The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum proper recipient of our tithes/offerings

I was having a discussion with a friend today about giving/tithing. Part of the discussion was whether or not the tithe is still in effect. As I have asked questions about this before at The Highway, I don't desire that much to revisit that topic. However, it does somewhat relate to my current question.

Who (or what) should be the proper recipient of our giving. I think the church should be the primary recipient of our giving, but also other organizations/people (missionaries,poor,etc.) can be considered as a recipient. For those who don't believe the tithe is still in effect, I think this question is more easily answered since it is left more to each believer's conscience. At the same time, if someone were to say I can give all my offerings to recipents other than my church, I would have to disagree with this since our individual churches are worthy of our support and Paul admonishes those who do not support their own ministers. For those who maintain the tithe is still in effect, it becomes a more difficult question I think. In that case, some people say that the tithe (10%) should go the church itself and any thing to other recipients would be above the original 10%. Others say that as long as you give 10% (or more) it is the individual's decision how best to allocate their tithe. What are your thoughts?

Thanks,
John

I think a tithe should be given to the church that is ministering to you. By not giving the entire tithe to the church is basically saying I do not submit to the church in handling money. Churches could give more money to Missions if everyone tithe 100% instead of members holding back some of their tithe to give to a special cause. They should be encourage to do that, but as an offering above their tithe.

My present church does their Missions through Faith Promise which I disagree but it has been ingrained for 30 years or so. I'm sure it is stealing money away from the church because some will think it as part of their tithe.

Hi John,

Thanks for your input. Although I still have a few questions, I don't really know how to ask them without steering the discussion in a direction I don't really want it to go.

I'm unfamiliar with the "Faith Pomise" you mentioned. Is it an organization? How exactly does it work?

John

Since this is the first church I belong that uses Faith Promises, our method of doing Faith Promise may differ from other Faith Promises' models in other churches.

The church budgets benovolences, not missions money in its budget. Benovolence include Christian schools, seminaries, camps, pregnancy centers, homeless shelters, etc; but not to missionaries nor mission agencies. The church Mission committee will submit to the Session for their approval a list of missionaries and mission agencies to be supported by the church. Bottom line is that if the money comes in (designated as Faith Promise); everyone will receive their full support; if not then the Mission Committee will divvy up between the missionaries and missions. I think we designate Faith Promise, not to a particular missionary or agency on the approved list. AT least that is how I've done it.

So that is why it is called Faith Promise - it is a promise on faith as oppose to a more systematic way. I just see it as competing forces with the church budget; though basically they are the same.

John,

Your view is based upon a belief that the "tithe", i.e., 10% of one's income (gross or net??) is a N.T. commandment and thus MUST be given to the Church. Since I, for example, do not see the "tithe" as having any relation to the N.T. Church, your answer is irrelevant/non-applicable, IMHO.

That one's local church should be supported financially, assuming of course, that it is a church that is faithful to preaching/teaching the gospel, properly administrating the sacraments and practices biblical discipline, is a given. But as to how much one should give to the local church and to other agencies, organizations, private families, individuals, etc., is in my view a matter of conscience. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,

Gross income of course. God comes before our taxes.

Pilgrim, this may be a first - you disagreeing with the majority in the Reformed camp.

Our formula is to tithe 10% of take home pay (straight time) to the local church (to which we are members).

My overtime pay (over 40hrs for you none Joe lunch boxers) goes to various ministries which are still defending truth.

With income tax refund 10% goes to the local church and a little more goes towards other deserving ministries.

I do not believe we are bound but this is our guide line.

PS if the church you attend is not deserving of 10% (if you have the ability) grab your hat and run.

Bless God for all He has provided
William

Since I too hold to Pilgrim's views I'd be interested in seeing a biblical reason why we are to still tithe. And for that matter that the tithe is to be 10%.

Boanerges,


I also very much agree. A couple of years ago, and after a study by our elders, the word "tithe or tithes" when associated with "offerings", was eliminated from our worship services. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/ClapHands.gif" alt="" />

Denny

Romans 3:22-24

Hi John,

Maybe it's because I'm tired tonight, but your explanation is a little confusing. So does the money marked as Faith Promise go to the benevolences or to the missions? Who is the "everyone" in "everyone will receive their full support"? I just want to clarify that the Faith Promise is a system within the church and not an external organization. Is this correct? Also, from your remarks, it seems that other churches may use this system too. If that is the case, do you know anything about the origins of the system?

Thanks,
John

Society today wants to get, but giving is the highest thing that we can do with our money. We are not really giving, we are only stewards of what God has provided. The New Testament teaches to give as a man purposes in his heart but I believe 1 Corinthians 16:2 teaches that we are to give as “God hath prospered” and that our giving should be proportionate to our income. What proportion? The only proportion mentioned in the Bible is the Old Testament practice of the tithe which serves as a good guideline.

William

William,

I agree whole heartily with this since the optimum word is guideline in regard to the idea of the tithe. There is no direct or even implicit teaching in the N.T. that would bind believers to a 10% proportion of their income. If such a mandate existed, then it would be a sin for anyone to neglect giving a minimum of 10%. There are only 10 Commandments; not 11. What we do find in the N.T. is an encouragement to give liberally and joyfully as the Lord has provided and as He enables.

Secondly, the tithe in the O.T. was established for a specific purpose, which purpose no longer exists and/or applies to the N.T. Church. When Ananias and Sapphira decided to give a portion of their land despite the fact that they lied as to the actual amount given, (Acts 5:1) they could have given but a small part of that land and no one would have deemed them sinners for not giving at least 10% of it.

Lastly, for someone as yourself who has personally opted to use 10% as a guideline, it is a personal decision to do so and cannot be used to judge another; not that you would even think of doing that! To me, those who choose to make the tithe a N.T. "law" to which ALL believers must be bound by conscience and obedience is nothing less than Pharisaism and such a view must be relegated to the dung heap along with similar "rules" such as prohibitions against drinking of alcohol, dancing, card playing, etc.

In His grace,

Sorry for my confusion.

Benevolences is within the General Budget of the church. Faith Promises are handle outside of the General Budget. Only money received designated for Faith Promise is given to missionaries and mission groups. By everyone I meant missionaries and mission groups. Faith Promise is really a pledge. It's somewhat like the United Way in that pledges are made and budgets are made based on the pledges. If all the pledge money comes in, then the budgeted items (in our case - missionaries and mission agencies) will be allocated entirely, if not then less will be given.

Faith Promise is one of the common methodologies used by churches in support missionaries and mission agencies. I do not know the origin of it.

I sense that the majority within the Reformed camp affirms that tithing is still valid for a Christian today. I'm sure there are plenty of material explaining the reasons.

Here is one made froma a Q&A at III Mill.

John,

In response to the link you provided, I would simply point out:

1) Where is it taught that the Levitical Priesthood is still existent or replaced by a N.T. counterpart?

2) Answer by Ra McLaughlin . . . enough said!


Again, IF the tithe is still "in force", then it is a commandment of the Lord and to not tithe is to sin and those who fail to tithe should be disciplined. This alone opens up a huge can of worms.



In His grace,