Changes

Tithing is generally taught that it is to be a minimum amount to be given, and that it should be given to the local church of which the person is a member (as opposed to a para-church organization) for the general use of the church (as opposed to being designated for a specific purpose such as missions).  Donations above that amount for general purposes, donations for specific purposes (such as mission work or a capital campaign), and/or donations by non-members (even if the amount would represent 10% of the person's income) are generally considered "[[Offering (giving)|offerings]]" as opposed to tithes.

Tithing is generally taught that it is to be a minimum amount to be given, and that it should be given to the local church of which the person is a member (as opposed to a para-church organization) for the general use of the church (as opposed to being designated for a specific purpose such as missions).  Donations above that amount for general purposes, donations for specific purposes (such as mission work or a capital campaign), and/or donations by non-members (even if the amount would represent 10% of the person's income) are generally considered "[[Offering (giving)|offerings]]" as opposed to tithes.

The Treatise of the Faith and Practices of the [[National Association of Free Will Baptists]] (the largest of the [[Free Will Baptist]] denominations) states that the Old and New Testaments teach that the tithe is the standard of giving for Christians.<ref>[https://nafwb.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2016-FWB-Treatise.pdf A Treatise of the Faith and Practices of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc., Part II, Chapter XVI.]</ref>

The Treatise of the Faith and Practices of the [[National Association of Free Will Baptists]] (the largest of the [[Free Will Baptist]] denominations) states that the Old and New Testaments teach that the tithe is the standard of giving for Christians.<ref>[https://nafwb.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2016-FWB-Treatise.pdf A Treatise of the Faith and Practices of the National Association of Free Will Baptists, Inc., Part II, Chapter XVI.]</ref> The [[Southern Baptist Convention]], the largest of the Baptist groups, does not specifically mention the tithe in its [[Baptist Faith and Message]], but it has been historically and is commonly taught and practiced within its congregations.

==Arguments For and Against==

==Arguments For and Against==

===Arguments For===

===Arguments For===

*The tithe predates the Mosaic law: Abraham gave a tithe of the spoils of war to Melchizedek, and when Jacob vowed a tithe of all he possessed.   

*The tithe predates the Mosaic law: Abraham gave a tithe of the spoils of war to [[Melchizedek]], and when Jacob vowed a tithe of all he possessed.  (Some groups argue that Abel's giving of the firstfruits of his flock -- as opposed to Cain's giving "of his produce" -- is another example of the tithe.)

*Though the tithe is mandated in the [[Old Testament]] ([[Leviticus]] 27:30–33) as applicable to Jews, it was praised by [[Jesus]] ([[Matthew]] 23:23) and not eliminated by Him.

*Though the tithe is mandated in the [[Old Testament]] ([[Leviticus]] 27:30–33) as applicable to Jews, it was praised by [[Jesus]] ([[Matthew]] 23:23) and not eliminated by Him.

*Malachi 3 (specifically verse 10) warns believers about "robbing God" by not tithing and giving.

*Malachi 3 (specifically verse 10) warns believers about "robbing God" by not tithing and giving.

===Arguments Against===

===Arguments Against===

*Abraham's tithe was a one-time event (not a pattern of regular tithing), and we have no record of whether or not Jacob ever fulfilled his vow.

*Abraham's tithe was a one-time event (not a pattern of regular tithing), and we have no record of whether or not Jacob ever fulfilled his vow.  Also other groups argue that Abel's giving does not represent a tithe as nothing is mentioned of how much of his flock the firstfruits constituted.

*The verses in Malachi are directed to Jewish '''''leaders''''', not to the people as a whole, indicating that the leaders were the ones "robbing God".

*The verses in Malachi are directed to Jewish '''''leaders''''', not to the people as a whole, indicating that the leaders were the ones "robbing God".

*Acts 15, where after disagreements as to what extent (if any) newly converted [[Gentile]]s were to keep Mosaic Law, it was decided that only four specific requirements needed to be kept (v. 29; the tithe not being among them).

*Acts 15, where after disagreements as to what extent (if any) newly converted [[Gentile]]s were to keep Mosaic Law, it was decided that only four specific requirements needed to be kept (v. 29; the tithe not being among them).