Should Christians Tithe?
Dave
A growing fad among some Christians is to deny tithing under the New
Testament. Since there are no specific directions for tithing in the
New Testament, they rejoice that they can avoid this duty. So they
leap on the no-tithing bandwagon and roll out their rabid rhetoric. It
is time to take off their wheels and let the water cover them.
What is a tithe? It is 10% of income or assets returned to God for His
faithfulness and mercy.
Did Old Testament saints tithe? Yes, the Law of Moses required
tithing. Israelites gave 10% annually to the Levites, 10% annually on
feasts for worship, and 10% every third year for the Levites and poor.
They gave about 23 1/3% annually (Numbers 18:20-32; Deut 14:22-29)!
Were tithes the same as offerings? No, tithes were required giving.
Israel owed the Lord tithes by obligation of His commandments. The
soul offering, freewill offerings, sacrifices, and vows were all above
and beyond tithes (Ex 30:15; Deut 12:6,17; I Chr 22:5,14; 29:2-5; Mal
3:8).
Did the tithe originate with Moses? No, Abraham gave a tenth of the
spoils of his victory to Melchisedec, and Jacob promised God a tenth
for His blessings, and these men lived 300-400 years before Moses and
the Law (Gen 14:18-20; 28:22; Gal 3:17). Capital punishment, like
tithing, originated long before the Law, but the Law systematized its
practice (Gen 9:6).
Does the New Testament require a tithe? No, it does not mention
tithing by name, except for Jesus correcting the Jews abuse of tithing
(Matt 23:23; Luke 11:42) and Paul's historical description of Abraham
giving Melchisedec a tithe (Heb 7:1-4). But there are many useful and
godly principles of the Old Testament that are not repeated
specifically in the New Testament.
Does the New Testament require giving? Yes, it requires giving by
doctrine and precept for the very same things as the Old Testament -
the ministry and the poor (Acts 20:35; I Cor 9:1-18; 16:1-3; II Cor
8:1-24; 9:1-15; Gal 6:6; I Tim 5:3,17; 6:17-19; I John 3:17-18).
Did New Testament saints give? Yes, they gave with cheerful liberality
and obvious personal sacrifice both in public and private, for their
position or assets in this world meant little to them (Acts 2:44-47;
4:32-37; 6:1; Phil 4:10-18; Philemon 1:4-7; Heb 10:34; III John
1:5-8).
What do New Testament saints give for? They give to ministers who
labor full time in the ministry and to poor saints, including widows
indeed, in their own church and in other churches (Acts 6:1; 11:28-30;
Rom 15:25-27; I Cor 9:7-14; 16:1-3; Gal 2:10; 6:6; I Tim 5:17-18; II
Tim 2:4). In order to study this issue of the proper objects of
giving, see "What About Tsunami Relief?"
Should Christians tithe? No, they should give more! Israel under the
weak and beggarly Old Testament gave more than 10% in tithes and
offerings, so we under the blessings of the New should give more than
they, and the Spirit-filled examples agree (Gal 4:9; Heb 7:19,22; 8:6;
Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37). Remember, the Lord requires based on what He
has given you (Luke 12:48).
Should a church require a tithe? No, a church cannot require a tithe
without New Testament authority. But a church should preach hard about
giving, teach members the origin and nature of the tithe, and exhort
members about exceeding the tithe. And a church might use the tithe as
a guideline for warning or disciplining members for covetousness (I
Cor 5:11; II Thess 3:6).
How much should be given? Saints should give (1) proportionate to
income, (2) systematically, (3) liberally, (4) as they purpose in
their heart, and (5) cheerfully (Acts 11:29; I Cor 16:1-3; II Cor
8:12; 9:7). God loves cheerful givers. If saints give liberally, they
will be blessed liberally (II Cor 9:6). A tithe should be the minimum,
since it was the minimum before and during the Law.
Should they give by gross or net income? The question indicates a
selfish and stingy heart. In any other situation, this person will
always state his income by the highest number; but when it comes to
God, he lowers it to give Him less. Gross income is what you were
paid; you received many benefits for the taxes deducted. You should
give proportionately of your gross income.
What is firstfruits giving? Taken from the first produce of a field or
vineyard, it is honoring the Lord off the top, rather than from what
remains (Pr 3:9). Therefore, firstfruits giving is more than just a
few bucks, is the first use of income, is given from a blessing not
for a blessing, and is given from gross income. And the Lord is very
pleased with such an approach (Pr 3:10).
What about taking a tax deduction? God raises up governments to
provide for His people, and taking a deduction fulfils God's word. The
Bible has many examples of God using pagan governments to provide for
His church. See the Bible study, "God Bless the IRS." But when taking
the tax deduction, remember that a 30% tax bracket shrinks a tithe to
only 7% of your income!
But the New Testament does not require a tithe? And the New Testament
does not mention corporal punishment, but you use the O.T. principle
to train your children (Pr 13:24; 19:18; 22:15; 23:13-14; 29:15). It
does not mention saving money, but you do so from Solomon (Pr 6:8;
30:25). It does not mention many godly rules or principles, which may
be assumed from the O.T.
But the New Testament does not require a tithe? But the tithe was not
abolished, as was the Sabbath. The Sabbath was not pre-Moses, was for
Israel only, and was clearly abolished according to Paul. Tithing was
pre-Moses and not rejected by Paul, thus remaining as a guide.
But the New Testament does not require a tithe? That is right, but
Paul did appeal to the Law of Moses for principles of financial
giving, which shows the remaining validity of the principles
pertaining to giving (I Cor 9:8-9; II Cor 9:9; I Tim 5:18).
But anything like a tithe becomes a mere ritual? Worship becoming a
dead ritual depends on your heart, for systematic giving can be done
cheerfully, as Moses required of the Jews, and Paul required of the
Gentiles (I Cor 16:1-3). Does attending assemblies every Lord's Day or
daily reading of the Bible become a dead ritual merely by its
discipline or habit? No!
What if I do not give? You rob God, and you will suffer (Hag 1:1-11;
Mal 3:8-12; II Cor 9:6; Gal 6:7). Everything you have is from the
Lord, and you should willingly give some back. It is often the love of
money that causes some to oppose tithing and/or giving, but disciples
of Jesus Christ give liberally, for they reject covetousness and the
love of money (I Tim 6:6-10,17-19).
What if I cannot afford to give? You must be in financial trouble, so
you cannot afford not to give! Joseph and Mary, though poor, brought
two turtledoves for our Lord's dedication (Luke 2:22-24; Lev 12:8).
Jesus took note of a widow giving two mites over rich men giving much
(Lev 12:1-4). Moses required a soul offering of every citizen without
regard for ability to give (Ex 30:5). The Philippians gave generously,
though they were comparatively poor (II Cor 8:1-5).
What about money-grubbing televangelists? They should be rejected as
false prophets, for they are not sent by God, do not preach God's
words, steal widows' houses through fake prayers, promise lies about
getting rich, and sell trinkets without shame (Matt 23:14). But their
heresies, lies, and scams do not negate the need to generously support
God's ministers (I Tim 5:17-18).
What about giving to get? Our blessed and merciful heavenly Father has
repeatedly promised His reward upon those who give liberally, and
these promises encourage our obedience, as long life encourages
parental honor (Eph 6:1-3). But great men with great hearts, like
David, give out of delight and love for God rather than what they
might receive as a result of their giving!
What if I give hypocritically? That is your wicked choice, but it has
nothing to do with a proper understanding of tithing and giving.
Financial giving will not sanctify your life or make up for wickedness
in other areas (Is 58:3-7; Hag 2:10-19; Jas 1:27). Jesus Christ taught
you to do both - to live a righteous life of mercy, judgment, and
faith and to give financially (Matt 23:23).
What is the bottom line? The Lord is a great king, and He deserves
your best (Mal 1:14; Heb 12:28-29). If you want the heart of David,
you better give more than a tithe (I Chron 22:5,14-16; 29:2-5). Let
the lovers of filthy lucre argue about tithing. Since the world began,
God has blessed liberal givers (Gen 13:2; 26:12; 32:10; Pr 3:9-10;
11:24-26; Mal 3:8-12; Luke 6:38; II Cor 9:6). The most exciting use of
your money should be generous giving to the Lord, off the top, often!