11.14.2007

"Is Tithing Biblical?"

The question:
The tithe is clearly taught in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament it seems to be downplayed. Are those of us who give 10 percent of our income doing something not required?
D. A. Carson answers here.
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2 comments:

Russell Earl Kelly said...

God does not bless or curse in proportion to tithimg. God never gave the Mosaic Law or tithing to the Church. See Ex 19;5-6; Ex 20:1-2; DEUT 5:1-2; LEV 27:34; MAL 4:4.

God is not pleased when we give 10%.. Most affluent Christians can and should give more but there is no percentage.

God will not curse the poor for not giving 10%. The poor never were required to tithe in the OT and 1 Tim 5:8 and 2 Cor 8:12-14 preclude it today.

See my book and web site: Should the Church Teach Tithing?

May God bless you. my friend.

November 14, 2007 at 3:18 PM
Unknown said...

So right now I'm struggling with hitting the magical 10% mark when I throw in all my bills and so on and that's been a constant weight on my mind this last year.

Carson's perspective is not one I hear often - most mainstream teachers seem to advocate that you give 10% regardless and have "faith" that God will meet your needs... And I like that idea, but my bill collectors don't appreciate it much when I get to the end of the month and am $50 short. Somehow I have to be pragmatic and live in faith with is an irritating balance.

Maybe I interpreted in wrong but if I were to paraphrase Carson's conclusion it would be "budget what you have to live within your means so that you can give as much to God as you can, whether that's 5% or 40% of your income". Would you agree with that statement?

Its an interesting perspective and one that seems to line up well with the New Testament. I also like it because a huge part of me would love to be able to give as much as possible - to be outrageously generous - and that's something I think is definitely Christ-like.

December 6, 2007 at 9:00 AM

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