Thread: It's time for yet another study on TITHING...
Admin
It's time for yet another study on TITHING...
Posted : 31 Oct, 2012 03:02 AM
In response to a sisters comment regarding tithing I was planning to do a commentary study on it, however, this Daily Berean just came through this morning! You know, I find the Lord working in everything around me these days. I keep thinking, what are the chances that the very next morning after talking about TITHES, this should pop into my email!
The LORD IS GOOD! :)
There was also some other information regarding tithing that we discussed in one of my older posts. Perhaps I'll hunt through all the old posts to find the study. Anyway, should any of you have any information pro or against the "God Tax" as I called it before, feel free to post! Let's be nice though okay? Again, no bickering or arguing please. :)
(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.
So, my question to you then is this, why start yet another thread concerning the matter? Do you have something new to offer that has NOT been offered here before?
You said, "This isn't going to be fun... :) " You are right. In fact, as you can see it does nothing but stir up strife, debate, contention, division, and so on. No agreement/consensus is ever reached. So why start it up all over again? Those that find the obligation to tithe do so, those that don't - don't
Telling was the brother who painstakingly argued that tithing was unscriptural and done away with. When pressed on whether or not he tithed said in fact, yes he did. That seems downright double-minded to me.
I don't think tithing is required, but freely giving is an important part of ministry. I do think that if a congregation is managing a church building together, it's only fair that it's members contribute to the maintenance, etc and the outreach programs that they endeavor to accomplish together, either in time or money.
2 Corinthians 9
King James Version
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;
2 Thessalonians 3
King James Version
8Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
One of my earlier posts on the tithing put forth this idea...
Everything you have is God's...it's merely on loan to you to do HIS will.
So, when you think about 10% which actually from what I've read isn't really 10%, it's a varying amount based on OT laws (30%?). Sorry, it's been a while since I studied it.
Ananias and Saphira (Acts 5) kept back part of their 'commune money' from the pot. In actuality tithing doesn't really exist. It's sort of an "ALL IN" type of thing.
If you see someone in need, give, without measure, even if they don't ask for it, and, iff they ask for help, give without measure. A mere 10% is doing nothing but 'holding back' from the communal property so to speak.
Furthermore Heb 10:25 (assembling) I believe to be a communal type living arrangement, and yes, it could even be within a city, it is possible (speculative) that these communes were in the outskirts of the major cities as well. I can't prove this, however, given the verse...
1 Corinthians 5:5 I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
How would someone deliver anyone to Satan? I had this idea that it 'could' mean excommunication from the commune. Being forced to live without communal association/protection/help could very quickly result in persecution/starvation. You have to remember also, early Christians were not particularly well received. If you were branded a Christian and on your own...well...do the math. Another thought...how could anyone be delivered to Satan in the current church model? The last time I checked, todays churches weren't doing any flesh destructions right? The only thing I can think of is Amish shunning.
If anyone comes up with a better explanation to this verse I'd really love to hear it.
Perhaps a study on what 'assembly' really means would be good to put in the que?
A final thought, are you going to hold back 90% of the property which doesn't even belong to you in the first place? Are you "ALL IN"? :)
Again, I am human, I am not without error, quite the contrary...prove everything to yourself IN HIM! :)
I totally Agree...Everything belongs to the LORD...these ponderings of Tithing come up now and again as to what GOD requires ?...Are we to do it ?...How much do we give ?...Why do we give ?...I my self keep it Simple...It is "purposed" in my heart to give...=0)...<><...xo
2Cr 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
