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- Christianity, the Bible & Jesus
Tithing, and What It Really Means.
What Is a Tithe?
A majority of people would argue that it is when you give 10% of your money and give it to the church as an offering.
- "Many pastors are on the church's payroll and are paid a regular salary. The payroll of the church is the culmination of several financial factors, including tithes and offerings as well as miscellaneous business endeavors of the church. This might include fees for renting out the church for weddings and other events or other services the church offers at a cost. According to the Barna Group, a California research firm focused on the intersection of faith and culture, pastors with seminary degrees receive an annual average salary of $42,083." - "How Do Pastors Get Paid?" By Lynda Moultry Belcher.
This is one of the many unbiblical teachings that a majority of the churches teach. Out of all the laws they want to follow in the Old Testament, ignoring ceremonial or dietary laws, they pick this one. Why is that? Better yet, are they even following it properly?
What, And Who Was The Tithe For?
Deuteronomy 26: 12 So now we can see that the money was for the Levites, the stranger in the land, the fatherless, and the widows. It was to go to everyone of those categories, not just one particular person or group of priests. This means that not only is the pastor using tithes to get money when the scriptures say that is wrong, but they aren't even giving it to the ones it was supposed to go to.
What About Giving Money to the Ministry?
That is not wrong. That is actually very good of you to do if they need it, such as helping to run the place or if they are using it for charity or preaching. But that is not a tithe. Here's an example. Let's say your payday is coming. $400 a week. Outside of work you ask your boss to loan you some money and they give you $20. Is that $20 your paycheck? No. Your paycheck and money on the side are two different things. How would you feel if they tried giving you the $20 for your work instead of what they owe you?
Let's make another scenario. Same salary, $400 a week. Now subtract the ten percent for your "tithe.". If you went to church every Sunday, that's $40 a week and $2000 a year. Whether or not that is a lot to you, it adds up very quickly. The fact that you are not the only one giving the money must also be taken into consideration. How much do you think your pastor is getting from everyone in your church each week?
What About Reaping What You Sow?
That is not exclusively about money. It means if you are being righteous, then the Most High will be for you and get you through anything. Being charitable, kind, patient, things like that and the rest of the laws. That's what it means. It's not about some charismatic prosperity preacher saying "Bring your tithe up here and you will receive ten times what you gave, hallelujaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah." It's about getting what you deserve. You do right, it will come back on you eventually. Do wrong, and it will come back on you.
So what now?
Ecclesiastes 12: 13
"let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear YHWH and keep His commandments."
Malachi 3: 6
"For I am Elohim, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."
He does not change, so tithing has not changed.