To Tithe or Not To Tithe
67...That is the Question
I have been wrestling with the idea of tithing lately. As much as I want to share my money with God and do what He wants with it, I feel very uncomfortable giving money to most churches. I almost feel guilty giving money to a church that just doesn't get it. On the other hand, I should be helping them to change, right? But I wonder whether my tithe will help them change or not.
So, I prayed about it and went another route. Since I felt many churches were just doing church for the sake of doing church, I felt I should give my money to people who would actually use my money to help needy people, the kind of people that most need help. Back in October/November I began giving my "tithe" to Red Cross online instead, but now I am at a place of again questioning whether I should be tithing to the church or not.
So I began wondering if, anywhere in the Bible, God told people to tithe to the church. I searched through Jesus' instructions in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), but didn't find anything direct. It was assumed that people would give to the temple, and Jesus also raised the point of giving to the poor. So, I continued through the rest of the New Testament, but very little about giving to the church was in their either. We have in Acts the ideal church, where everyone pooled all of their resources and lived in community with each other (the church really was family!), and there is a chapter in 2 Corinthians in which Paul praises the generosity of the Corinthians. He says that each person should give what they have decided is right between them and God, and should give cheerfully.
In all of this I realize that the ideal for the church and for my money/tithe would be that the church would be living in community together, freely sharing resources, and that my money would be going to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, and help the hurting. I do not want to give my money so that the church can have nicer chairs, a better sound system, a bigger building, and a new children's program. In biblical times when Jews gave money to the temple it was because a) God explicitly told them to give money there and b) their money was being used for offerings and sacrifices to God and to take care of the Levities who ministered in the temple. Their money was not arbitrarily taken for "improvements" and bigger, better buildings, programs, etc. On the contrary, when money was needed for something other than serving God that money was taken separately with the knowledge that that was what the money was for.
I don't want to go to far and become controlling about my tithe, thinking that God can only use it in ways I want it used. But I don't think that God's idea of ministry and effectively reaching out to the world is in using our resources to make church more comfortable for us. Rather than worrying about having a bigger building, better chairs, newer sound equipment, and all the rest of it I think we should be worrying about the needy and letting God take care of the rest of it. If God thinks we really need newer sound equipment to minister then He will provide that in a miraculous way, just as He would with a building, or new hymnbooks, or whatever.
Comments
Great hub Patience. You hit on a very hot button issue, But I ain't mad at you. I actually wrote about this 6 years ago. What I found is the Church was NEVER commanded to tithe. Tithing is not a mandate for the Church. The scripture you sighted about the Levites and the Temple was very appropriate. I will share more with you a little later. I am presently at work and can't right now, But I promise I will revisit this and your other hub where you are asking questions out of Matthew.
Interesting topic Patience. This is one that is exceptionally controversial, but I will give you my undestanding about tithing, and whether the Church is commanded to tithe. Let's look at the Old Testament text first :
(1) Joshua was instructed by Moses to divide the promised land among the tribes of Israel. All the Israelites received an inheritance, but God had this to say to Aaron and the tribe of Levi : The Lord said to Aaron, " You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any share among them; I am your share and your inheritance among the Israelites. I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting." Numbers 18:20, 21. The Lord told Aaron that "He" was his share and inheritance. The Levites inheritance was the tithes. The Israelites inheritance was the land. What is your inheritance?
Now let's look at New Testament. Paul says, " I am not commanding you ...", Paul is talking to Gentiles. Let's look at the text : " We want to tell you further, brethren, about the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia [arousing in them the desire to give alms]; For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty [together] have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part. For, as I can bear witness, [they gave] according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and [they did it] voluntarily, Begging us most insistently for the favor and the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for [the relief and support of] the saints [in Jerusalem].
Paul is letting us know, most certainly, that they were giving freely and, voluntarily, because further down in verse 8 Paul says, " I give this not as an order [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the zeal of others, the sincerity of your [own] love also." 2 Corinthians 8:8 AMP
So, from my understanding, the first seeds of giving among the Christians was planted firmly in the fertile soil of grace, 'according to your own ability'.
There is more, but I don't want to crowd your hub.
Thanks, Wehzo, for adding your insight on this confusing issue.
Patience Virtue
I think that quite possibly you may find you are having a confusion with this issue because you have thought of paying tithes to "the church", when I think in reality we are commanded to make a tithe unto the Lord. The first incidence I can recall of any type of tithe being recorded is in the book of Genesis, chapter 14:20. It is here that we find the offering of tithes, by the prophet Abraham, given to his chosed representative or rightful priesthood holder the "priest of the most high God", Melchizedek. Tithes were always to be given to the Levites (Hebrews 7:5 5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham) because they held the "priesthood authority" from God, or in other words they were given the right to administer in the ordinances of His gospel, to act in His name. I think that a search for proper priesthood authority, would be a bigger concern, so that you may pay tithes to the correct representative. You have also hit on a major point when you say that they should go to take care of each other. I think you are right on with this and should study it further. At any rate your search for truth on this issue can be resolved if you truly desire to know and seek for light and knowledge through study and continued prayer. I can tell you already do this by your post, so keep on searching. Best wishes.
Hi Patience Virtue, Nice hub! Keep up the good work, I like your writing, genuine and honest. I found that tithing is another matter of our sense of power as an instrument of God. Money is something we have created out of the use of our own/God's energy and we are meant to do the best with it that we can.
When I questioned whether to give to a church, it came up as important that I need to tithe to those that are doing God's will and have consciously chosen to do God's Will. Pretty general, I know, but also, after we have taken our responsibility with this form of power and considered to the best of our ability who was doing God's Will, the rest is up to them...for then they are accountable for what they do with it.
I also as a single parent for many years, found that when i felt as if I couldn't give money , I gave of my time and my heart, other forms of my use of creation, which are just as powerful, that I am also responsible for and accountable for using.
As "in the doghouse" mentioned, tithe is not for the church, but for God. In Malachi 3:10 it says: "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test me in this, says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have enough room for it."
We should give because God had asked us to. I am firm believer in the verse I just cited; in fact, it never crossed my mind I shouldn't give my tithe: it's the first check I write every time I get paid. And I've been blessed.
I hope you find the answer you are looking for.
I would have to agree with Adriana C. Even in Malachi 3:7-10, we can see that God has a way of letting his people return to Him. He says that by not giving your tithes and offering, it also means that we are robbing Him. (Malachi 3:8).
The tithes are actually not ours, it is God's in the first place. That is why it should not be called "giving" your tithes, but "paying" your tithes, because it is His. He knows where our tithes go, and we should not worry where they are spent.. if we pay our tithes, then let your money go.. We should not be bothered where they go.. because God is in full control of it. As long as we do our part, then that's it. He knows where the money is spent and He allows it to be there. If the church spends it for improvement of buildings, chairs, etc., then let it be. God is still in full control of it. He only needs our obedience and our FAITH.
This one is a really sticky one for me. On the one hand there is a need for faith that God can always use what we give (and He has used what has been given to the church, I'm sure), but on the other hand IF the church at large is not surrendering themselves 100% to God's will for their finances but focusing on filling our needs as a church FIRST, then in my opinion they are not using money in a way that 100% reflects God's will for how HIS money should be spent. It is, after all, His money, and everywhere in the NT I see examples of Jesus saying to give to the poor (not to the church, the religious, or whatever). But I do not mean to cast any stones here: those who give to the church are no less religious than those who choose to give directly to RedCross, Salvation Army, or some other organization that gives directly to the needy rather than giving a mere 10% of its money to that. God has many uses for our money, and I have simply decided that God wants my money to go to those in desperate need of food, shelter, and medical care, and not to church buildings.
But God uses church buildings too...:)
I agree :-D
I think first of all you have to be part of a church that you have confidence will "invest" your tithing wisely. Of that I have no doubt in my church, however I've heard of some fly by night churches that I would trust with my hard earned money for anything. I can tell you that it's been my experience that when I have paid my tithing I have been blessed, and when I don't it seems like my life starts falling apart. Search your heart and pray intently, study the scriptures and you will find the right answers to what your seeking. Good luck.
so true my hubby is catholic and I am or orthodox backround and they never preached tithing in those churches, its a very pentacostal thing and I left a recent church of 12 years because thats all they preach about EVERY sunday, its become a joke
To clarify: I do think that my money is God's and that need to give at least a portion of it back to God. However, I feel that God is much more passionate about feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, and taking care of the needy than making sure we can keep having nice services in our nice buildings with nice childcare and nice activities for us to attend throughout the week. I just think that God has called me personally to give my money to people who need it more. I don't think that everyone should stop giving their money to the church. Rather, I think the church needs to rethink how it spends its money.
Read 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12. There are different kinds of gifts, but they all come from the same Spirit. If you will, some people have more "financial giftedness" than others. However, no one gift is more important than any other. The poorest member of a church can contribute according to his or her own individual spiritual gifts. To me, if a person isn't able to or doesn't feel like monetary contribution is beneficial, what is that person actually and actively "doing" with his or her other spiritual gifts? Hmmm....
what about pastors who take the money and buy lavish homes???
I think that it is rather an anamoly to find a pastor who just takes money. Most of them are more responsible and selfless than that. There have been, however, the few that have tainted the respectability of many.
I suppose you could call that "financial giftedness." To me, it is not about giving money or not -- because the Bible leaves no question about giving -- but rather about giving to what God cares about. I think that the church does not usually do this, because usually only a fraction of the church's income goes to the needy and most of it goes right back into the church. It's not about making the individual churches bigger, it's about growing the Kingdom of God by reaching the people who are hurt and in need. Maybe that means our church buildings won't get bigger and things will be a little tighter, maybe it means we won't have as much equipment, maybe it means we will have secondhand stuff, but if we are reaching the lost that is way more important than being comfortable on Sunday mornings.
Great hub, Patience. Let me complicate things even further.
When I see scripture telling people to tithe with the Lord, I read "Lord" to mean "others who need it." Remember that "whetever you do unto the least of my bretheren, you do unto me." It's hard for me to literally equate that The Lord = any religion's organization, or that any organization is the sole gatekeeper to charity.
Also, reducing tithing to mere $ seems ridiculous -- I believe that giving time and energy to needy people is also a valid way to tithe. Who is anybody to tell me that the Lord only accepts dollars?
Back to money: as if this issue weren't complicated enough, you must factor taxes into any contemporary discussion. The fact is that we all pay a significant portion of our incomes to the government, and the government gives a large portion of the money to needy people in our names. It's a LOT of money in the form of welfare, medicare, disaster assistance, and an endless list of worthy programs. Call it legally-enforced tithing.
I'm bringing this up because scripture's 10% figure seems obsolete in that light. Remember that scripture was written well before there was a government that collected taxes for the needy. Back then, the governments collected taxes to keep the rulers in luxury, run the army, build roads and so forth, but most definitely not for charity. Contrast that with today: statistically, you are forced to pay about 30% of your revenue in taxes and the gov't pays roughly 1/3 of that to helping people in need. One point of view is that by paying taxes you've already given about 10% of your revenue to helping people. This may help to explain why hoisting another 10% on top of that seems so painful.
To provide some context, contrast our situation with Germany, where the government enforces and collects tithing as part of the income tax process. Tithing is not really optional, and the gov't transfers the money mainly to the Catholic church since Germany is mainly Catholic) However, the government is not really in the social services business in Gemany, and thus collects little taxes for such purposes. That's what the church does with its 10% -- it distributes it to the needy in various forms.
I'm not trying to let anybody off the hook for anything, but there's more than meets the eye on this issue. As always when money is involved, you must think for yourself.
I absolute agree with you, giving to God is not just about giving money or other material resources. And actually, since writing this and engaging in all of this feedback (plus dealing with some other stuff in my life) I think my own views on this have changed. I've been really wrestling with the verses in the New Testament where Jesus tells his followers and would-be followers to "sell all they have, give the money to the poor, and follow me." I don't necessarily think that every believer has to do this to be a true follower of Jesus, but they are words that I think ought to be more true in my life. The 10% was for the old covenant of the Old Testament, but in the New Testament Jesus called for something much more radical. I don't know that Jesus necessarily is worried about us all giving up everything today, rather I've been wrestling with it on a personal level. Is 10% really enough if everything I have belongs to God?
I don't want to judge other people, and what you say about taxes and government seems to ring true. If that is right for you I certainly don't want to bash it. I guess it really is something between the individual and God.
But my original point in this -- I think -- was that regardless of how much I tithe, I struggle with giving it to most churches because I don't see most churches really using their money for the needy in the community. More and more churches have food pantries and give clothes to the needy, but that doesn't seem to be what they spend most of the offerings on (those ministries seem to be mostly run by extra gifts from the people). So I've begun investing my tithe in those ministries, as well as charities like the RedCross, things that I know are making a difference in the lives of needy people. I do this not because I think every believer must do this, but because I feel called to do this. I hope every other Christian will learn to do the same: not do whatever they see others doing, but do what God calls them individually to do!
Great comment, btw, wordnut, it sounds like you did your research!
The only thing I have to say that wasn't already said, unless I missed it, is this. God loves a cheerful giver. If it grieves a person to give, they may as well keep it. Anything given should be given freely with no expectation or return.
I do understand your dilemma more than you know. I will not judge those who give and those who don't.
Absolutely! Wonderful insight there, I don't think God wants a gift that is not willingly given (But maybe that's just me). Thanks for your brilliant two cents!
Good hub - sparked some interesting comments.
lol, thanks! Yeah, it definitely lead to a lot more discussion than I thought it would, but it's been very good!
Great hub. I share with your sentiments. Thank you for sharing it. Remain blessed always.
Thanks, may God bless you as well!
I share your sentiments Patience. I have struggled with this too. But SirDent is right. It is not what you give but the emotion and feeling when you give it. You should feel excited and joyful when giving. If you are giving out of habit or a duty this is not the right attitude to be feeling.
The taxes are right as well. We pay an inordinate amount of tax that was not present in those days.
I don't give to the Church but I give to charities and those people who inspire me to grow spiritually. There a lot of people who go to church who do it out of habit and really do not get what trusting in god is.
I feel the same way, that it is more about the attitude of giving than giving out of a stingy, ungenerous heart. On the other hand, money that the government takes from me I don't consider to be part of my giving because I have not given it at all, it has been taken from me. To me, a tithe is something you give above and beyond obligations (but that is just how I view it...if God says otherwise for someone else, that's great!).
When I started the bit about taxes, I wasn't suggesting that anybody should just outsource charity to the gov't and be done with it. I was questioning the 10% figure that tithing is defined to mean since I've seen my share of people wagging their fingers at (or behind the backs of) those who "don't tithe properly."
I empathize with you Patience & others who are questioning the Church's fitness to receive alms. Anybody who has ever visited the Vatican can testify that the Church doesn't exactly give the shirt off its back to the poor, and this has been going on a long, long time. There are many churches other than the one that's run from the Vatican, but over time money & power seem to have the same kind of effect on just about everyone and everything.
I once worked on a major contract in one of the world's largest cathedrals to design & install architectural illumination. This was a multi-million dollar job with future electricity use projected to cost another small fortune over the years. It went so far as to include a bank of huge gold-colored spotlights synchronized to the sunset to enhance and prolong the setting sun's rays on the church's dome! The head honcho priest kept urging us to work faster, saying it was all for the glory of God. I just haven't been very trusting about money matters ever since.
I can absolutely understand that and I totally get what you were trying to say (that we can't assume we know all the details, that it's between them and God, that maybe they are giving in a way we don't see/can't notice...). Thanks for your thoughts (and clarifications) and sorry your meaning seems to have been skewed!
Interesting hub. I try to tithe as much as I can in my financial position, but I also feel very strongly about my church and the fact that it preaches God's word very well.
Yeah; ultimately our money and how we use it is definitely not the most important thing.
Everything we have belongs to our Creator anyway. Tithing can be tough especially if the amount seems large to you or if you feel that you may need it for some other priorities. But personally, i try not to think much at the first instant and just give 10% once i have my "first fruits". The longer you delay, the harder it will feel.
Yeah, I definitely agree that the longer you wait to give the harder it is to let go. But sometimes, it just isn't easy in the first place.
Money, Money, Money
Why is this always such a big deal? I don't get it, to be honest with you. Well, not most of the time at least. Lately I've been quite strapped for it, and it's amazing how not having something makes you care about it. I just don't understand what it is about money that makes it eat all of us alive.
I suppose it's because we are all looking for fulfillment and happiness or something like that. I guess when I stop filtering everything through my way of thinking I can begin to understand why it is that money is such a big deal for us, all of us.
It's not enough that we judge ourselves based on how much money we have, how financially stable we are, what kind of job we have, but we judge each other by that as well. We all do it, so we might as well at least own up to it. I have experienced enough of it firsthand to know that this is true. It's not just that we feel judged by other people, but it is so easy to slip into judging others. A family member quits their job to do something completely crazy that probably will not make any money whatsoever and we feel compelled to inform them of the foolishness of their decision. Do we really think they are completely unaware of the risk? Do we really think they need our opinion? If we stop to think about it, are we the only people giving them our judgmental 2 cents worth? In this world there are plenty of people to judge the crazies, but not enough people to love them.
It is so easy in writing about this kind of thing to fall into a complacent state of being content with where I am because I "get it" and other people don't yet. But there is no pride to be had in understanding that does not resolve itself into action, and even then there should be no pride--just humility and love. I suppose I'm preaching to myself now, but that is really what this always comes down to, is love. If we just had enough love--real, true love--things would be infinitely better. But instead we love on our terms, accept love on our terms, and drown everything in stern judgment. Lets face it, we hate people like us. And some days, we even hate us.
And so I'm back before God asking more forgiveness, and searching for change to make me less like me and more like Him. Maybe someday I'll actually really get it.
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Comments
I never liked tithing to the church. I, like you, prefer to choose how my money will help others. The pressure to tithe can be great in some churches and I don't like that pressure, either.
One day a few years back I was talking with my wife Carla and it hit me—we had not been tithing because we were not attending church regularly since we moved to North Carolina. That might be part of the reason that we appeared to be in such a funk. I had been listening to an evangelist on Sunday mornings and I knew a former convict who had a prison ministry based in Ohio. I started giving half a tithe to the evangelist and the other half to the prison ministry.
When we started tithing again our world turned around almost immediately. Things started working for us like they used to. My income has almost doubled since then.
Oh, and the investing. A few thousand dollars has grown to the point where our future is secure -- as God continues to bless us.
We now tithe to a local church where we know they have a heart for helping people in the community. We also send money to Haiti and other missions.
Nothing scriptural -- just our experience.
It seems to be a very common experience, that giving to God (or to the needy) really ends up giving back to you. I'm glad that you, too, have had this experience. And even when we don't get back much materially, the joy that it gives inside is worth every bit of the sacrifice! Thanks for the comments!
I doubt I'm unique in saying this, but I don't feel tithing 10% each paycheck is a requirement for NT believers. There's the principle of giving sacrificially, and that's relative per family or individual (as expected). I'm in a church that freely shares resources and gives financial aide to anyone who needs it. There's little scrutinizing of that need as well, if the person expresses humility and honesty in asking for it. I know my wife and I have utilized it recently since we've fallen on some rough times and are still in the midst of them. It's nice to find churches who follow the NT ecample of sharing with fellow believers.
Hope this gives a little extra insight :)
Absolutely! I wish more communities of believers could learn to live life together like that!
Hope you eventually can find a church you can trust with your tithe. And recognize that sometimes the leadership will see needs that we don't necessarily agree with (non-musicians usually question the purchase of the best music instruments for the service) and sometimes they follow Jesus' command about the way to give to the poor - unannounced! :)
If I could find a church like that...well, I'm still highly skeptical because I share few values with the traditional institutional church. But never say never, and never close any doors (let God do that!) :)
Thanks for your thoughts on this, it's something I struggle with also.
IS TITHING COMPULSORY FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN (INTRODUCTION) LAW OF FIRST MENTION TITHING IN THE MOSAIC LAW TITHING IN THE GOSPELS "TITHING" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH IS TITHING COMPULSORY FOR THE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIAN (INTRODUCTION) Very often, this question has been asked by well-meaning Christians who are plagued by the torrents of appeal from churches for funds. Thrown into these appeals is the standard request to pay your tithes and offerings. Let me say from the very beginning that there is a distinct difference between giving to God and giving to "the church". Giving to God is a scriptural concept (Matt 22:21); Giving to "the church" could just be an emotional response to a well-orchestrated man-made appeal which is out of God's Will and God's Word. So it is important for us to study God's Word so that we are able to discern whether funds being solicited in a particular church are based on sound New Testament Scriptural principles. Prayer is the other means of helping to discern God's Will in a particular area of financial need (of such a church). LAW OF FIRST MENTION It is important when attempting to derive spiritual principles from the Bible on a particular subject to go back to the time it was first mentioned. When was "the tithe" first mentioned? Gen 14:18-20 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (NIV) Verse 20 says Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything. What is a tenth of everything? Here we turn to the Living Bible for more clarification... Gen 14:15-16 15 He divided his men and attacked during the night from several directions, and pursued the fleeing army to Hobah, north of Damascus, 16 and recovered everything-- the loot that had been taken, his relative Lot, and all of Lot's possessions, including the women and other captives. (TLB) Emphasis mine. Gen 14:19 19 Then Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: "The blessing of the supreme God, Creator of heaven and earth, be upon you, Abram; and blessed be God, who has delivered your enemies over to you." Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the loot. (TLB) Emphasis mine. From the verses above, it is clear that Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth or ten percent of all the loot that has been recovered (verses 16 and 19 above) not of all that Abraham possessed. See also Hebrews Chapter 7 verse 4. This is important because the tithe is based on the increase, not the capital. The next time we hear of the word "tithe" is in Bethel after Jacob had his famous dream of angels ascending to and descending from heaven..... Gen 28:22 22 and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth." (NIV) Notice that Jacob promised a tenth of what God intends to give him not a tenth of what he already had (not much though at this point in time). So once again we find that tithing is based on increase not capital. TITHING IN THE MOSAIC LAW There are three kinds of tithe mentioned in the Mosaic Law, viz, TITHE #1: This tithe was entirely devoted to the priestly tribe of Levi who had no land allocated to it and no inheritance among the Israelites. This is sometimes referred to as the Levite's tithe..... Lev 27:30 30 "'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. (NIV) Lev 27:32 32 The entire tithe of the herd and flock-- every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd's rod-- will be holy to the LORD. (NIV) Num 18:24 24 Instead, I give to the Levites as their inheritance the tithes that the Israelites present as an offering to the LORD. That is why I said concerning them: 'They will have no inheritance among the Israelites.'" (NIV) The Lord then commanded the Levites to give a tenth of their portion to the priests (see also 2 Chronicles 31:4)........ Num 18:28 28 In this way you also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD's portion to Aaron the priest. (NIV) TITHE # 2: The second tithe may be called the festival tithe. Deut 12:11-12 11 Then to the place the LORD your God will choose as a dwelling for his Name-- there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to the LORD. 12 And there rejoice before the LORD your God, you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites from your towns, who have no allotment or inheritance of their own. (NIV) It is only to be eaten at a place specified by the Lord in the land of Israel or as in the case of those living far away, in their own towns-Deuteronomy 12:18,21. Burnt offerings and sacrifices and special gifts are also included (verse 11). The celebration of this tithe is seen as an event to foster national unity and instill a sense of "brotherhood" among the people of God. TITHE # 3: The third category of tithing in the Mosaic Law may also be known as a "welfare tithe".... Deut 14:28-29 28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year's produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (NIV) Take note that this tithe is only implemented once in three years (verse 28) and it is a tenth of the year's increase. It is to be consumed not only by the Levites but also the aliens, fatherless and widows. See also Deuteronomy 26:12. Of special note is the fact that tithing evokes a blessing from God and the failure to tithe invokes a curse from God (under the Mosaic Law).... Deut 14:29 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (NIV) Mal 3:10-12 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11 I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. 12 "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty. (NIV) Malachi Chapter 3 verses 10 to 12 have been used to instill fear by churches on their congregations. Let me remind you that these verses are part of the consequences of not obeying the Mosaic Law and are therefore not valid in New Testament Churches. Our Lord Jesus has fulfilled all the requirements of the Law and has therefore taken the curse of not fulfilling it from us! Matt 5:17 17 "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (NIV) Gal 3:13 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." (NIV) TITHING IN THE GOSPELS In the following two Scriptures, Jesus commanded observance to tithing as part of the Mosaic Law (which he was under)... Matt 23:23 23 "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-- mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law-- j
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justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. (NIV) Luke 11:42 42 "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. (NIV) Jesus said that it was not wrong to tithe the spices (which appear to be trifles to some) but that these teachers of the law and pharisees should also practise the other important matters OF THE LAW i.e. justice, mercy and faithfulness and the love of God. In the above context, Jesus implied that the pharisees were fastidious when it comes to tithing and other legal issues but they did not show the love of God in them. This, He defines as hypocrisy. Tithing to them is just an outward show of their self righteousness (see also Luke 18:12). Just as a reflection on this passage........if tithing was compulsory for the New Testament Christian,, would'nt it be a a sin if he forgets to tithe the "spices and herbs" or "flowers" he receives (as a gift)? "TITHING" IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH What is mentioned in the Scriptures with reference to the New Testament church is now relevant to all christians of all denominations. PRINCIPLE NUMBER ONE Giving is proportionate to the degree that God blesses a person without an obligatory figure being mentioned. 1 Cor 16:1-2Cont:
".......Christians are not under obligation to give a specified amount to the work of their heavenly Father. In none of their forms do the tithe or other Old Testament levies apply to Christians." page 233. PRINCIPLE NUMBER TWO Giving is from the heart..... In fact giving should be more appropriately termed free will offerings in the context of the New Testament Church for Paul commanded us to give as we purpose in our heart. If the amount is a fixed one, there will be no need to purpose in one's heart anymore!! 2 Cor 9:7 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (NKJ) I repeat there is no curse for "NOT TITHING" in the New Testament church (as is often implied on sermons from Malachi 3:10-12).We should not go back to Melchizedek (where tithing was an example and may be taken as a guide-line) or the Mosaic law (where tithing was by compulsion.) Our Lord has fulfilled all the requirements of the Mosaic Law and taken the curse of (not obeying) the Law away from us (Galatians 3:13). The New Testament Christian should abide by the teachings of the Apostle Paul (which has superseded Moses' Law.) Christians who insist on keeping the Law of Moses or part of it are under a curse! Gal 3:10 10 All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." (NIV) Churches advocating tithing as compulsory are putting a curse on their congregations! So in summary, 'Giving' is a New Testament 'Church' Principle as opposed to tithing by Law (by compulsion.) Jesus clearly commanded (take note that it was not an option) that we have to give to God.Cont:
Matt 22:21 21 "Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." (NIV) "What is God's" implies a fixed sum. BUT we must remember that Jesus made the above statement in the context of the Mosaic Law which was still existent in His Time. Further on in the epistles, the Apostle Paul qualifies this "giving" as "from the heart" and proportionate to the degree that one is blessed. He specifically spoke against "compulsion" (from sources outside). Manipulating a person to give (whether directly or indirectly) is a form of witchcraft........... 2 Cor 9:7 7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (NIV) Emphasis mine"What he has decided in his heart to give" clearly has to be some amount (not zero). It may be ten percent or more. Well, it may even be less, but give as the Holy Spirit directs your heart; NOT AS THE PASTOR DIRECTS YOU. This is the distinct difference between giving to God and giving to the church.
This site does not lend it's self to telling the true story as only small comments can be made at one time.
God be with you all.
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I would like to add one more comment.
Before Jesus Died He SAID "IT IS FINISHED" he was refering to the OLD Testament when he said this. We now live according to the NEW TESTAMENT all you pastors please note God is watching over all of us including YOU
GOD BLESS ALL CLIFF
AGL: Wow. Maybe you should write your own hub about this. Unless of course you already have (in which case, high five for being ahead of me).
Charmaine, You must read the whole book of Malachi to get the meaning of what they were talkng about. Don't take a scrpiture out of context. We must first decide what Church means when it comes to tithing. I see just greed in those churches that build elaborate buildings. Church is in you not outside of you. It never was meant to be an elaborate building only someplace that people could gather for Jesus to hear their prayers. Jesus did not say that it had to be in an elaborate decorated place. Church and politics of the era they were being built started that. It was when the state-as in Ceasar and other political factions decided they wanted the moey from the people and that was a way to get it. Greed comes in all forms.
It certainly does.
Hi Patience,
Your story could have been mine many years ago. Somehow, for me, many of what I call the 'secrets' of the Bible go beyond the Church. Though I stopped going to church years ago, I still tithe. For me, I feel it can be given to charity anywhere. However, that's just for me and the light that is given to me. My parents still give only to the Church. My mother has a wise take on this: she feels once you give, it's not yours to question how it is used. The onus then is on the user. If one finds that difficult to take, it is much better giving where you feel it's being used the way you want it to be,
From a larger viewpoint, if everyone were to tithe, there would be so much money released into the charity stream all over the world. What is also inbuilt into this rite is the fact that blessings come back to you - pressed and overflowing. Maybe that's not the reson why one should do it - but it just happens! The flour and oil never ever get over. And I agree with many here - tithing means more than money - it could mean time, produce, your skills, whatever.
Yeah, I agree, once one gives money one oughtn't question how the receiver uses it. Of course, that's why you don't give money to addicts and why I don't give money to churches that tend to just use it for their own organization rather than for the community.
AGL comments about giving; as you are blessed. It has been my experience that those that are struggling financially seem to have a lot less trouble giving 10% than those that are "blessed".
Back to your original comment of not being confident to tithe to your current church (and I beleive someone already addressed it) FLEE. If you don't trust the church to use your gifts appropriately then there are bigger problems there than financial management.
I am concerned if you consider giving to the Red Cross as tithing. I am not sayingyou shouldn't give to them they do a lot of good things, but our first concern as Christians should be furthuring the Kingdom.
In regards to the preachers "feathering their own nests", there are very few churches that the pastors are involved with the offering. I have attended and been involved with many denominations and all them the pastors had set salaries. I even know pastors that have said they didn't ever want to see the offering or reports because it would effect how they ministered to people.
What do you feel about second tithing baskets. plates or whatever they call it in the curches? What do you call Building Fund tithing? They are all called tithing!
The church was not intented to be ba building---the church is within you not outside of you.
Matt: well, I think that in America most people who are "struggling financially" are actually incredibly wealthy compared to most of the world. Also, furthering the kingdom is about being the body of Christ in the world, and that looks like helping those in need, which is what the Red Cross does, so in giving to the Red Cross I am giving to God. Furthering the kingdom is not just "evangelizing" or "witnessing" because our job in this world is to be Jesus, and He did so much more than that! (sorry, I get rather passionate about our role in this world...I'll get down off my soapbox now ^_^).
Guinevere: I agree, the church is not a building, but neither is it inside of me. The church is what happens when people who love God get together and become Jesus in this world--loving people, helping people, building relationships with each other and others, that kind of thing. Church is a huge relationship not an organization.
soyelude says:
2 years ago
Nice hub....I share your sentiments. Thank you,