(1) Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: (2) On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. (3) And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem.
What do these verses say? Protestants think they mean three things:
1. That a collection should be taken up for an offering to God.
2. That it should be done every week at church services.
3. That we should attend church on the first day of the week.
Actually, these verses do not mean these things at all.
Immediately, we notice that this collection, a gift from the congregation in Corinth, was for "the saints" (verse 1). It was not a tithe or an offering to God for the support of the ministry and its work. Notice Paul's salutation to the Philippian church: "Paul and Timothy, servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi . . ." (Philippians 1:1; see Romans 1:7; II Corinthians 1:1). The brethren of the church are the saints. Thus, this collection was a gift from the Corinthian congregation to the one in Jerusalem (I Corinthians 16:3).
Why had Paul "given orders to the churches of Galatia" (verse 1) to send a gift to Jerusalem? The immediate context does not say, but other verses fill in the missing details:
And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30)
Knowing that a severe famine was to strike the Roman world--and hit Judea especially hard--church members everywhere decided to give their brethren in Palestine as much aid as they were able to provide. Though they may have wondered why God would allow them to endure this harsh trial, the members of the church made the most of the situation, trusting that God would bring them through it and bless them for it. The easiest and least expensive way to accomplish this was to send their contributions with Paul and Barnabas as they returned to Jerusalem.
When Paul reminded them of the collection, he did not mention a church service. Knowing that it took time to reach each of the churches, he told the people to lay aside what they were planning to give, so that when he arrived he would not have to wait while they gathered it (see II Corinthians 9:5). He specified the first day of the week for this task. As this work was strenuous, he did not want them to do any of it on the Sabbath day.
Nor does Paul specifically mention money in these scriptures. He uses the words "collection," "something," and "gift." How do we know the gift was not just money? The apostle writes, "And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem" (verse 3). If it were simply money, he would not need a bearer; he could put the money in a bag and carry it himself.
In a parallel passage to the church in Rome, Paul explains, "Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain" (Romans 15:28). Literally, the phrase "sealed . . . this fruit" means "secured this produce." It is likely that the Corinthians were sending foodstuffs, which would require the help of others during the trip to Judea.
One aspect of the famine and the churches' relief has not yet been emphasized: The Jews in Judea suffered, and the Gentiles of Achaia and Macedonia sent them aid. Years before, when they heard that God was increasingly calling Gentiles into the church, the Jews had harbored hard feelings against them and required things of the Gentiles that God had not (see Acts 15:1-5). This had inflamed existing frictions between the two groups, and Paul spent years trying to heal the wounds.
Even though the church members were converted, the old prejudices continued to crop up from time to time. But God in His love and wisdom used the famine and the Gentiles' aid to help the church to learn and grow together as a family. Understanding this, Paul asks the Romans for prayers about this matter (Romans 15:27, 30-32).
Paul's intent was to use the collection of food for the Judean brethren as a means to mend and build the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles. He desired to see them join together in loving acceptance and appreciation of their equality in Christ (Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 2:11-22). And these things did indeed occur. II Corinthians 8 and 9 describe the spiritual fruit--the love, zeal, liberality, submission to God--that was produced in the Macedonian and Achaian churches through their generous gifts.
I pay the full 10 percent tithes from when I was first converted some 25 years ago, and I loved paying tithes from the beginning and still love it now.
There is some strange twist to paying tithes in that it gives me more money then I would have by not paying - and that strange reality can only be proven by doing it.
What I learned over the years is that we are not really to tithe in the way that the Old Testament declares of paying the Priest or the Church, because the New Testament tells us to use the tithes to give to people in need.
As in if I know some one needs food or housing or need any such thing then I will buy it using my tithes, and when I see no need then my tithes accumulate into a bigger amount so then I can use the tithes on bigger things.
I see giving to the Church as being just a free will offering and a gift, so I do not give my tithes to any Church.
Of course I could give the tithes to a Church if the Church needed a new piano or needs chairs or needs some thing then that I might buy those such things with my tithes.
My understanding is that God wants us to use our tithes in the best of ways, and we are each to tithe as we see best.
Tithing to begin with, if it means that we give God 10% of our income; is ugly. Everything we have is God's - not ours. Although churches are very keen on tithing to them, it is very clear that we are to tithe. That we tithe to them is not so clear.
To answer the question, it would not please me if my daughter (God willing that I will have one) were to marry a man that didn't tithe or give to worthy causes. The reason being that the heart is reflected in both our attitudes and practices.
Not paying tithes is stealing from God -- it says so in the Bible.
Sometimes people think paying tithes is paying money to a man, but they couldn't be more wrong.
When you pay tithes, your money goes to the church. Helps out in the maintenance of God's house, portions of it might go to people in need etc. This is all God's work.
Jesus also said "Give unto Ceaser, what belongs to Ceaser, and to God what belongs to God" (don't mind the spelling) :-D
Also i have noticed this: Everytime i do not pay tithes, my money seems to disappear. Little things that are not budgeted for like car problems, fines, etc start creeping up. I end up having to use that 10% or more on these things.
However when i do pay tithes, my money frees up. Seriously.
How in the New Covenant does tithing apply? FOr instance the believers in Jerusalem whom Paul encourages the believers in Corinth to start saving a gift for them now to be ready to give for them. I find it difficult that the believers in Jerusalem would have been 'tithing'. Certainly to be generous absolutely.
For me not paying a tithe to God is not stealing from Him because we are not obliged to pay it in the New Covenant. That being said, if we take anything and hold it as our own - then we are stealing from God because it all belongs to Him and we are to use those resources for His glory.
