The Pentecostal denomination I was in (Church of God) teaches tithing as mandatory, if you’re going to hold any kind of position in the congregation (Sunday School teacher, etc.). I debated this position with my last CoG pastor, and when I made it clear that I did not believe that tithing was required in the Church Age, he almost attacked me physically. That led me to decide that perhaps this denomination would be better off without me. It also led me to do a detailed study on the subject of tithing.
this is partially true. while he never actually uses the word “tithe” he talks a lot about giving. 1corinthians 16:1-4 says that people should give according to their income (meaning, if you make more, give more. sounds like there is a relation to tithing there a little bit). also, in 2 corinthians 8 & 9, paul talks about the blessings given to those who give but that we should give what we set aside in our hearts to give (God loves a cheerful giver). this seems to say there is no set amount or percentage, but the argument could go that, in the old testament, you had tithe’s (10% very well explained by DaveBj) and offerings (anything above 10%). paul could be referencing the churches where the members sold everything and gave it to the church. he could be saying how that is what is not binding and for us to just start at the 10% spot. i don’t know. i do know that the church teaches that tithing is not mandatory but that great blessings accompany our giving and the more we give (not necessarily amount but the more we sacrifice out of what we’ve been given) the more we will be blessed. so why not give at least 10%. my wife and i do not make much money but the first check we write every month is our (a little more than) 10% tithe (we round up). we tithe out of our gross. the money is not included in our budget, it is a non-negotiable. i think most people could do this but choose not to trust God in that way and are then missing out on blessings He would share with them (not to mention all the people who would be blessed because of them).
again, we need to read between the lines a little. also, the “trinity” isn’t mentioned in the new testament (or old for that matter) but can easily be gotten to with a little putting the pieces together. there are many things which the apostles never came out and wrote on paper but we don’t know if they passed it on through word of mouth (i.e. sacred tradition). how did the people in the early church know to go sell everything and share it with one another (acts 2)? i don’t think tithing is “incumbent” upon believers but that also does not mean that a family making $50,000 a year should only give each child $1 a week to put in the collection plate. i also think you can give time and energy but that still does not remove you from having to give back money to God also. it’s His, give Him His share. that’s just my :twocents:
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yes, and the old testament assumes “tithes” (10%) and “offerings” (above and beyond 10%). so why would we change that today. i don’t see where the 10% was actually taken away. it seems that it was just assumed, but that paul (and the other apostles) were telling people they did not have to sell everything and give it to the church (as many were doing). the apostles didn’t want to place burdens on people but they also understood the blessings that come from giving generously to God. if God knew everyone could afford 10% in the old testament, why can they no longer afford it under the new covenant. imagine if every Christian gave 10% of their income. i’m fairly sure we could wipe out many things which keep people from knowing God (i.e. hunger, poverty, disease, etc.). i know the church does not command a tithe but why should we just do the bare minimum. there is no blessing in that. (not that i think you are suggesting this dave, i do think we are on the same page, and i have read much about people giving way beyond 10% and i too strive to be there. as it is now, my wife and i give around 11% and are looking to see what we can sacrifice to be able to give more).
We know that Abraham gave Melchizedek a tithe of the plunder from the battle with the five kings (Gen. 14:20) and that Jacob promised to give God a tithe in return for His protection (Gen. 28:22), but there is no prior record of the institution of tithing as a requirement.
Yes, our pledge cards this past summer had something like that. Our priest knows what we give, how we divide it, and where it goes, and he’s cool with it.On the collection envelopes we have in my parish it says “A tithe is 10% of your net income. We suggest you contribute 6% to your parish.” I guess this means the other 4% could be contributed to any good cause outside the parish, perhaps a lay apostalate like Catholic Answers (hint)
Has anyone else seen something like this?
I am fortunate to belong to a parish that never seems to have any problems with funds.On the collection envelopes we have in my parish it says “A tithe is 10% of your net income. We suggest you contribute 6% to your parish.” I guess this means the other 4% could be contributed to any good cause outside the parish, perhaps a lay apostalate like Catholic Answers (hint)
Has anyone else seen something like this?
I was in an independent charismatic church that did that. I must say I much prefer the drop box over taking up collections. However, churches (Catholic or otherwise) that do that are way in the minority.