Post by Michael James Stone on Jun 7, 2012 16:35:07 GMT -8
Is Tithing For Christians?
Q. As I was searching through a popular website I came across an article that addresses tithing. The author said that tithing pertained to the Jewish nation, not the New Covenant Church. He states a rather long list of supporting scripture, but I wanted your view on this.
A. No one who has actually experienced the blessings associated with tithing would ever argue against it, so I assume by opposing it, this writer was speaking hypothetically.
Also, arguments against tithing for Christians demonstrate a lack of understanding of one fundamental issue. The New Testament doesn’t specifically mandate tithing, it only promises blessings for those who give generously. People who don’t want to tithe and are willing to fore go its blessings are free not to.
In the New Testament there are no “have-to’s”. There are only “want-to’s”. In 1 Cor. 6:12 Paul wrote, “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial.”
There are great blessings in store for those who voluntarily follow God’s laws, but no where in the New Testament are any of them mandated as a condition for salvation, nor can their violation revoke our salvation.
When Jesus went to the cross, He forgave all our sins (Colossians 2:13-14). All of them. Believing He did this for us the only condition for our salvation. Behaving in a manner that pleases Him is our way of saying thanks.
Q. As I was searching through a popular website I came across an article that addresses tithing. The author said that tithing pertained to the Jewish nation, not the New Covenant Church. He states a rather long list of supporting scripture, but I wanted your view on this.
A. No one who has actually experienced the blessings associated with tithing would ever argue against it, so I assume by opposing it, this writer was speaking hypothetically.
Also, arguments against tithing for Christians demonstrate a lack of understanding of one fundamental issue. The New Testament doesn’t specifically mandate tithing, it only promises blessings for those who give generously. People who don’t want to tithe and are willing to fore go its blessings are free not to.
In the New Testament there are no “have-to’s”. There are only “want-to’s”. In 1 Cor. 6:12 Paul wrote, “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial.”
There are great blessings in store for those who voluntarily follow God’s laws, but no where in the New Testament are any of them mandated as a condition for salvation, nor can their violation revoke our salvation.
When Jesus went to the cross, He forgave all our sins (Colossians 2:13-14). All of them. Believing He did this for us the only condition for our salvation. Behaving in a manner that pleases Him is our way of saying thanks.