All the emphasis on 10% often discredits the Christian church and is not supported in Scripture for the new testament believer, as it is not supported in Scripture. Jesus was clearly speaking to the Jewish Pharisees in the previous referenced verse, not to the new testament believer. We should give generously (above 10% even), but not be held to the rigid 10% standard. This can be a stumbling block for many and discredits the integrity of many ministries.

Kenneth,

I am troubled by your article. You provide two examples of "tithing". In the first you say that Jesus taught tithing based on his discussion with pharisees. He did teach and affirm tithing to those under the law and old covenant. Were the pharisees Christians? No, Christ hadn't yet been crucified how could they be? Were the Pharisees under the New Covenanat? Again, no Christ hadn't been crucified, how could they be? The context is that Jesus is affirming tithing to people who were under the old covenant. You also use the example of Abraham "tithing" to Melchizedek. This was a free will offering of the things he and his men took from the battle they just won. Abraham kept nothing from the spoils for himself to show that everything he had came from God. This is not the same "tithe" Jesus mentioned and neither of these examples have anything to do with being a Christ follower under the new covenant.

No one to date has addressed the questions I have asked in response to several of these tithing articles. If the law of tithing is still applicable today then:
Why did Paul not teach tithing? Why did he not push tithing when he was in serious need as ministries do today?
When the leaders of the early church realized that God was bringing the gentiles into the church and including them in the Body of Christ they came together and decided what practices should be put upon the gentiles, why was tithing not mentioned as a requirement for the gentiles?
Many practices preceeded the law, one of which is circumcision of the penise. Why do you not preach this as a requirement of believers today?
Do you think that Paul would repremand us for being under the law for tithing as he did for circumcision in Galatians?
The issue is not whether a believer should give, if we truly love the Lord we will give. The issue is that We should be lead by the Spirit,not the law.

Tithing is as biblical as firstfruits, sin offerings, and the urim and thummim. By the way, where is the Temple located? I want to make sure that my tithes make it to the storehouse on time.

check out dr. Vernon Mcgee teaching-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrWItOyH3fs

dave hunt--http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yl_QoY8EDo0

John MacArthur on tithing---http://www.biblebb.com/files/MAC/tithe.htm

I think you might rethink the idea that Jesus was speaking to the scribes and Pharisees specifically about tithing. He was really just denouncing them for missing justice, mercy, and faith (amongst other things). He said earlier in the chapter they "bind together burdens heavy and grievous to be borne, and lay upon the shoulders of men..." For if they properly tithed out of their herb gardens that was proper. Then Jesus compares this and other practices they were doing to the straining out of a gnat. What a small thing this is (according to Jesus). I doubt Jesus was really that concerned about tithing in this whole passage. He was talking about more important things and this was an example, not something to be taken to guide all future doctrine. Others have much more to say about this. Will please let Dr. Russell Kelley have his say?

If this was the high-priority command its champions claim it to be, how is it that the tithing of money as financial support for churches was not actively promoted until after the War Between the States?

There is historical evidence that Dr. Hemphill's own denomination did not even strongly promote this until the late 1960's.

The tithe did not precede the introduction of the law; it preceded the Mosaic law. Sacrifices, clean/unclean animals, and first fruit offerings, are all on record before the Mosaic law. Abraham's tithe was in obedience to a pagan law, stating that a tenth of the war spoils were due in taxes. There is absolutely nothing in scripture that says Abraham's tithe was spontaneous. Historical Canaanite tax records state that it was required.

Did God allow hatred in the Old Testament? I'm sorry, but God never changes. God never allow hatred. God's principles have not changed from Genesis 1 through Revelation 22. Simply put, God did not raise his eternal standards in the new testament.

Tithing is a dysfunctional operation in a Spirit-led organism. If our calling is from the Spirit of God, then our funding should be from the Spirit of God. Spirit-led giving creates checks and balances against pastors who have been misled but receive money because they let people know they are obligated to tithe

Russ- i sent it again

Russell Kelly was responding to Kenneth Hemphills long critique and Hemphill has not shown any desire for dialog.
please contact him at http://www.russ-kelly.com/id142.html

charles m crabtree

Russell Kelly was responding to Kenneth Hemphills long critique and Hemphill has not shown any desire for dialog.
please contact him at http://www.russ-kelly.com/id142.html

charles m crabtree

The author makes a statement that Abram gave a tenth of all he had:
"The first mention of tithing is found in Genesis 14:20 where Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of all he had."

The bible refutes this statement in Hebrews 7:4 where it states that Abram gave only a tenth of the spoils.
"Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils." Heb. 7:4

There is no indication in scripture that Abram tithed all of his wealth or tithed on a separate occasion. I don't know whether the author of this article truly understands that Abram gave a tenth of the spoils only, but the Bible goes out of its way in Heb. 7:4 to make it known that Abram's tithe was off the spoils and not of all his wealth (which doesn't confirm tithing all sources of income). Abram was wealthy before that tithe was given. We don't see this "tithing principle" passed down to Isaac and Jacob made a "personal" vow to tithe if God would bless him first. Key is personal vow.

I am in total agreement with this article. The tithe has nothing to do with the Law though many cite that we are not under the Law. I find nothing wrong with giving the tithe to my church so that it is supported and it's work is supported. I don't even understand why there is still discussion about tithing. Look at all that Christ has done for us? What is 10% when He has improved my life a gazillion percent?! If it's all His, and it is, I am thankful that He didn't ask for 50%! And if He had, I know that He would still have provided for me and all my brothers and sisters. Those who truly love God have no quarrel with tithing. Malachi asks, "Will a man rob God?" Malachi is not a book of the Law. Christians are supposed to be willing to give of themselves in all areas, and I believe that those who have a personal relaitonship with Christ can do so without issue. God loves a cheerful giver no matter what you call the offering!