Tithes & Offerings

          Setting Free Church Christians United is a church and like any organization there are expenses. Every month we have a Mortgage, Gas, Water, Electric and General maintenance bills. Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10% of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle / Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites of the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system.

          Nevertheless the system that was instituted in the Old Testament was to provide the necessary funds, food and supplies needed in order for temple ministry. God required of all a tenth of the increase in which God gave 10 cents out of $1.00. In Christ time believers would give all that they had to the Lord- Everything!

 

Act 2:45  And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

Act 4:32  And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

Act 4:33  And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

Act 4:34  Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

Act 4:35  And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

Act 4:36  And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,

Act 4:37  Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet.

 

We find that the church becomes the Living temple and that we all become a part of the priest hood-

 

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

Believers supporting Believers- 10% turned into 100%  Imagine all that you worked for your whole life being given to people that you may or may not of known personally-  Because there was a need believers Gave, because in truth God is the supplier of all that we need. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Cor 16:1-2).

Much of the Christian church has taken the 10% figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. Although the New Testament does not identify a specific amount or percentage to give, it does talk about the importance and benefits of giving. Every Person is to give as they are able. Believers should give as they are able, “in keeping with your income.”

 

1Co 16:2  Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

 

Sometimes that means giving more than a tithe, sometimes that may mean giving less than a tithe. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

The Bottom Line- We would hope that all faithfully give at least 10% so that the doors of the church may remain open. We all enjoy the comfort of heat in the winter and fresh running water and air in the summer- If people do not give faithfully the church will not be able to meet financial duties and in the end would be forced to close- No church should ever come to that point- unfortunately many believers open their wallet to the world and close it to the things of the Lord, always wanting a blessing and never wanting to give. We pray that this attitude is not that of any believer here. It is simple the Lord says Try me!

Mal 3:10  Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.