[oatmeal]

What does scripture teach about tithing and giving in general?

What does God promise to those who tithe, those who give of themselves?

Luke 6:38

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

God in not any less powerful now than in Malachi’s time.

Malachi 3:6-12

“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them . Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it .

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.”

What else does God promise when we honor Him with the firstfruits of all our increase?

Proverbs 3:9-10

“ Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

Is simply giving enough? is there a right heart to giving?

Matthew 23:23

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

The scribes and Pharisees, the hypocrites, they tithed.
Are you not better than those scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites?

Abraham, whom God calls the father of all them that believe tithed.

Abraham, the father of all those that believe gave tithes of all.

Genesis 14:18-20

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Giving of God's abundance to our lives simply acknowledges that we know that all we have is not ours, but God's.

II Corinthians 9:6-11

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

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:

(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

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

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.”

Who here has God enriched in every thing to all bountifulness?

God has certainly enriched my life.

Is it not more blessed to give than to receive?

Why do you suppose that is true?

oatmeal

[bybee]

Originally Posted by oatmeal

What does scripture teach about tithing and giving in general?

What does God promise to those who tithe, those who give of themselves?

Luke 6:38

"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."

God in not any less powerful now than in Malachi’s time.

Malachi 3:6-12

“For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them . Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it .

And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.

And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.”

What else does God promise when we honor Him with the firstfruits of all our increase?

Proverbs 3:9-10

“ Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

Is simply giving enough? is there a right heart to giving?

Matthew 23:23

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”

The scribes and Pharisees, the hypocrites, they tithed.
Are you not better than those scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites?

Abraham, whom God calls the father of all them that believe tithed.

Abraham, the father of all those that believe gave tithes of all.

Genesis 14:18-20

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:

And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.”

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Giving of God's abundance to our lives simply acknowledges that we know that all we have is not ours, but God's.

II Corinthians 9:6-11

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

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:

(As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

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

Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.”

Who here has God enriched in every thing to all bountifulness?

God has certainly enriched my life.

Is it not more blessed to give than to receive?

Why do you suppose that is true?

oatmeal

I am the steward of my God-given time, talent and resources. I must use them wisely. I do share my resources with those in need.
Those lazy tubs of excrement who have an attitude of entitlement do not deserve my help.

[oatmeal]

Originally Posted by bybee

I am the steward of my God-given time, talent and resources. I must use them wisely. I do share my resources with those in need.
Those lazy tubs of excrement who have an attitude of entitlement do not deserve my help.

You get right to the point, don't you!

Good for you!

Wisdom is the principal thing!

oatmeal

[GaryArnold]

You are trying to mix firstfruits, giving, and tithing, and all three are separate and have nothing to do with each other.

Luke 6:36 says nothing about money. You are taking the verse out of context.

You quote Malachi 3:6-12 which doesn't apply to Christians. Malachi 3:7 (KJV) “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ORDINANCES, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?”

ORDINANCES NAILED TO THE CROSS:
Colossians 2:14 (KJV) “Blotting out the handwriting of ORDINANCES that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

Proverbs 3:9 (KJV) “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:”

The verse reads HONOUR the Lord with thy substance (wealth), not give to the Lord your wealth. The verse does not say honour the Lord with a tenth of your wealth, or give to the Lord a tenth of your wealth.

How does one honor the Lord with their wealth? I believe the best way I can honor the Lord with my wealth is to be a good steward of that wealth and use it to glorify the Lord the best I can.

The verse reads AND with the firstfruits of all thine increase. In other words, HONOUR the Lord with the firstfruits of all your produce, or crops (Hebrew word definition). Doesn’t say give to the Lord the firstfruits of your produce, or crops. That comes later in the Word.

For those who say that all thine increase can also mean all your income, read the next verse:

Proverbs 3:10 (KJV) “So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

Verse 10 makes it clear that increase in verse 9 is referring to the crops and not income.

In Matthew 23:23 Jesus refers to "matters of the law," which ended at the cross.

Abram gave a tenth of war spoils to Melchizedek and KEPT NOTHING FOR HIMSELF. He gave away 100% of it. Furthermore, there is no scripture that says Abraham ever gave a tenth of his income.

Tithing was a PAYMENT, and had nothing to do with giving. Jesus said so in Matthew 23:23.

Tithing ended at the cross per Hebrews 7:5,12,18.

You don't understand the Biblical tithe.

When God gave the Israelites the promised land, He RESERVED, for Himself, a tenth of the crops and every tenth animal. They NEVER did belong to the Israelites. In other words, the tithe was from God's increase of FOOD, not from man's income. It was a way to distribute FOOD to the Levites and priests who did NOT inherit any land.

No one, not even the farmers, tithed on their income.

The farmers made their income by SELLING and/or barter-exchanging their crops and animals but did NOT tithe on that income.

Today, ALL born-again believers are priests. ALL of us are called to be deciples of the Lord. No one of us is higher than another. Our bodies are the Temple where the Spirit dwells. According to the scriptures, priests do not tithe.

[Princely]

Yes but how is that connected with how you are saved when the son of man and the Father have said; "By your words you'll be justified or by your words you'll be condemned." You misunderstand scripture and the power of God.

It is written in the prophets;

"The Lord guides the humble to justice and He teaches the meek His way."

"Faithfulness has disappeared, the word of God is gone from their speech."

"They will be my people and I will be their God with faithfulness and justice."

Those are not my words they come from the Lord who sent me. I came down from heaven to do His will not my own. Anyone who chooses to do His will shall know about this teaching,namely if it comes from God or I am simply speaking on my own. Whoever speaks on his own seeks his own glory but whoever seeks the glory of the One who sent him is truthful and there is no dishonesty in his heart.

No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born from above. No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and spirit.

The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. I am the good shepherd.

I am son of man, servant of the Most High.

" The Lord redeems the lives of His servants"

"Seek the Lord so you will live."

[oatmeal]

Originally Posted by GaryArnold

You are trying to mix firstfruits, giving, and tithing, and all three are separate and have nothing to do with each other.

Luke 6:36 says nothing about money. You are taking the verse out of context.

You quote Malachi 3:6-12 which doesn't apply to Christians. Malachi 3:7 (KJV) “Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ORDINANCES, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?”

ORDINANCES NAILED TO THE CROSS:
Colossians 2:14 (KJV) “Blotting out the handwriting of ORDINANCES that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;”

Proverbs 3:9 (KJV) “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:”

The verse reads HONOUR the Lord with thy substance (wealth), not give to the Lord your wealth. The verse does not say honour the Lord with a tenth of your wealth, or give to the Lord a tenth of your wealth.

How does one honor the Lord with their wealth? I believe the best way I can honor the Lord with my wealth is to be a good steward of that wealth and use it to glorify the Lord the best I can.

The verse reads AND with the firstfruits of all thine increase. In other words, HONOUR the Lord with the firstfruits of all your produce, or crops (Hebrew word definition). Doesn’t say give to the Lord the firstfruits of your produce, or crops. That comes later in the Word.

For those who say that all thine increase can also mean all your income, read the next verse:

Proverbs 3:10 (KJV) “So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.”

Verse 10 makes it clear that increase in verse 9 is referring to the crops and not income.

In Matthew 23:23 Jesus refers to "matters of the law," which ended at the cross.

Abram gave a tenth of war spoils to Melchizedek and KEPT NOTHING FOR HIMSELF. He gave away 100% of it. Furthermore, there is no scripture that says Abraham ever gave a tenth of his income.

Tithing was a PAYMENT, and had nothing to do with giving. Jesus said so in Matthew 23:23.

Tithing ended at the cross per Hebrews 7:5,12,18.

You don't understand the Biblical tithe.

When God gave the Israelites the promised land, He RESERVED, for Himself, a tenth of the crops and every tenth animal. They NEVER did belong to the Israelites. In other words, the tithe was from God's increase of FOOD, not from man's income. It was a way to distribute FOOD to the Levites and priests who did NOT inherit any land.

No one, not even the farmers, tithed on their income.

The farmers made their income by SELLING and/or barter-exchanging their crops and animals but did NOT tithe on that income.

Today, ALL born-again believers are priests. ALL of us are called to be deciples of the Lord. No one of us is higher than another. Our bodies are the Temple where the Spirit dwells. According to the scriptures, priests do not tithe.

Gary,

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 is not written to the church.

You really want ignore those verses?

God's word was written to the people of those times who lived in a far different culture than we live in.

Does that mean that truth does not transcend culture, times and technology?

If they had been all rocket scientists, you would still make excuses.

oatmeal

oatmeal

[Bradley D]

It is not about giving the 10% it is about giving all of yourself to God.

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" (Mark 12:41-44).

[oatmeal]

Originally Posted by Bradley D

It is not about giving the 10% it is about giving all of yourself to God.

"And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" (Mark 12:41-44).

Good call.

Having our heart right in the sight of God, do we then get cheap and not financially support those who have chosen to serve God without a secular job to support themselves?

Personally, that would take courage on my part that I have yet to see.

oatmeal

[GaryArnold]

Originally Posted by oatmeal

Gary,

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 is not written to the church.

You really want ignore those verses?

God's word was written to the people of those times who lived in a far different culture than we live in.

Does that mean that truth does not transcend culture, times and technology?

If they had been all rocket scientists, you would still make excuses.

oatmeal

oatmeal

Deut. 6:4-5 is not written to the Church. Correct. But look at Matthew 22:37.

Only that from the Old Testament which is REPEATED in the New Testament is spoken to Christians.

The New Testament teaches generous, sacrificial giving, from the heart, according to our means. For some, $1 might be a sacrifice, while for others, even giving 50% of their income might not induce a sacrifice. In the Old Testament, ONLY the farmers tithed, and it was a tenth. The New Testament teaches the principle of equal sacrifice instead of a tenth. Equal sacrifice is much harder to achieve, if not impossible, than giving a tenth.

Being Spirit led instead of OT law led, I find myself giving far, far more than a mere tenth of my income.