The Bible is very clear about not forsaking our assemblage together, and even more clear about tithing. I have never heard of any scripture that allows us to ignore those tenants. Failing to tithe is theft from God.
Where does the Bible say this? Where does it say that as long as you use the money how you see fit to serve the kingdom that it is "OK"? Though...I think it's funny that you call ME legalistic, I doubt there are many that know me that would agree with your assessment.
And once again, Joyful picks and chooses what she wants to believe and adhere to in the Bible. How convenient.
Steve
*sigh* That didn't even remotely answer my question, so I'll put it out there for everyone. Anyone find justification anywhere in scripture for not titheing?
But evil men and pretenders will go forward to worse, leading astray and being led astray. But you keep on in what you learned and were assured of, knowing from whom you learned, and that from a babe you know the Holy Scriptures, those being able to make you wise to salvation through belief in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be perfected, being fully furnished for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:13-17
Because of this, remember that you, the nations, were then in the flesh (those having been called Uncircumcision by those having been called Circumcision in the flesh made by hands) that at that time you were without Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers of the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now, in Christ Jesus you who then were afar off, came to be near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, He making us both one, and breaking down the middle wall of partition, in His flesh causing to cease the enmity, the Law of the commandments in decrees, that He might in Himself create the two into one new man, making peace, and might reconcile both in one body to God through the cross, slaying the enmity in Himself. And coming, He proclaimed "peace to you, the ones afar off, and to the ones near." [Isa. 57:19] For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. So, then, you are no longer strangers and tenants, but you are fellow citizens of the saints and of the family of God,
Ephesians 2:11-19
Not, however, that God's Word has failed. For not all those of Israel are Israel, nor because they are Abraham's seed are all children, but "In Isaac a Seed shall be called to you." [Gen. 21:12] That is: Not the children of flesh are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted for a seed.
Romans 9:6-8
And if you are of Christ, then you are a seed of Abraham, even heirs according to promise.
Galatians 3:29
Just a couple of problems...
Gentiles are not excluded from a land inheritance as per the covenant agreement, gentiles are now citizens in the community of Israel with full rights to the promises to Abraham as he is the father of the Gentiles as well.
The promises made to Abraham and his seed are for his seed regardless of how they became his seed. You being of Christ, are now the seed of Abraham and fully acceptable for the promises of YHVH to him... that includes the land promised to his sons, of which you are now one.
Just a couple of problems...
1.) Produce limited to landowners and/or herdsmen disqualifies other trades/professions from tithing. The 10th of all increase means monetary as well as other physical goods (as seen in the tithe exchange between Abraham and Melchizedek in Genesis 14). The "temple tax" was also a monetary tithe the people observed in Yeshua's time which found it's roots in the Tanakh.
2.) Gentiles are not excluded from a land inheritance as per the covenant agreement, gentiles are now citizens in the community of Israel with full rights to the promises to Abraham as he is the father of the Gentiles as well.
The promises made to Abraham and his seed are for his seed regardless of how they became his seed. You being of Christ, are now the seed of Abraham and fully acceptable for the promises of YHVH to him... that includes the land promised to his sons, of which you are now one.
Shalom
Though tithing isn't written in b/w in the NT, the Word *does* say to give freely. There is often a misunderstood, overused or underused reference in tithing today... but many people have had a lot of success in certain areas of their lives when they tithe (some reports of greater blessings as a result)...
Also, think that giving 10% of our day to God might make a difference too, as I don't think 10% is *that* hard to accomplish in our walk. And realize I'm not talking about money here.
Just a thought.