Struggling with your tithe?

[stevenberry]

I have 2 children and a new health condition that makes it difficult to do my job without causing significant pain. At the end of the month I have at most 20 dollars after paying all bills. My children need medication daily, and if they go without for more than 4 days, the threat of death is imminent. This has inspired me to tithe my entire income for the month. I will soon be able to pay all of the bills and enjoy my life. Thank the Lord. Thank you tithing.

[AndySaenz]

I love his voice! So peaceful and confident and paternal.

[InTouchMinistries]

Take a look at Ephesians, chapter 2 - particularly verses 8-10. Salvation is a gift from God and not based on any work we perform. When we are made alive in Christ, we desire to do good works... and we become a new person with godly desires, including obedience and generosity. But these works do not save us - it is because we are saved that we want to do them. We hope this helps.

[Blessseddbb]

1:16 great faith is giving and knowing that God will supply your needs I claim it ❤

[michaelgriswold]

I find a New Testament teaching on giving helpful 1 Corinthians 16:2 & 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: 1 Corinthians 16:2 says: "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." This passage brings out four points: we should give individually, regularly, methodically and proportionately. The matter of your giving is between you and God (not the pastor and/or anyone else), and He always takes into account our circumstances. He knows when they are beyond our power to direct and control. The important thing is that we see giving as a privilege and not a burden. It should not be out of a sense of duty, but rather out of love for the Lord and a desire to see His kingdom advanced. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says: "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." The deeper question, you see, is this: What has priority in our lives? Is Christ really first or do we put ourselves and our own desires first? Make sure Christ is first in your life, and then ask Him to guide you.

[racheljay]

Thank you so much Dr. Charles Stanley - The first time I heard your voice, i knew it was the voice of the Holy Spirit. I thank God for you as I have learnt and gained so much knowledge, power, blessings and grace from your teachings. I've began to understand the Father on a deeper level like never before. I start my mornings each day listening to your daily radio msgs and have been blessed exceeding, abundantly above all i could ask or think. May our glorious Father bless you richly!

[RaiderRSupastar]

Tithing is NOT the only thing. The Bible said in Proverbs 28:27 to take care of the poor and you will not lack anything or curses come unto you. Proverbs 19:17 said if you give to the poor that you are lending to the Lord

[guopa]

In a nutshell. I present to you The three tithes mentioned in the Bible:
Levitical Tithe: 10% of one's income or produce, given annually to support the Levites. Leviticus 27:30-33 and Numbers 18:21-24
Festival Tithe: An additional 10% of one's income or produce, also given annually, to be used for religious festivals and celebrations. Deuteronomy 14:22-27
Poor Tithe: This tithe was collected every third year and also amounted to 10% of one's income or produce for that year, to support the poor and needy. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 and Deuteronomy 26:12-13.

To calculate the total amount of tithing over a three-year period, one would:

Pay the Levitical Tithe (10%) every year (Annually, not every Sunday).
The Levitical Tithe: This is the primary tithe, given to support the Levites, who were the tribe of Israel set apart to serve in the temple and had no inheritance of their own. This tithe is mentioned in Leviticus 27:30-33 and Numbers 18:21-24. It constituted one-tenth of a person's produce or income.

Pay the Festival Tithe (10%) every year (Annually, not every Sunday).
The Festival Tithe: This tithe was set aside for religious festivals and feasts, as described in Deuteronomy 14:22-27. It was meant to support the celebration of holy days and to be shared with the Levites and others in need.

Pay the Poor Tithe (10%) every third year.
The Poor Tithe: Also known as the "third-year tithe, " this was given every third year to support the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows. It is mentioned in Deuteronomy 14:28-29 and Deuteronomy 26:12-13.

So, in a three-year cycle, the breakdown would be:

Year 1: 10% (Levitical) + 10% (Festival) = 20%. Leviticus 27:30-33 and Numbers 18:21-24
Year 2: 10% (Levitical) + 10% (Festival) = 20%. Deuteronomy 14:22-27
Year 3: 10% (Levitical) + 10% (Festival) + 10% (Poor) = 30%. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 and Deuteronomy 26:12-13.
Thus, over three years, the total amount given would be 20% + 20% + 30% = 70% of one's income or produce, with an average of approximately 23.3% per year. This is Biblical tithing, the current churches do not teach this truth.

Churches today are misleading people and it is clear that the form of tithing being done today is absolutely unbiblical. Tithing is more than just 10 percent, and it's not supposed to be dished out every Sunday or every week but annually/seasonally. That is under the law of the Old Testament. In the New Testament it Paul recognized that Jesus did not abolish tithing, he added to it, not in law, but in the freedom to give and receive. Hebrews 7:8 (NIV) "In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living."
Paul writes this after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus- maybe decades after. Paul discusses the concept of tithes and priesthood in the context of Jesus' eternal priesthood in the book of Hebrews, particularly in Hebrews 7. In this verse, Paul contrasts the mortal Levitical priests, who collect tithes and eventually die, with Jesus, who is "declared to be living" and holds an eternal priesthood. This implies that Jesus, in his eternal priesthood, is in a position similar to Melchizedek's, who received tithes from Abraham. Melchizedek is presented as a type or foreshadowing of Christ's eternal priesthood. Just as Melchizedek received tithes from Abraham, Jesus, as a priest in the order of Melchizedek, is implied to be worthy of receiving tithes. Jesus' priesthood is eternal and superior to the Levitical priesthood, which suggests that he holds a continual and everlasting role in interceding for believers.

While the text does not explicitly say that Jesus physically receives tithes today, it symbolically aligns the giving of tithes to the eternal priesthood of Jesus. This means that when believers give, it can be seen as an act of worship and honor to Christ, who is their eternal high priest. The emphasis is on the spiritual and eternal nature of Jesus' priesthood, suggesting that acts of giving, including tithes, are directed towards Jesus in a spiritual sense, recognizing his perpetual priesthood.

Paul’s statements in Hebrews 7, especially verse 8, suggests that Jesus, as the eternal high priest in the order of Melchizedek, is symbolically in a position to receive tithes, emphasizing the spiritual significance of giving as an act of worship to Christ. While Paul does not explicitly state that Jesus "receives tithes" in the same way as the Levitical priests, he makes a significant comparison between the Levitical priesthood and the priesthood of Melchizedek, to which Jesus belongs.

Paul recounts how Abraham gave a tenth (tithe) of everything to Melchizedek, who was both a king and a priest (Hebrews 7:1-2). He argues that Melchizedek's priesthood is superior to the Levitical priesthood because Levi, the ancestor of the Levitical priests, effectively paid tithes through Abraham (Hebrews 7:4-10).


Having said all that, Paul points out that Jesus does receive tithes today. Just in case you missed it, Hebrews 7:8 (NIV) In the one case, the tenth is collected by people who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. Pretty clear to me that the present day ministry of Jesus includes receiving tithes from believers. What does appear to be true is that tithing is not a NT law. It is not compulsory. If anything, it is superseded by a higher law of free will giving. Just as Abraham first gave a tenth in response to Gods deliverance, so believers today are free to give from their own heart an amount or frequency they deem appropriate. Notice it is a higher law, not an escape from tithing. A higher law has greater consequences. Giving and receiving is written about many times in the NT and one would have to be willfully blind to say it is not true. The main principle to follow is not whether tithing is or isn’t under the law, or is or isn’t done away with. The main principle is do we have something better?

Hebrews 8:6
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

ALL argument about tithing is concerned with being free from tithing as if it is wicked or onerous. The fact is the new covenant is a better covenant than the old. Tithing was a blessing, not a curse, under the old. We have something better, which is not freedom from tithing, but freedom to give and receive as much as one wants from the heart.
In that context, if one tithes from the heart, the OT blessings are still relevant today. Tithing is the beginning of giving and blessings, not the end. we have a new and better covenant with better promises. Learn those promises and practice believing God instead of avoiding God and the blessing that goes with tithing will be seen to be true today.

The Biblical Perspective in the NT on giving.
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 (NIV):
"Don't you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel."

1 Corinthians 16:2 provides a structured approach to charitable giving within the early Christian community, emphasizing regular, proportional, and intentional contributions to support those in need. Paul, the apostle, gives instructions to the church in Corinth regarding the collection of funds for the saints in Jerusalem. It reads: "On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made."

Paul is instructing the Corinthians to make their contributions regularly, specifically on Sunday, which is the day Christians gather to worship. This reflects the early Christian practice of meeting on the first day of the week, commemorating Jesus' resurrection. He emphasizes that every member of the community should participate in this act of giving. Each person is to give according to their financial ability. So contributions are based on what one has, ensuring fairness.

[Mcfirefly]

Not 10%, but it all belongs to God. We need to give out of love, not out of a legal obligation. 10% is the amount of the tithe (which was not money, BTW!), but those who have more really ought to bear more of the burden than a mere 10%, and those struggling to survive not so much, but both only freely give, not under compulsion. And we should consider what we are giving to, also.

[InTouchMinistries]

--> "Will a Christian go to hell if he does not tithe?"

The yes/no answer is: A Christian will not go to hell. It doesn't matter what work he fails to perform. If he is saved by the grace of God, he will go to heaven. Here is a wonderful quote from Dr. Stanley's book "Eternal Security":

"Does it make any sense to say that salvation is offered as a salvation for our sin and then to turn around and teach that salvation can be taken away because of our sin as well?"

[rachelzepeda]

Pastor Charles Stanley is a wonderful pastor, he always has such wonderful messages.

[rv]

Where is a new testament believer instructed to tithe? Jesus commended the Pharisees for tithing, but since Jesus hadn't died yet, they were still under the old covenant...

[kylemanningjcic]

I have some questions for Charles Stanley and In Touch Ministries that I hope you guys are willing to answer a Eternal Security believing Christian. 1.Who did The First Generation Gentile Christians pay Tithes to? Meaning the first Gentiles who became Christians after Jesus's Death, Burial, and Resurrection, like Cornelius who Peter ministered salvation to in the Bible of Acts. Was it the Apostles and Disciples like Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, James Jude, Peter, Paul, Thomas, Timothy, or Titus? 2. Did Jesus himself ever receive Tithes during his earthly Ministery? 3. Did Jesus as a Carpenter pay Tithes while here on earth? 4.Can you give me any examples of either Christians or Jews paying Tithes using Money instead of the Children of Israel standards for paying Tithes in using Crops and Cattle?

[garyhawkins]

God only wants a JOYFUL GIVER.Tithing was old covenant. We're under New Covenant

[deedubb]

That makes no sense. The church is the body of believers not the building we call the church. God is inside of every believer. Your not giving to God by giving to the church leaders and they get to decide on how the money is spent. The Old Testament law on tithing was to be done by The children of Israel only not mankind. In fact Gentiles weren't even allowed in the Temple. The 3 Tithes went to where God directed it to go. Also there were 5 offerings that had to be offered when you committed certain sins. When malachi 3:8 tells the CHILDREN of ISRAEL ONLY to bring your tithes and offerings to the storehouse. Its talking about the store room inside the Temple. Not you local church. In fact Christ did not start the church yet. Hezekiah had the people build a store room to put the offerings in once the people start giving again
2 chronicles 31:11 Once Jesus came and saved the Gentiles we never were, nor do we have to start trying to keep the Mosaic Law which the rues for tithes and offerings was giving. Galatians 3:1. It is CRUEL and DISHONEST that church leaders trick their members to believing God wants you to give them 10% of your money, and by giving it to them means your giving it to God. Once again YOU are the church and God is in YOU!!!! YOU are the new 1 corinthians 6:19 Ephesian 4:4 1 corinthians 1:2

[Truth-of-the-matter]

Regardless of your beliefs surrounding the tithe I think its important to note that most people don't give. I think we have become so focused on our needs (what new car we will drive, how big our next house will be, how extravagant our next vacation will be we forget to even give the smallest amount to those in need. Our life is not supposed to be set up on the glorification of ourselves but like Jesus taught to be in service to others. I don't think we need to give away everything until we are literally poor (as that doesn't help anyone) but as God gives so should we and giving should be natural for us not something we have to think and argue about. If you take tithing from the premise of furthering the Kingdom of God and also helping yourself to be more generous (from the heart) you will be less selfish in your motives. As many have said tithing is not for the benefit of God (He alone can take care of every need) but for us to remind us that giving should be a joy and God appreciates and blesses those who are genuine at heart when helping others. Jesus mentioned this when He talked about recognizing Him in the homeless or poor person and offering them food and water.

[TheHopeofIsraelWorldwide]

I am so blessed to be able to Tithe thanks so much for this great message. God Bless you and this ministry.

[asphaltking]

Not a salvation issue but God give it because he wants to bless us. Faith brings blessings!

[bibletruth]

Truth being told, you should not be teaching "tithing".  Tithing was agriculture for the Nation of  Israel and part of the law the Jews in Israel only.  Show me one person who tithed AFTER Jesus went to the cross, Dr. Stanley... Tithing implies 10th and it implies a ongoing payment, which is under the law and deceptive to Christians.  Why do you use the word "tithe"?

[kenishagraham]

Please point me to the scriptures that commands us to tithe in the New Covenant... I believe in giving freely as God as bless us.... I believe if pastors allow Members to give freely as the Holy Spirit directs them... the church would receive more....