Are Christians required to tithe?: Difference between revisions

Paul had every opportunity to discuss tithing in these passages. His audience was not specifically a Jewish one, which is why one might expect him to clarify or distinguish between freewill offerings and involuntary tithing. <ref>Andreas Köstenberger, “Reconstructing a Biblical Model for Giving: A Discussion of Relevant Systematic Issues and New Testament Principles,” Bulletin for Biblical Research, Vol. 16, 2006, 251–252.</ref>

Three verses warn about leaders who “love money” (1 Tim 3:3, 6:10; 2 Tim 3:2). While this is truly a danger, another danger that Paul warns the Corinthians about is that of “muzzling the ox while he is threshing” (1 Cor 9:9). A similar verse is Gal 6:6. A distinction is made between “the one who is taught” and “the one who teaches.” This passage calls for financial support for those who teach. While the phrase “all good things” may refer to more than money, it does have to do with financial support.82 Another understanding would be that this refers to the Jerusalem collection, but this hypothesis has been satisfactorily refuted. Therefore, we have an early teaching84 that refers to paying teachers for their service.