Tithing and First Fruits In Light of 2 Corinthians 9:7

[Prosperity]

I have no pre-conceived notions about giving. Currently we tithe+ and have done so for years. Still I have open questions about whether tithing and first fruits are for today or are they simply requirements of Old Testament Law. I've not personally heard any teaching from WOF teachers on 2 Corinthians 9:7 and how 2 Corinthians 9:7 lines up with tithing and first fruits.

So I ask, "In light of 2 Corinthians 9:7, are tithing and first fruits for today?"
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2 Corinthians 9:6-8 KJV

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

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

8 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:

2 Corinthians 9:6-8 AMP


6 [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [[a]that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.

7 Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].(A)

8 And God is able to make all grace (every favor and [c]earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need [d]be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation].

 

[godson777]

I have engaged in many coversations and debates in the past over tithing.

I am a very firm believer that the principle of firstfruits applies today. We are called to get God the first, best, chief or choice part of our gross income and when we do this we will fund the spreading of the gospel, we are honouring God, and our barns will be filled to overflowing and our vats will brim over with new wine. (Pr 3:9-10)

The law of first mention is a supporter of the idea that we should give God the first fruits. The very first ever offering ever given to God took place in Gen 4. God did not like Cain's because it was the left overs, but he looked with favor upon Abel's because he gave his best. Our offerings today are by no means a sacrifice for sins, but we do it to honour God, be a blessing, support the ministry and our pastors and so that we will be able to reap a harvest off the seeds we sow.

However, this is where I come into disagreement with most people. I do not believe that we all have to give 10%. I am very much against the legalism of setting a law in place as to how much we give. Sure, I think it would be a good thing for everyone to give at least 10% and I myself would never give less than 10%, but I would never make a LAW out of it, because the laws of our new covenant are written on our hearts. God is interested in generosity and sacrifice from the heart. Most should be given at least 10% and many should give much more than 10%, but I am never going to make a law out of it. The first fruits by definition are the best, chief or choice part. I choose to ignore any form of percentages and just give God my BEST.

Many may come and attempt to prove to you that tithing 10% was a principle that began before the law, but when I get time I will re-post some posts from past discussions in tithing threads that prove that this is not true.

Give God you best! But don't be bound by law!

 

[Prosperity]

I appreciate your posts and you heart and would like to read your prior posts on this subject.

To stimulate the conversation I will tell you that Creflo dollar, who I think very highly of, has said that First Fruits and Tithing are not the same thing, but we should do both in addition to our offerings.

In my next post. I will post an article by Gloria Copeland, who I also have a high regard for.

I want to see if we can see how all of the scripture line up in this area.

 

[Prosperity]

First, Give Your Heart by Gloria Copeland

Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation] (2 Corinthians 9:7-8, The Amplified Bible).

I don't remember ever meeting a believer who was not interested in increase.

That's good, because God is a God of increase. He wants His people to increase in every area of life—in our spirit, in our emotions and our mind, in our relationships, and certainly in our finances.

God has made a covenant of increase that will work for any believer who will walk in basic Bible steps to prosperity. Those steps include walking in the truth, being faithful and diligent and watching what we are believing and saying.

But the foundation for increase is bringing our tithes and sowing our offerings from our heart.

Several years ago, the Lord told a friend of mine who was a pastor's wife, It grieves Me when the Church takes offerings. I said to worship Me. Don't take from the people, but let them bring it and worship Me. Then they will see the fruit of their giving.

What my friend heard that day is the answer to every question about giving. Whether in regard to the tithe or to our offerings, nothing produces in the realm of the spirit unless it's from the heart.

Our willingness, our worship and love for God—our attitude—is just as important as what we give. Second Corinthians 8:12 says, "For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable" (New International Version). Everything we do in following God is first an issue of the heart, then the natural part comes. We tithe out of honor, reverence, love and affection for God. He accepts our offerings when we give with a willing heart.

To put it simply, the Lord looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7).

The Origin of the Tithe

We can see the importance of heart attitude in the first Bible account of the giving of the tithe in Genesis 14.

Melchizedek king of Salem [later called Jerusalem] brought out bread and wine [for their nourishment]; he was the priest of God Most High, and he blessed him and said, Blessed (favored with blessings, made blissful, joyful) be Abram by God Most High, Possessor and Maker of heaven and earth, and blessed, praised, and glorified be God Most High, Who has given your foes into your hand! And [Abram] gave him a tenth of all [he had taken] (verses 18-20, The Amplified Bible).

Some believers have argued that the tithe has to do only with the old covenant. But Abraham's tithe to the priest Melchizedek was presented 430 years before the law.

Abraham didn't tithe out of law. Abraham tithed out of a relationship. He tithed out of honor and reverence and gratitude toward God. It was a gift not of compulsion but from a willing heart—a gift honoring God as the source of his victory.

When God gave instruction through Moses regarding the tithe more than 400 years later, it was not to reduce the tithe to a ritual or a law. It was to establish the attitude of praise, thanksgiving and worship the people should have when they present their tithes. It was to show them how to honor God with their increase.

It is no surprise, then, to find the tithe in the new covenant. Now it is Jesus who receives our tithes as High Priest: "And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth" (Hebrews 7:8).

Giving With an Attitude

Look at how important heart attitude was in the instructions God gave through Moses concerning both what the tithe was and how it was to be presented:

Thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the earth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lord thy God shall choose to place his name there....And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, and set it down before the altar of the Lord thy God. And thou shalt speak and say before the Lord thy God...The Lord brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders: And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given us this land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey. And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land, which thou, O Lord, hast given me. And thou shalt set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God: And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee (Deuteronomy 26:2, 4-5, 8-11).

In this instruction we see the tithe is not just a tenth of our increase, but the tithe is to be the first of our increase.

In Numbers 18, where the Levite priests are told how to receive the tithe, we see the tithe was to be the first and best of the increase of their crops and their herds: "All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the Lord....The firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they [are] holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat [for] an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the Lord" (Numbers 18:12-14, 17). When the Levites had received the first and best from the people, they in turn were to bring a tithe of the best of the best to the high priest, Aaron, and his descendants (verses 25-29).

Then in Deuteronomy 26:10-16, we read God's instruction on how to present the tithe: "Set it before the Lord thy God, and worship before the Lord thy God: And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the Lord thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house...Thou shalt therefore keep and do (these statutes) with all thine heart and with all thy soul." So, real tithing includes much more than what is in our hands. It also includes what is in our hearts and our mouths. We are to worship and thank God that He gave us the 100 percent so we have something to give. The children of Israel partied over their tithe. They rejoiced over it, praising God that they had tithe to bring.

 

[Prosperity]

They were instructed to talk about what all the Lord had done. And they were to say that, "We were perishing in Egypt, and we were slaves." Looking back and remembering what God had done for them would bring rejoicing to their hearts.

We are to do the same thing. When we bring our tithes, we should come before God with an attitude of gratitude, thanking Him, worshiping Him, remembering where we came from and what He's done for us.

Just as the Israelites remembered the captivity in Egypt, you can go back to Colossians 1:13 and shout: "Thank You for delivering me out of the kingdom of darkness and translating me into the kingdom of Your dear Son. Lord, I was lost, undone, sick, broke, miserable, unhappy and had no peace."

Think about what God has done for you when you bring your tithe, and think about how He has increased you in years past, and how He's increased you this week or this month.

Once you have returned to God what is His, you can then sow offerings. One of my favorite passages of Scripture is 2 Corinthians 9:7-11:

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.

After you tithe, you then sow or give offerings out of the remaining 90 percent of your income, according to what the Lord lays on your heart. The heart is the key because worship comes only from the heart.

Worship means "an act of homage or reverence, to adore or pay divine honor as to a deity, to reverence with supreme respect and veneration, to respect, to honor, to have intense love and admiration for."

One Hebrew word for offering means to "draw near." We draw near to God with our offering as we worship and honor Him.

Bring Honor With Your Offering

You might be asking, "Does that mean there are offerings God does not receive?"

Yes. In Malachi 1 we read that God did not accept from the Israelites gifts that weren't from the heart:

A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is the [reverent] fear due me? says the Lord of hosts to you, O priests, who despise My name. You say, How and in what way have we despised Your name? By offering polluted bread upon My altar. And you ask, How have we polluted it and profaned You? By thinking that the table of the Lord is contemptible and may be despised. When you [priests] offer blind [animals] for sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the lame and the sick, is it not evil? ...I have no pleasure in you, saith the Lord of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand. Ye said also, Behold, what a weariness is it! and ye have snuffed at it, saith the Lord of hosts; and ye brought that which was torn, and the lame, and the sick; thus ye brought an offering: should I accept this of your hand? (Malachi 1:6-13, The Amplified Bible).

God doesn't need our money, but we need Him to receive our offerings. We need to honor Him as our source.

In his book Honor, Kenneth defines honor as "a keen sense of ethical conduct." He says, "Honor and honest are related. They are often used to refer to those who fear the Lord. In many Bible references fear means reverence. We fear, or reverence, or highly honor God by living life as He directs."

Fearing God does not mean being afraid of Him. It means honoring Him so much that we do what He says and allow Him to manifest as the source of all our needs: "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" (Proverbs 3:9-10).

First Samuel 2:30 says, "Them that honour me I will honour…." That's where the blessing is—in honoring God from the heart.

Not Coveting but Connecting

Actually, it's not what you give that's important; it's what you keep. God counts your offering, and the blessing back to you, in proportion to what you have. So, not just the rich can give big offerings.

Jesus said the widow in Mark 12 gave a bigger offering than the rich people who gave more, because she gave all that she had (verses 41-44). She had an attitude that made her offering great before the Lord. She gave with her whole heart, and that made it a sweet savor to Him.

On the other hand, a certain rich man never thought about giving to God. He said, "I will pull down my barns, and build greater…. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God" (Luke 12:18-21).

The rich man failed the first test of faithfulness—the money test.

Luke 16:12 asks, "If you have not proved faithful in that which belongs to another…who will give you that which is your own [that is, the true riches]?" (The Amplified Bible).

And, according to Malachi 3:10-12, the tithe belongs to another:

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 all nations shall call you blessed (Malachi 3:10-12).

The tithe is the Lord's. If we learn to be faithful in money, we'll be faithful in other things. It will protect us from greed.

When we truly honor God with our tithes, it opens the windows of heaven so He can move supernaturally in our lives. God becomes our partner.

God's purpose for giving you power to get wealth is to establish His covenant on the earth (Deuteronomy 8:18). Each time you give, it's another opportunity for you to both further God's work and also to increase personally. He will rebuke the devourer for your sake. By your obedience, you have given Him opportunity to be your partner not only in money, but also in life, health, protection and well-being. Tithing with the heart connects you to the covenant.

Your part of the partnership is to give God honor and reverence by putting Him first—in your heart, in your finances, in everything. The Living Bible says, "The purpose of tithing is to teach you always to put God first in your lives" (Deuteronomy 14:23). As you cultivate a lifestyle of bringing God the tithe—the first and best 10 percent of your increase—you will be able to put Him first in other ways.

God's part of the partnership is to give you what you can't give yourself—life and peace, blessing and supernatural increase. Malachi 2:5 says, "My covenant [on My part with Levi] was to give him life and peace, because [on his part] of the [reverent and worshipful] fear with which [the priests] would revere Me and stand in awe of My name" (The Amplified Bible).

As a royal priesthood unto God (1 Peter 2:9), believers are to give God the honor and reverence and awe that is due Him.

Give in Faith, Not Fear

Honoring Him with our firstfruits gives Him an opening to pour out a blessing. But it's not automatic. We still have to tithe and sow in faith.

Keep the promises about giving in your eyes and ears until they fill your heart and overflow into your mouth. As you confess and stand on the Word, it will produce in your life. It won't return void (Isaiah 55:11).

When you know what God said He would do, you can expect it. You can have faith to receive it. That's what happened to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 26. After they worshiped God with their tithes as He commanded, they expected Him to do what He promised. They declared, "I have hearkened to the voice of the Lord my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me. Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel" (verses 14-15).

In the same way, when you tithe and sow, continue to confess the tithing and sowing scriptures and stand on them. Worship God with your tithe, love Him with it, attach yourself to Him with it.

Rejoice that lack and every bad thing mentioned as part of the curse in Deuteronomy 28:15-68 have been broken off your life. Galatians 3:13-14 says, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law…. That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles."

If you haven't received Jesus in your heart, do that right now. Then rejoice that the curse is broken in your life. Instead of worrying about finances, believe God and stand on Philippians 4:19: "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Your true riches are in Him.

When you seek first His kingdom—with your whole heart—the things you need will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). Become a tither. Begin living under an open heaven by tithing and sowing from a willing heart. The more you honor God, the more He will manifest Himself in your life. God is honored when you give from the heart.

 

[godson777]

I appreciate your posts and you heart and would like to read your prior posts on this subject.

To stimulate the conversation I will tell you that Creflo dollar, who I think very highly of, has said that First Fruits and Tithing are not the same thing, but we should do both in addition to our offerings.

In my next post. I will post an article by Gloria Copeland, who I also have a high regard for.

I want to see if we can see how all of the scripture line up in this area.

I have a very gigh regard for both Creflo Dollar and Gloria Copelend as well. I love their teaching. I would have to say that tithing is basically the only topic that I disagree with most of the faith-teachers.

 

[probinson]

I believe tithing is not only for today, but it is a requirement if you want to live propserously. Here's why:

First, let me say that I have tithed for 20+ years. My parents taught me to tithe when I was very young. I also give offerings as the Lord directs me. This is what I believe 2 Corinthians 9:7 is talking about. The offerings that we give are between us and God. We should give offerings as God directs.

"But tithing was done away with." Really? God said in Malachi that if we bring our tithes into the storehouse that He would open the windows of Heaven and pour out blessings that we wouldn't have room enough to receive. He also said that He would rebuke the devourer for our sake. Why would God do away with this? The law was a curse. Blessings and God rebuking devourers doesn't sound like a curse to me!

People have their mentality all backwards when it comes to tithing. I don't look at tithing as something I "have" to do. I look at tithing as something I get to do! It's a blessing for me to be a blessing to my church and the ministries and people that God leads me to give to.

Secondly, giving tithes puts your faith in God and not in your wealth or ability. I'm in a place currently where I "can't afford" to tithe if you look at my bank statements. Yet my wife and I put our trust in God instead of my paycheck and continue to tithe, even though we can't "afford" to. We are blessed because we give expecting to receive from God. We're using our faith in the area of our finances.

Thirdly, tithing is the only place in the Bible where God says "prove me". God's telling us to put Him to the test. When we give God 10% of our firstfruits out of obedience and a desire to please Him instead of looking at it as something we are required to do, it changes everything. God knows our heart, and if our heart's desire is to obey and be a blessing, then we too will be blessed.

I have been a tither and a giver for nearly all my life. I've seen what can happen when we obey God and put our FULL trust in Him. It's not always easy for me to write that tithe check because I am surrendering control to Him. But it causes me to use my faith, and God has never forsaken us or let us down.

 

[godson777]

Because Prosperity asked, here are some of my posts from past discussions about tithing.

 

[godson777]

Quote


Tithing took place before the law, during the administration of the Levitical law, and continues after the fulfillment of the law. Abel tithed, which was before the law.

​

Nowhere does the bible ever say that Abel tithed. God wasn't pleased with Abel's offering because it was a tithe, He was pleased with it because it was a generous, sacirificial firstfruits offering to God. Abel gave God his best, whilst Cain gave God the leftovers. God does not want us to give a strict, legalistic certain amount, He wants us to give Him our best! (which in most cases is more than 10%).

It is true that tithing was part of the Law of Moses, but these commandments to tithe (in the Law of Moses) were fulfilled by Jesus and abolished at the cross. The following verse prove that all the Law of Moses commandments, including the commandments to bring the three tithes have been abolished.

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)​

But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. (Romans 7:6)​

Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. (Romans 10:4)​

know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. (Galatians 2:16)

Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.” (Galatians 3:11)

So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ [ Or charge until Christ came] that we might be justified by faith. (Galatians 3:24)

So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don't get tied up again in slavery to the law. (Galatians 5:1 NLT)

The former regulation [the Law of Moses] is set aside because it was weak and useless (for the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. (Hebrews 7:18-19)

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, (Ephesians 2:13-15)

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)

Tithing as it is preached today was never practiced before the Law of Moses.

ABRAHAMS TITHE:

Prior to the law of Moses Abraham brought a tithe of the spoils to Melkezidek (sp?). This has no bearing on Christian tithing for a number of reasons:

1. Probably the biggest reason why Abraham’s tithe should have no effect on Christian giving is that Abraham wasn’t tithing from His personal wealth. Genesis 14:17-20 just told us that Abraham was returning from war when He tithed to Melchizedek. Hebrews 7:4 says: Just think how great he (Melchizedek) was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Abraham wasn’t giving from his own wealth; he was giving from the plunder! Incase you don’t know what a plunder is; it is the wealth and possessions you take from your enemy when you defeat them at war. If Abraham tithed from the harvest of his fields, or the increase in His livestock, then perhaps that would be more of a reason for Christians to tithe. However, Abraham was not giving from his personal wealth; he was giving from the spoils of war. Since Abraham wasn’t giving from His own increase, or His own wealth we have little reason to assume that we are supposed to follow this example.
2. Nowhere in either Genesis or Hebrews (where this tithe is discussed), do we hear of God commanding Abraham to tithe to Melchizedek. Infact, there is a large amount of evidence to suggest that Abraham was doing what was merely a custom of his day. Here is what a number of books have to say about the history of tithing from the spoils of war:

"In the same manner the Greeks too, the Carthaginians, and the Romans devoted a tenth portion of the spoils of war to their deities." (On the Acquisition of Territory and Property by Right of Conquest, emphasis added)

"The Greek League against Persia, founded in 481 vows a tenth of the spoils of war to the shrine (7:132), and this happens, after Salamis and Plataea." (Herodotus on Greek Religion, emphasis added)

"For his courageous role in helping to take the Volscian town of Corioli, Caius Marcius, declining to accept one-tenth of the spoils, was named Coriolanus" (Roman Expansion to 133 BC, emphasis added)

There are also a number of other books that prove that tithing from the spoils was a custom of Abraham's day. God did not command Abraham to tithe, He was doing a custom of His day.


3.Nowhere throughout the entire bible, do we here of Abraham tithing a second time in his life. If Abraham was establishing an eternal principle of tithing for those in the kingdom of God to follow, you’d think that he would continue to obey his own principle. You would think that he would tithe a second, third, fourth, fifth time etc etc. However, there is no record of Abraham ever tithing again.

JACOBS VOW:

Jacob’s vow is the only other example of tithing outside of the Law of Moses. Genesis 28:20-22 says: Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." Jacob decided personally in his own heart how much he wanted to give. God didn’t command Jacob to tithe; Jacob decided in his own heart that he wanted to give ten percent. If this example of tithing is anything for us to follow all it would suggest we do is honour God with our wealth, and keep in mind that is us who decide how much to give. Once again, Jacob’s vow has no bearing on Christian giving.

 

[godson777]

​

Quote

Jesus said, "How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law – justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the more important things." Matthew 23:23 (NLT).​

Jesus probably didn't say, "You should stop tithing, and just show more love." I also wouldn't buy the argument that nonJewish people are not required to tithe.





Notice that Jesus had not been crucified yet, so the Law was still in place at this time. Jesus was right in telling them to tithe, because they should have continued tithing right up until the Law was abolished at the cross, because only then was the commandment to tithe abolished. now that Jesus has been crucified, the Law to tithe which He was speaking of here, has been abolished.


Quote

​

The promised blessings of God are not erased by the crucifixion. The passage about tithing I like the most is Malachi.

"'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,' says the LORD Almighty, 'I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won't have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!" Malachi 3:10 (NLT).

If we have a better covenant than the one under which this promise was made, we should expect God to treat us at least as well as Malachi.



God still wants us to prosper but its not based upon giving 10%. Malachi 3 was written to people who were supposed to be living under the Law of Moses, because the priests were breaking the Law of Moses, by Malachi who was living under the Law of Moses, during a time when the Law of Moses was still in action. Now that Jesus has been crucifed the Law of Moses has been cancelled and abolished. Therefore the Malachi 3 commandment to tithe, which was based upon the Law has been abolished.


Secondly, God's promise of prosperity is still in action for us today, except its not based upon tithing... It's based upon sowing generous seed! 2 Corinthians 9:6 says: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. God no longer cares about legalistic tithes, He cares about the generosity of your heart. As you are generous and honour God with your wealth, God promises to prosper you beyound measure!

 

[godson777]

THE NEW COVENANT FORM OF GIVING:

Firstly, there is no new covenant commandment to give anything at all!

2 Corinthians 8:7-8 NLT says: Since you excel in so many ways--you have so much faith, such gifted speakers, such knowledge, such enthusiasm, and such love for us--now I want you to excel also in this gracious ministry of giving. I am not saying you must do it, even though the other churches are eager to do it. This is one way to prove your love is real. There is no new covenant commandment to give anything at all! However, that does not mean that we are free to give nothing. There are a number of reasons why we should give generously!

1. You will reap what you sow! (Gal 6:7) If you want to be poor (or have to become wealthy out of your own strength), then just sow nothing. But if you want God to bless and prosper you, you will need to sow generously! (2 Cor 9:6)
2. If you don't give anything then you are very selfish and obviously do not have a revelation of the impact that your finance can have on other people's lives. Be generous because you are blessed to be a blessing.

There are five main Characteristics of New Covenant giving:

Your giving should be:

1. Generous (2 Cor 9:6 etc etc etc)
2. Consistent (1 Cor 16:2 & Phil 4:16)
3. Sacrificial (1 Chronicles 1:23-24, The widow in Mark 12, the Macedonian church in 2 Corinthians 8)
4. Give with a Cheerful, glad attitude (2 Corinthians 9:7)
5. You should give secretly and not boast about your giving (Matthew 6:1-4)

 

[godson777]

​

Quote

If tithing has passed away, what was tithing a shadow of?


Tithing was a shadow of the unlegalistic generous, heart filled giving, with no set amount or percentage required that God wants us all to be apart of under our new covenant.
​

UNDER THE OLD COVENANT:
People were required by law to pay three tithes of 10% each. Two every year, and the third one every third year. That amounted to an average of 23% each year. This old covenant was based on legalism and salvation by works. The tithes were absolute legalism.

UNDER THE NEW COVENANT:
Under the new covenant there is no longer any commandment to tithe or give. (2 Cor 8:7-8). Why? Because where the old covenant was all about works, our new covenant is all about the heart and faith. Under our new covenant God wants people to give because they have a desire in their heart to do so, not because they have to. God wants us to all give generously, as much as we can, from a cheerful, loving heart that is eager to give.

So under the old covenant we had the legalistic tithes, but under our new covenant we have the generous giving from the heart, where there is no set percentage that anyone must give. The tithes were a shadow of generous, heart filled giving. This is the type of giving that we see the new testament church doing. Never did they ever tithe. They gave generously, whenever anyone had need, gave as much as they could. They understood that tithes were abolished, and that they never existed as an eternal principle before the law was put in place.

When i get more time, ill respond to some of the other things that have been posted, and will insert more scripture referrences to back up everything ive said.

Blessings.

 

[godson777]

Quote
Where is that in the Bible? (That the new covenant Christians did not tithe). I do not see any way one could possibly know this to be true without a direct, divine revelation. The only Scripture I can remember right now about what they gave was that they either gave everything, living communally, or some of them gave the price of land that they sold.

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. (Acts 2:45)​

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. ... There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:32&34-37)



2 Corinthians 8:1-4 says: And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.


2 Corinthians 8:10 says: ... Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so.


Acts 11:29 says: So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could.

Philippians 4:15-18 says: Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.


There is not a single mention of a new covenant church tithing, asking for tithes, being asked to tithe or anything! Infact the only 2 moentions of tithing in the new testament are: 1 by Jesus when the law was still in effect, and 2 in hebrews in referrence to the tithe Abraham paid to Melchizedek. (In one of my previous posts i proved that Abrahams tithe has no bearing on Christian giving). The new testament church did not tithe.


Quote

The strange paradox of this thought is that nobody ever argues against tithing because they want to give more than 10%.


​

I can't speak for everyone, but i don't think anyone would ever catch me giving less than ten percent - not because Ive made it a law for myself, but because it simply wouldn't be generous. In my opinion, if the jews under the old covenant could give 23% a year under the law, how much more should we give under grace! I don't make that a law though, because if i did, i would simply be reintroducing the tithes, but i think that Christians should give generously without any laws, and that generous amount should usually be much mroe than 10%.

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The Gentile Christians were not required to tithe

After the church was born on the day of Pentecost, many Jews were converting to Christianity, but it wasn’t until Acts 10 that Gentiles started to become Christians too. There were some disagreements when the Gentiles converted to Christianity, because some Jews (who didn’t understand that the Law of Moses had been abolished) were telling the Gentiles that they needed to live their lives in obedience to the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem met to discuss this issue, and then wrote a letter to the Gentiles which is recorded in Acts 15:22-29:


Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, two men who were leaders among the brothers. With them they sent the following letter: The apostles and elders, your brothers, To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings. We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul– men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell.


The Jewish Christians had grown up under the Law of Moses (before it was cancelled at the cross), and were therefore well accustomed with the idea of tithing to God. However, the Gentile Christians, on the other hand, were not familiar with tithing to God because they were never under the Law of Moses before coming to Christ. So if the Gentile Christians needed to begin tithing, this letter to the Gentiles from the apostles and elders would have been the perfect time to explain to the Gentiles about tithing. However, the apostles and elders did not even mention tithing. Obviously, we are not required to tithe.


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New testament verses on giving:

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)​

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. (Acts 2:45)

So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. (Acts 11:29 NLT)


Now about the money being collected for the Christians in Jerusalem: You should follow the same procedures I gave to the churches in Galatia. On every Lord's Day, each of you should put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned and save it for this offering. Don't wait until I get there and then try to collect it all at once. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2 NLT)


Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. (2 Corinthians 9:6)


Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. (2 Corinthians 9:7 AMP)


Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, (1 Timothy 6:17-18 NKJV)

Notice that tithing is a complete non-issue in new testament giving. Why is this? Firstly because the alw of moses commandments to tithe were abolished. Secondly, because there is no eternal principle of tithing that was established prior to the law of moses.

 

[godson777]

Saying that it is a sin to not give 10% is legalism

Legalism is defined as: attempt to attain righteousness through observance of laws OR strict adherence to the letter of the law, rather than its spirit. A legalistic law is any strict law, which is based on an action rather than the heart or attitude of the person doing it. So for example; a crude example of a legalistic law would be: “You must be in bed by 10pm every night”, but a non-legalistic law would be: “You must go to bed as soon as you become sleepy”. An example of a legalistic law in scripture is keeping the Sabbath (Ex 20:8), but an example of a non-legalistic law in scripture is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk 12:30). Another example of a legalistic law in scripture is the law of circumcision (Gen 17:10), but an example of a non-legalistic law is the commandment to do to others what you would have them do to you (Mt 7:12). (I hope this helps you to understand what I mean).


Saying that all Christians must give a 10% tithe is a legalistic. It is a legalistic law. What is not legalistic is saying that our giving should be generous and should be decided upon in our own heart. (NOTE that this is what the New Testament says our giving should be like – 2 Cor 9:6-7). The legalistic law was abolished at the cross, but the non-legalistic requirement still remains today.


The old covenant was a legalistic covenant. The old covenant was based on keeping a strict set of rules and laws in the hope to attain righteousness by your good works. Our new covenant is a non-legalistic covenant in which you attain righteousness, not by your works or observance of laws, but by faith. I say this to make the point that we are not supposed to live legalistic lives, or have legalism in our life. In Philippians 3:4-6 Paul says: If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. Paul then goes on to say in the very next verses (Philippians 3:7-8 MSG): The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash--along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Paul makes the point that he was great at following the legalistic law of the old covenant, but then says that it was absolutely pointless and is worth nothing because our new covenant is not based on observance of the law. We are not supposed to have legalism in our life! Paul makes the point that having legalism in your life is as good as trash.


People who preach that we must tithe 10% are actually trying (often without meaning too) to bring back the legalistic law that we as Christians died too. Our new covenant is a non-legalistic covenant, and we must stop trying to bring back the legalistic law that was abolished; we must move on to giving God’s way, which is a life that is free from legalism, a life of giving from the heart.

 

[Prosperity]

probinson vbmenu_register("postmenu_19575206", true);

My story and view are very similar to yours. I've not been able to really understand how line up tithing, first fruits, offerings and 2 Corinthians 9:7. I'm in the meditating stage on this subject and I'm interested in any serious and information which id base in scripture. When I reveal what I need to understand , I will certainly relate it to those on this message board.

Thank you very much for your thoughtful reply. It was good reading.

 

[Prosperity]

To godson777

I've read what you've posted and I think you should write a book. You are an excellent writer and have organized your thoughts very well. I know I agree with much of what you say. I've a WOF Pastor friend which, I believe, would agree with everything you said.

I've cut and pasted some of, what I believed to be, some of your most interesting points and I will respond sometime tomorrow. I've had some interesting things cross my mind as I read all the posts on this board.

Thanks you and please post anything else you have that you believe would be revealing on this subject.

 

[Andrew]

I have no pre-conceived notions about giving. Currently we tithe+ and have done so for years. Still I have open questions about whether tithing and first fruits are for today or are they simply requirements of Old Testament Law. I've not personally heard any teaching from WOF teachers on 2 Corinthians 9:7 and how 2 Corinthians 9:7 lines up with tithing and first fruits.

So I ask, "In light of 2 Corinthians 9:7, are tithing and first fruits for today?"
________________

In my church, we make a distinction betw tithing and offerings. If you believe in tithing, then the tithe belongs to God ie 10%.

Offerings are separate from the tithe. They are not the 10% that belong to God. So you give offerings above and beyond the tithe.

There's a saying that you havent really given (offerings) until you have tithed.

IOW, if you owe me $10, and you haven't paid the amt back to me, even if you give me an 'offering' of $7, you can't really call that a 'giving' becos you owed me that $7 in the first place, and you still owe me another $3.

So that verse has nothing to do with tithing, but giving/offerings.

Tithing under grace is simply tithing before the law, as in Abraham's case, Isaac and Jacob's case. You tithe in recognition that God is your blesser. You tithe as part of your worship to God. You tithe becos you want to, becos you know God is the source of all your blessings.

Tithing is also a Bible principle. When the 10% is sanctified to God, the rest becomes holy. Jesus is a tithe to God. The rest of us then become sanctified becos of His sacrifice.

God is so good. He's the senior partner who only asks for 10%. Many Christians boast that they'll give everything up for God, but God never asked for that. He just wants 10% that belongs to Him. Why? Becos He needs the money? No! So that He can bless you some more.

You give him 10%, and he makes the rest of your salary holy. He makes your money go the extra mile. He keeps things in your home from breaking down, etc.

Tithing is NOT a get rich quick scheme. But it does come with a blessing. When you tithe, you simply position yourself for God to bless you more. If you don't, there's no condemnation, but you simply lose out.

see...
http://sg.geocities.com/saltandlight5/tithingandhebrews7.html

for a commentary on tithing in Hebrews 7

 

[godson777]

To godson777

I've read what you've posted and I think you should write a book. You are an excellent writer and have organized your thoughts very well. I know I agree with much of what you say. I've a WOF Pastor friend which, I believe, would agree with everything you said.

I've cut and pasted some of, what I believed to be, some of your most interesting points and I will respond sometime tomorrow. I've had some interesting things cross my mind as I read all the posts on this board.

Thanks you and please post anything else you have that you believe would be revealing on this subject.

Any time! Thankyou very much for your sincere and kind response. I pray the blessing of the Lord on your house, your family, your relationships, your finances, your health, your possessions, your career, your future, and your relationship with God, in the name of Jesus! Be blessed in every way.

 

[probinson]

Legalism is defined as: attempt to attain righteousness through observance of laws OR strict adherence to the letter of the law, rather than its spirit. A legalistic law is any strict law, which is based on an action rather than the heart or attitude of the person doing it. So for example; a crude example of a legalistic law would be: “You must be in bed by 10pm every night”, but a non-legalistic law would be: “You must go to bed as soon as you become sleepy”. An example of a legalistic law in scripture is keeping the Sabbath (Ex 20:8), but an example of a non-legalistic law in scripture is to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk 12:30). Another example of a legalistic law in scripture is the law of circumcision (Gen 17:10), but an example of a non-legalistic law is the commandment to do to others what you would have them do to you (Mt 7:12). (I hope this helps you to understand what I mean).


Saying that all Christians must give a 10% tithe is a legalistic. It is a legalistic law. What is not legalistic is saying that our giving should be generous and should be decided upon in our own heart. (NOTE that this is what the New Testament says our giving should be like – 2 Cor 9:6-7). The legalistic law was abolished at the cross, but the non-legalistic requirement still remains today.


The old covenant was a legalistic covenant. The old covenant was based on keeping a strict set of rules and laws in the hope to attain righteousness by your good works. Our new covenant is a non-legalistic covenant in which you attain righteousness, not by your works or observance of laws, but by faith. I say this to make the point that we are not supposed to live legalistic lives, or have legalism in our life. In Philippians 3:4-6 Paul says: If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. Paul then goes on to say in the very next verses (Philippians 3:7-8 MSG): The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I'm tearing up and throwing out with the trash--along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Paul makes the point that he was great at following the legalistic law of the old covenant, but then says that it was absolutely pointless and is worth nothing because our new covenant is not based on observance of the law. We are not supposed to have legalism in our life! Paul makes the point that having legalism in your life is as good as trash.

People who preach that we must tithe 10% are actually trying (often without meaning too) to bring back the legalistic law that we as Christians died too. Our new covenant is a non-legalistic covenant, and we must stop trying to bring back the legalistic law that was abolished; we must move on to giving God’s way, which is a life that is free from legalism, a life of giving from the heart.

By this logic, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.", or "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.", or even, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" could be considered legalistic. All of these "legalistic" laws were established in Ephesians, long after Christ went to the cross.

I want my son to obey me because he loves me, not because he has to. I love my wife because I choose to, not because it says I HAVE to in the Bible. My wife submits to me because she loves me, not because I MAKE her or out of some obligation.

Likewise, I tithe because I want to be obedient to God. I don't tithe because I HAVE to. I don't tithe because I'm trying to gain salvation by works. I tithe because I want to be obedient to God and put my trust in Him alone.

 

[Prosperity]

probinson & Godson777

To probinson, can you please address Acts 15:28-29 as it relates to this discussion?

Acts 15:28-29 KJV

28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
29That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

Godson777, Galatians 3:29 states that we are heirs to the promises of Abraham, which are found in the Old Testament, and
that one of those promises are found in Malachi 3:8 where God says, "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."

God stated in Malachi 3:9, "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.

So my questions are:

1. How can we get this blessing if we do not meet the requirement that God states in Malachi 3:9.
2. Is Galatians 3:29 compelling us to live under Old Testament law or is Galatians 3:29 simply telling us that tithe blessing in Malachi 3:9 is available to us when we meet God's requirement?

Galatians 3:29 KJV And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Malachi 3:9-10 KJV
10 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.
11 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.

In terms of the end result, I don't see a great deal of difference between you and godson777. Both of you will end up giving more than 10%. Both of you want to obey God. I don't think either one of you want to be legalistic. Both of you want to give joyously from your hearts.

Personally I'm starting to believe that the 10% tithe should be used as an example as is much of the Old Testament, except that by using the tithe as an example we are also entitled to claim the attached promise.

Let me approach this as a novice. By this I mean this; Let's say that I've decided to give to God. Let's say that I've come to understand that I'm to give to cheerfully give from the heart. Now I don't want to be legalistic, but rather I choose give out of my love of God. Now I get to the matter of how much do I give? Well, I expect that I would most likely look to the Old Testament for an example. I find in the Old Testament that people made monetary offerings and offerings of personal property/wealth to God for several different reasons. Now I see that giving should be:

- Generous (2 Cor 9:6 etc etc etc)
- Consistent (1 Cor 16:2 & Phil 4:16)
- Sacrificial (1 Chronicles 1:23-24, The widow in Mark 12, the Macedonian church in 2 Corinthians 8)
- Give with a Cheerful, glad attitude (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- You should give secretly and not boast about your giving (Matthew 6:1-4)

In light of the above verses, I decide that if I am to error, let it be on the side of caution, meaning that the least that I would give is 10%, because this is the example that I found in the old Testament that states how much and there is a blessing attached to the tithe, which I claim as mine.

In addition I would ask God to tell me as to who to give to and how much I should give. God say's in Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarded of them that diligently seek him."

I may even decide to give something of my own free will, just out of my love for God and the love He put in me for people.

I think that Christians mostly give to the Ministry for the spreading of the gospel, but rarely consider giving to each other or to the heathen. I think giving directly to people is also God's will.

You see, at the end of the day I would want to use Christ as my standard. How much was he willing to give to me. This makes it real easy to hear from God when he wants us to give something that is important to and a sacrifice for us.

I always remember that I can't out give God.

Comments are welcome.