Just make sure to send in your tithe…
There have been several good posts recently about tithing.
Guy at “The M Blog” wrote a post called “Kingdom giving trumps storehouse tithing.”
BeckyLynn wrote a post called “Old vs. New, Part III (II Corinthians 8 & 9)” for her church’s website.
Both of these authors conclude that Christians are not obligated to “pay their tithe” to their local church, but instead are to give generously to those who are in need.
This is a hot topic today, especially as more and more people question the modern church organizational system. Without the tithe, of course, the entire system falls apart.
I like it because it was written by someone who receives money from the institution.
One of the best posts I have read in a long time (except of course all off yours Alan 🙂 )
Alan,
I recommend both posts. They ought to have a wider audience..
Are the tuition payments of SEBTS students who are Southern Baptist not supplemented (though very little) by SBC tithes? How would a school like SEBTS be run with its denominational affiliation without them? Do you pay a ‘full rate’ (a non-SBC rate, I suppose) for your tuition?
Swanny,
Yes, it was. Guy has written some good posts about giving and tithing in relation to his role.
Aussie John,
I agree.
Josh,
Does SEBTS’ practice affect what Scripture says about tithing?
-Alan
The lie of the “Tithe.”
When you believe the lie you start to die…
Seems in my antiquated KJV the “Tithe” was NEVER silver, gold or money. 😉
Seems the “Tithe” in the OT was always food to be eaten and/or sacrificed to God. Burnt on an alter.
When was the last time you saw “The Corrupt Religious System” sacrifice, burn,
a Washington, $1,00, and a Lincoln, $5.00, on an alter? 😉
I rejoice – I’m no longer under the law – or under a curse…
I’m now free to hear God’s voice – and give His money where and when He tells me.
Here’ a few verses about the OT “Tithe” being for you and your family…
That I never heard preached from the pulpit when I was in
“the Corrupt Religious System.”
Deut 14:22-26
Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.
23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.
24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee:
25* Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose:
26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household,
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall “hear My voice; “
and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
John 10:16
One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
Alan: Nope. My questions now?
A. Amos Love,
You’re right. In the OT, the tithe was primarily given as food to those who could not support themselves.
Josh,
Yes, tuition as SEBTS is supplemented by money given from SBC churches, and I would assume that most people consider that a “tithe”. A school like SEBTS would continue to be run with the “tithe” if people supported the school in other ways. Actually, I didn’t pay anything for tuition.
-Alan
How can you say that without the tithe the church falls apart? That is like saying, without the Temple and animal sacrifices the church falls apart. Both are purely law the way Jesus used the terms.
Most do not tithe anyway. The NT teaches freewill sacrificial giving and the Church and Gentiles never were under the Old Covenant Law.
Martin Luther, John MacArthur, Talbot SChool of the Bible, Dallas Theological Seminary all thrive/d without teaching tithing. We are either under all of the law or none of it.
Russell,
Check my post again. I didn’t say that without the tithe the church falls apart.
-Alan