Question: I have tithed always since I got my first salary. And I think it is a good thing to do. But is it Biblical that today's pastors use New Testament verses that talk about "Christian Giving" and do not talk about Tithe, to try to make people tithe? Some even say that if you don't tithe you are cursed, using some verse in Malachi. At some point I studied and didn't find a New Testament verse that actually says specifically that as Christians we need to Tithe.....I found a lot that say that we as Christians need to give with generosity.... It also seems that if we cannot use Old Testament verses to affirm that we must tithe, we would need to do so many other offerings that they used to do in Old Testament times. What do you think about it? - Ivan, Guatemala Response: All pastors like to be asked tithing questions! J Let’s begin with an explanation of tithing. It is an Old Testament teaching for Judaism. The tithe is a gift to God of 10% from the first of your income. Is that before or after taxes? Don’t laugh at that question. Many Christians struggle with this very issue. Why? They take their giving to God VERY seriously! My dad always claimed it was after taxes. I know many other dedicated Believers who claim it is before the dreaded “T” word. Here is what I think: Tithing, as you correctly pointed out, is not taught in the New Testament. Jesus alone mentions the tithe in the context of Old Testament Judaism practices. But is the tithe, therefore, not to be practiced by Christians? Is there a “curse” awaiting all New Testament Believers if we do not tithe? Malachi 3:8-10 says 8“Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. 9You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. 10Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! (NLT) …Sounds like a curse to me! But is it “our” curse? Most pastors begin with this tithe teaching and then go on to a more popular New Testament teaching found in Mark 8 38Jesus also taught: “Beware of these teachers of religious law!...40…they shamelessly cheat widows out of their property and then pretend to be pious by making long prayers in public... 41Jesus sat down near the collection box in the Temple and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. 42Then a poor widow came and dropped in two small coins. 43Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” (NLT) Oh, we pastors LOVE this passage. This tops the tithe every time!! “Don’t give a ‘tithe’; NO! Give it ALL! Give till it hurts! Give till you bleed! Give and God will give even more back to you. Why? So you can give even ALL THAT to us too!” Thus sayeth many a pastor during “Stewardship Month”. But what is Jesus really teaching here? Jesus begins by condemning anyone (like a Pharisee in verse 40) who would cheat a poor widow out of all she has to live on. In other words, God does not require you to “give till it hurts!” This widow is both right in her giving and wrong, at the same time. Her attitude is right; her knowledge of what God requires is wrong. Jesus commends the heart of this poor widow who gave it all. He condemns the system which taught her she needed to do so. So, how are we to give? The New Testament is filled with directions about our giving. Never once is the tithe even alluded to. Here is the giving pattern for Christians: Meet Needs 1 John 3 17If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (NLT) Acts 2 44And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. (NLT) Witness Through Generosity Acts 2 46They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—47all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved. (NLT) Happily & Regularly Give What You Personally Decide to Give 1 Corinthians 16 1Now regarding your question about the money being collected for God’s people in Jerusalem. You should follow the same procedure I gave to the churches in Galatia. 2On the first day of each week, you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned. (NLT) 2 Corinthians 9 6Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” (NLT) Why no mention of tithing? Tithing, like many Old Testament laws, was intended to be a guide. Jesus teaches in His Inaugural address (Matthew 5-7) that He came to fulfill the Law (to fill it FULL of meaning, showing how the Law was intended to be lived). In Galatians 3 we are told the purpose of Old Testament Laws. 24…The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. (NLT) Based on this principle, I believe tithing, an Old Testament law, points the way to real giving. Aiming to give a Tithe is a good place to begin for a baby Christian. But the more we mature, the more we realize there are times when God has blessed us with enough to give far more than a tithe. And there are times when we, like a poor widow, may not be able to give anywhere near as much as a tithe. How are we to give? Generously, happily and regularly. These are the kinds of givers that give Jesus great joy. CommentsIvan 12/26/2009 12:42
Thank you for your answer. Your comment will be posted after it is approved. Leave a Reply | AuthorPastor Dave Ginter. When commenting, please add your Country of Origin. Thanks. CategoriesArchivesDecember 2010 |
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