Tithing vs. taxes vs. giving to the Lord: First of all, what is tithing and how were those funds used in the Old Testament? We can see that as long as the Lord was King over the children of Israel, the word tithe was used in referencing the collection of one tenth of the first fruit of one’s increase, (sounds a whole lot like taxes) which was given to the priesthood that was to govern them according to the will of God. And take notice, welfare also came out of that tithe/taxes.
Biblical Welfare: Deuteronomy 26:12 NKJV "When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year-the year of tithing-and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled,
Later, the chidren of Israel wanted a man king like all other nations had. And in this next scripture, listen closely to what the Lord is responding to Samuel to relay His message to the children of Israel, concerning the behavior of their desired man king, that he would still be collecting tithe/taxes, to support his kingdom. Tithe was to support the tribe that God had used to govern and to fund welfare and their new man king would be doing the same.
Taxing behavior of their man king. God:>1 Samuel 8:6,11,15,17 NKJV But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us." So Samuel prayed to the LORD.... [11] And he (the Lord) said, "This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. [15] He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. [17] He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants.
Now let’s "fast forward" to the New Testament to where Jesus was being questioned about whether it was lawful to pay taxes. And when asked, Jesus asked for a coin and He used that coin, they gave Him, to bring their attention, back to the day when they wanted a man king instead of God, to lead them. Jesus was reminding them, with that coin, that they made that decision, as to whom they would be paying taxes to, GOd or man, when they chose a man king. Many preachers that preach a flase message, has preached in error concerning this event. Using Jesus' answer ..."Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's, to twist that message,in support, of their demands for money, to support their corporate church. Just keep in mind, that when Jesus was being asked about paying taxes, at that point of time, the church did not even exist. The debate over the coin had absolutley noting to do with paying a tax (tithing) to a corporate church, it was about paying taxes to Caesar.
THe issue was paying taxes to God or to Caesar Matthew 22:17-21 NKJV Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" [18] But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, "Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? [19] Show Me the tax money." So they brought Him a denarius. [20] And He said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?" [21] They said to Him, "Caesar's." And He said to them, "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
Jesus’ answer to them was clearly directed back to the event where this same people, that once had God as King, demanded for a man king, as evidenced by the image on that coin. They had made their decision back then in the presence of Samuel, and now they were to pay their taxes or tithe to their man king, Caesar! Clearly this encounter had absolutely nothing to do with tithing and the New Testament church that dwells in the homes of those that are in obedience to God, through Christ!
God has ordained governments, and regardless to the "rule of man" or the "rule of God", governments will always require taxes and those taxes also provided welfare, for those that need it!
Taxes vs. Offerngs: And there is a difference between taxes and offerings. The government of man is always going to be corrupt and will abuse government funds and will many times neglect to see the need of those that are in your circle of influence. And that is where the responsibility falls upon the church, that is in your house, to not have a blind eye, but observe the needs of those around you. And if you have the ability to help them, then do so, as to the Lord, which would also be a witness of your love for them.
This is very important why to give with desire and not be guilted. The recepients will know! And when you see a need, and you turn away, when it was within your abiolity to help, I see that, as robbing God! Please consider this, when not helping those that are in your circle of influence which God has given you, and not sharing what God has provided for you. When you see others in desperate need, that failure to help, will be a testimony against you,before the Lord. Take this next scripture to heart!
When giving is fueled, by ones love for others: 1 John 3:17 NKJV But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1 John 3:14 NKJV we know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
having that desire to give: We can see, by the word "may" that giving is to be from the heart rather than a commandment. Also, the "giving" is to be a gift rather than seeking something in return. When we look at the nine gifts of God, we can see the similarity that children of God are to share their blessings with others to include those in need. In this the love of God can be manifested through those that are Christ's, drawing others to Christ. I do not find anywhere in Scripture where the church, that is in your house, is suggested to give to any other place or purpose, than to those in need.
Ephesians 4:28. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
Some have told me, it doesn’t matter, for in my heart, I am giving to the Lord when I give to my church. And I agree in part, yes God does know the heart but also take heed, that God also knows the heart of those, that heed to their own desire and the will of man over the will of God! Because all sin begins with a thought and it’s our works that will be a testimony, either “for us” or “against us”, on that great Day of Judgment! And to participate in the lie that you are giving to God when you are mostly providing funding through your givings, for a place where your credential heaped up teacher can preach to you, the things that are pleasing to your ears, and I discern this warning, in doing that, may very well, be counted against all, that participate in that lie, on that soon coming, great Day of Judgment. (2 Timothy 4:3)
Godly Responsibility: One interesting aspect of this verse to consider is the love and personal responsibility shown in the heart of the children of God in giving. God's children should not expect this responsibility to be passed upon another but to get personally involved with those that are struggling.
Acts 20:33 "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. 34. "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. 35. "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, `It is more blessed to give than to receive.' '' 36. And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
And one of the things Jesus taught which is the first step in following Jesus in become one of His disciple, disciplined in Christ, is the requirement of denying self. And keep this in mind, that for us to recognize other's need, we must first take focus off our life and place focus on the lives of others, in a close enough rel;ationship to see and relate to the struggles we all have to endure. We all struggle, in different ways and that is what the church is for, the church that is in your house, to have this divine fellowship with others, all helping each other, through Christ!
Philippians 2:4 NKJV Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Watching out for those that are in need:I think God will place those “in need” in our circle of influence that we are to be responsible for. I'm not saying that this responsibility cannot be shared with others but that it should not be avoided by passing it on to others. When giving is done in the Spirit of love, it will not be done with regret, but with a cheerful heart. Consider how God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 9:6. But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 8. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, have abundance for every good work.
No scripture found that supports giving to a corporeate church:Also I have not found any Scriptural example, given in the New Testament of giving to a building fund or any organization. That’s just not in the bible referencing th eNew Testament church, the church that is in the homes of those bein gled by God.
The church of Christ: Romans 8:14 NKJV For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Huge things came about when the New Covenant between God and man, was fulfilled on that great Day of Pentecost. In the New Testament, "giving" is emphasized, by the works of those that love God. Personally, I think many credentialed preachers have robbed God, and caused many other in doing the same, for many generations. Just give this some thought.
Preachers robbing God: Malachi 3:8 NKJV "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes(taxes)and offerings.
Many preachers have guilted their congregations to put money in their corporate church coffers, preaching that if they didn’t, they are robbing God! And that is not the truth, its the other way around, it's that preachers who are, in all reality, robbing God. Taking the money from their own congregations that should instead be sharing with those, in their own circles of influence, who are in need. And those that were guilted into giving to that corporate church, that gift may very well become a testamony against them, on that great Day of Judgment, that they believed the lies of their preacher rather than seeking the truth of that matter, from the Lord, through Christ! But also keep this in mind, when these donors truly believe they have fulfilled their duty, in giving to God, as pressured by their preacher, then they will no longer look for that needy one that is in their circle of influence, that is in desperates, and in this, they themselves, have shared in the sin of their pastor, in robbing God! Better let this soak in! First, it's not scriptural to be pressured into giving, and is totally against what the bible teaches! The bible teaches, first to receive the love of God in your heart, so you will see the need of others, and because of ones love, for one another, and it's that love that fuels the desire to give to those in need!
Having that Godly desire to give: 2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
I will add, for those that attend corporate church, you are indebted to give, to pay for the services you are seeking. But do not give credit to that money as being given to the Lord and His ministry. For that money was given to yourself, to have the building out of the weather and the heat, or AC and of coarse, to pay the wages of your preacher that says the things that are pleasing to your ears. (2 Timothy 4:3)
Anyway, this is my discernment that I’ve shared, concerning tithing vs. taxes vs. giving. But I urge all, to go to the Lord in sincerity and with a submissive heart and let divine understanding come to you, through Christ, in this matter.
Christ, the only teacher of the church that is in your house: 1 John 2:27 NKJV But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
Learned Christ: Ephesians 4:20-21 NKJV But you have not so learned Christ, [21] if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: