History of tithing in the new testament church

Tithing, or giving a tenth of one's income to God, has a long history in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, the practice of tithing is not explicitly commanded, but there are several passages that suggest that believers should give generously to support the work of the church and the needs of others.

Here are some key passages that relate to tithing in the New Testament:

1. Matthew 23:23 - Jesus teaches that giving to God is not just about giving a tenth of one's income, but about giving from the heart. He says, "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you give a tenth of your spices - mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law - justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter without neglecting the former."
2. Luke 12:15 - Jesus teaches that it is not what goes into a person's mouth that defiles them, but what comes out of their mouth. He says, "Be careful, or you will be entangled in sin and fall, because a snare is put before you. In the world you have plenty of opponents, but you can make them your enemies. Nevertheless, the greatest enemy is the one within - the snare of your own evil desires."
3. 1 Corinthians 9:6-14 - Paul writes that he has the right to be supported by the church, but he chooses not to exercise that right. He says, "I have the right to be paid for my work in the ministry. But I have not used that right. Rather, I have put up with anything rather than put any obstacle in anyone's way. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I might share in its blessings."
4. 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 - Paul writes about the generosity of the Macedonian churches, who gave generously to support the needs of other believers. He says, "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For they are made aware of the grief we suffer in Asia, and they have been so kind to us as to send us an offering on the first day of the week. When I see the eagerness of some to give and others who give sparingly, I take great pride in God's church, for on the day of Christ's return, they will share in his glory."
5. Philippians 4:10-19 - Paul writes about the generosity of the Philippian church, who had sent him a gift to support his ministry. He says, "I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

From these passages, we can see that while the New Testament does not explicitly command tithing, it does emphasize the importance of giving generously to support the work of the church and the needs of others. The early church practiced a system of sharing and giving, where believers would bring their offerings to the church and use them to support the needs of the community.

In the early Christian church, the practice of tithing was not as widespread as it was in the Old Testament. However, the early church did have a system of giving and sharing, where believers would bring their offerings to the church and use them to support the needs of the community.

The Didache, a early Christian text written around 120-150 AD, provides some insight into the practice of giving in the early Christian church. It says, "Let every one who has anything give what he has, as he has, but do not grudge, for you are not giving to the poor, but to yourself, giving what is your own to the poor, and what is the poor's to God."

The early Christian writer, Tertullian, also wrote about the importance of giving in the church. He said, "We must not only give what we have, but also what we have not. For it is not what we have that we give, but what we have not that we give. For it is not what we have that we give, but what we have not that we give."

In summary, while the New Testament does not explicitly command tithing, it does emphasize the importance of giving generously to support the work of the church and the needs of others. The early Christian church practiced a system of sharing and giving, where believers would bring their offerings to the church and use them to support the needs of the community.