Given my recent findings regarding tithing I felt the need to go back and find out what other dogmatic practices needed evaluation. I still have more items to look into (the sabbath, loans...) but first, I wanted to take a quick look at the basic "the old testament doesn't count... Jesus superseded the law" argument.
Findings: DEBUNKED
No ifs-ands-or-buts about it, Jesus plainly states that he didn't come to supersede (abolish) the law. As a matter of fact, you may be quite refreshed by a quick romp through Deuteronomy...
Here's my important reading list on this topic (click expand all on the list so you can see what I highlighted): http://www.diigo.com/list/ultimadj/christians_and_law
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Tithes and Offerings - Why "Tithe" is Irrelevant...
Here's my diigo list on Tithing: http://www.diigo.com/list/ultimadj/tithing
Here's the summary of what I understand from the references and commentary by Ronald Huereca.
Basically, 10% is way less than the Jews were commanded to give. The word 'tithe' simply means tenth and it's used in 4 different giving laws. These laws were for people back when not everyone had access to the holy spirit so they needed direct and authoritative guidance. Now, we can give as much or as little as we want... simply follow the spirit and start blessing people!!!
The point is to help people that need it and cheerfully bless those around us, which is significantly easier to do when no one is compelling you to do so. The cheerful part is often neglected, yet plays a significant role in giving... like Jesus said to the pharisees, you give the money, but you completely ignore everything else. How you use your money is a good indicator of where your heart lies, but it's not the only indicator. If giving that $2,000 to a family in a bind is like pulling teeth... then it's nice that you gave, but it's certainly not out of the goodness of your heart and the motivations in your heart is what matters in the end.
So what now? Re-evaluate your tithe. Give as much or little as you feel led, but don't let an opportunity to give pass by without listening and following. If your heart isn't there yet, get into the habit of giving and it's likely that your heart will catch up. :)
Here's the summary of what I understand from the references and commentary by Ronald Huereca.
Basically, 10% is way less than the Jews were commanded to give. The word 'tithe' simply means tenth and it's used in 4 different giving laws. These laws were for people back when not everyone had access to the holy spirit so they needed direct and authoritative guidance. Now, we can give as much or as little as we want... simply follow the spirit and start blessing people!!!
The point is to help people that need it and cheerfully bless those around us, which is significantly easier to do when no one is compelling you to do so. The cheerful part is often neglected, yet plays a significant role in giving... like Jesus said to the pharisees, you give the money, but you completely ignore everything else. How you use your money is a good indicator of where your heart lies, but it's not the only indicator. If giving that $2,000 to a family in a bind is like pulling teeth... then it's nice that you gave, but it's certainly not out of the goodness of your heart and the motivations in your heart is what matters in the end.
So what now? Re-evaluate your tithe. Give as much or little as you feel led, but don't let an opportunity to give pass by without listening and following. If your heart isn't there yet, get into the habit of giving and it's likely that your heart will catch up. :)
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