFINITION STILL WORKS AND HE KEEPS THE PROMISE.[do not Rob GOD]
Malachi 3:6 to 12
Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes
6 “I the LORD do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. 7 Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD Almighty.
“But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’

8 “Will a mere mortal rob God? Yet you rob me.

“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’

“In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 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 there will not be room enough to store it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,” says the LORD Almighty. 12 “Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land,” says the LORD Almighy.

I AM BLESSED BY FOLLOWING THE DEFINITION OF GOD.

Thank you Felix William for addressing this discussion with Malachi 3:6-12; it is what it is.
There shouldn't even be a debate on tithing in the first place, because it is clearly commanded by God. People are trying to find loopholes and excuses not to tithe by being technical, which isn't going to work because there aren't any. As believers, we are to be obedient to all the commands of God. Therefore, give the 10% of yoir income. God doesn't need our money; He wants us to obey- period.
2 Corinthians 9:7 (being a cheerful giver) is talking about how our attitude is to be when we give. The money doesnt belong to us anyway; so, we are to be thankful that we have it to give it back. When this Scripture speaks of that which "he purposeth in his heart," it is talking about an offering- which is different from your tithes. Our offering- whatever he amount or service is- is to also be given freely and cheerfully unto God, not for what we can gain but according to our faith in and love for God.

The word tithe in the HEBREW means abundance. Survive first then bless with your "abundance". If pigeons are the only ones wanting it, then they are the true friends God has given you now.

The way I look at it is like this. God does not need our money but the people who work for God are just like you and I. They need money and if we dont give like we can give than we are harming the people God put in place to do his work. I do not want to stand in front of God and all and God tell me that someone He called into the ministry to sacrafice everything and I find out that because I did not give what I could some preacher could not afford to buy a car to go spread the gospel which ment 50 people did not come to the Lord because of my lack of giving! This is what the money you give to God gets used for and has to be provided by all of us.

Tithing is an essential part of the church, in order to fund its ministries that it won't request from anywhere else. The workman is worthy of his or her meat, and to have a place to worship won't be funded by any other means, much less ministries.

God says people rob Him of tithes and offerings, and no, people who don't want to pay really shouldn't because God wants true worship, not anyone giving of themselves through demand or grudgingly. For those who love Him, will keep His commands. 10 percent is NOTHING in comparison to what Credit card companies and the government wants each pay period.

The 10% tithe was for the Hebrews to the Levitical priesthood. There is no percentage requirement anymore, but the Lord loveth a cheerful giver. But I would be wary of giving any money to a church that that 1) cannot preach the gospel of Christ, and 2) thinks that they are owed 10% "out of the scriptures" when they are most certainly not Levitical priests from the old testament.

And the king of Sodom {sheep} went out to meet him after Abram {Sheppard} return from Victory of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.

{And Melchizedek king of Salem { LORD } brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20And blessed be the most high God,
which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand.

And the comforter gave Abram tithes of all.}

21And the king of Sodom {sheep} said unto Abram {Sheppard}, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
22And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
23That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

The pointe of this bible story, Abram was blessed by the victory from God. The Lord referred to as Melchizedek blessed Abram with a tithe of all.

Since the Pastors received their victory through God and not man, just like Abram they should refuse the goods of the people they saved.

Money is manmade object and should be considered an idol.

The church is the gathering of born again people. Not the institutional denominational organizations called "Christian" Churches. Rome started organized, institutional "Christianity" NOT JESUS All denominations since the "Church of Rome" are all children of the system of organized institutional Christianity with all there self appointed leaders. Without forcing the LAW of TITHING and in using many deceits to do so, they could not exist.

My pastor put it this way, (the message is intended for regular attenders) if you do not tithe or give offerings to the church, it's like spiritual squatting. You go to church on sunday morning, you enjoy the heat, the lights, the band playing worship music, and the message that you came for. But you want it for free, those things cost money to keep a building heated and/or cooled, to keep the lights on, to pay the salary of those who serve on staff, to keep the toilets running, you want come and get gain, but without paying for any of the things that keep it running. Let's suppose that you start a church at your house, well people start showing up and start flushing your toilet 30 times more in a week than normal, would you want them to start chipping in if you can't spend that extra money on your utilities?

Hoping your conscience will at peace upon reading this simple comments. TITHING is actually optional. Tithe is not actually tenth or one tenth of somebody's income. We don't know exactly how much the equivalent of tithe. Even in the bible says tithe in original is not one tenth equivalents. Tithe maybe more than 10% or less. It depends of the income and regular or part time job. As previous experienced, many pastors were strayed from the truth because of money and sad to say that many members of the church tithe giver was collapse of their business, relationship with their spouses and the conscience penetrate to their hearts of giving tithe and cause them to fight or end to divorce. In New testament Lord Jesus never mention say or command to tithe indeed He did not appreciate to a tithe giver. Luke 18:9-14. Certainly if your income is not enough even your parents need to have foods and you cannot give them to sustain their hunger or daily necessity but you give first to the church. Actually, Lord Jesus condemned this kind of attitudes. Mark 7:9-13. To erase your conscience of not giving tithes as stated in Malachi 3:10. The Lord Jesus did not mention the Malachi during His ministry. Malachi appeared 430 B.C., after the exiles in Babylonia which is now Iraq which Israelites was exiled for 70 years labored, the last book of the Old Testament. Nothing is known of the person of Malachi. Because his name does not occur elsewhere, some scholars indeed doubt whether "Malachi" is intended to be the personal name of the prophet. But none of the other prophetic books of the Old Testament is anonymous. The Israelites live in Babylonia maybe they have no regular meeting of worship or praising God in multitudes because they are under the law of Babylonia. Maybe they meet or worship God irregularities and in under cover to protect their lives. Psalm 137:1-9. About Offering is necessary to give but not by under compulsion. 2 Cor. 9:7. Being a truthful believer should set aside for offering for maintenance of the church and salary for the pastor, etc. 1 Cor. 16:2. Thank you and God bless you all.

First of all I am so hurt that long time Christians are so rapped up in something so elementary, Do We Pay Tithes or Not?! If you are a new Christian and you are not sure maybe this will give you insight. You say that tithe is Old Testament not New Testament! Did you not hear Jesus say that he came not to do away with the Law but to full fill the Law? If you don’t know what he did to full fill the Law, you need to get off the breast milk of the Word and start getting into the meat of the Word. IF YOU PAY YOUR TITHES you need to STOP!!! Because paying tithes is not doing you any good. The Tithe is not a bill it has and will always be A GIFT. I GIVE back to the Lord 10% of what he has BLESSED me with. I don’t give Him some of it. I give Him the First or the Best of what He has given me just because I love Him. You say Jesus did not speak about tithing? You need to read again. As for what Jesus said about tithing, two men came asking Jesus what they could do to go to Heaven. The 1st man Jesus knew his heart and told him to give away everything he had and follow him. Did he? No, because his belongings/money was his real god. 2nd man can to Jesus and told him he had already given 1/2 of everything he had to those in need and paid back to everyone he had stolen from. Why didn't Jesus tell this man to give what he has left away like he did the other man? Jesus knew this man's heart and knew that he wanted to do and was trying to do what was right. I asked you where is your heart. Who is your God? He knows your heart and you can't hide or try to justify why you don't do what is right. O, by the way, was the parable about the 5 coins a story that Jesus told us about God blessing people and what they did with the blessings. Could this parable not be like what God was saying to the Old Testament about stilling from God? God has given you a blessing and you want to hide it, keep it all for your self. I will end with this: If you are a Blessing; God will Bless you even more; for you can not out give God.

If the command of tithing was only for the Jews and does not apply to us living in the New Testament times - then the 10 commandments does not apply to us either. Can we kill, steal, worship idols and dishonor mother and father,etc.,if we wish to do so? Who determines what we can accept or reject from God's word?

No! Tithing is not required by Christians. The Bible tells of two instances prior to the setting up of the Law covenant in which a tenth part of possessions was paid to God or to his representative. The first of these was on the occasion when Abraham gave Melchizedek one tenth of the spoils of his victory over Chedorlaomer and his allies. (Ge 14:18-20) The apostle Paul cites this incident as proof that Christ’s priesthood according to the manner of Melchizedek is superior to that of Levi, since Levi, being in the loins of Abraham, paid tithes, in effect, to Melchizedek. (Heb 7:4-10) The second case concerned Jacob, who vowed at Bethel to give one tenth of his substance to God.—Ge 28:20-22.

These two accounts, however, are merely instances of voluntarily giving one tenth. There is no record to the effect that Abraham or Jacob commanded their descendants to follow such examples, thereby establishing a religious practice, custom, or law. It would have been superfluous for Jacob, if already under a compulsory obligation to pay tithes, to vow to do so, as he did. It is therefore evident that the tithing arrangement was not a custom or a law among the early Hebrews. It was instituted with the inauguration of the Law covenant, not before.

At no time were first-century Christians commanded to pay tithes. The primary purpose of the tithing arrangement under the Law had been to support Israel’s temple and priesthood; consequently the obligation to pay tithes would cease when that Mosaic Law covenant came to an end as fulfilled, through Christ’s death.(Eph 2:15; Col 2:13, 14) It is true that Levitical priests continued serving at the temple in Jerusalem until it was destroyed in 70 C.E., but Christians from and after 33 C.E. became part of a new spiritual priesthood that was not supported by tithes. (Ro 6:14; Heb 7:12; 1Pe 2:9).

As Christians, they were encouraged to give support to the Christian ministry both by their own ministerial activity and by material contributions. Instead of giving fixed, specified amounts to defray congregational expenses, they were to contribute “according to what a person has,” giving “as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2Co 8:12; 9:7)

They were encouraged to follow the principle: “Let the older men who preside in a fine way be reckoned worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching. For the scripture says: ‘You must not muzzle a bull when it threshes out the grain’; also: ‘The workman is worthy of his wages.’” (1Ti 5:17, 18) However, the apostle Paul set an example in seeking to avoid bringing an undue financial burden on the congregation. (Ac 18:3; 1Th 2:9).

Be careful of organizations claiming tithing as being required by God. It's not a bible teaching for Christians of today!

We are the wealthiest church in history. If we are unable to give ten percent there is something that needs to be changed in our lifestyle (unless we are truly poor). The principle of the New Testament is to give proportionally according to how the Lord has blessed you. Jesus said that if anyone was to be his disciple he should give everything to the poor and follow him. This is not legalism it is a specific and real bench mark for generosity.