The Christian and the giving of the Tenth
Again and again it is to be heard that Christians should
- like the people of Israel - tithing. But since they lived in a time of grace,
they must at least tithe. For grace gives more than the law. The question is,
does tithing really matter to Christians? And if so, which one?
"And all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land, of the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; he is holy to the Lord "(Lev. 27:30).
The collection and the tenth
The question of whether Christians have to give (at least) tithing to the Lord from their wealth or income - e.g. about the weekly collection - has already occupied many. To answer this question, it has to be clarified: What does "the tithe" in New Testament mean for us? And what is the "New Testament Giving" for Christians?
"And all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land, of the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; he is holy to the Lord "(Lev. 27:30).
The collection and the tenth
The question of whether Christians have to give (at least) tithing to the Lord from their wealth or income - e.g. about the weekly collection - has already occupied many. To answer this question, it has to be clarified: What does "the tithe" in New Testament mean for us? And what is the "New Testament Giving" for Christians?
Have prospered - a cheerful giver
1) The NT gives us clear indications of "giving". For example, in 1 Corinthians 16: 2 it says, "As each one prospereth," the believer should go back and give. 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 indicate the heart's content in giving. "God loves a happy giver" (2 Cor 9: 7).
2) A legally stipulated amount contradicts the freedom of the Christian, which we are repeatedly presented in the NT. We would then be "good" Christians, if we want to pass on to God exactly what amount (at which "design limit" applied). But God does not seek form, but our heart.
The New Testament knows no prescribed amount - also no percentage!
Conclusion: The New Testament has nothing to do with a fixed, percentage amount that a creditor must or should give. Also the often heard argument: "We live in the time of grace. Therefore "we" have to give more than under law, so at least 10%, "finds no support in the NT. We may give as much as we prosper, how much we want and can give to the Lord. The right hand does not know what the left hand is.
1) The NT gives us clear indications of "giving". For example, in 1 Corinthians 16: 2 it says, "As each one prospereth," the believer should go back and give. 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 indicate the heart's content in giving. "God loves a happy giver" (2 Cor 9: 7).
2) A legally stipulated amount contradicts the freedom of the Christian, which we are repeatedly presented in the NT. We would then be "good" Christians, if we want to pass on to God exactly what amount (at which "design limit" applied). But God does not seek form, but our heart.
The New Testament knows no prescribed amount - also no percentage!
Conclusion: The New Testament has nothing to do with a fixed, percentage amount that a creditor must or should give. Also the often heard argument: "We live in the time of grace. Therefore "we" have to give more than under law, so at least 10%, "finds no support in the NT. We may give as much as we prosper, how much we want and can give to the Lord. The right hand does not know what the left hand is.
3) When it comes to tithing, we have to take into account
that in the OT there were more than "a tenth" in certain times or
circumstances. Again, this shows that this "10% rule" is simply
inaccurate.
Tithing was a kind of tax in the Old Testament - for the Levites
4) We do not want to forget (I may say that as an economist) that the "Tenth" was a kind of tax in the AT. Because the Levites have taken over certain tasks for the whole people. And God ensures by tithing, who went to the Levites and priests to find a livelihood.
The part of the whole in the Old Testament
5) In the OT one finds again and again that one speaks of "a part": in the "tithing" - namely the tenth part; at the circumcision - for part of the flesh was cut off; at the court of the firstborn - a part of the family was judged. It seems to me that this is a "lawfulness": when it comes to the part, it means the whole thing.
Tithing was a kind of tax in the Old Testament - for the Levites
4) We do not want to forget (I may say that as an economist) that the "Tenth" was a kind of tax in the AT. Because the Levites have taken over certain tasks for the whole people. And God ensures by tithing, who went to the Levites and priests to find a livelihood.
The part of the whole in the Old Testament
5) In the OT one finds again and again that one speaks of "a part": in the "tithing" - namely the tenth part; at the circumcision - for part of the flesh was cut off; at the court of the firstborn - a part of the family was judged. It seems to me that this is a "lawfulness": when it comes to the part, it means the whole thing.
Take as an example the circumcision. Actually,
"only" part of the meat was cut off. But what does the NT tell us?
"In which you have also been circumcised ... in the undressing of the body
of the flesh". Although only part of the meat was cut off, it was not fit
for God. Similarly in Philippians 3: 3. There, in connection with circumcision,
it is emphasized that we should not "trust in the flesh" - for
nothing of the flesh!
6) Relating to giving: God instructed the people to give Him part of His fortune and income. The spiritual meaning behind it is: God owns the whole. Because everything comes from Him, He gave the people (and us) what belongs to Him anyway (e).
Everything we own belongs to the Lord!
7) Transferred to us: Everything we own - whether money, car, house, spouse, children, profession, talent and abilities - belongs to him. He has entrusted these things to us to be good stewards. But does it belong to everything we OWN - He is the owner. Can we not thus understand the verses in 1 Corinthians 4: "What have you but that you have not received? But if you have received it, what do you boast of, as if you had not received it? "
6) Relating to giving: God instructed the people to give Him part of His fortune and income. The spiritual meaning behind it is: God owns the whole. Because everything comes from Him, He gave the people (and us) what belongs to Him anyway (e).
Everything we own belongs to the Lord!
7) Transferred to us: Everything we own - whether money, car, house, spouse, children, profession, talent and abilities - belongs to him. He has entrusted these things to us to be good stewards. But does it belong to everything we OWN - He is the owner. Can we not thus understand the verses in 1 Corinthians 4: "What have you but that you have not received? But if you have received it, what do you boast of, as if you had not received it? "
8) We belong to the Lord in many ways: He is our Creator.
He is our Sustainer. He is our Savior. He is our Lord ... If I were more aware
of it, I would give more liberally what is not my "property" anyway.
There are 100 logical and comprehensible arguments for not giving and keeping
something. There is a reason to give back to Him what is of Him: the answer of
love.
Grace gives - from the heart
We can not "legally" surround this - who gives little, does not love. Because the height is not crucial, as the giving of the widow makes it clear that Jesus has been observing in the temple and that was absorbed into the eternal Word of God because of her devotion. We also do not need to put pressure or pressure: how we thrive, how we enjoy giving, we may give. This can be very different in time. The Lord sees our hearts and is happy about our "hands".
Grace gives - from the heart
We can not "legally" surround this - who gives little, does not love. Because the height is not crucial, as the giving of the widow makes it clear that Jesus has been observing in the temple and that was absorbed into the eternal Word of God because of her devotion. We also do not need to put pressure or pressure: how we thrive, how we enjoy giving, we may give. This can be very different in time. The Lord sees our hearts and is happy about our "hands".
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