Erling Thu

Tithing and legalism

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Erling Thu

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A few days ago two good young men visited me in the house in the forest to talk about tithing. They had been practising tithing for many years, but now they had reached the conclusion that tithing was not a biblical principle. Tithing was no longer a practice they had to follow as believers who lived in the grace of the new covenant. The main reason for reaching this conclusion was their personal experience of a legalistic way tithing had been taught and practised. And of cause they had read some books saying that tithing no longer applied to Christians. We had a very good talk about tithing and generous giving, but we reached no common agreement on the biblical ground for the practise in new covenant communities today.

I am a strong believer in tithing since I am a child of Abraham, the first one who is mentioned to pay his tithe to the priest of the most high God. Even at the first mention of the house of God in the Bible we also find a wow to pay tithe of everything. The Bible says that the tithe belongs to God and it is ordained by God to teach us to fear him and to give him the first place in everything in our life. Jesus said that we should seek first the Kingdom of God and that we should give to God what belongs to God. A lot more could be said on this matter, but I leave that to a later occasion, now I like to turn to another important aspect.

I am a strong opponent to legalism. The entire Old Testament with the Law and the Prophets is resting upon two commandments only: To love God with all our heart and might, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. Without love nothing will benefit us according to the teaching of the apostle Paul.

Tithing is voluntarily and  not a law, a demand or something we are forced to do. Those who tithe biblically will do it on their own free will and in faith. Tithing and generous giving must be motivated by love and faith. All that is not of faith is sin! Without love and faith there can not be any proper biblical practise at all!

The tithe belongs to God. Beside tithing to God there is no limit or restriction in generous meet the needs of people around us!

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Comments

19 responses to “Tithing and legalism”

  1. Matthew Ling Avatar
    Matthew Ling

    Amen Erling.

    Reply
  2. garyrr@bluezone.no Avatar
    garyrr@bluezone.no

    Dear Erling,
    Whatever our viewpoint on this matter it is wrong, in my view, to accuse God-fearing believers of theft just because they don’t share our interpretation of scripture!
    For instance the Malachi verses (though not exclusively these,) are always quoted as a foundation for tithing; these verses, however, are addressed specifically to the children of Israel at a specific time in their history, -the context being that tithing at this time was part of Law in Old Testament Israel,.It is because of this they were accused of stealing from God.
    To take these verses out of their biblical context and transfer them over to the new covenant and say that any believer who doesn’t pay the tithe is stealing is frankly not on. However well intentioned, arbitrarily picking out bits of the Bible to fit our theology is something religion has foisted on too many sincere believers down through the ages.
    It is actually far more radical to proclaim (in the words of the song) ‘I surrender all’. Not ten percent but one hundred percent belongs to the Lord! He has given us stewardship over money we don’t actually own. It is all the Lord’s, it isn’t ours.
    I’ve come across too many believers who have slavishly followed the tithing principle yet not experienced the ‘open the floodgates of heaven’ promise. They therefore experience the tithe as a legalistic chore rather than a blessing and fall into condemnation. In your article, Erling, you state
    ‘Tithing is voluntarily and not a law, a demand or something we are forced to do’
    In the next paragraph I feel there is a clear contradiction to the previous statement ‘The tithe belongs to God’. It cannot be voluntary if it belongs to God, and if it belongs to God then the stealing premise comes into play.
    This subject needs to be discussed openly among us, and our fellow believers should not feel they will be censured or accused of being cynical or divisive if they have doubts, reservations or even a completely different viewpoint. We need to be open to the reality that we will not all agree on this matter (and other matters such as head covering etc). As followers of Jesus we are called to live in the light and preach the good news. It should be possible to do this even though we might not necessarily agree on everything.
    Gary R. Reynolds

    Reply
  3. Erling Thu Avatar
    Erling Thu

    Dear Gary, peace and grace unto you!
    I am planning to give a more thorough teaching on tithing, but I want you to notice in my teaching above that I do not start with Malachi or the Law, but with the father of those who believe and the first mention of the house of God, hundreds of years before the law was given. Tithing precedes the Law and out lives the Law as a contiunous practice in putting God first.
    Yes, you are right that 100% belongs to God and that we are only stewards. In my understanding God has told us to bring the firstfruit, the tithe, to him, and be generous in helping others with what we have left.
    I know people who tithe, pray, read the Bible etc. in a legalistic manner and therefore do not live in the blessing of these good practices.
    The motivation of tithing is the love of God and it is paid in faith and childlike trust to the Father who cares for us.
    I can only teach what I believe the Bible teaches, and I will do it with confidence. Those who read or listen to my teaching have the responsibility to test, judge and decide for themselves, before God what to do with the teaching.

    Reply
  4. Zephry Avatar
    Zephry

    Hello Erling,
    I have been reading contributions this far to this discussion. would like to submit a few thoughts for your consideration.
    Why do good people object to paying the tithe?
    They claim that it was part of the Law and since Jesus has fulfilled the Law this is no longer applicable to us in the New Testament.
    This argument Is not correct since the tithe is first seen in the place where Abraham gave a tithe of the spoils he brought back from the battle that he fought. It should be noted that Abraham did not give the tithe out of compulsion, but as a response to the office and to the blessing he received from Melchisedek, the priest of the Most High God, whose name means King of Righteousness and Peace. Hebrews 7: 3 compares Melchisedek to the Son of God who is a Priest who lives for ever. In fact it goes on to imply that not only Levi , but All Israel was in Abraham when he gave his tithes. This was much before the Law was given. In fact the tithe is part of the Abrahamic covenant of grace.
    The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is a High Priest in the order of Melchisedek- Hebrews 6. That means he is not from the line of Levi which was the priesthood under the Law. In fact he is from the line of Judah , yet he is designated High Priest of a better Covenant!-
    A High Priest must have something to offer- Hebrews 8:3 Priests under the Law offer gifts according to the Law but Jesus is the mediator of a better Covenant and has something better to offer – which is the worship, praise tithes and offerings of his people who give him this in response to his office and the Blessings of Righteousness and Peace with God that he has already showered upon them at the cross. It is a response to his love and not to a command under the law.
    We find that Jacob in Gen 28:22 also promises to give God a tithe of all that God blesses him with. Obviously he learned this from his grandfather.
    Why did God institute the tithe in the Law?
    The Book of Galatians ch 3 vs 24 tells us that the Law is our Teacher . It is there to teach us- about God and his purposes and plans and requirements. In line with that objective, Deuteronomy 14 :23 tells us that the purpose of the tithe is so that “You may learn to fear the Lord your God always”. And vs 29 – “That the Lord your God may bless the work of your hands which you do” .
    Leviticus 27:30 tells us that the tithe belongs to the Lord- note – not only some part of it but all the tithe belongs to the Lord. This raises some questions. If it belongs to the Lord, does keeping back part or all of it not amount to robbing the Lord? The Lord himself says so in Malachi 3. If belonged to the Lord then , has it stopped belonging to the Lord now ?? Is there any evidence in the Bible that the Lord has renounced his ownership of the Tithe? Did it belong to him only for the duration of the Law? I believe that it has always belonged to Him and like most other things it has taken a long time for us to learn this and accept its truth.!-
    Leviticus 27:32 goes further saying that the tithe is Holy unto the Lord. If it is holy unto the Lord , then we dare not touch what is holy to the Lord. He takes it seriously!
    While we may not be under the curse, now that Jesus is become a curse for us on cross, we need continued blessings from our High Priest , which is a very good reason to pay our tithes.
    Many of those objecting to giving tithes today also say that the new testament encourages giving more! By all means do give more . But why do we object to giving it in the church? The Law required that tithes and offerings were to be brought into the house of God. And the tithes were paid to the priests and Levites.
    In the New testament we see the believers bringing their gifts and offerings and laying them at the feet of the apostles and elders. It speaks of trust! They trusted that when they were giving it to the apostles, they were giving it to God. Is there a lack of trust in our elders today? Or is there a lack of trust in God?
    I humbly submit that in many cases it is a question of control. People want to have control over how the money is used . They want to have a say in where and how the money is used. But if we really trust God then we must be willing to relinquish control over what we give , trusting that God is on the throne and is in control of his church , trusting that his delegated authority in the church will use it to continue to establish the covenant the He swore to our Fathers- namely that all the families of the earth will be blessed.
    I hope these thoughts will serve to contribute to an informed discussion on this subject.

    Reply
  5. Matthew Ling Avatar
    Matthew Ling

    1 Peter 1:10-12 suggests to me that the primary context of all the OT prophetic writings is the church and not historic Israel. Being prophets they had no problem with their message being primarily about a time in their future!

    Reply
  6. perfilip Avatar
    perfilip

    I enjoyed reading your text, Erling, and especially the part about legalism.
    I believe that every eternal principle has it’s out-spring from the character of God. We were created in his image and to reflect his glory. In that view I ask myself: What are the eternal PRINCIPLES behind my actions and my methods (which are unchanging) – and what are the ways I choose to live it out (these may change, because they are only there to live out the principles).
    When it comes to the issue of tithing it is clear that God has something to say to us, since (like both you and Zephry have argued) it is mentioned in many ways and in many parts of the Holy Scripture. But what are the principles (which it is important for everyone to honour) and what are the ways we think it is best to live it out (which may differ)?
    I see that God is a wonderfully generous God! We are also created to be generous like him. I also see that he gave his first and best, his only begotten Son, to us. Here I find a principle for us to give willingly the first and best, whatever the cost.
    I see that the Bible teaches us to keep out hearts free from bitterness, free from greed and that keeping our relationships with other right are very important (like taking care of the poor, and those who preach the Word). That means that if a believer tithes from a willing and faithful heart, he is practicing many of these principles. That’s good. But the point of tithing was never about the 10%, was it?
    So here are a couple of questions: How do we teach the issue of the tithing – and how do we meet people who love Christ, who believe and live out the principles about being generous and right with others – but who simply believe that it is not right for a disciple in the new covenant to tithe.
    First of all I know that what we see TOGETHER is always more than I see by myself. That means that I come with respect, humility and openness. Is the point that others should see things just as I do? No. God wants to take us both further! So in this debate I also challenge those who “teach with confidence” (like Erling says) to be open for getting their views even more expanded.
    Be blessed, brothers

    Reply
  7. Bro. Frank Avatar
    Bro. Frank

    Ahhh, the Old Testament, the shadow of the New Testament.

    Reply
  8. Malene TROndsen Avatar
    Malene TROndsen

    Alot of good things comes out when Gods holy people thalks about His Word! Malachi 3:16 “Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.” i think God loves when we talk openly to eatch other about the trouths in His Word!
    If everyone saw the same things when they read something, we did’nt need one eatchother, but we see things from different sides and together with all the holy ones we can see Gods deepth and lenght and his glory!!
    Just like the sabbath is for man and man is not for sabbath…I have that feeling about tithing too…Its soooo God….he always have blesings in mind. He has one thing in his mind for us, that is that we shal love God and love one another. To give is a beautiful and meaningfull way to show love. I do not think God wants our money…he wants us..give to the emperor what is the emperor’s and to God whats belongs to God.
    And in a church and to missionarys that does a great job, they need money to do their work, so to give of our money is very good! yes it is nessesary to ceep things going on. God wants us to give freely from a greatful heart, only then we cam give something that he wants. As soon as somethings becomes a burden, the person is become a slave insteed of a blessed giver.
    I like this verses about thiting 5 mos 14.22-26 ( er ikke så stø i engelsk så det får bli norsk herfra.finner ikke en gang 5 mosebok??)
    “22 Hvert år skal du gi tiende av alt det som vokser på marken din. 23 Du skal spise tienden av ditt korn, din most og din olje og de førstefødte dyr av ditt storfe og småfe for Herren din Guds åsyn, på det stedet han velger ut til bolig for sitt navn, så du kan lære å frykte Herren din Gud så lenge du lever. 24 Men er veien for lang for deg, så du ikke er i stand til å få tienden med deg, fordi stedet som Herren din Gud har valgt til bolig for sitt navn, er langt borte fra deg, og Herren din Gud har velsignet deg, 25 da kan du selge den. Pakk så pengene inn og gå til det stedet som Herren din Gud har valgt ut. 26 Der kan du bruke dem til å kjøpe alt du har lyst på, storfe og småfe, vin og sterk drikk og alt det du ellers ønsker. Så skal du holde måltid for Herren din Guds åsyn og glede deg sammen med din husstand.”
    Here comes Gods grace again and overwelme us…if the path you are going is tooo long for you…He is sooo loving an good!! I LOVE HIM!!!
    And i love his people, it is the best people ever!

    Reply
  9. Malene TROndsen Avatar
    Malene TROndsen

    Here are the verses i refered to (Blueletterbible.org)
    Deuteronomy 14:22-26
    “You must set aside a tithe of your crops–one-tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. Bring this tithe to the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored, and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to fear the LORD your God.Now the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored might be a long way from your home. If so, you may sell the tithe portion of your crops and herds and take the money to the place the LORD your God chooses. When you arrive, use the money to buy anything you want–an ox, a sheep, some wine, or beer. Then feast there in the presence of the LORD your God and celebrate with your household.

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  10. Gary R Reynolds Avatar
    Gary R Reynolds

    Greetings again Erling. It seems my comments on tithing etc have provoked some people (on and off this blog) to forcefully defend the theology and view my comments on the subject as being almost heretical.
    The theological arguments presented by yourself and others for tithing are in fact the same ones my wife Nina and I believed until recently and were the basis for our practicing tithing for nearly 25yrs. How and why some might ask could we change our minds? I could use a lot of space on this blog explaining why but I feel that this would be a waste of time. For those who see tithing as an indisputable fact and may view comments from a perspective of
    ‘We are right and you are wrong and we’ll pray for you to see the error of your ways’
    will not be interested in what I have to say; the discussion will, in fact, move from the issue to arguing about it instead, something scripture discourages us from.
    At times Christians are not very good at listening to each other (I include myself here without reserve) and having discussed tithing again on and off it seems to me that people immediately jump to defend ‘the truth’ without taking time to listen to or try to understand the other persons point of view.
    This I feel actually highlights a deeper issue but before I proceed with that let me state the following.
    • Nowhere in my earlier comments have I suggested that you or anyone should not preach tithing. At this point in my walk with the Lord I don’t agree with the theology I haven’t said that others should necessarily do the same.
    • No one has ever asked:
    Why do you question tithing is it because :
    1. You don’t understand the theology?
    2. Would you like someone to explain it (not force it)?
    3. Are you having financial problems and don’t understand why?
    4. Are you looking for an excuse to get out of giving?
    It seems from the comments of some people that nr 4 is the reason I am questioning this which is at best insensitive and at worst arrogant.
    It is assumed that because I have questioned tithing I no longer practice it. No one has taken the time to ask this question. However, it seems there are many who assume that I don’t.
    At this point I would like to break and ask those who are genuinely interested in having a discussion (not just about tithing but other ‘disputable matters’) to read Romans 14 & 1 Corinthians 13 1 – 13.
    I’ll continue this in a few days time.
    Best regards to you and Solveig
    GaryRR

    Reply
  11. Erling Thu Avatar
    Erling Thu

    Dear Gary!
    Thank you for your comment. I would very much want to know why you have changed your view on tithing.
    If you want you may openly share your opinion here on my blog.
    I have not had the time to write a fuller explanation of my understanding, but only a comment in addition to my first entry where I just briefly touched the matter.
    I was not aware of that you had changed your view, and I definitely do not believe it has to do with your reason no 4.
    May God bless you!

    Reply
  12. Erling Thu Avatar
    Erling Thu

    Dear Per Filip!
    I should have answered you a long time ago, but at least her are some comments to your interesting comment.
    I think the principle of tithing is to give God 10% of all our income or increase to show that we put God first in our life. The practice may vary in where and to whom do we tithe. This we also see from the three different practices of three different tithes in the Law. The practice in Kristent Nettverk is a good one according to my understanding, but not the only way to practice the principle of tithing. The point of tithing is to learn to fear God and give him the first place in everything.
    One of the challenges in teaching tithe is to avoid legalism. When it comes to people who love Christ and is generous in giving but do not believe in tithing, there is nothing else to do than to love and bless him!
    When it come to tithing I have nothing to defend. I believe tithing is ordained by God and is honouring God. I have practised if for nearly 50 years and is very grateful to God who has enabled me and Solveig not only to tithe but also to give of our surplus to others.
    I am very open to get my understanding of tithing expanded. I like to be enlarged. I want new insight from the Word of God and is longing for spiritual revelation to be expanded.
    May God continue to bless you, my friend!

    Reply
  13. Gary R Reynolds Avatar
    Gary R Reynolds

    Hello again Erling, I read you’re comments yesterday and I’ll certainly explain the main reasons why we have changed our minds about tithing (the theology not necessarily the practice).
    Before I do this I stated in my last piece that I would continue it at another time. I have now completed it and will submit it now. Again before I submit it I am very interested in your original title. You used the word legalism and go on to share your concerns relating to it. I believe the issue of tithing is actually not the issue here but I believe we both share a deep passion that our brethren do everything from a motivation born of the Spirit of God and not under duress, force or coercion. I suspect that your friends who visited you and shared their views on tithing would still have experienced that you respected them even though you didn’t agree with them. This is the core issue I am concerned with.
    I ended my previous correspondence with a request for yourself and any other contributors to this piece to read Romans 14 & 1 Cor 13. It seems clear that the Apostle Paul took it for granted that there would be ‘disputable matters’ that would arise in the church. He doesn’t seem to expect that we will all agree about every issue all the time. He uses three examples festivals, drink and food as examples of the issues that were contentious for his readers. We may not have new moon celebrations as an issue today but drinking wine is still a ‘hot potato’ among some denominations, as are Baptism, head covering, whether Christians should be in the military, tithing and a whole range of issues that are the ‘disputable matters’ of our time. What I find encouraging is that Paul lays out the arguments for both sides but does not himself take sides. His primary concern is that brotherly love should be at the heart of our relationships and as he points out if we do anything that offends our brethren then we are not motivated by love. As the verses in Corinthians clearly state we can do so many ‘right’ things but if we do not have love it is to no avail.
    To come back to the discussion issue here ‘tithing’ the fact that there are thousands of believers around the world practice tithing and thousands who do not would clearly imply that this is a ‘disputable matter’. I have absolutely no problem with anyone who believes and preaches tithing, may the Lord bless you for your sincere desire to serve him in this way. I have however a serious problem with anyone who preaches and teaches that those of us who do not are thieves. To emphasis my point may I paraphrase Romans 14 verses 3 & 4 ‘The man who tithes must not look down on him who does not, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand’.
    If we are unable to disagree agreeably then what sort of gospel is it we preach to a lost and dying world? How can we preach a message of reconciliation if we are unable to be reconciled among ourselves in the church?
    I will however end this on a positive note. Just over a year ago Nina & I requested a meeting with the elders of Bergen Kristent Felleskap to share our views on tithing and another ‘disputable matter’. The elders Morten, Per Arne & Johannes listened to us and treated us with great respect and dignity. They did not try to persuade us or look down on us and even though we did not agree at the end of our discussion we were all encouraged by the fact that we could honest and open with each other. Nina & I left the meeting encouraged and determined to continue to support and work for God’s kingdom along side these men.
    God Bless Erling
    Gods peace to you and your family
    GaryRR

    Reply
  14. Erling Thu Avatar
    Erling Thu

    Dear Gary!
    I am very happy with the end of your entry where you relate to how you met with the elders and shared your convictions and that you were met with respect and dignity.
    But I still do not understand why you changed your view on tithing! And I do not understand how you interpret what the Bible says about tithing. But I do not need to understand this. I just realize that we seem have a different understanding.
    I fully agree with what you say about being motivated by love in everything we do.
    It is a matter of fact that Christians disagree on a lot of issues, but I will not call all these issues disputable matters. Some are more foundational and important than others. In your list of disputable matters you include baptism. To me that is not disputable because the Bible is so clear and those who practice the sprinkling of babies do it more out of tradition than from the teaching of the Bible.
    However, I have good Lutheran, born again and Spirit filled friends, whom I appreciate and love and fellowship with, even though I believe that they are not baptised in water and tell them so. They believe that I have been re-baptised and therefore are baptised twice. We can live with our disagreement, but we are honest with one another with what we believe.
    I do not call people who do not tithe for thieves. But I will point out that God told the people of Israel that they were robbing him when they did not pay their tithe. If you do not believe in tithing but are generous in giving more than 10% to the work of God, who am I to judge you or call you a thieve? It is not those who do not believe in the principle of tithing that is robbing God in the first place, but those who do not give to God what belongs to him.
    To me tithing is not disputable. I can’t see how it can be for any believer who claims that 100% belongs to God, because the 100% includes more than the 10%. However, when it comes to the practicalities of tithing we run into a lot of disputable things as I have already mentioned above in a previous entry.
    May God continue to bless you my friend!

    Reply
  15. Waaren Avatar
    Waaren

    2010.08.10 Waaren’s contribution to the Gary R Reynolds-Erling Thu discussion
    Does the argument or discussion, for most [not for Erling and Gary] today, have more to do with “who/what” gets to be the one that receives the tithe / gifts for God?
    Who did Jacob/Israel give his tithe to?
    Who, other than Melchizedek, did Abraham give the tithe to?
    The children of Israel used a part of the tithe, so it would seem, to eat well with family and friends rejoicing and giving thanks in the presence of God (as well as seeing that the Levites were well taken care of).
    The real argument, for most [not for Erling and Gary] today, might have something to do with if an organization {“storehouse} with paid “elders / pastors”, big buildings, TV ministries, professional paid musicians, traveling expenses, etc. and many administrative costs should be getting the tithe / gifts today rather than a living organism.
    If someone else gets the tithe/gift rather than an organization [God forbid that part of it might be used for good food to share in hospitality with Christian family and friends in a home with rejoicing and giving of thanks to God], is that a failure to bring it to God?
    If we are really in Christ Jesus what law do we need, {perhaps, also including the law of tithing?} other than to believe on (trust) the Name of His Son Jesus Christ and to Love one another as He gave us commandment?
    To throw a red herring out on Baptism:
    Why were the Apostles wrong when they baptized in the Name of Jesus (Matthew seems to have done so as well, unless, just Peter baptized on Pentecost, which is highly doubtful {probably others that were baptized other than the Apostles baptized believers as well} – a horrible thought is that the Apostles themselves who had been baptized by John might have been baptized a second time in the Name of the Lord Jesus) instead of the Titles of Jesus (Father, Son and Holy Ghost)?
    Paul seems to have made the same mistake.
    I would guess that most in the early church made that same error until the Roman Catholic Church set them straight in the fourth century. But the Roman Catholic Church was probably enforcing some doctrines/traditions {baptize in the titles of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and not in the Name of Jesus, because Matthew so wrote and we understand best what was meant} of some of the elders that were already in practice and Rome thought most correct doctrinally. Plus by making it something only the clergy (paid servants) could do made a nicer separation between the clergy and laity more in keeping with the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.
    Did the doctrine/tradition of baptizing in the titles of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit possibly come from the practice of the Nicolaitans?
    Do most today do it correctly after the tradition of Rome or the Nicolaitans (most likely a tradition of Rome, perhaps not) so as to not fall in the error of the early church and the apostles by baptizing in the Name of the Lord Jesus?
    Romans 14 is very good Gary and perhaps, is not unworthy of memorizing. My tongue in cheek may show that I need to put it more in practice.
    I can throw out another issue later, but… Love one another as He gave us command. Thank Him at all times. Enjoy the journey of walking with Jesus.
    Love in the Mercy and Grace of God our Savior,
    Wåren
    Col. 3:15

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  16. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    Old Testament tithes included three different kinds of tithes. One of them was for priests/levites, one for yourself to eat in Jerusalem once in a year and one for the poor. Tithe for the poor was collected once in three years as far as I understand. So, the amount of tithes is much more than 10 %. The amount is at least 23,3 % in a year if the amount is divided equally in the longer period of time.
    Tithing system was for theocratical Israel. New Testament does not require tithing. Abraham gave tithe once and Jacob promised to give tithe once (if he gave it, is not certain) and both of them were not required to do so by God. Tithing was a common system in the ancient world, that both Abraham and Jacob followed without God’s command out of respect for God.
    We can give 10 %, but God doesn’t require it. All our life and property should be in God’s control so that we can take care of our families, poor people that are close to us and to support Christian work. Demanding 10 % from the new covenant believers is based not either on the Old testament nor on the New Testament Scriptures. It is a church tradition that is quit late and based on state church system.
    Regardless of this, you can give 10 % if you want, but it is not a law. If you want keep it as a law, it means that you are saved by Christ’s grace and by tithes i.e. by Christ and your own works, because Malachi says that you are cursed if you do not give tithes (in plural) and blessed if you give. According to this logic every one is cursed, because no one can give tithes according to the law of Moses.

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  17. Matt Avatar
    Matt

    ..correction: Malachi 3:8 tithe is in singular.

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  18. Henry Avatar
    Henry

    ear Erling et al,
    Happy New Year! I trust this finds you well.
    Tithing is one of the issues in the Bible that I believe is straight forward…and that most Men of God (aka Pastors) have come to use as a tool in taking advantage of the people of God. Hosea 4:6 is a play-on immediately.
    I have been reading contributions thus far in this rich, respectful, and religious discussion; and would like to submit that there are three distinct forms of tithing practiced in the Bible, but ONLY ONE is legitimate for the believer.
    1. Tithing as covenant
    2. Tithing as legalism
    3. Tithing as worship
    Below is a link discussing to some length the differences between the above forms of tithing.
    https://www.sermoncentral.com/pastors-preaching-articles/dean-shriver-can-we-preach-the-tithe-648
    Email: henryverdierjr@gmail.com

    Reply
  19. Erling Thu Avatar
    Erling Thu

    Dear Henry! I have just discovered your post in January 2023 where you are commenting on my entry from 2010 on thithing. I have read the article you are linking to and find it very interesting. God bless you!

    Reply

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