TOPICS LIST http://www.eztech.com/bibletalks/topics.htm EMAIL: bibletalks@eztech.com Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The Bible Talks about TITHING ("Tithing" is giving God a tenth of what you have). HOW DID TITHING START? (The first instance of tithing is recorded in Genesis when Abraham gave a tenth of his possessions to Melchizedek, king of Salem. Abraham gave freely, not by the Law that was given at. Mt. Sinai 430 years later). GENESIS 14:20 "And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand." And he (Abraham) gave him a tithe of all." HEBREWS 7:1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, HEBREWS 7:2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated "king of righteousness," and then also king of Salem, meaning "king of peace," (Jacob, too, promised God a tenth of his goods before any Law required it). GENESIS 28:22 "And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God's house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You." TITHING WAS LATER REQUIRED BY THE LAW GIVEN AT MT. SINAI WHICH WAS LATER REPEALED WHEN JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW. (See LEVITICUS 27:30ff and Deuteronomy 14:17ff). (Although tithing was then no longer required by Law, the principle of tithing, established before the Law came,remain as a guideline for giving). SO TITHING IS NOT REQUIRED BY ANYONE. PROPORTIONAL GIVING IS NOW RECOMMENDED. BUT WHAT PROPORTION? WHY NOT FOLLOW THE GUIDELINE OF 10%, A TITHE, WHICH HAS BEEN ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD? 1 CORINTHIANS 6:2 "On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I (Paul) come." 2 CORINTHIANS 9:7 "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver." (The widow who gave all she had is recorded in Mark:1241-44). TO WHOM SHOULD WE GIVE OUR CONTRIBUTIONS? 1).TO THE CHURCH AND CHURCH WORKERS: GALATIANS 6:6 "Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches." PHILIPPIANS 4:16 "For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities...". 1 TIMOTHY 5:18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer is worthy of his wages." 2).TO THE POOR AND NEEDY. PROVERBS 19:17 "He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, and He will pay back what he has given." PROVERBS 21:13 "Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard." 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" (For more on the poor, see BT#15, "The Needy.") GOD PROMISES BLESSINGS TO THOSE WHO SHARE THEIR POSSESSIONS. PROVERBS 3:9,10. " Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." 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." (So why stay with ten per cent?) GOD SUPPLIES US WITH A "STARTER KIT" SO THAT WE MAY HAVE TO GIVE. 2 CORINTHIANS 9:10 "Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness,...." MATTHEW 25:15ff (Parable of the Master who doles out money for them to invest for Him). SINCE EVERYTHING WE HAVE BELONGS TO THE LORD, WE MUST EVENTUALLY GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF HOW WE DEALT WITH THE GOODS HE GAVE US IN TRUST. (See Bible Talks # 29, "Stewardship.") LEVITICUS 27:30 'And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's. It is holy to the LORD". PSALM 24:1 " The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein." CONCLUSIONS: Tithing is not required today. Giving to God is to be proportional and regular. Tithing should be considered as a guideline to giving. Give to the church, church workers and those in need. In order to receive a particular Bible Talks, visit the web page at http://www.eztech.com/bibletalks/topics.htm to select a Bible Talks by topic. Click on the topic you want and print.