Dr J Vernon McGee Q&A - Is Tithing for Today?

[427mike427]

I am amazed at how many people spend so much energy trying to convince themselves that they don't need to tithe. It all belongs to the Lord! To commit yourself to giving at least ten percent back to him should be in the heart of EVERY person who call himself a Christ follower.

[blueskunk12]

@427mike427

No one is saying don't give. What some are saying is that Christ has set us free of the law, so don't place a minimum standard for everyone to obey.

[427mike427]

@blueskunk12 Abram gave tithes to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:20 long before the law was given to Moses. Thus it appears to me that tithing is not part to the law.

[blueskunk12]

@427mike427

Except that Jesus says it is in Matthew 23:23.

[blueskunk12]

@427mike427

And the paradox is that you claim Tithing is not law (mandatory) but seem to be trying to make Tithing into a law (mandatory).

[427mike427]

@blueskunk12 Im not going to argue with you about this. I like what Dr. McGee has to say about this in that we should be giving more than a tenth. I want to give to him first before I use any of my paycheck. I don't think he wants my left overs. I use the tenth as a starting point. People need to take a close look at what they give back to God. Most wonder why they are broke. It is because they give what they can spare after they pay for all their stuff! You reap what you sew.

[blueskunk12]

@427mike427

I think you refuse to argue because your beliefs are not Biblical.

You choose to violate 2 Cor 9:7, which says that there should be no compulsion to give. Insisting that 10% is the starting point means that everything less is an obligation.

Many people do not wonder why they're broke. Jesus said we will always have the poor among us (Mark 14:7).

Only those who think they can buy God's blessing want to sew money and reap a materialistic reward of worldly goods.

[blueskunk12]

@427mike427

So which is it?

Either Tithing is part of the law, as you claim with "people should be giving more than a tenth", or Tithing is not part of the law, and we are each free to give as the Spirit leads.

And if we are free to give by the Spirit, then we give without anyone imposing a starting point.

Either Tithing is law, or it's not. It can't be both.

[427mike427]

@blueskunk12 You don't sew to reap materialistic rewards! You sew in order to bless others. When you give to God he fills your storehouses all the more so you can continue to use what he gives you all the more. I am not buying God's blessing.

You are free to do what you want with God's resources. Most people who "give as the spirit leads them" give very little to God. Not saying that you don't give, but most don't give much.

[blueskunk12]

@427mike427

You keep contradicting yourself.

You said: "Most wonder why they are broke. It is because they give what they can spare after they pay for all their stuff! You reap what you sew."

Now you say: "You don't sew to reap materialist rewards".

Which is it?

You said: "We should be giving more than a tenth".

Now you say: "You are free to do what you want with God's resources".

Which is it?

[blueskunk12]

@427mike427

You say "When you give to God he fills your storehouses". How is that NOT buying God's blessing?

You say: "Most people who give as the spirit leads them give very little". How does this compare to the widow's mite, who gave less than a penny? Jesus said that she gave more than all the others, who put in large amounts.

And if people are giving as the spirit leads them, isn't that what matters?

I'm not fighting with you, I'm asking questions to see if this makes sense.

[blueskunk12]

@427mike427

But here's what I believe.

1) The Church is not a building. It's the people in the building.

2) When we give to the Church, we give to other people. Not to a fund that maintains the building, pays anyone's salary, or provides lights and heat.

3) The Biblical Tithe went to the poor: Levites (who had no income), widows, aliens, and orphans. Every third year, the Tithe was consumed by those who brought it.

[blueskunk12]

@427mike427

4) That the seed we sew is not money, blessings, or even good deeds. That the seed is the Word, as it says in Luke 8:11-15.

5) That those who Tithe according to principle deny the words of Jesus in Matthew 23:23, and so call Jesus a liar.

6) That those who Tithe according to law turn their back on Jesus (Galatians 5:4).

7) That we are free to give as we are led, whether that be much or little.

8) That our reward is in Heaven, not here on earth, where moth and rust destroy

[427mike427]

@blueskunk12 Points well made. I still think we need to tithe though. See you on the other side some day brother.

[blueskunk12]

@427mike427

I see that you honestly want to do God's will. All I ask is that you honestly seek what God wants, and let no Man tell you what God wants you to do. Let God be your guide.

[427mike427]

@blueskunk12 Amen brother!

[BIBLEisMARKofBEAST]

Jesus died to deliver us from the curse of the law that no one can keep. HE sent back the gift and promise of God which is the Holy Spirit to teach us, lead us, comfort us and make intercessions for us. By the Spirit He reconciles us back to our Creator, without it we are none of His. The bible is only history and it has no authority, it is the mark of the beast.

[tronterobinson]

Well said Dr.,May The Most High continue to enlightened you with wisdom and knowledge.

[dasanyan]

My comment is simple. Daniel 12 talks of a revelation or revealing that would purge many and cause many to understand. Thank you for understanding Truth and enlightening many on this subject. What you have spoken is sound doctrine. Many in the last day won't adhere sound doctrine. Scripture tells us how we are to give yet we fall short following the commandments of men. The True Church will never fail! God bless! David Jr.

[daniel62kwlwu]

thank you for posting this...keep up the good work!!

Shalom

ddt

:)

[tegf4]

I like how these tithing people start out in explaining tithing, and suck at it, and then flip over to giving which they to good at that, Tithing and giving are 2 different things people!

A tithe is the separated tenth of certain items that God wants a tenth part of on a regular basics of the all the increase for the year of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks.

[tegf4]

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth. Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr.

If Abraham said I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, "I have made Abram rich'

Then can Abraham take a tenth of the spoils?

If Abraham lived in Mamre the Amorite then met Melchizedek at Valley of Shaveh and had not yet gone home then could Abraham give his own personal possessions?

[sonicweapons]

It's a principle that is not required - But still is a functional principle that works - in and through faith - I've put it to the test 4 times - Tithing works - I am often skeptical of the motives of the recipients- put the gift is a gift if the intent for giving lines up with the scriptures.

j

[blueskunk12]

@sonicweapons

The problem here is that Jesus does not agree with you.

Matthew 23:23

Woe to you, teachers of the *LAW* 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.

God's blessing does not have a price tag. If it did, everyone who Tithed would be rich, and everyone who did not would be poor.

[TheDeepsea79]

@blueskunk12 The problem is that they were under the OT LAW when Christ said that to the Pharisees before the cross. Yes Bro Mcgee is correct no longer under the OT LAW.

[blueskunk12]

@TheDeepsea79

I'm sorry, but I don't see the problem. It looks like we agree.

I've been studying the Tithe for years, and can see only two options.

1) The Tithe is legally binding, in which case Christ died for nothing.

2) The Tithe is a principle, in which case Christ is a liar.

So from my point of view, anyone who Tithes turns their back on Jesus Christ.

[blueskunk12]

@sonicweapons

If you're skeptical of my motive, I'll tell you I'm honestly trying to live a Godly life, and have yet to see anyone able to explain how their views of Tithing match up with the Bible.

In EVERY case, people MUST twist and distort the Bible, and then add their beliefs to it, saying that God has given them wisdom.

But from what I've seen Tithing is NOT supported by anything in Scripture. If you care to try to show me otherwise, please send me a Private Message.

[Thelemaemon]

praise the lord, I am so glad that our brother did this message before he moved on, and I love to hear his word. I feel so blessed to have found this. Praise the lord. God is amazing! Thank you so much for putting this here. I knew it was not of God and to have a man so respected and filled with Gods spirit and word to say this is simply wonderful!

[matrchl77]

He is right about being a cheerful giver and all other scriptures that go with it. I however think there needs to be sermons about the old covenant and the new covenant to explain how they relate to each other. We seem to miss a point somehow. The law and grace work together, Jesus came to perfect the law.

[elohimthegods33]

tithing become a law in leviticus,and tithes was alway food not money,plus jesus galatians 3:13 jesus became a curse and redeemed us from the curse of the law.sense tithing was a law and 1 corinth 9:6 say he like a cheerful giver,cheerful giving is out of freewill not law,laws are commands,if you are commanded you have to do it rather you like it or not.

[BookofActsChurch]

Jesus didn't go around giving a ten percent tithe to the churches. He went around giving 100 percent of himself to God and the people. Matthew 17:24-27 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?

The only reason Jesus gave the temple tax was so he didn't offend them and lead them away from God. An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city. Money don't win people to Jesus.

[BookofActsChurch]

Matthew 23:23

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

[BookofActsChurch]

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they gave tithes but they never gave their hearts to God and were never able to show people the love of God. Obedience is better than sacrafice.

Luke 11:42

But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

[allrza]

Yahushua (Jesus) taught a 100% tithe. he told a guy in Matt. 19:21, "if you want to be perfect, sell everything you have, give to the poor, and follow me." (and follow the commandments.) (this was a standard of perfection, but it was taught by the Messiah. true gospel should include teaching on a 100% tithe.)

[blueskunk12]

If the Church would stop spending millions of millions building buildings and use the money given them to fund God's work, there would be more than enough.

The problem is that the Church misuses what they're given, not using the money to advance God's Kingdom, but instead to build up this one, that is temporary and passing away.

Then because the Church does not rely on or trust God's provision, it complains that we don't give enough and tries to force people to give more.

[BookofActsChurch]

@blueskunk12 Amen.

[metroman2160]

If Someone is Low Income if they cannot Afford to give 10 percent Atleast they can give something

[preachinshawn]

metroman2160

I don't believe the tenth is for today, but the only way you cannot to give 10% is if you only have 9.

[blueskunk12]

@metroman2160

The Bible says the exact opposite.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Exodus 23:11

During the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.

[blueskunk12]

Wonderful teaching!

[philippeclement]

Thank you for this truth.

I was renewed by this Word.

[MrChubbleyWarner]

@zigzag1239 - what u said exactly happened to me - I was coming back from the church where (in very rich town) I give and someone come to beg from me - I knew this was a 'test' from God - I gave to him but not a much as my gift to the church as this would have seemed inappropriate.

[MrChubbleyWarner]

I think pastor McGee is right when he say's you should give as the Lord has prospered you - this is the NT way of giving - I do this, but I still purpose to give around the 10% as the Lord has prospered me, as this seems fair - does this mean I am still 'tithing'??

[urrey2]

" He didn't say give your money to your already rich preacher" - ZigZag I'm not arguing the theology in your post but do you have any idea how many preachers have to work two full-time jobs just to survive? Where are these "already rich pastors" you write of? There are millions of preachers in the world and only a TINY fraction are rich. Most pastors work 7 days a week, year in year out without vacations and perks. Most are very hard working.

[shaolinwarriorusa]

I am very grateful that ministers like Bro. McGee were and are honest about tithing not being in the New Covenant. The Church is to be be supported by free-will giving ALONE. We are no longer under the Old Covenant, but under the New and only the New.

[zigzag1239]

Jesus said to the least you have done to my brethern you have done to me. He didn't say give your money to your already rich preacher. If you want to give to God give to the fellow man. 10% is an easy way out. People go to church, give their tithe, and do not feed the hungry person on the street on their way home. If you don't Jesus will say I never knew you. US should not even have a welfare system, the Christians should be feeding the hungry and helping homeless. God Bless you.

[MIRAMURRAY]

this is the TRUTH!!!!MANY PREACHERS TODAY NEED TO HEAR THIS!!!

[digitalflava]

Tithing is an old testament practice and a PAYMENT. Isreal did not give tithes. When something is done according to law, it is PAID under obligation, not from the heart. Isreal were a stiffneck people and had to be put under laws in order for them to do right. So bu law, the PAID tithes. When you GIVE, it is done from the heart. There is a difference people. And tithing was not PAID with money, but with crops and livestock. Things that God created and found to be "GOOD". The Churches are lying.

[valambiguous]

I've been listening to the late Dr.J. Vernon McGee, since 1970, and still listen to his radio broadcast each morning. He taught rich, down home and straight forward biblically sound doctrine.

[onethingsailing]

God blessed me too when I started tithing, because it was done in faith. Then He showed me a better way, being led by the Spirit. He certainly will bless people who give, however, even if it's tithing. But His people He does want to be freed from the dogma of tithing so they can be led by the Spirit.

[digitalflava]

You are speaking half truth.

[robwiley01]

Really?

did God tell gentiles to tithe?

NO, I didnt think you had a pure truth on it either.

The legalism levitical oblations were done away with.

Giving in various ways is universal but a legal practices are not brought into the grarce one is saved by.

TBN and the mike murddocks & his types-kinds are filthy decieving wolves who pervert the subject. Nothing new there.

[Evrastus]

Straight from the word of God.

[maximgull]

i have seen unsaved peaple blessed by tithing

[tulsapro]

That's inconsistent with the word of God. They are buying God's blessing? God cannot be bought. Attempting to tie a tithe given without faith to their prosperity is simply without merit. Sorry, the dog doesn't hunt.

[DaltonRogers]

Great Teaching on a spirtual subject