Does Tithing apply Today?

[OBW]

Originally Posted by NeitherFirstnorLast

Tithing is a practice accepted, and rejected, by real Believers from all different walks of life. I have been one who tithed, and I have been one who did not. Ultimately, the Lord would have His way and show me His will in the matter. I would like to open up this discussion by asking others to contribute their portion on this.

I have had peace with my stance on the matter of tithing for many months, but what brought it to a head again in my life were two things which occurred some months ago:

The first was an unprovoked attack by a sister on my take on tithing - an attack that went beyond a mere exchange of verses and that instead became personal. The second was something said by one of the leaders in Anaheim - and what he said, in the context of tithing, was "...Whether you give 10%, 15%, or what you are prospered..."

There was no question in this leaders mind that tithing was mandatory, and that, in fact, 10% was the LEAST you ought to tithe. Where he got 15% from, I don't know... and, from the way he structured that sentence, it can be assumed that his belief was that to give what you are prospered is to give more than 15%.

When people support the idea of tithing, they usually site a number of very specific verses to support their position. The verse they start with is (inevitably) Malachi 3:8 "Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, 'How have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings." This, they say, is their Trump card. Not paying a tithe is robbing God.

Now, rather than respond to that question myself and end the conversation - let me ask you brethren: How would you answer one who says this?

There are too many verses that speak in too many directions to simply conclude that there is one answer. But as you start with Malachi, that one is specific to say that, whatever it is, it is a form of robbery to avoid it.

But what impresses me more than most of the conclusions that try to say either there is a specific tithe that we should do, or that there is no longer a tithe, is the attitudes of most who spend time trying to decide based on the technical analysis of scripture. In that analysis, they are either trying to prove that it is, or prove that it is not. They are, on one hand, trying to lay a burden upon others, or on the other hand, trying to avoid any responsibility in the matter. And the notion that the "tithe" may have been only a tenth of a tenth seems to be an effort in casting it off rather than in recognizing that there is a small burden required, but no limit to what God may ask of each of us.

While I am often not a proponent of the "me and my word from God," or "me and my Bible," I do believe that we should have some understanding with God of how to be involved in financing the church and its ministry(ies). I am not talking just about the LRC, or just about the things that happen within the building that is used for some Christian gathering. I am talking about the whole of true Christian ministry, including the making a way for some to give their time to study and teaching, missions, etc.

But if you just can't seem to conclude that it is your responsibility at all, then maybe having some appreciation for the specific commands from scripture, even if mainly OT, that made the job of funding the practical aspects of the church everyone's, not just the rich. It might be better to at least have the sense that you should work toward a tithe, whatever that is, even if your reality is only to be able to give a little.

And in our rather mainstream Christian group, we have never taken a special offering because of a guest speaker. It isn't even mentioned as a reason to "dig in deeper" for the one passing of the baskets. We may not hide our offering box in a slot in the wall somewhere, but there is never some special effort requiring separate passings of the baskets. We take what we get and use it.

So. Is there a requirement for a "tithe"? Maybe not. But we should have the sense before God that there is a requirement — some requirement. Not just a suggestion.