Friday, February 20, 2009

My deliverance from the tithing law!

I have been struggling for a while now on the tithing issue.
Last year around this time the thought of why tithe came into my heart. I was constantly being asked by a fellow brother to go to an Indian reservation to witness. I kept thinking, I can't because I don't have the money. So I kept telling I would if I could.
After the tithe, every of dollar we made was being used to pay for our kids, house payment, car payment etc., the thing is we were not living beyond our means. For example our house payment is only $415/month and we owe on our van. Everything else is paid for. Praise God. We live a simple life. So after the tithe check again we bought groceries paid our utilities and gasoline for our vehicles.
Anyway back to the story. One Sunday morning I was at our church meditating on the Lord during our worship service. I was still thinking about the tithe issue. To know me, I was the biggest advocate of giving to God first. I used all the scriptures I was taught to verify my beliefs. So as I was waiting on the Lord the thought came clear as day. "You don't have to tithe you are a minister in Christ and can use the money to go out. I lept for joy in my heart as a big big burden left. After services were over I went to my brother in the Lord and said let's GO!! A big bright smile came on his face. So we set up a day and went to the reservation. It was a wonderful time in the Lord.
You see we are not obligated to give to a "church". No we are obligated to give from a cheerful heart, to give to the poor, orphaned and widowed. We are to give to each as each has need. Is someone hurting or having a hard time paying bills, then you are free to give. You don't need a deacon board to decide where your money goes. That is not the full biblical context in the New Testament. Let say people will use the scripture in Acts where they appointed deacons to take care of the needs of others. Well, if you look at that in the context it was after people sold all their things and had everything in common. It was when the movement was new. The apostles couldn't wait around and help. They had to go and start other groups, evangelize. Again that scripture is also used in order to justify paying pastors. I would again refute that teaching. Because if you read it in the context. Those who have to give themselves to prayer and ministering the word refers to none other than the "Apostles". Not Pastors!! The word pastor wasn't even mentioned until later when Paul preached about them in Ephesians. He was still Saul when that part of Acts was being lived out. So you can't logically insert pastor in that.
I say all of this to refer you to the following link on how tithing is unscriptural for a New Covenant believer. www.bible-truths.com/tithing.html I hope this link comes thru. If not just type in www.bible-truths.com and then the tithe issue will be on the site.
I also want to conclude this with a very big disclaimer: I am NOT saying deacons are unbiblical!!
No, I am saying the way we use that gift is not always the way the bible lays out. We are all servants. Some on the other hand have that special gift and so they may be operating as a deacon.
So much of what we do in the modern church has taken on a life of its own. In turn we are not operating in the original biblical way. Most churches put deacons in control of the body. When in context again elders are the overseers, not deacons. Again we are all priest in Christ, we are all called to give as the Spirit leads. We are all called to serve as the Spirit leads.
So what has the Holy Spirit put on your heart to go and do?
Have you said, Lord your servant is listening and then ignore the command?
If you have a neighbor or someone who is in need of financial help then give. You are not robbing Peter to pay Paul! No, you are doing what you've been told to do. Give, with a cheerful heart.

7 comments:

Russell Earl Kelly said...

You are not alone in your ideas about tithing. Check out my web site at www.tithing-russkelly.com and our Tithing-Study group at Yahoo.

Phillip Fletcher said...

Steve,

I think one of things that we must understand about the tithe is:

1. Abraham willing gave a tenth to Melchizedek. God never commanded him to do this.

2. God commanded the Israelites to tithe their produce in order to provide for the Levites and those who were less fortunate. Even when such text like Malachi are used, we miss the context that this was directed at Israel not Gentiles.

3. So the question is: Why are we not encouraging people to give as they desire? Why are we mandating Gentiles to observe a portion of the law?

Steven O. said...

Mr. Kelly, what a pleasure it is to have had you visit my post on tithing. To the glory of God I happen to have your link in my favorites box. I have read and re-read your teaching on "List of unscriptural teachings Baptist use..."
Again thank very much it is an honor.

Phillip, brother you know where we stand on this. Praise God.
Yes, and we must also remember that Abraham didn't tithe with the "first fruits", but on the spoils from Sodom. And yes we are not Israel.

Russell Earl Kelly said...

"Abraham willing gave a tenth to Melchizedek."

The Bible does not say that. It has been made up for ulterior motives.

"God never commanded him to do this."

No, but is it highly likely that pagan Arab Canaanite tradition demanded it from spoils of war. Do some research in the background of 14:21 where most (yes, most) commentaries suggest pagan Arab tradition controlled the 90%.

Russell Earl Kelly said...

"Abraham willing gave a tenth to Melchizedek."

The Bible does not say that. It has been made up for ulterior motives.

"God never commanded him to do this."

No, but is it highly likely that pagan Arab Canaanite tradition demanded it from spoils of war. Do some research in the background of 14:21 where most (yes, most) commentaries suggest pagan Arab tradition controlled the 90%.

Russell Earl Kelly said...

If we could only get Southern Baptist preachers to enter into dialog. They are the most difficult to get to speak.

Steven O. said...

Dialogue! What's that? LOL!!! Yes sir we are experiencing that on some other issues also here in our town.
Again thank you for the comments and I will check into 14:21.
Steven