Tithing

by AshtonCA 16 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

AshtonCA

okay, I have looked all over this board and I can't find anything on tithing. Actually, I tried to search for it, but I can never get the search thing to work.
Anyway. JW's are against tithing, but when I look it up, other religions have scriptures that say we are supposed to. So who's right and how do I know? :)
The giving thing is no biggy, I already do stuff for charity (I crochet baby items for preemie and newborn babies for our local hospital's NICUs, and also other hospitals around the world).
I just can't get the nagging sound of my mom's voice out of my head that says this is wrong "we shouldn't be paying out ministers."
Ash
blondie

Tithing was a Jewish requirement/law wherein 11 tribes supported the Levites who did not receive a land inheritance like the other tribes. When the Law ended, no one was required to tithe any more.
Believe me, if the WTS could find a "scriptural" way to make the rank and file give 1/10 of their gross income, they would have done it by now.
Some religions who do tithe do refer back to the Law and say that Christians are obligated under the Jewish Law to tithe.
There is nothing in the new Testament that I can find that commands that Christians give 1/10.
1 Corinthians 16:1,2 does say Christians should set aside funds on a regular basis to donate in relation to what they have.
This way Christians who have the means can even give more than 1/10.
the_classicist

It's a disciplinary thing, not a matter of divine law. To claim that is scriptural base on the old law wouldn't make any sense since the old law is no longer valid.
I remember when I was about to learning about Catholicism, my JW mother was lying about how this women she worked for had her husband died and the priest made her give him a tithe for doing the funeral. Well, that's not allowed in the Catholic Church; at most, the priest can ask a stipend of $10 for a mass that they say, and the people that can't afford them definitely don't need to. Priests in religious orders take a vow of poverty, and they are given a small allowance by their respective order, but a dioceasan Priest is given a salary, not based on collections of stipends.
peacefulpete

Tithing was an ancient near eastern practice centuries before the formation of Judah or Israel. We have many very ancient examples of tithing predating even the supposed time of Abraham. Even the Bible has the pagan king Melchizedek taking tithes. There are intersting examples from Ugarit and Egypt for example. Tithes were often given to the King as the representatve of the Patron god (sitting on his throne as it were). The Bible describes this practiceas comon for kings of the day:
1 Sam. 8:15-17 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.
The earliest tradtions in the OT do not have a Levite tribe being the keepers of the priesthood. For example the stories that became part of 2 Sam have David's sons being priests and Samuel offering sacrifices (neither levites)
It was only post-exilic Deuteronomists that secured for them selves this distinction and in fact this was even furthur narrowed to the Aaronic levites by the priests that P represented. The levites were likely not a tribe but a group of religious specialists trained in Babylonian and Persian cult that were written into the history legends as a tribe. The OT also has them recieving cities pastureland and houses as an inheritiance(eg. Lev 25, Numb 35, Josh 21) dispite the contrary being also claimed.
It"s all history revisionism.
But even so the priesthood moved to have the tradtional tithing given to them rather than the king, as they were now the religious center the King once represented.
This tithing it was of agricultural and pastoral goods not cash. IF someone wanted to buy back a tithed item he had to pay the priest 12% rathert than the 10. (Lev 27).
Chrurches that tith today (many) are simply using the OT as a precedent rather than using it as a guide. Hope this helps.
Doubtfully Yours

JWs claim that Christians are not obligated to tithe.
Good thing! I'll be damned if I'm going to give 10% of my hard earned cash to any minister or religious organization!
When I used to contribute, I used to divide the monthly expenses of the congregations by the number of families regularly attending the meetings. This is how I came to realize what was a fair contribution towards the monthly expenses of the Kingdom Hall. If I got any contributions in field service, that's what I contributed to the worldwide work and not out of my pocket. I'm sure my husband contributes regularly and more than I ever would, but that's his doing.
DY
Voyager

Tithing
Watchtower/2001/Dec/15t/page-19/
16
The Pharisees prided themselves on tithing the tiniest herbs, like mint, dill, and cumin. They advertised their piety by their dress and tried to direct the nation. Surely, if our actions are to be in harmony with Jesus? example, we must avoid the tendency of always looking for and highlighting the flaws in others.
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Watchtower/1955/Dec/15th/page-753/
. Spiritual tithing or tenthing includes our helping along the global movement of "all nations" and "all peoples" up the exalted mountain of Jehovah?s house to his temple courts, there to worship him together.?Isa. 2:2-4, AS.
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Awake/1976/April/8th/page-21/
Another vow taken by Pharisees involved tithing, or giving tenths of the produce of the land, and of its fruit trees, herds and flocks for the support of the Levitical priesthood and other necessary things connected with God?s worship. While there was nothing wrong with tithing in itself, Jesus sternly rebuked Pharisees who felt that performing such religious precepts would excuse a lack of other godly qualities.

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Watchtower/1980/May/1st/page-5/
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While such extensive efforts to observe tithing and ceremonial cleanness did not violate the written law of God, they went beyond what that law demanded. Interestingly, a rabbinical legend represents the congregation of Israel as saying: "Lord of the universe, I have imposed upon myself more restrictions than Thou hast imposed upon me, and I have observed them."

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Watchtower/1957/April/15th/pages 241-242/

Is
it Scriptural for Christendom?s religions to raise money by tithing, the passing of collection plates and the use of gambling devices?
Tithing or the giving of one tenth of one?s income applied only to the Jews. It was one of the decrees in the Law of Moses. By his death Christ abolished that Law so that not even Jewish Christians are obliged to keep the decrees such as tithing. Says the Bible: "By means of his flesh he abolished the hatred, the Law of commandments consisting in decrees."?Eph. 2:15, NW.
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Watchtower/1960/April/15th/page-230/

Tithing is a widely accepted belief in Christendom, churches tithing parishioners ten percent of their income. Does the Bible teach this as a Christian doctrine? Tithing was part of the Law of Moses. But Christians are not under that Law, as Christ?s apostle writes: "You are not under law but under undeserved kindness." When sending his disciples out to preach, Jesus did not instruct them to tithe people.
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Watchtower/1961/May/1st/page-277/
Q. Do Jehovah?s witnesses practice tithing?
A. No. In Jehovah?s pre-Christian congregation tithing was God?s method of supporting his temple workers called Levites, who had no tribal land other than certain cities. Even then Jehovah?s worshipers were free to volunteer contributions for special projects such as the tabernacle furnishings and later the temple. (Ex. 35:29; 1 Chro. 29:17) Jehovah nailed the old Law covenant to Jesus? torture stake.
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Watchtower/2002/Dec/15th/page-30/
· Why is tithing not required of Christians?
Under the Law given to ancient Israel, tithing was a means of supporting the tribe of Levi and caring for needy ones. (Leviticus 27:30; Deuteronomy 14:28, 29) The sacrificial death of Jesus abolished the Law and its tithing requirement. (Ephesians 2:13-15) In the early congregation, the pattern was for each Christian to give according to his means and as he resolved in his heart. (2 Corinthians 9:5, 7)?12/1, pages 4-6.
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Watchtower/1990/Dec/1st/page-22/
Do Jehovah?s Witnesses practice tithing?
No. In ancient Israel, tithing was commanded under the Mosaic Law in order to support God?s temple workers, the Levites and the priests. (Numbers 18:21, 24-29) These had no tribal lands other than certain cities, so they needed this special support. In addition, faithful Israelites were free to give voluntary contributions for special projects, such as the construction of the tabernacle and, later, the temple.?Exodus 25:1-8; 1 Chronicles 29:3-7.
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Watchtower/1988/July/1st/page-9/
How to Show Thankfulness
6 In detail, Jehovah spelled out three specific ways in which the Israelites were to show genuine appreciation for his goodness. One was to observe the tithing requirement by giving Jehovah a tenth of all produce and livestock.
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Watchtower/2002/Dec/1st/page-3/
For many churches, the answer is the tithe. "Tithing is God?s way of financing His kingdom on the earth," claims evangelist Norman Robertson. "It is His system of economics which enables the Gospel to be preached." Not shy about reminding his followers of their responsibility to give, he emphatically states: ?Tithing isn?t something you do because you can afford it. It is an act of obedience. Not tithing is a clear violation of God?s commandments. It is embezzlement.??Tithing?God?s Financial Plan.
Most likely you agree that giving should be part of Christian worship. However, do you find insistent appeals for money disturbing, perhaps even offensive? Brazilian theologian In á cio Strieder accuses churches of resorting to tithing to "solve their institutional problems" and labels such practices "illegitimate, abusive, and a theological aberration."
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Awake/1974/Jan/8th/page-28/
The Law covenant, with its commands about tithing, was abolished on the basis of Jesus? death on the torture stake. Of this, the inspired apostle Paul wrote: "[God] blotted out the handwritten document . . . and He has taken it out of the way by nailing it to the torture stake." (Col. 2:14) Hence, the command on tithing given to the Israelites cannot be used to prove that God requires this of Christians.
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Watchtower/2003/Dec/1st/page-16/
8 Second, in addition to the tithing requirement, Jehovah arranged for the Israelites to make voluntary contributions.
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Watchtower/1953/Dec/1st/page-709/
A not uncommon practice in churches today is that of tithing. This is the taxing of church members one tenth of their earnings, and it is a practice used by the Mormons, Adventists and others. The preachers repeatedly harp on tithing and the parishioners are firmly led to believe that it would be Scripturally wrong for them to give less than a tenth of their income to the demanding church. But how is this a sign that the Word of God is being commercialized? Is not tithing approved by the Bible? Under the Law of Moses, yes! But we do not find Jesus recommending tithing to his followers. His disciples were sent out to preach the gospel free, not to demand tithes. (Matt. 10:8, 9) True, Christ upheld tithing while the Jewish Law was in effect, but tithing came to an end when the Law was abolished by God through Christ Jesus.
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Watchtower/1955/March/1st/page-149/
CONTRIBUTION
16 Today many religious organizations of Christendom require their members to pay tithes, or a tenth of their income. Is tithing required of Christians, according to the Scriptures? The answer is, No. True Christians will adhere to the Bible and follow its commandments .
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Watchtower/1960/July/15th/pages 445-446/
There is no question that tithing was for the Israelites, but is it for Christians? The fact that the Israelites paid tithes does not mean that the Christians are obligated to do so.
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Insight/Vol/2/page-1110/
No Tithing for Christians. At no time were first-century Christians commanded to pay tithes. The primary purpose of the tithing arrangement under the Law had been to support Israel?s temple and priesthood; consequently the obligation to pay tithes would cease when that Mosaic Law covenant came to an end as fulfilled, through Christ?s death on the torture stake. (Eph 2:15; Col 2:13, 14) It is true that Levitical priests continued serving at the temple in Jerusalem until it was destroyed in 70 C.E., but Christians from and after 33 C.E. became part of a new spiritual priesthood that was not supported by tithes.?Ro 6:14; Heb 7:12; 1Pe 2:9.
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Awake/1985/Dec/8th/page-25/
Interestingly, God?s law on tithing was not listed among the "necessary things" for Christians.
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Watchtower/1991/Dec/1st/page-30/
God himself put an end to the Mosaic Law, with its tithing arrangements, nailing it to Jesus? torture stake.
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Watchtower/1963/Nov/1st/page-647/
. . . As Christians we are free from the law of Moses. Circumcision, tithing and other commandments are no longer for us.
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Watchtower/1951/April/15th/pages 248-249/
LAW WITH TITHING ORDINANCE REMOVED
Search as you may you will not find Jesus recommending or commending tithing for his followers.
Perry

Genesis 14:20 (Contemporary English Version)

20 All praise belongs
to God Most High
for helping you defeat
your enemies."
Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything
Since there was a pre-Law precedent, Law requirement, and a Christian imperative to give, or set monies aside, most Christian congregations consider the tithe a worthy goal in the christian walk. It would have been against the Christian idea of freedom in Christ to set up a rule concerning this. In the Christian worldview, God already owns everything. And since our spirit is recreated to be at one with the divine nature of God's spirit, it is silly to horde material things. How can you horde things away from yourself? Materialism is an illusion.
Christians are encouraged to be obedient concerning material posessions realizing that all things are really just on loan from God and are his anyway. Our church encourages you to divide your offering into congregation expenses and charity. The church has a charity fund specifically set aside for those in need in the community... and not necessarily only those who attend the church.
A complete accounting of money is also provided to attendees showing salaries, charities, expenses etc. Everything is out in the open.
AshtonCA

There is nothing in the new Testament that I can find that commands that Christians give 1/10.

I do know that tithe means tenth.
Taken from Gururnet:
WORD HISTORY A tithe is a tenth, etymologically speaking; in fact, tithe is the old ordinal numeral in English. Sound changes in the prehistory of English are responsible for its looking so different from the word ten. Tithe goes back to a prehistoric West Germanic form *tehuntha-, formed from the cardinal numeral *tehun, ?ten,? and the same ordinal suffix that survives in Modern English as ?th. The n disappeared before the th in the West Germanic dialect area that gave rise to English, and eventually yielded the Old English form tēothe, ?tenth,? still not too different from the cardinal numeral tīen. But over time, as the former became tithe and the latter ten, and as tithe developed the specialized meaning ?a tenth part paid as a tax,? it grew harder to perceive a relationship between the two. The result was that speakers of English created a new word for the ordinal, tenth, built with the cardinal numeral ten on the pattern of the other regularly-formed ordinal numerals like sixth or seventh.
bebu

I don't mind giving to church or charities. I realize that giving a tithe is, for most people, a challenge, especially if one is not accustomed to this. It certainly doesn't make anyone holy; it's more a exercise for staying healthier in a spiritual sense (giving is a kind of sacrifice).
God loves a cheerful giver, it is said; and Paul comments that if we gave everything to the poor without love--we've gained nothing at all. So the biggest part of the challenge is to change our attitude toward money, I think, and from there generosity can grow, whether it is a tithe or not.
bebu
z

First time in the Ot Moses ask Israel to give Tithing is in Exodus 35 4
Moses was the first one after that the did not stop asking $$$$$$$$$
Z

Tithing

Genesis 14:20 (Contemporary English Version)

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