Comments on: The Lords Tithe – Should A Christian Pay Tithes To The Church? – Part 1

By: Angus

Angus — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 21:22:45 +0000

Why do pastors think that they have a priestly role? We have a High Priest in the line of Melchizedeck and because we all have access to intimate relationship with him we need no other itermediary.
The role of pastor is to provide an example to lead us into this relationship with our High Priest.
The terrestrial role of priest is actually upon us all as intermediaries between Jesus and the world who don’t know him “we are a priestly nation”.
Even Paul had a income earning vocation while he was working as a missionary and when he did benefit from the gifts of the beleivers it was in the manner of the ox treading the grain or the workers taking advantage of the produce left in the corners of the paddocks.
My take on this whole giving thing is that if we regard ourselves as having being bought for a price by our Lord, and if we have freely placed our selves in servitutde to him, why are we concerned about how much we give of our time and money? It is all his anyway. Beleivers should share everything so that nobody experiences need and if the work of the Lord interferes with a persons ability to provide for their family we should provide for them according to our own ability. This is the way the early church operated.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 20:01:10 +0000

Some bible translations say in 2nd Corinthian 9:7 Decide same as purpose, This is obviously an instruction to voluntarily GIVE not to pay what Jesus already paid for!
Know the truth (Jesus) and the truth will set you free!

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:58:28 +0000

I grant you that Abraham gave a one time tenth of someone else’s property from what God caused him to win from the loot from the war but how is voluntarily giving a tenth one time a good example of continual faithful tithing. God did not ask him so this was not a mandate by God. Abraham was also circumcised and circumcised his son on the eight day! Be consistent or else you come off as twisting the bible to suit the tithe law so you can boast of tithing. I give according to 2nd Corinthian 9:7 As I purposed (some bibles decide) often it is even more but I never try to pay call for what Jesus already said paid in full for.
Until people get a revelation of Grace (unearned favor) and that we can ask for Grace (favor for free in Jesus name) the pride, greed and prosperity gospel will continue to be a blight on the body of Christ and steal the Lord’s glory for the payment he alone made!

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:49:47 +0000

These Scriptures speak for themselves. Pray for a Revelation of Grace (unearned favor and what Jesus meant by paid in full)

John 1:16 “And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace”.

John 1:17 “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ”

Acts 13:39 “and through him everyone who believes is FREED from ALL THINGS, from which you could not be freed through the law of Moses.

Galatians 3:10 ” All who rely on the law are under a curse, for it is written cursed is everyone who does Not continue to do EVERYTHING written in the book of the law.

EVERYTHING INCLUDES: Keep the Sabbath by resting from all activity on Friday night to SATURDAY Night and attend Church on Saturday not Sunday, NO pork, circumcision of male babies on the 8th day which Abraham also did!

Will you tithe boasters get a clue, there is no mention of mandatory tithing after Jesus died and said Paid in full. Matthew 23:23 Jesus placed mercy before tithing but he had not yet died on the Cross and please note the Pharisees were still under the law this was said Before the Cross !

By: The Lion

The Lion — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 04:26:16 +0000

I thought of one other observation; when we as Gentiles were accepted into the Beloved, He died for the remission of our sins…Hebrews 9:20-24, 28. The resurrection took place many years ago, but his death is applicable for those that believe, and those that shall confess that Jesus is Lord and he died and was raised on the third day being the child of God.

Elijah and the woman at the gate, that teaches me that God is always working behind the scene with established provisions to support the appointed promise. Now that I now and understand what I know about Malachi, I must search the scripture concerning tithing in the New Testament, which is active after Jesus was resurrected and not before.

Luke 18:10-14 Jesus speaks of the parable of the Pharisee and the publican, one was justified and one exalted himself . The Pharisee said he give tithes. The publican was standing afar off, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner…humble.

Hebrews 7:5, 6, 8-9 (opening my understanding the more concerning the priest, and the Levi, the Law and Abraham…)

Tithing was done according to the Law, and we are no longer under the Law, we are under Grace.

If there are other scriptures in the bible concerning tithes after Hebrews, I am unaware and I stand to be informed.

By: The Lion

The Lion — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:50:33 +0000

The poor widow gave into the offering-two mites (Mark 12:42 & Luke 21:2). Jesus, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich (2 Corinthians 8:9- Matthew 8:20).

While reading your article, I searched thoroughly to examine Malachi closer to the root, and reading carefully for myself; you are correct. The communication was to the Priest, from the LORD. I was taught by a pastor degreed in the highest level “Doctor of Philosophy” graduate of SMU.

His instructions to our bible class was to always read the biblical text, understand the text by researching the contents-carefully. Understand, the cultural, audience, and then review the text again, and then you ask the question-How is this text applicable to me now, in this modern day, in this culture.

Here is my breakdown accordingly:

Malachi 1:6-7 (The LORD was speaking to the Priest)
Malachi 2:1 (Priest, this commandment is for you…)
Malachi 2:8 (The Priest caused many to stumble-Corrupted the covenant of Levi)
Malachi 2:12-13, 16, 17 ( reading these scriptures opened my eyes wider. ..covereth violence with his garment…saith everyone that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD…WOW!)

Malachi 3:2-9 Who shall stand when He appeareth…

Malachi 3:4 (then the offering…)

Malachi 3:8 (God asked the question of the Priest that were out of order…Will a man rob God…)

The Priest were warned concerning the curse…I will curse your blessings…Malachi 2:2

Malachi 2:17 & Malachi 3:13 (Partner scripture that support the case-THIS IS A MUST READ OF BOTH SCRIPTURE without blinders…OPEN YOUR EYES and see Spiritually!

The same goes for Malachi 3:15 & Malachi 2:17

I understand in the east that the men go to the temple and pray and the women remain at home. Here in America many ministers and churches do not support and believe in women preachers.

Should a woman pay tithing in the church, since she is a woman and the man is the head? If the woman is single and without a husband/the male head of the family should she pay tithing or simply give an offering?

When paying taxes, if the woman is single but classified as the head of the household…is this law of the land a violation of our biblical position and should we discontinue marking Head of Household and ask them to change that saying to “Only Parent in the home/house or Help Meet?” After all, the woman is simply a Help meet.

Jesus had to make a payment and he had no money on him, but in the mouth of the fish—there were coins to pay the taxes due.

Did Mary, the mother of Jesus pay taxes or tithing?
Did Queen Sheba pay tithing?
Did Mary Magdalene pay tithing?
Did Mary and Martha pay tithing?
What woman in the bible paid their tithing?

Hebrews 7:22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 8:1-3 (3), 3(3)

Hebrews 8:4-7 (The first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second…)

The Mosaic Rites – Hebrews 9:1-28, 10:1-16

Understanding from years of my spiritual journey and now reading the scripture for myself-the man that is a born again believer is considered the priest of his home. Knowing and understanding that position, should the man be the one that is responsible for paying the tithing to support the storehouse as the LORD instructed the Priest in the book of Malachi?

I stand to be corrected but, I don’t believe, rather, I have not read in the bible where there was a woman serving as a priest.

Finally, should we have church out side in the openness under the heaven? Jesus spoke the parables to the multitude on the seashore, and then in the ship, which was out in the openness of nature. Thanks for the article, it helped me to better understand Malachi.

By: The Lion

The Lion — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 03:44:57 +0000

While reading your article, I searched thoroughly to examine Malachi closer to the root, and reading carefully for myself; you are correct. The communication was to the Pries, from the LORD. I was taught by a pastor degreed in the highest level “Doctor of Philosophy” graduate of SMU.

Here is my breakdown accordingly:

Malachi 3:2-9 Who shall stand when He appeareth…

Malachi 3:4 (then the offering…)

Malachi 3:8 (God asked the question of the Priest that were out of order…Will a man rob God…)

The Priest were warned concerning the curse…I will curse your blessings…Malachi 2:2

Malachi 2:17 & Malachi 3:13 (Partner scripture that support the case-THIS IS A MUST READ OF BOTH SCRIPTURE without blinders…OPEN YOUR EYES and see Spiritually!

The same goes for Malachi 3:15 & Malachi 2:17

I understand in the east that the men go to the temple and pray and the women remain at home. Here in America many ministers and churches do not support and believe in women preachers.

Jesus had to make a payment and he had no money on him, but in the mouth of the fish—there were coins to pay the taxes due.

Did Mary, the mother of Jesus pay taxes or tithing?
Did Queen Sheba pay tithing?
Did Mary Magdalene pay tithing?
Did Mary and Martha pay tithing?
What woman in the bible paid their tithing?

Hebrews 7:22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 8:1-3 (3), 3(3)

Hebrews 8:4-7 (The first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second…)

The Mosaic Rites – Hebrews 9:1-28, 10:1-16

I stand to be corrected but, I don’t believe, rather, I have not read in the bible where there was a woman serving as a priest.

By: Norman

Norman — Thu, 27 May 2010 23:47:56 +0000

I am a pastor and it is sad to read from this website the many people who felt duped by pastors/priests. I used to work as a General Manager in North Hollywood but now I am a full time pastor. Our church is a part of a denomination so our denomination has oversight on how we manage our finances. We are required to have a budget and the total salary (pastors and staff) should not exceed 45% of the church’s income from tithes and offerings. Missions and special offerings are not taken into account when calculating salary. Now aside from the denomination, within the local church we have accountability group that manages the finances and sets up the salary of the pastor and all the staff. Our policy is this: The Pastor is paid last. So I receive my allowance near the end of the month – that is if there’s something that the church can afford to pay me.
I brough this up because your chart does not show justice to many pastors and priests who are faithful to the call of God. We preach the Word of God (Gen-Rev). When I took up this position in our church, I intend to be bi-vocational but our congregation does not want me to. So for seven years my wife and I are full time in the ministry and we continue to keep all salaries under 45%. We are a small church of 50 people and our average gross offerings is under $7000 per month. I am not the only paid staff so just imagine what is left for salary (less 10%). I have 4 kids and we live near San Francisco (not cheap). But we were able to live within our means debt free for seven years and counting.
I believe tithing works. But I do not agree that churches should force people to tithe. No one should be force to do, give, or say anything in the church. Jesus never force us to receive Him. The church should be a place where people hear, learn, and practice the Word of God. The church should provide opportunities for people to exercise their faith.
I say tithing works because it is in the Word of God. It works for me and my family so I see no reason that it will not work for other people. God’s Word never fails if we obey it with all of our heart. God said, “I the Lord do not change.” Therefore, His promises will not change too.
When I practice tithing, a lot of things changed in me. I learn to live within the 90%. I stop wasteful spending by cutting down on going out to the movies, eating in restaurants, and trips. I definitely cut the habit of upgrading my car to newer model and buying gadgets that I really don’t need. I used to do those stuff when I was working as a manager of a company. We still manage to have fun as a family by spending more time at home or at the local park.
This is why I am very surprised when you said “you have 15,000 in the bank before you join the church and then 15,000 in debt when you left.” What happened? Did you give it all to the church? Were you forced to give it all and 15,000 more on top of that? Was the tithe really to blame here for the 15,000 debt? I am not understanding this because the tithe should be taken from the “increase” and not from what remains. If you have no income, then you should not tithe. If you have no money in the bank, you should not give to the church at all. God can take care of His church.
Rather than bashing all the pastors, I think we should educate the body of Christ to support churches or ministries that have accountability in place and are transparent on how they use the finances of the church. In our church we give monthly reports to the accountability group and we have bi-annual membership meetings to report all church activities and every member receives a copy of our financial records. Every member is also welcome to come into the office and look at the records any time.
Finally, what is more difficult to explain to all people; …that God will transform our mortal bodies into imortality and we will have homes in paradise or that God will open the windows of heaven and pour out the blessing to those who give their tithes and offerings? You see… both of these requires “faith” to work.

By: Vikram

Vikram — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:10:56 +0000

Hi A Watchman!!!
Thanks for all this knowledge!!!
Today I am very much sure that GOD is near me and listens to me.
Because since last a few days, I was very much confused about tithing and today accidentally I approached your website. And I am very much Glad to read all about tithing.
THANKS a lot.

Could you please help in one more thing?
Like the book of HEBREW in Bible has some doubtful scripts, so i am confused about the REAL WORD OF GOD. so please help me to choose what should i read OR which translation of Bible should i read?

Thanks in advance..
GOD BLESS YOU!!!

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:15:26 +0000

It should be like those times like Paul taking up Gods work full time and devoting your life to him does not mean you need to be financially compensated to take up his vocation it should be an honour a privilege In my opinion I see no reason why a pastor could not work like a normal person and be a pastor also……..