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geomekhaiel

posted on May 13, 2008 - 07:19 PM

Hello everyone,

I was in one of my religious studies classes we we had a portion of the class talking about the tithe giving and its origins in Islam and Christianity. I found it interesting that Muslims are sort of obligated to give 2.5% percent of their income....but that is not what I wish to discuss in this thread.

What I want to ask about is the origin of the idea of the tithe in Coptic Orthodoxy because the professor asked me (2 mins ago...i'm in class right now haha) if Coptic people give a tithe. I answered with a "yes" but I must admit that I hesitated to do so.

I understand that giving is important, possibly one of the most mentioned things in the bible. The word, "giving" is mentioned in the bible more than many other words. But where is the origin of the idea of the "tithe" in Coptic Orthodoxy. ....when I say "tithe" I literally mean 10%.

The professor explained that the tithe (10%) is something that started as a result of the protestant reformation and he was somewhat surprised to find out that in Orthodoxy we have the tithe (based on my answer to his question).

So, enough side talk from me, my question is:

Where do you guys think the tithe (literally 10%) came from in Coptic Orthodoxy?

_________________
George Mekhaiel

Joined: Aug 05, 2003 | Posts: 1712
Location: Saint George COC

thereseh

posted on May 13, 2008 - 07:27 PM

Hey George,
this is really funny cause I asked my dad the same question a week ago...
If you go to the book of Malachi, chapter 3, verse 8.
Explains it perfectly:)
This tradition has been going on since the Old Testament.

Hope it helped,
pray for me

God Bless+

_________________
Your sister in Christ,
Thérèse

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:28

"During your times of trial and sufferings...when you see only one set of footprints...it was then that i carried you."

Joined: May 07, 2008 | Posts: 20
Location: St. Mina's COC, Hamilton, ON, Canada

mikokiko

posted on May 13, 2008 - 07:29 PM

Tithing is mentioned in the Holy Scriptures: Matt 23:23/Luke 11:42, Luke 18:12, Hebrews 7:1-10.

Tithing was part of the traditional synagogue customs of Israel back in those days, as we as Christians adopted many things from the ancient Palestinian synagogue practices.

However in the passages provided, the Lord Jesus condemns not the actual tithing but their legalism, and their forgetting the whole point of the tithe.

GB

Joined: Feb 11, 2003 | Posts: 1001

geomekhaiel

posted on May 13, 2008 - 08:33 PM

but was it always a 10 percent thing?????

Joined: Aug 05, 2003 | Posts: 1712
Location: Saint George COC

geomekhaiel

posted on May 13, 2008 - 08:34 PM

.....i would look it up myself, but i'm in another class right now haha ...trying to review for finals (next week) and research a couple of other topics at the same time.....very hard to do!

Joined: Aug 05, 2003 | Posts: 1712
Location: Saint George COC

stefanos

posted on May 13, 2008 - 11:10 PM

Christ is Risen
XPICTOC ANECTH

The word tithe literally means, as you mentioned, to give 1/10 or 10%.

Also in Gen. 28:22, "And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.”

Also as mentioned above a tenth/tithe is mentioned in the New Testament (Heb.7:2 and other verses). The Biblical instructions to give the tenth are clear. This is why we as Coptic Orthodox and not only us but all Orthodox give a tenth. I have no idea what your professor is talking about. Hope this helps. Pray for me.

Truly He is Risen

stefanos

Joined: Nov 26, 2003 | Posts: 116
Location: Michigan

geomekhaiel

posted on May 13, 2008 - 11:19 PM

Okay,

Question answered! I actually feel really dumb right now because I should have checked the bible as a first resource but I was a bit thrown off when my professor started talking about the reformation.

Ahhhh...well, cool!

Joined: Aug 05, 2003 | Posts: 1712
Location: Saint George COC

Truth.Seeker

posted on May 14, 2008 - 12:03 AM

The 10% is an Old Testament thing - it's mentioned in Hebrews because St. Paul was talking about Abraham. The Church uses it as a guideline. I think the NT requirement is, "give as much as you can" ("If you want to be perfect..."). I think that's usually substantially more than 10%.

Joined: Feb 25, 2008 | Posts: 411