tithes in Gen

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On Fri, 2 Oct 1998 08:06:09 -0300 Frank Vandenburg <acts238@nbnet.nb.ca>
writes:
> As I 
>said, I've appreciated what you've written, its caused me to think 
>about this a 
>great deal. Its just that when I look at my New Testament I see 'give" 
>and not 
>"tithe" when I look at my service to God.

Thank you for your nice response.  I must admit that the questions that
have been asked have been somewhat head spinning because they have been
coming not just from you but others and many times the questions asked I
felt had been answered by the very posts that have been responded to with
more questions. I feel like I have to be redundant to answer. 

I'll try to bottom line this as best as possible. I am answering you and
others in this post.  First, I feel that whether tithing is mandatory or
not is somewhat a moot point. I personally feel that the NT gives enough
scripture etc. to back up the preaching of tithing.  I in no way advocate
preachers to abuse authority at all.  I don't feel that preaching tithing
is abuse.  I personally feel that taking food stamps is wrong because of
legal issues but I think it is smart of whoever receives the food stamps
to make up tithes in another way.  A person could volunteer time if they
had no money.  Time is money to a large extent.  I don't feel preachers
should drive expensive cars whether their congregation is on welfare or
not.  Some will obviously disagree with me.  I don't see why a nice car
that's clean and runs good won't do.  I think that goes for saints too.

So why do I feel that tithing should be practiced even though the NT
doesn't say " Thou shalt tithe."?  Well, we all know that we must give to
God.  When someone comes to the church and says " I know I must give and
I know God wants me to give but I need some guidelines for giving.  How
do I know how much is good and how do I know that God will be pleased
with me?"  I couldn't just say " Give whatever you want."  Why?  People
need real answers.  I couldn't personally feel like I could be my own
personal gauge on giving.  Here is what I want to emphasize:  *People who
are left to themselves give either too little or too much and must have
guidelines.*   We cannot lead ourselves.  We know where that got us the
first time around.(Sin)

" Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalms
119:105

God has given us his word for a guideline.  When people ask " Do I HAVE
to ?"  it gives me pause.  Why don't people ask "  What would God be
pleased with me doing?"  We must turn to His Word for a guideline.  How
are we going to know whether or not God is pleased with what we are
doing?  Are we not so very able of deceiving ourselves into whatever we
want?  Surely you can't just be "Led of the Spirit" over everything?

And so when we are seeking to please God in anything including giving it
is right to turn to His Word for guidance.  Obviously Abraham who was
great in faith paid tithes.  Then, in the law, God demanded tithes.  I
think it grieves God when we ask " God are you demanding tithes?"  I
think we should with a heart full of love desire to follow the guidelines
of His Word and His Word indicates that tithe paying is a good thing. 
You see,  I am approaching this from a different angle. I am trying to
show that I am not under law but because of love and a desire to find out
God's ideas concerning giving I see full well that God blesses those who
tithe.  I am not upset with the question " Is tithe paying mandatory"?  I
am just saying that the spirit behind the question may or may not be
right.

It seems that those who love God simply don't have a problem with tithing
because it is done out of love.  Even many here who are questioning
mandatory tithing seem to pay them anyway.  The real question I think is
back to pastoral authority. ( Sorry folks.) Because I think we are
questioning a pastor's right to demand a tithe.  Well, I think a pastor's
attitude has a whole lot to do with it.  If a pastor is condemning people
for not doing something they didn't know they should do, that's wrong. 
If a pastor is trying to lead people to understand what God's guidelines
for giving are, that's good.  On the other hand, if folks really don't
want to give, they won't. 

Another reason I am for tithing is that when we look at dividing up the
money we must look to the scripture for guidelines on paying the
ministry.  The scriptural guidelines say the Levites got 10% of
everyone's increase.  The NT says the ministry should be paid as the
Levites were.  Do we want to follow the guidelines knowing that God wants
to help us do it the best way?  It seems rather goatish to think we can
do it better, doesn't it? 

Paul said " And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience
void of offense toward God, and toward men." Acts 24:16

God requires things in every aspect of life.  We say " Oh we know God
wants us to give."  but when we boil it down we always end up asking
ourselves " How much should I give in order to avoid offense toward God?"
God gives us these guidelines.  That doesn't mean that we're under law. 
To the very contrary it means we are free to love and give to God because
He has changed our very hearts.  We are free to desire to know God's
guidelines and apply them.

So, yes I think tithing is a NT idea.  I think the pastors should be paid
with the tithe. I think if folks are really concerned whether they have
to or not, I have to turn it around.  "Do you HAVE to be blessed because
you love Him so much that you desire to please Him by paying tithes?" 
That is why I will always pay tithes and I desire others to be blessed
also and so I will also teach about tithes.  It just seems like a good
idea.  If we try to spark a desire in people by helping them to
understand tithing is a great blessing rather than a yoke on their necks
we have done them a great favor. We've been real Po-folk at times.  We've
always paid our tithes and God ALWAYS provided for our needs.  Would I
rather have someone see God moving miraculously on their behalf because
they were faithful in giving or would I rather have them keep their
tithes and buy what they needed?  Well, you know the answer.

Lynne Yohnk

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