Well maybe they’ll make it “official” or something, but I’m sure they already have unofficially.
Pastor John MacArthur makes the point that tithing is not Biblical, in so far as a 10% requirement/law/whatever is concerned. He says Abraham tithed 10% of the spoils/excess to Melchizedek voluntarily and it’s only recorded that he did this once. I think Isaac or Jacob (can’t remember sadly) did so as well, but again, just once and voluntarily. He also speaks to the Old Testament requirements that are found in the early Books where the people were commanded to give 10% of this or that (crops, flocks, etc), but he explains that they had a theocratic form of government and the “tithing” that was required was a government requirement for the common welfare. In essence, the Old Testament tithe was paid to the church only because the church was the government (ran the place). He says that, while we don’t have a theocratic government, all government is ordained of God (good and bad) and that paying our taxes is our only Biblical duty in respect to the tithe. He also ran the numbers and the amount of taxation we currently have, excluding some of the more complex tax codes and loopholes and whatnot, is ~23%, and is equivalent to the tithe/taxation that was required in the Old Testament. Christian giving is to be voluntary and from the heart because God seeks cheerful givers, not to impose strict giving requirements that would obviously burden some much more than others. It makes sense really and, if you’re a Christian, it’s quite a blessing to understand what giving God really desires.
Watch the quick video as Pastor MacArthur explains this himself much better than I can.
Agreed. There is no set amount. People, many scholars included, have misinterpreted the scriptures to believe there is a 10% tithingrequirement. There isn’t. Giving is voluntary and the amount is up to the giver. God knows what’s in the heart and who’s motivated by greed, or legalism, or sincere charity and compassion.
I have done similar “on the spot” type giving as well. I don’t trust any charitable organizations. It’s a sad testament but it is what it is.
Iirc, Mike Lindell ran into the same type of interference. No real access to POTUS, just blocked by his handlers.
Yeah I was just trying to be humorous while knowing there really wasn’t much there to make humor with.
Hence render unto Caesar what is Caesars (taxes to government) and to God what is God’s. I never said God condones trying to “buy” Grace. Regardless, Jesus paid his taxes and we’re to do the same.
True. There was an excise tax prior to that and very little social welfare.