Haven't you read Mtu Biz's explanation on the origin and why tithing was then necessary???

@ kyt.

Read the bible in context. Don't just quote phrases, understand the context.

God was talking to the Jewish nation of Israel when he said that.

And for good reason. If the Jews did not tithe they were literally defrauding the Tribe of Levi of their God given inheritance...as they were not alloted land along with the other tribes.. their inheritance was the tithe... which was always paid for in form of food, not currency. (currency existed in that time)

Does it make sense, that the same God who while you were yet in sin, sent his Son to Die and take the fall for your sin will in the same breath curse you if you do not PAY him ?

Please understand the REASON for the tithe in the bible.

Parallelism. Taxes & Tithes, Earthly authority & heavenly authority.
"Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's"

Earthly...
Jesus asked for a coin.
He asked whose image was on the coin.
It was Caeser's. Therefore render unto Caeser....

Heavenly..
Whose image are you made in?
Ceaser's image is stamped on a coin.
Where is God's image stamped?
So what is it you're supposed to be giving God?
If you give God what is His (your heart, life - whatever His image is stamped on), these other questions regarding money become mmot


Curious: Why is it that Churches apply for tax exempt status if the Bible clearly states that we should render unto Caeser?

I don't think the two situations are the same.

I think you are assuming that the money goes to the same use it was going to during the old Jewish era. This is why I said that the money given to the church regularly has been given the wrong name - tithe.

Still, the pastor and the whole church administration NEED a salary. The question is, after paying salaries, what happens to the remainder? Or are the salaries adjusted upwards as the contributions grow?

This is where the question of trust comes in. If you can't trust the leadership in your church, what are you doing there? You must change - either the leadership, or the church (i.e. go to another one)

In my church they insist very much that we attend the AGMs so that we can see how the money is spent. The also give regular information about projects that they are involved in, both emergency projects (e.g. feeding and housing victims of the Sinai fire) and long term projects (e.g. street children rehabilitation through one of the most well-organised football clubs in Kenya).

When I see the church touching the society in such an important manner, I'd be an ignorant idiot not to give it 10% of my income regularly - call it tithe or tax if you wish, I really don't care about the name!

Giving in this regard is Good and commendable.
This is charity.

It is akina @ kyt who i fear pay tithes because they are afraid of being "cursed with a curse"!

It is not uncommon for such a person to withhold financial assistance to a needy neighbor or relative because they MUST tithe first.