Posted November 5th, 2009 in Ask a Bible Teacher
Q. Can you stand another question on tithing ? Do we fall under old testament rules of 10%, or are we asked by God to give what we feel is right? And what are the benefits of a cheerful giver?
Posted October 1st, 2009 in Ask a Bible Teacher
Q. I was reading an article about tithing. I’d like to know what you think about it. The goal of the article was to show that tithing is not a NT requirement, although the writer did make clear Christians should give generously, willingly, and joyfully to the Kingdom but that the OT tithe looked completely different then and what it has become was invented by man and that we are not obligated to tithe 10% but only what we are able to give.
Posted September 18th, 2009 in Ask a Bible Teacher
Q. We unfortunately live in an area where there are mostly liberal and emerging churches which we would have difficulty attending for doctrinal reasons. For many years we attended a steadfast Bible-believing church quite far away from us. We can no longer afford the gas to attend that particular church and have been “orphans” for awhile. We have not yet found another church to attend near us and are certainly uncomfortable with the situation. But we do want to at least resume tithing.
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Posted August 21st, 2009 in Ask a Bible Teacher
Q. One more question about tithing:
There are a few Christian charities that I mail checks to … organizations that are helping Christians in the middle east. Since I am mailing a check (along with all of the personal data that is printed on a check ie name, address, etc) I am not giving “in secret” as the bible says. Is this wrong? It is only a “secret” from my family and friends. Your advice would be welcomed.
Posted August 17th, 2009 in Ask a Bible Teacher
Q. In your Aug 9, 2009, response to “Tithing: Cause and Effect,” your second sentence, below, sounds so much like the Prosperity Doctrine taught on some web sites. Is the entire message of those sites, therefore, suspect?
You said, “When we give solely out of gratitude, not expecting anything in return, God is free to bless us. But when we give with an expectation of receiving we’re actually being greedy, not grateful, and the motive of our heart is wrong.”
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Posted August 14th, 2009 in Ask a Bible Teacher
Q. I am wondering what God would have me do regarding finances. Assuming that I am tithing, I don’t know which He would have me do as a priority — pay off debts or put away money in savings? I am thinking that I should be paying off debt as I should not be storing up treasures here on earth. But paying my debts? That’s an obligation I have to do the right thing. Do you agree?
Posted August 9th, 2009 in Ask a Bible Teacher
Q. I have a question regarding tithing. I get regular emails everyday from your website and I really enjoy reading your replies to the questions presented. I have read several questions that people have asked you regarding tithing, and I do agree with you on most occasions. Recently a woman asked you if she should make up tithes that she did not pay. Your response was that it was always intended to be an expression of gratitude. I do believe this too, but if you read further in Malachi it not only tells us to challenge God in tithing, but it also says in Malachi 3:11: “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.” So shouldn’t we tithe out of more than just gratitude? It is to keep Satan from attacking us unnecessarily too is it not?
Posted August 2nd, 2009 in Ask a Bible Teacher
Q. My husband and I have been Christians for a long time. We faithfully and gratefully tithed for many years. But when severe financial problems caused partly by life-threatening ill health and the rest by poor financial choices occurred, we waivered. We started frantically trying to pay day to day living expenses that were piling up and tragically abandoned our tithing out of a misguided sense of responsibility. We put our responsibility to our earthly debtors above our responsibility to obey God. We are ashamed.
Posted July 19th, 2009 in Ask a Bible Teacher
Q. If, as you say, tithing is a minimum standard, where in the NT does it say that the minimum standard is 10%?
The purpose of biblical tithing in the OT was to support the Levites, who were not allowed possess any property on which they could raise any stock or crops. Tithing, in essence, was food for the Levites. What is the purpose of NT tithing, since there is no temple and no Levitical priesthood to receive the tithe?
Posted July 18th, 2009 in Ask a Bible Teacher
Q. I am enjoying your articles on GraceThruFaith, however, I have a question about New Testament tithing. Where in any of the NT epistles (not the Gospels) is the NT believer told specifically to “tithe”? (giving 10% of gross income).
My husband and I do not “tithe”, but we give “what God purposes in our hearts to give” and we give 100% of that. I believe giving has nothing to do with “how much”, but has everything to do with the heart of the giver.
