Bible Discussion Thread

Pastor Creflo Dollar, has spoken in the last few days about Tithing. Pastor stated that Tithing isn't necessary/mandatory etc. I know some where in Malachi talks about tithing. My question is, is he correct?

Hello Vicki. Ps. Dollar would have quoted from Malachi 3:8-10. He would probably also have said that this passage pertained to Israel who neglected to perform all that was required of them. In one passage ( Deuteronomy 12:6,11), the LORD instructed Israel that when they got to the Promised Land, that all their sacrifices, offerings, tithes, & vows were to come over as well & nothing to be left behind or undone. But in Malachi, the tithes that were made (the tenth of their farm produce gain) were not being brought forward & kept back by them. These tithes were needed & used by the priests & Levites serving at the Tabernacle for their support.

This command of tithing wasn't given nor applied to the Church, as the Church (at least in New Testament times), didn't have paid clergy or even a rented building & utilities supplied. Their giving was for the needs of one another & maybe their community ( Acts 2:41-47), thereby fulfilling the Command of Christ to love the LORD thy God and to love your neighbour as yourself. But as the Church grew & spread, the Apostle Paul made the believers aware that some of their Jerusalem brethren weren't doing so well in material things. So Paul sometimes collected stuff to take to them ( 1 Corinthians 16:1-3). So apart from these instances of providing relief to those in need, we don't read that tithing was practised. Rather, that Christians should not give grudgingly but willingly & cheerfully ( 2 Corinthians 9:6-8).

So, as much as tithing is not prescribed for the Church today, I believe that it should be a proper & sacrificial response to help in the support of a Church ministry, that now has far more expenses than the early Church. And not limited to a tenth on one's earnings, but also to share more if possible for other programs & missionary endeavours of the Church. But we're not limited to giving ten percent nor are we compelled to do so.