I must admit I have sat back on this thread and have learned much from the discussions. I must also say that I believe a stronger case has been made for NOT having a tithe in the NC.

Besides the other arguments already submitted and not biblically or exegetically countered, I find the case of ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRE in Acts 5 very revealing. Amazingly, from the text if they did not wish to give ANYTHING it would have been ok, "While it remained, did it not remain thine own?" (vs 5). Their sin was their lie about how much they gave (Acts 4:32-37).

From what I can see the NT warranted an actual collection from the church corporately in two instances: (1) to help other believers in need (Acts 11:27-30; 24:17; Rom 15:25-28; 1 Cor 16:1-4; 2 Cor 8:1-15; 9:12), (2) to support apostles in their work (Acts 15:3; Rom 15:23-24; 1 Cor 9:1-14; 16:5-6, 10-11; 2 Cor 1:16; Phil 4:14-18; Tit 3:13-14; 3 John 5-8). Additionally, I find that the collections were not ongoing – they ceased after the need was met (Acts 11:27-30; 12:25; 1 Cor 16:1-4). Local giving to the poor was done in secret and directly (Matt 6:1-4, 19-21; Eph 4:28). In addition, a list of local widows who qualified for assistance was kept by a church (1 Tim 5:3, 9, 16).

In the NC, Jesus taught in Matt 6:19-21 to “store up treasures in heaven.” 1 Tim 6:18-19 exhorts us to be "generous and willing to share . . . lay up treasure . . . as a firm foundation for the coming age." We are to share with others, "for with such sacrifices God is pleased" (Heb 13:16). According to the NC, each man should give "what he has decided in his heart to give." Tithing, as required by Moses, is not a NC practice. Tithing was for Jews under Moses in a theocracy. Notice that the text declares our giving is not to be done "reluctantly or under compulsion" (2 Cor 9:7). If some teacher says you must tithe, else you are robbing God, is that not placing people "under compulsion"? Instead of a legal requirement to tithe, we are offered the opportunity to give.

(Some research by Steve Atkerson.)

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Reformed and Always Reforming,