tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6885251000561678679.post6453126327483709234..comments2008-06-21T16:03:52.972-04:00JB at MMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236091276422738746noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6885251000561678679.post-72971863449507083312008-06-21T16:03:00.000-04:002008-06-21T16:03:00.000-04:00“I began to see that tithing is not just a Biblical concept”<BR/><BR/>YOU ARE CORRECT. It is not a mandates at all unless you are a farmer or herdsman living inside Israel. <BR/><BR/>“…nor is there any rule that says you MUST tithe 10% or give it to the church.”<BR/><BR/>CORRECT AGAIN. The principles in 2 Cor 8:14-16 is equality giving. Some give more than 10% and others give less than 10%. It equals out without set percentage.<BR/><BR/>“Tithing is merely paying God first—or paying into the flow first, whichever you prefer.”<BR/><BR/>WRONG: Sounds good but it is not biblical. Tithes are not and never have been the same as first fruits. First fruits were extremely small food offerings from inside Israel and could be carried in a small basket (Num 18; Deut 26:1-10; Neh 10:35-37).<BR/><BR/>“Tithing activates the flow of money TO you.”<BR/><BR/>BIBLE TEXTS PLEASE!!!! The blessings and curses of Deu 29-30 and Neh 10:29 include tithing. You must observe all 600 plus in order to be blessed or you are instead cursed per Gal 3:10.<BR/><BR/>“Then you hear the second part.”<BR/><BR/>REALLY? You do not hear the thousands of stories from ghetto tithers who have been tithing for generations and remain dirt poor. You only hear the success story and do not know the percentages of those. <BR/><BR/>“’Yes, my friends, it is for real.”<BR/><BR/>FOR HOW MANY???? One in a hundred? One in five hundred? That will happen whether people tithe or not. That percentage of atheists will be blessed for not tithing.<BR/><BR/>Double portion coupons can hardly be quoted to prove that tithing is a biblical concept. NT giving is freewill, sacrificial, generous, joyful and not by commandment. If you love the Lord and want to see souls saved, you will give generously without any concern for the percentage.<BR/><BR/>“It works.”<BR/><BR/>SACRIFICIAL GENEROSITY WORKS when we reap what we sow. That has nothing to do with tithing which was cold hard mandated law not connected to feelings. <BR/><BR/>Read my essay and book or see my DVD. www.shouldthechurchteachtithing.com<BR/>Russell Earl Kelly, PHDrusskellyphdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08503861082402192378noreply@blogger.com