值得思考

經文：「各人要隨本心所酌定的，不要作難，不要勉強，因為捐得樂意的人是　神所喜愛的。」（林後 9:7）
　　“有一次有一個信徒身邊只有一張50元,而收奉獻的弟兄姊妹又拿奉獻袋到面前了，他心裡一急，本來想收好張50元抄票，但一手快反而把那張抄票跌了入去奉獻袋，但他一直心裡都很不舒服，最後當完了眾會之時，他就走到去負責數點奉獻的司數那裡，對他說：「真的不好意思，剛才我只是想奉獻10十元，但因為沒10元抄票，所以才放下50元，現在可否發回40元給我呢？」那位司庫就客氣地回答：「弟兄，但我怎知你是否果真奉獻了50元呢？因為抄票上並沒有記認呢！」，那人仍不服氣，就說：「是真的，神知道我真的奉獻了50元。」那個司庫就說：「我想神知道的是你奉獻了10元而矣，因為神是看人的內心。」既然那人心裡只是想奉獻10元，神當然知道是10元，最後那人能否拿回他的40元就不得而知，但神看人內心多於人所奉上的金錢。”

十分之一是舊約的概念。什一是一項舊約法律的要求，所有以色列人收入的百分之十都給他們的幕/寺（Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). 。事實上，舊約法規定百分之23.3，而不是百分之十。有些明白舊約的什一作為稅收的方法，為祭司和利未人在祭祀需要的制度。新約無指定.保羅指出，信徒應撥出部分收入，以支持教會（哥林多前書 16:1-2）。

新約無處指定一個百分比的收入，人也應撥出，但只是說這是“保持與收入”（哥林多前書 (16:2）。
一些基督教教會從舊約的什一稅所採取的百分之十的數字，並將其應用作為“建議的最低限度”的給予。新約建議讓我們給予為我們所能給的。有時這意味著給百分之十以上，有時這可能意味著給予較少。這一切都取決於是否有能力和教會的需要。每一個基督徒要認真禱告，尋求神的智慧在這個問題上的參與十一奉獻和/或給予多少（雅 各 書 1:5）。最重要的是，所有的什一應與動機和態度對上帝的崇拜和服務基督的身體。
各 人 要 隨 本 心 所 酌 定 的 ， 不 要 作 難 ， 不 要 勉 強 ， 因 為 捐 得 樂 意 的 人 是 神 所 喜 愛 的 . (林後 9:7)

Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the law in which all Israelites were to give 10 percent of everything they earned and grew to the Tabernacle/Temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent, not the 10 percent which is generally considered the tithe amount today. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system. The New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. Paul states that believers should set aside a portion of their income in order to support the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2).

The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says it is to be “in keeping with income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving. The New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the church. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give (James 1:5). Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).