Comments on: Tithing alone does not bring financial increase

By: GaryM

GaryM — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:39:05 +0000

While I believe in giving, tithing is a slippery slope at best. When you start to obey Old Testament laws where does it end?

Positionally, we are seated with Christ in heavenly places and, as New Covenant believers, we are joint-heirs with Christ–not servants like they were in the Old Testament. Therefore, though some claim to have been blessed by tithing, it was the faith exercised rather than the 10% given that brought blessing.

In 2 Cor 8:9 it states that Christ bore our poverty in the same way he bore our sins and diseases. You are either blessed because of your tithing or you are blessed by faith in what God already did for you in Christ BUT NOT a combination of the two. “By the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” We live by a higher standard but that standard is NOT to do better than they did in the Old Testament; the standard is our position in Christ by virtue of the New Birth.

We should not be trying to open the windows of heaven when we are seated far above them in Christ Jesus.

Jesus said that all that the Father has is ours. And we are trying to “get God off of the bench”? God got off the bench and won the game for us 2000 years ago. We need to thank Him for what He has already done instead of trying to get Him to do something.

However, we always seem to fall back onto law when it comes to receiving anything from God.

By: Charles - Big Idea Blogger

Charles - Big Idea Blogger — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 05:15:49 +0000

Yes I agree, I think Tithing only opens up the windows of heavens (Mal 3:10). What’s going to bring increase is wisdom and hard work. We got to work WITH God, and not wait for God to work FOR us.

By: Tony Isaac

Tony Isaac — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:52:43 +0000

Hi Bob,

Haven’t been by this way in a while. How are you holding up?

Anyways take care and regards to the family

By: steward

steward — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:58:57 +0000

Tithing is not commanded for the new testament church. The Holy Spirit should guide and instruct our giving. the tithing law is dead, and cannot teach us and train us in the way that the Spirit does.

- jared

By: Ken

Ken — Wed, 06 May 2009 02:33:09 +0000

Neat stuff. I never seen myself and God as teammates. That’s interesting.

By: Carolyn

Carolyn — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:45:53 +0000

Excellent post. This was so easy to read and understand and I appreciate how you tied your points to scripture. Thank you.

By: Steve Toschlog

Steve Toschlog — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:15:51 +0000

Thanks everyone for your comments. Jeremiah 29:11 speaks of the good plans that God has for us, including prosperity. Proverbs 10:4 tells us how to make those plans come to pass – through diligence. No one can go wrong managing their money and life with diligence. The rewards will be great. I’ve heard it said many times, you can’t go wrong doing the right thing.

By: Bob's Occasional Musings

Bob's Occasional Musings — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:53:49 +0000

Michael, good point. God knows each person and their heart. He wants only the best for His children but like any good parent, He won’t put things in our lives that will cause us to stumble. I know many people who are faithfully tithe because of their commitment to keeping God first in their life. They are storing up treasures in heaven, treasures that won’t loose their value or cause us to have less faith and trust in God. I think of a member of our church who is currently serving in Chad as a missionary. If anyone had a good reason not to tithe, it would be him. But he has continued to tithe to the church; not because he is hoping that God is going to heap treasures on him here on earth but because he knows the real reward, the real treasures, will be an eternal treasure in Heaven.

By: Michael the Dumb Tech Geek

Michael the Dumb Tech Geek — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:05:07 +0000

While I agree that the actions you outline above are all God’s will for our life, I don’t think it follows that financial prosperity DEFINITELY follows from tithing, having a good work ethic and keeping a budget. I’ve heard stories even from my pastor where their faith was tested by working full-time for the church while not being certain if his family would have food to put on the table tomorrow. Just as God allows the unsaved to be wealthy in this world, so also can He call His people to live a life of poverty. It is our soul that is being tested, and all the rewards for managing life and finances properly are only guaranteed in heaven.

By: Sheila

Sheila — Tue, 05 May 2009 16:03:42 +0000

I see people do this (giving with expectation yet without doing their own part). I have never figured out what to say, so therefore I assume that I need to keep my mouth shut and pray for them (as I hope they are praying for me and my own shortcomings). This is an area of growth. Very good post!