Bo said:
I understand where you guys are coming from. I honestly do. And I don't just mean malachi.
But take into consideration.....the WHOLE bible. Not just bits and pieces.
I know we are not BOUND by the law of the children of Israel. I got that. Think about the message in the entirety of the bible. Giving to the poor......reaping what you sew.......giving thanks to God (i.e. blessings before meals...tithings). Now BIBLICALLY yes....we will be blessed for tithings. I agree we will be blessed if we tithe....and I believe if we don't and we are able to....we will probably get some negativity from God. Just like the rich man and Lasurus. Time after time after time even in the gospels of Christ it shows this.
Just because it doesn't use the word "tithe" yall think its ok to skip out on it. Most likely tryin to justify lack of obedience. And also....going back to Malachi....I know it may have been for the children of Israel only....in your opinions....but God made sure His message stood the test of time...and He never said ANYWHERE in His word and the we are now exempt from tithing.
Is it the right thing to do to financially help the church....the poor....the needy....anyone? YES......so wouldn't it be wrong not to help if you were able? Jesus Himself said that if anyone asks anything of us to give it and offer more.
I like to use the WHOLE doctrine. So yes....I believe God wants us to tithe.....He said "when you have done it to the least of these...you have done it to me" so if we give to the poor (like He says we should) we are giving to Him. Giving is good....not giving when you can is bad. FUNDAMENTALS
People need to start taking their bible as seriously as they did in the days of yesteryear.....but the bible even says that people wont.....so im not surprised
You fall into the trap of thinking that everyone who wants to dispute tithing is looking for an excuse not to give.
Consider that the Old Testament is full of rules and regulations ("the law") that shows (a) the holiness of God, and (b) our inability to keep the law. When Jesus came and was teaching, He elevated everything to a higher standard. Instead of merely "thou shalt not commit adultery", Jesus taught that even looking upon a woman with lust is sinful; with the Holy Spirit's help, we men should work at controlling our thoughts. The world sniggers "Hey, I'm married, not dead" in justifying ogling women. But Jesus calls us to a higher standard. The same way with murder - the Old Testament law was "Thou shalt not murder" -- but Jesus taught that His higher standard is not to be angry with our brothers.
I believe that the same applies to giving. Only a Biblical dunce would argue that Jesus didn't teach that His disciples should give. But I believe that He did not mention "tithe" for a good reason -- that was the law, and why should His people consider themselves restricted to merely 10%? God has promised to bless those who give; instead of attempting to reach some numerical goal, we should seek the Holy Spirit and consider what God would have us give. That could be well over 10% in some cases.
So, while I don't think tithing is New Testament, giving certainly is - and we should be looking for excuses and ways to give. His people should be giving people.
