Quick word about e-Sword Bible software

I've been using e-sword bible software for about 7-8 years now and my experience has been fantastic.  The application is very intuitive and easy to use and jam packed with functionality.  It is a great resource for serious or casual bible students everywhere and best of all it's free.  That's right, it doesn't cost a dime, it's free to use forever.  This ministry lives by Matthew 10:8 "Freely you received, now freely give."  The software download comes the KJV with Strong's concordance and you can add other bible versions, commentaries, dictionaries, tools, etc.  There are a few add on components that charge a one time fee such as Vine's Expository Dictionary or The Amplified Bible, but these are not required to run the program.  Click here for e-Sword now.    e-Sword has been downloaded in over 225 countries across 6 continents, I encourage you to support this ministry with your prayers and free will giving.
I do NOT receive any compensation now or in the future from e-Sword or affiliates for promoting e-Sword bible software, it's just a great resource that I've enjoyed and I hope others do as well.

Spurgeon on Grace

If heaven were by merit, it would never be heaven to me, for if I were in it I should say, “I am sure I am here by mistake; I am sure this is not my place; I have no claim to it.” But if it be of grace and not of works, then we may walk into heaven with boldness.
-- C.H. Spurgeon

Galatians 5

New International Version (NIV)

Freedom in Christ

 ¹ It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  ² Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. ³ Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. ⁴ You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. ⁵ For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. ⁶ For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
 ⁷ You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? ⁸ That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” ¹⁰ I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. ¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. ¹² As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!

So what is Paul talking about here?  He is addressing, as he does in the whole book of Galatians, the different approaches to God, law or grace, and the consequences of each method.  He had preached the gospel of grace to the Galatians and they received it, but then something happened.  Through the influence of Jewish adherents, the Galatian believers began to turn to their performance to please God.  The problem with doing that is then you are relying on your good behavior to save you and if you bring your behavior into the mix then all of it counts, good and bad.  You don't get to cherry pick the good stuff to present to God.  As Paul says, you are "obligated to the whole law."

If you are relying on anything other than Christ for righteousness, he can not help you.  His work means nothing for you.  You see, you can't have law AND grace.  They are exclusive of each other.  If you count on the law or some religious behavior to prove your worthiness to God, then you have to keep all the law.  You get served a great big LAW sandwich and have to swallow every bite and you better fall short anywhere .  OR you can choose Grace and trust completely on the finished work of Christ to save you and make you right in God's eyes therefore restoring you into the Kingdom of God's Son with all the rights and privileges of a son of God.

Now, does this mean our behavior doesn't matter?  Of course not!  There are obviously societal consequences for our actions and life rewards good decisions, but Christians seek good works to demonstrate the inward life that's already present not to earn or prove they deserve eternal life.  It's a completely different outlook.  

Is Tithing Biblical?

Well for starters, the question "Is tithing biblical" is very misleading and really gets us going on a false premise.  Lots of things are "biblical", meaning they ARE in the bible.  The bible talks about animal sacrifices, circumcision, and a host of other subjects.  Some accounts are good and some are bad.  Some people would have you believe that if something is in the bible, it is automatically validated and then it applies to everyone.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  In some cases, the bible is simply giving a historical account for our knowledge and growth.  At other times, God is giving specific instruction to that group of people.  We must study and think.  Who is speaking and who are they speaking to?  Where are they and what is going on?  We have to look at everything in context and this requires the church to think.  We must be thinkers.  It's not enough to rely on the clergy to serve you up your weekly bible snack.  Feed yourself!

So, the REAL question is not "Is tithing biblical?", but rather, Is tithing new covenant?  or Is it Christian?

Those are two distinctly different positions. Yes, tithing was definitely part of the Law (as was circumcision, sabbath keeping, ceremonial washings, etc.)  as applied to the Jews, but it was never a part of the early Christian church.  Romans 8:4 is one of the many places that tells us that Christ fulfilled the full requirement of the law for us.

If you want to learn the truth about this, then look for more posts, audios, videos, BUT most important study and pray.  Show your self approved.   I encourage you and challenge you to pursue the truth.