What the bible says about tithing by r breaker
A great topic!
R. Breaker, I assume you're referring to the biblical teaching on tithing. Here's a breakdown of what the Bible says about tithing:
What is tithing? In the Bible, tithing refers to the practice of giving one-tenth (10%) of one's income or possessions to God or the church. This practice is rooted in the Old Testament, where God commanded the Israelites to give a tithe to the Levites, who were responsible for the spiritual care of the community (Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21-24).
New Testament perspective In the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles did not explicitly command tithing. However, they did emphasize the importance of giving generously to support the work of God (2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Galatians 6:6-10). The apostle Paul wrote, "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Tithing in the New Testament While the New Testament does not require tithing, some argue that it implies a similar principle of giving. For example:
- Jesus taught that we should give to those in need, saying, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38).
- The apostle Paul encouraged the Corinthians to give generously, saying, "You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God" (2 Corinthians 9:10-11).
Modern application In modern times, many Christians interpret the biblical teaching on tithing as a principle of giving, rather than a strict requirement. Some argue that the New Testament emphasizes the importance of giving generously, rather than giving a specific percentage of one's income.
Conclusion In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly require tithing in the New Testament, it does emphasize the importance of giving generously to support the work of God. Christians may choose to tithe as a way of demonstrating their trust in God and their commitment to His kingdom, but it is not a requirement. Ultimately, the decision to tithe or not is a personal one that should be made in accordance with one's own spiritual convictions and financial situation.