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Seth Freeman
Supporter
II Corinthians 9:6,7 - Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Tithing was an OT practice that you are no longer under. As a Christian, you are called to give generously from your heart. I would recommend you spend some time in solitude and prayer asking the Lord what He wants you to give. Paul is clear with the Corinthians that giving shouldn't be something we do out of compulsion. You should never be guilted into giving, or feel guilty because you're not giving more. You are not required to give a set amount every week. Give what you can, when you can, and when you are called to.
David Robinson
Supporter
While I agree that we are under no legal obligation to tithe, there are many valid reasons a Christian might choose to continue the practice. Those reasons have been discussed in detail in answers to other tithing questions. Based on the wording of your question, I assume you have recognized the benefits of applying this principle to your life, you've made a commitment to tithing and are now simply sorting out the details on how to go about it in a way that honors and pleases God. First, since tithing is not a commandment for NT Christians, but a biblical principle designed to benefit us as God's children, we should be careful not to view our giving as compulsory or to take a legalistic approach to the tithe. As best I can tell from scripture, God does not count pennies. If we forget to include a portion of our income, if we make a math error, or if we simply choose not to tithe, He does not get mad at us and He still loves us just as much. That's all because of Jesus. However, if you have chosen to tithe and you want to be faithful to the biblical principles undergirding the practice, then the answer to your question is, yes. The income generated from investments is part of your increase and is subject to the tithe under the guidelines we see in scripture. Including your investment income (and all other increase) as you give to God "His tithes and your offerings" demonstrates your love for Him (and those helped by what you give), your desire to honor Him through your giving, and your understanding of and gratitude for His having provided all your needs. When rightly understood, there is tremendous beauty and grace in the principles and practice of tithing. Mr. Freeman's recommendation to you above is solid and wise. I prayed for guidance years ago and I firmly believe that God led me to tithe early on in my Christian walk. The practice has brought me great joy and God has blessed me immeasurably through His grace and mercy. I don't have space here to recount all the blessings. I fail God in so many ways... at least I can honor Him faithfully in this way. For me, tithing is also a tool to help me practice the spiritual discipline of giving. It keeps me from giving a little, thinking I have given a lot. It's similar to a cruise control on a car. I use mine whenever practical to keep me from going too fast or too slow. A friend told me once that she did not believe in tithing, but that she gave much more than ten percent annually to her church and other charities. When I challenged her to check the charitable deductions claimed on her tax returns against her income, she discovered that she was giving less than 1% of her total annual income. It's easy to deceive ourselves. She has been tithing ever since! Although the rules changed (halleluiah!) when Jesus finished His work on earth, God, Himself hasn't changed and neither have the life principles He has given us follow. If we choose follow those principles, He will be honored and we will be blessed.
Chandravir Ahuja
Supporter
When looking at money the starting point for me is that it all belongs to God. (Not just salary but our assets and the investment income generated by them). We are called to be faithful stewards. Give wisely and generously. I do agree that tithe predates law but it is not obligation but a love of God that should motivate you. In my opinion 10 percent is a minimum that we should give.
Abram Cantu
Supporter
The New Testament does not state how much to give it only states how to give. God does not expect us to give 10 % he expects us to give freely if it means more then it should be more. Do we really think God wants your money when you really don't want to give with your heart. And if tithing is an obligation then we must apply the rest of the Law of the OT circumcision dietary laws and all of the OT laws. Jesus criticized the Pharisees for leaving out the most important thing which was justice, mercy, and faith and besides it was never meant to give 10% of income it was food it is in black or red how ever your bible is printed Mint cumin rue was part of the tithe. Now Abram gave tithe of the spoils he did not give from his riches which on was his own free will not a mandate form God and Jacob made a proposal with God if you bless me I will give you tithe notice "IF" Some may argue that the reason for giving food was because there was no money available at the time.The word "money" in the Bible refers to gold and silver, the two forms of currency used in that part of the world during Biblical times. Looking at the King James Version, the book also specifically mentions gold 417 times and silver 320 times. Gold is referenced more often in the Bible than any other metal. It is mentioned already in the story of Adam and Eve in the second book of Genesis, verses 11-12, speaking of the land of Havilah "where there is gold; and the gold of that land is good." Silver first appears in Genesis 13:2, telling of Abram's "riches of cattle, silver, and gold." In the New Testament things change it is money that we must give let us see the Verse where the widow gave a few coins Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” She gave with her heart its sad that many do not want to accept the true gospel of God preached by Our Savior. why wasn't she criticized by Jesus why didn't he tell her to give 10 percent.Why do some pastors still preach Law and not Grace. I am not saying we should not give it is an obligation of a Christian to give to the works of God.
jeff vinci
Supporter
Tithing was first seen when Abraham tithed to Melchizedek (an Old Testament manifestation of Christ - Heb 7) well before the Law was given in Lev 27. Tithing was before the law, therefore it is not done away with the law. Paul never commanded Christians in the New Testament to tithe because he did not want to lower the standard that far. For examples of New Testament giving, see acts 2, acts 4, and 2 Cor 8.
Ojumu Gabriel
Supporter
All scriptures is given by the inspiration of God,therefore paying of tithe is expected of us today. Jesus made mention of it and for that reason it is a must of every true believer to pay tithe today. God bless you.
Alex Korulla
Supporter
God owns everything, including our money. All our possessions are under his authority, so God doesn't need our money. God is working through us. Then who needs the money? Churches need the money to do the day-to-day activities. We need to give money for helping people to evangelize the world and also to do charity work, pay the hospital bill, school fees, helping a poor person to meet the needs of his family, etc, etc... We should feel the need and give as much as we can, and as long as we can give for the worthwhile projects. Do not give money to church activities out of emotion, but give it out of love, and give in a systematic and planned way to carry on the work to expand the Kingdom of God. We should be generous in giving for the Gospel work. Rev. Dr. Alex Korulla
roger lopez
Supporter
Tithing has nothing to do with what we don't have but what we do. The principal in both old and new is the same. It's not what you have, it's what you produce. In Israel's time, the temple was the seat of government. That is why it's stated, "Bring the whole tithe." In current times Jesus separated the government from the church. In Matt 22:21 Jesus said, "Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." After the government has determined what you owe them for the current year, the rest belongs to God. Tithe on that. God doesn't want what we have--he wants our obedience. In acts 5:4 Ananias was told, "While it remained was it not your own, and when it was sold was it not in your own control?" God does not want to control our money. He wants to open up a window and pour us out a blessing that we can't contain (Mal 3:10-11). And he wants us to be able to rebuke the devourer that wants to take it. All god wants is obedience to His Word. We need to keep this in mind: KISS - (Keep it simple, stupid). Too often we make things too complicated. That's why God refers to us as the "sheep" of his pasture. Sheep are simple stupid, smelly creatures that get lost when they lose sight of the shepherd.
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