Topical Encyclopedia The concept of tithing, which involves giving a tenth of one's income or produce, is rooted in the Old Testament and carries over into the New Testament with both continuity and transformation. In the New Testament, the practice of tithing is addressed in the context of Jesus' teachings and the early Christian community's approach to giving and stewardship.Jesus' Teachings on Tithing In the Gospels, Jesus addresses the practice of tithing, particularly in His interactions with the Pharisees. In Matthew 23:23 , Jesus says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. 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." Here, Jesus acknowledges the practice of tithing but emphasizes that it should not overshadow the weightier matters of the law, such as justice and mercy. This indicates that while tithing is a recognized practice, it must be accompanied by a heart aligned with God's greater purposes. The Early Church and Generosity The New Testament church is characterized by a spirit of generosity and communal support, which goes beyond the strict legalistic practice of tithing. In Acts 2:44-45 , it is recorded, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This passage reflects a radical form of giving that transcends the tithe, focusing on meeting the needs of the community. The Apostle Paul also addresses the principle of giving in his letters. In 2 Corinthians 9:7 , Paul writes, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." This teaching highlights the importance of voluntary and joyful giving, suggesting that the spirit of generosity is more significant than adhering to a specific percentage. Tithing and the New Covenant Under the New Covenant, the emphasis shifts from a legalistic obligation to a heart-driven generosity. The New Testament does not mandate tithing as a requirement for believers, but it upholds the principles of stewardship, generosity, and caring for the needs of others. The focus is on the attitude of the heart and the willingness to support the work of the church and the needs of the community. In summary, while the New Testament acknowledges the practice of tithing, it places greater emphasis on the principles of justice, mercy, and faithfulness, as well as the spirit of generosity and cheerful giving. The early church's example of communal sharing and Paul's teachings on giving reflect a broader understanding of stewardship that transcends the traditional tithe. Topical Bible Verses Luke 18:12I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. Topicalbible.org Matthew 23:23 Luke 11:42 Acts 20:35 2 Corinthians 9:7 Library part 1 Preface. Preface. Whether Tithes Should be Paid to the Clergy? On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xi. 39, "Now do Ye Pharisees ... Whether Men are Bound to Pay Tithes under a Necessity of Precept? The Christian View of the Old Testament part 2 The "Fraternity" of Pharisees Whether the Times for the Church Fast are Fittingly Ascribed? Resources How should I decide how much to tithe? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about Christian tithing? Should a Christian tithe? | GotQuestions.org Does our tithe all have to go to our church or can part of it go to a Christian ministry? | GotQuestions.org Tithe: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Tithe: A Second: Or Its Value Yearly Brought to the Tabernacle and Eaten Tithe: A Second: To be Consumed at Home Every Third Year to Promote Tithe: Antiquity of the Custom of Giving to God's Ministers Tithe: Considered a Just Return to God for his Blessings Tithe: Consisted of a Tenth of all Cattle Tithe: Consisted of a Tenth of all the Produce of the Land Tithe: Consisted of a Tenth of Holy Things Dedicated Tithe: Given by God to the Levites for Their Services Tithe: Punishment for Changing Tithe: Reasonableness of Appointing, for the Levites Tithe: Rulers Appointed Over, for Distributing Tithe: The Jews Reproved for Withholding Tithe: The Jews Slow in Giving Tithe: The Pharisees Scrupulous in Paying Tithe: The Pious Governors of Israel Caused the Payment of Tithe: The Tenth of, Given by the Levites to the Priests As Their Tithe: The Tenth of, offered by the Levites As an Heave offering To Tithe: Under the Law Belonged to God Tithe: when Redeemed to a Fifth Part of the Value Added Related Terms Heave-offering (55 Occurrences) Voluntary-offerings (4 Occurrences) Free-will-offerings (6 Occurrences) Freewill-offerings (8 Occurrences) |
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