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This subject came up in another recent thread, and I thought it was worthy of it's own thread, so I started this one just to get some discussion going on it.
I suppose the first thing to do is to get an actual definition of the term, so we're all using it in the same way. Here is one that a Google search popped up:
From Dictionary.com
tithe
[tahyth]
noun
1.
Sometimes, tithes. the tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like.
2.
any tax, levy, or the like, especially of one-tenth.
3.
a tenth part or any indefinitely small part of anything.
verb (used with object), tithed, tithing.
4.
to give or pay a tithe or tenth of (produce, money, etc.).
5.
to give or pay tithes on (crops, income, etc.).
6.
to exact a tithe from (a person, community, parish, etc.).
7.
to levy a tithe on (crops, income, etc.).
verb (used without object), tithed, tithing.
8.
to give or pay a tithe.
Merriam-Webster takes an even more liberal position and includes: " a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment"
So my own personal interpretation of the word is more conservative. IMO a Tithe is a required payment that members of a Temple are required to make as part of their membership. A form of a tax. In Old Testament Israel, it was more than that, since Israel was a theocracy, just being a Jew meant you were expected to tithe, and so besides the social pressure and the scorn or shunning that would be shown to someone who didn't tithe there were probably also connections to forgiveness of sins tied to tithing. A person had to submit sin offerings at the Temple. This webpage lists all of the different types of sacrifices and offerings that were to be made. Unless a person tithed they were shut out from all of this.
Christians don't worship at a temple and don't make sacrifices to earn forgiveness of sins. Christians don't live under the Law, they live in Christian liberty and freedom. They do what they do because they want to, because they are forgiven sinners, not because they have to, or because it is required by the Law. Likewise, Christians don't tithe, they give thank offerings. They give freely of the things God has given to them.
The origin of the word Tithe is old English, for the word Ten, or tenth, as in a percentage. in OT Israel the Israelites were to give a tenth of their harvest or flock or income. Some Christians like this as a target or goal for their own giving, and that is perfectly good, right and salutary. So, some people may still like to use the word Tithe for their giving, but to me that carries with it improper theological baggage. It harkens back to OT Israel and turns something that should be done freely with an open and loving heart into something that must be done to alleviate guilt.
So that's my perspective on it. What say you?
I suppose the first thing to do is to get an actual definition of the term, so we're all using it in the same way. Here is one that a Google search popped up:
From Dictionary.com
tithe
[tahyth]
noun
1.
Sometimes, tithes. the tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like.
2.
any tax, levy, or the like, especially of one-tenth.
3.
a tenth part or any indefinitely small part of anything.
verb (used with object), tithed, tithing.
4.
to give or pay a tithe or tenth of (produce, money, etc.).
5.
to give or pay tithes on (crops, income, etc.).
6.
to exact a tithe from (a person, community, parish, etc.).
7.
to levy a tithe on (crops, income, etc.).
verb (used without object), tithed, tithing.
8.
to give or pay a tithe.
Merriam-Webster takes an even more liberal position and includes: " a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment"
So my own personal interpretation of the word is more conservative. IMO a Tithe is a required payment that members of a Temple are required to make as part of their membership. A form of a tax. In Old Testament Israel, it was more than that, since Israel was a theocracy, just being a Jew meant you were expected to tithe, and so besides the social pressure and the scorn or shunning that would be shown to someone who didn't tithe there were probably also connections to forgiveness of sins tied to tithing. A person had to submit sin offerings at the Temple. This webpage lists all of the different types of sacrifices and offerings that were to be made. Unless a person tithed they were shut out from all of this.
Christians don't worship at a temple and don't make sacrifices to earn forgiveness of sins. Christians don't live under the Law, they live in Christian liberty and freedom. They do what they do because they want to, because they are forgiven sinners, not because they have to, or because it is required by the Law. Likewise, Christians don't tithe, they give thank offerings. They give freely of the things God has given to them.
The origin of the word Tithe is old English, for the word Ten, or tenth, as in a percentage. in OT Israel the Israelites were to give a tenth of their harvest or flock or income. Some Christians like this as a target or goal for their own giving, and that is perfectly good, right and salutary. So, some people may still like to use the word Tithe for their giving, but to me that carries with it improper theological baggage. It harkens back to OT Israel and turns something that should be done freely with an open and loving heart into something that must be done to alleviate guilt.
So that's my perspective on it. What say you?
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