Expert: Rev. Robert Woods - 10/27/2006

Question
You said: "Many times in Scripture, you see that the Paul and the apostles took the tithes and offerings from Gentile churches and brought them to Jerusalem." Can you name one passage that says that Paul took "tithes"?

Furthermore, historically, Baptists have not believed in tithing ... not until the late 1800s. The Anabaptists (particularly the Swiss), Roger Williams (ca. 1636), the first Baptist in the US, Particular Baptists in England (1660), John Bunyan (died 1688), and J. Newton Brown (author of what became the Baptist Faith and Message) ALL explicitly denied tithing. I challenge you to demonstrate just 1 Baptist from the 1600-1700s who believed in tithing. Please help me ... what am I missing?

Answer
Blessings and thank you for your question.

If this is a followup, I do not remember the original question.  

The Hebrew word "tithe" is not found in the Greek New Testament.  Instead, the word "tenth" is used.  Although it does not say that Paul took a "tenth"  I believe the New Testament Church gave more than the Tithe.

History of Tithing:   All thoughout the Old Testament, tithing is part of the law.  Now as Gentile Christians, we are not bound by the law per se.  However, the 10 commandments are part of the law, yet we know without a doubt that we are to follow it.  The old Baptist traditon was that tithing was part of the law therefore the New Testament church was not required to follow it.  In fact, Baptists used to believe that if it isn't in the New Testament then it isn't required of us.  This was faulty thinking that most Baptists grew out of.  Jesus quoted passages from the Old Testament and called them Scripture.  The Gospel writers quoted the Old Testament and called it Scripture.  Paul quoted the Old Testament and called it Scripture. In fact, 2 Timothy 3:16 is refering to the Old Testament because the New Testament did not yet exist.

I believe that tithing is a minumum you should give to God. Not because it is law, but because you want to give back to God.  Although I don't want to insult you, I have found that those who argue about the amount to give God have a REAL HEART problem.  Giving is a priviledge not just a requirement.  Plus, the Bible tells us not to test the Lord, but God himself says "test me" (Mal. 3:10) when it comes to giving.

Giving is more than how much $ you give God.  

Here are so instances about stewardship.  Read them over:
Pleasing aroma, Genesis 8:20–21 (Note Amos 5:21–22 KING JAMES margin).
Abram’s tithe to Melchizedek, Genesis 14:18–20; Hebrews 7:1–2.
Coming before the Lord empty-handed, Exodus 23:15
Stewardship from willing heart, Exodus 25:2; Exodus 35:29
Abundant giving, Exodus 36:2–7.
Offering from those of limited means, Leviticus 5:7–11.
Thanksgiving offering, Leviticus 7:12.
Giving less than best, Leviticus 22:17–22; Numbers 18:29.
Stewardship, Numbers 7:13–85; 10:2.
Gifts from those who fought in battle, Numbers 31:27–31.
Items consecrated before offering, Deuteronomy 12:26.
Giving ratio to receiving, Deuteronomy 16:16–17.
Prostitution earnings unacceptable, Deuteronomy 23:18.
Cherished child given to the Lord, 1 Samuel 1:25–28.
Bizarre offering, 1 Samuel 6:2–5.
Offering required to obtain divine guidance, 1 Samuel 9:1–9.
Reward dedicated to God, 2 Samuel 8:9–12.
David refused cheap stewardship, 2 Samuel 24:21–24.
Three sources of funds for temple, 2 Kings 12:4–5.
Personal treasures given to temple, 1 Chronicles 29:3–4.
Proper stewardship attitude, 1 Chronicles 29:13–14; Psalm 24:1.
Offeratory music, 2 Chronicles 29:28–29.
Abundant offerings, 2 Chronicles 29:35; 31:5–8.
Money, food, drink for temple workers, Ezra 3:7.
Value of sacrifice, offering, Psalm 50:23.
The kind of sacrifice God blesses, Psalm 51:15–17.
Giving out of gratitude, Psalm 54:6–7.
Blessing upon generous sharing, Psalm 112:5–9.
Honor the Lord with personal wealth, Proverbs 3:9–10
Stewardship to others, Proverbs 3:27–28.
“Good man’s earnings,” Proverbs 10:16
Generosity prospers, Proverbs 11:24–25 (
Blessing for generous man, Proverbs 22:9.
Unearned status, Proverbs 25:6–7, 27.
False boast of giving, Proverbs 25:14.
Fulfil pledge, Ecclesiastes 5:4–5.
Bread cast upon waters, Ecclesiastes 11:1.
Meaningless offerings brought by Israel, Isaiah 1:11–17.
Vanity giving, Isaiah 1:13 (AB).
Prophecy concerning Tyre, Isaiah 23:15–18.
Relating fasting to care of others, Isaiah 58:3–7.
Wrong kind of offering, Isaiah 66:3.
Bringing offerings unsuitable to the Lord, Jeremiah 6:20.
People in fine homes, temple in ruins, Haggai 1:1–4.
Defiled offerings from defiled people, Haggai 2:13–14.
Priests who defiled altar, Malachi 1:6–14.
Eager but erroneous giving, Malachi 2:12
Refined gold, silver, Malachi 3:2–4.
Stealing from God, Malachi 3:8–10.
Reconciliation precedes stewardship, Matthew 5:23–24.
Private stewardship, Matthew 6:2–4.
Treasures on earth, treasures in heaven, Matthew 6:19–21.
Paying taxes to government, Matthew 22:15–22; Mark 12:17.
Fullest measure of giving, Matthew 23:23.
Anointing of Jesus, Matthew 26:6–13; Mark 14:3–9.
Judas’ tainted money, Matthew 27:3–8.
Rich man donated tomb for Jesus, Matthew 27:57–61.
Those given much, those given little, Mark 4:24–25; Luke 12:48.
Widow’s small offering, Mark 12:41–44; Luke 21:1–4.
Sharing with others, Luke 3:11.
Abundance rewarded those who give, Luke 6:38.
Gentile built synagogue, Luke 7:1–5.
Women helped support ministry, Luke 8:1–3.
Stewardship, heart purity, Luke 11:41 (LB).
Tithe, neglect justice, Luke 11:42.
Give possessions to the poor, Luke 12:33–34.
Casual giving, Luke 21:1–2 (LB).
Dishonest stewardship, Acts 5:1–11.
Woman who helped the poor, Acts 9:36–42.
Devout centurion, Acts 10:2.
Reaching out to help others, Acts 11:27–30.
Self-supported ministry, Acts 20:33–35.
Contribute to needs of fellow Christians, Romans 12:13 (NRSV).
Sharing spiritual, material blessings, Romans 15:26–27.
Found faithful, 1 Corinthians 4:2.
Clergy support, 1 Corinthians 9:7–14; Philippians 4:10–19.
Greater gift than money, 1 Corinthians 13:3.
Sunday giving, 1 Corinthians 16:2.
Ministry profiteering, 2 Corinthians 2:17.
Persecution, poverty brought generosity, 2 Corinthians 8:1–5.
Size of gift, 2 Corinthians 8:12.
Shared responsibility, 2 Corinthians 8:13–15, 19 (See AB).
“Bountiful gift,” 2 Corinthians 9:5.
Sowing, reaping, 2 Corinthians 9:6–7.
Giving from desire, 2 Corinthians 9:10.
Some pay, others receive, 2 Corinthians 11:7–8.
Concern for poor, Galatians 2:9–10.
Generosity fruit of Spirit, Galatians 5:22 (NRSV).
Stewardship of God’s grace, Ephesians 3:2 (AB).
Stingy stewardship, Philippians 4:15.
Gift receipted, Philippians 4:18 (GNB).
Greed avoided, 1 Thessalonians 2:5.
Wrongly cultivating donors, 1 Thessalonians 2:5 (LB).
Monetary wealth, good deeds, 1 Timothy 6:11–19 (See LB).
Gifts, sacrifices, Hebrews 8:3.
Abel’s good offerings, Hebrews 11:4.
Share with others, Hebrews 13:16.
Using one’s gift for good of others, 1 Peter 4:10.