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mLine 2:
Line 2: − The tithe is mandated in the [[Old Testament]] ([[Leviticus]] 27:30–33) as applicable to Jews, and praised by [[Jesus]] ([[Matthew]] 23:23). However, the practice was referenced twice prior to the Mosaic Law being given: when Abraham gave a tithe of the spoils of war to Melchizedek, and when Jacob vowed a tithe of all he possessed. Malachi 3:10 is another verse commonly used to teach the requirement (along with, in some circles, the verses prior about "robbing God").+ Line 10:
Line 10: + + + + + − However, there are Christians and groups which do not believe that the tithe is a requirement today. Arguments against include:+ − + − +
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In the [[Christian]] and [[Jewish]] traditions, a '''tithe''' is a sum of [[money]], usually 10% of a person's [[income]],<ref>The Hebrew word for ''tithe'' is ''tenth''.</ref> that is given to the [[church]].
In the [[Christian]] and [[Jewish]] traditions, a '''tithe''' is a sum of [[money]], usually 10% of a person's [[income]],<ref>The Hebrew word for ''tithe'' is ''tenth''.</ref> that is given to the [[church]].
Tithing is generally preached within most [[Evangelical]], [[fundamentalist]] and [[Pentecostal]]/[[charismatic]] churches, though for different reasons ([[Prosperity Gospel]] churches will teach it as a means of earning God's favor, and thus more material blessings to the giver, while most churches teach it as demonstrating obedience to God and thankfulness for His blessings). It is also commonly emphasized greatly within [[megachurch]]es (to the extent that church employees, in some cases, have it automatically deducted from their paychecks as a condition of employment).
Tithing is generally preached within most [[Evangelical]], [[fundamentalist]] and [[Pentecostal]]/[[charismatic]] churches, though for different reasons ([[Prosperity Gospel]] churches will teach it as a means of earning God's favor, and thus more material blessings to the giver, while most churches teach it as demonstrating obedience to God and thankfulness for His blessings). It is also commonly emphasized greatly within [[megachurch]]es (to the extent that church employees, in some cases, have it automatically deducted from their paychecks as a condition of employment).
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>
==Arguments For and Against==
===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.
*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.
===Arguments Against===
*the actions of Abraham and Jacob prior to Mosaic Law were one-time events, not a pattern of regular giving.
*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.
*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).
*I Corinthians 16:2 does not mention the tithe, though written by a Jew (the [[Apostle Paul]]) to Gentiles who would not know Mosaic Law; if the tithe were to be maintained he would have specifically pointed that out to people not having prior knowledge.
*I Corinthians 16:2 does not mention the tithe, though written by a Jew (the [[Apostle Paul]]) to Gentiles who would not know Mosaic Law; if the tithe were to be maintained he would have specifically pointed that out to people not having prior knowledge.