Should We Tithe? A Biblical Analysis of Tithing

Good summary of the topic.

That was Biblical, concise, and not what I expected to read. I am refreshed.

Well, I disagree with the article. I still believe the Bible teaches tithing.

http://gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com/2011/09/baptists-on-tithing.html

But I love you guys anyway.

David R. Brumbelow

http://gulfcoastpastor.blogspot.com/2011/09/baptists-on-tithing.html

the links look identical … so not sure what’s up

but good article

Jim,

Thanks for the help. I don’t know what the problem is either.

Must be some kind of conspiracy :-). Just don’t know who to blame.

David R. Brumbelow

Dave,

Thanks as well for fixing the link.

David R. Brumbelow

Are you:

• Following the OT laws on tithing OR
• Giving 10% of your income to your church? OR
• Both

Or to make it less personal (taking the “you” out):

Someone who gives 10% of his income to his church is:

• Following the OT laws on tithing OR
• Giving 10% of one’s income to his church? OR
• Both

Vitaliy preached on this not too long ago. His main conclusion was that, when looking over the NT, the question should not be if and how much I should tithe/give, but more along the lines of, how much can I reasonably live on so I can give all the rest?

He said it much better though, and in Ukrainian ;)

Jim,

I suppose I would say both.

And yes, I believe in and practice tithing.

David R. Brumbelow

1. An annual tithe for the support of the Levites, the tabernacle/temple workers (Lev 27:30-33; Num 18:21-24). This was the only visible means of support for them, since they inherited no land when Canaan was conquered under Joshua. The Levites, in turn, passed along a tithe of this tithe to the priests (Num 18:26).
2. An annual feast tithe, which apparently went for the support of the house of God and its services (Deut 14:22-27).
3. A “social ministry” tithe, received every third year, for helping the poor and needy (Deut 14:28; 26:12).

My contention is that no one tithes like this! Looks to be:

It is hard to understand how one can claim to be a thorough biblical analysis when Abraham’s tithe is minimalized and ignore the Hebrews’ discussion in chapter seven.

If it was good enough for Abraham before the Law, it is not good enough now after it? I do find it interesting that the author of Hebrews argues that Abraham gave a tenth of everything to the one person who is so unique that he resembles the Son of God. Hmmm, if it is good that Abraham tithed what he earned to the representitive of Jesus, why should we not desire to do the same?

I just keep it to a simple 10%. I believe we should give a minimum of 10% to the Lord. As the Lord leads, the more the better. 23.33% is not bad.

But looking at the entire biblical picture, before the law, the law, and after the law, I believe we should give a minimum tithe to the Lord.

David R. Brumbelow

There was an article or two awhile back by Aaron Blumer about using Biblical patterns to create mandates. There are examples of tithes and offerings to the Lord and the Lord’s work for various reasons, but I think we should be careful about making a ‘rule’ where there is only a pattern.