The Truth about Tithing...
Does the Bible really command you to give a tenth of your income to your local church? This is what we're taught, but is it true?
Part of me doesn't want to present this teaching because I know I'll be called divisive, but I have to be faithful to God's Word (I've been called worse, so I'm not dissuaded). Paul told Timothy that all Scripture "...is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." It is from the position of Scripture that I share this about tithing:
In short: you don't have to do it.
What!? That's right! Tithing is an Old Testament matter of the Law that does not in any way apply to Christians today...unless, of course, the Holy Spirit is specifically guiding you to give 10% of your income to your church. If it's done out of obligation, compulsion, or a guilt-trip, then it is not necessary. We are called in Scripture to give freely as we have purposed in our hearts!
I should give a quick little disclaimer though: the people who taught you to tithe were most likely NOT trying to manipulate you or twist the Scripture. They were merely passing on a teaching that was handed down to them. That doesn't make it right--I just don't want to give the impression that your pastor is manipulating you or trying to weasle money out of your pocket. On the contrary, most pastors are really sincere when they share about tithing because they believe it's a source of blessing for believers.
Nevertheless, if you were to read through all the scriptures on tithing in the Levitical Law, you'd be amazed at how starkly different they are from what we're taught today! As a matter of fact, if you were to actually try twisting them to apply to today's monetary society, then here's how you could do it: Once a year, (1) withdraw all the money from your bank account in cash-form; (2) thumb through that wad of cash and set aside every tenth bill (regardless of denomination) because it is "holy unto the Lord;" (3) use the set-aside portion to throw a big party for your family and all the widows, foreigners, homeless people, and pastors in your town; and (4) when the party's over, put any remaining money into a bank account that all the pastors in your town have access to.
Sounds great, doesn't it! (Sorry...just a hint of sarcasm there.) The truth is, these four steps are far more like the biblical rules regarding tithes than what we practice today! The more you study the Law, the more you see how outlandinsh a true tithe would be today.
But some argue that Abraham and Jacob tithed before the Law of Moses was instituted, and therefore it is a biblical principle that still applies today. Two problems with that: (1) If you were to take Abraham's example, then you would only tithe once in your life on some random sudden gain (in his case, it was the spoils of a battle). (2) Abraham also practiced circumcision before the Law of Moses was put into effect, and the Bible clearly states that physical circumcision no longer applies to those who are cleansed by the blood of Christ. If you're going to say that tithing is a principle that still applies, then you have to also be intellectually honest enough to say that circumcision is a principle that still applies. This just isn't the case. And if that weren't enough, Jesus Himself called tithing a matter of the Law!
Oh...and just a little side note: the Jewish people today believe that if they tithed, they would be BREAKING the Law of God rather than keeping it!
Okay, so I've made some pretty bold claims; now, where's the biblical support for all this? Well, you can do one of two things: The first possibility is that you could download the 16-page article I wrote about tithing (on the documents page). Option two is that you could purchase the high-quality CD audio version from CreateSpace by going to http://www.createspace.com/1720407.
If you're going to purchase the CD version, I have a gift for you. I've established a special discount code that waives my $3 of profit so you can get the CD even cheaper. Again, this is my gift to you because I care more about getting this information out than I do about making a buck. Obviously, not using the code will send $3 to help support this website, but do not feel obligated to do so. The special discount code is 96HKNJG6 and can be entered when you are making the purchase from CreateSpace's website.
Again, there is a free version on the documents page because I feel this is what the Lord would have me do. As always, please feel free to send any questions or comments my way.
God bless!
--Art--
Part of me doesn't want to present this teaching because I know I'll be called divisive, but I have to be faithful to God's Word (I've been called worse, so I'm not dissuaded). Paul told Timothy that all Scripture "...is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness." It is from the position of Scripture that I share this about tithing:
In short: you don't have to do it.
What!? That's right! Tithing is an Old Testament matter of the Law that does not in any way apply to Christians today...unless, of course, the Holy Spirit is specifically guiding you to give 10% of your income to your church. If it's done out of obligation, compulsion, or a guilt-trip, then it is not necessary. We are called in Scripture to give freely as we have purposed in our hearts!
I should give a quick little disclaimer though: the people who taught you to tithe were most likely NOT trying to manipulate you or twist the Scripture. They were merely passing on a teaching that was handed down to them. That doesn't make it right--I just don't want to give the impression that your pastor is manipulating you or trying to weasle money out of your pocket. On the contrary, most pastors are really sincere when they share about tithing because they believe it's a source of blessing for believers.
Nevertheless, if you were to read through all the scriptures on tithing in the Levitical Law, you'd be amazed at how starkly different they are from what we're taught today! As a matter of fact, if you were to actually try twisting them to apply to today's monetary society, then here's how you could do it: Once a year, (1) withdraw all the money from your bank account in cash-form; (2) thumb through that wad of cash and set aside every tenth bill (regardless of denomination) because it is "holy unto the Lord;" (3) use the set-aside portion to throw a big party for your family and all the widows, foreigners, homeless people, and pastors in your town; and (4) when the party's over, put any remaining money into a bank account that all the pastors in your town have access to.
Sounds great, doesn't it! (Sorry...just a hint of sarcasm there.) The truth is, these four steps are far more like the biblical rules regarding tithes than what we practice today! The more you study the Law, the more you see how outlandinsh a true tithe would be today.
But some argue that Abraham and Jacob tithed before the Law of Moses was instituted, and therefore it is a biblical principle that still applies today. Two problems with that: (1) If you were to take Abraham's example, then you would only tithe once in your life on some random sudden gain (in his case, it was the spoils of a battle). (2) Abraham also practiced circumcision before the Law of Moses was put into effect, and the Bible clearly states that physical circumcision no longer applies to those who are cleansed by the blood of Christ. If you're going to say that tithing is a principle that still applies, then you have to also be intellectually honest enough to say that circumcision is a principle that still applies. This just isn't the case. And if that weren't enough, Jesus Himself called tithing a matter of the Law!
Oh...and just a little side note: the Jewish people today believe that if they tithed, they would be BREAKING the Law of God rather than keeping it!
Okay, so I've made some pretty bold claims; now, where's the biblical support for all this? Well, you can do one of two things: The first possibility is that you could download the 16-page article I wrote about tithing (on the documents page). Option two is that you could purchase the high-quality CD audio version from CreateSpace by going to http://www.createspace.com/1720407.
If you're going to purchase the CD version, I have a gift for you. I've established a special discount code that waives my $3 of profit so you can get the CD even cheaper. Again, this is my gift to you because I care more about getting this information out than I do about making a buck. Obviously, not using the code will send $3 to help support this website, but do not feel obligated to do so. The special discount code is 96HKNJG6 and can be entered when you are making the purchase from CreateSpace's website.Again, there is a free version on the documents page because I feel this is what the Lord would have me do. As always, please feel free to send any questions or comments my way.
God bless!
--Art--
Labels: Does the New Testament Support Tithing?, The truth about tithing, tithes and offerings, truth
posted by Art Thomas | Friday, June 06, 2008
6 Comments:
Hi Art,
I agree with your article on tithing and taught to my own congregation some years ago. However, you could have gone a little further with Abraham's example. He gave a tenth of the plunder to Melchisidek, but notice that he gave the other nine tenths to the King of Sodom. Who does he represent?
I've never heard that parallel taught in church.
Gordon
Hi Gordon,
Thanks for the added insight! To be honest, the reason I didn't delve into the Abraham issue any deeper is simply that I hadn't received any revelation in that area.
But it sounds like you have; so if you wouldn't mind, could you please elaborate on any additional insights you might have?
Thanks, brother!
--Art--
More and more people have come to the conclusion that you have. I came to that conclusion with one verse. The Bible says that we are not to give under compulsion. I was attending a church, the one I mentioned that went weird during the Toronto Blessing. During a period when I was broke (out of work for I think two years at the time) the pastor's wife started preaching more and more. For the first time (really) I heard the tithe curse preached. Before I lost my really good job I gladly gave it and more. At the time I felt good that I had funds to give, especially towards foreign missions efforts.
During a sermon being preached about intercessory prayer she decided to preach about calamity in the lives of Christians. One portion of the service I will never forget because I had to look at this issue in a way I never had before. She mentioned that if you came to her for counseling because you were having calamities the first question she would ask is if you were tithing. She said that if you were not tithing she would have no sympathy for you. I was so broke at the time during a very hard time here in Tulsa where many people were out of work. It was the meanest thing I had ever heard from the pulpit dealing with finances. I found out later that the church was in financial trouble. I thought 'they can give up some of their funds, downsize their car and other things the rest of us have to do. I decided that day that if I ever got a good job again that they would never get another dime of my money. They wanted us to give under compulsion, which the BIble clearly says we are not to do because the Lord loves a cheerful giver.
It was another year or so before I started working part time at a church. I was still in a financial hole. This was October 2004. I did not have enough to pay my current monthly bills. I remember saying to the Lord 'I cannot tithe cheerfully but when I can I will again'. I had not studied the word on the topic or not. I approached this just from the verse that said that we should not give under compulsion because God loves a cheerful giver. For some reason during all the time I heard teachings on finances that verse stuck in my heart. HOWEVER it ended up being the verse that made me decide not to tithe. One week later someone that knew my situation gave me the link of a local Bible teacher, Gary Carpenter. At the time he only had teachings on kingdom finances on the site. I was reading articles out there. One article How God Prospers Believers (I think that is the name) made me cry and wail for about 30 minutes. He had a section called Tapes. I would not even click the link because I had no money. What I eventually found out was that he gave tapes away for free. I checked out the Media link and found 30-40 MP3 files of old messages he taught on finances. Not only did I find out that he gave tapes away for free. The Lord told him not only to do that but to never ask for money, do not include an offering envelop AND never tell a living soul what they needed. I literally screamed when I heard his testimony. I screamed 'Lord don't do this to me'. I was still in the throes of financial trouble at the time.
http://www.garycarpenter.org
What I did not know at the time was that through the messages on this site the Lord would lead me to the church he is a part of. I had quit attending anywhere. You know all the details of why. I have had the pleasure of getting to know Gary and his sweet wife Sue the past couple of years. They have lived this way personally since the summer of 1995. Every year they and the ministry has ended each year debt free. They are not rich by any means but they do not look shabby.
The one thing I have learned while listening to his teachings and the teachings of the pastor of the church I attend, Pastor Dave Roberson (Family Prayer Center) is that we are to be spirit-led in all we do, including giving. When they take up offerings they ask the people to listen to what the Lord says. If He does not speak an amount then give what you purpose in your heart to give. Gary usually does the offertory. On occasion he may speak on something other than finances. When he does speak on finances he either spends the time telling people (1) what appeals not to respond to or (2) how we should consider all our monies belong to the Lord.
If you are led to check out any of his teachings, click on the Media link, then click on the Kingdom Finances link. Check out the My Testimony message. This gives the testimony of how he and Sue changed the way they approached their finances. There is another teaching called The Widow's Mite. There is also an intriguing series called Stewarding the Pound.
He does not put condemnation on people that do not run their ministries like they do. In fact he tells people unless the Lord tells you to do that to please don't. However I'm sure you might conclude that he also deals a lot with the root of all evil:)
I plan on sending this post to him. He will appreciate hearing of others that are teaching about tithing being under the law. For a long time he felt alone in this but in recent months he has heard of other teachers that have started doing the same.
I agree Art. I've been a non Tither since 1999. I give from my heart and conscience to Ministers/Churches in the present moment of while I'm utilizing them for my spiritual growth. I call it an Earned based Offering. I also give from heart and conscience for what I call a Need based Offering, concerning special needs that are voiced in the present moment at a Gathering of God's Sheep. Thanks for being a blessing. May the living waters in you manifest it's fruit as you read the rest of this sentence. Geoff
Hey Art,
Gary corrected me on one point where I stated something that I thought I heard him say. He had one year where the year did not end debt free. I mentioned that I would correct that on here. I think one would agree that this is a walk of faith. It is not an easy one. It is also one that he would not encourage unless a person clearly heard from the Lord to live. I agree with him.
The teaching series called Stewarding the Pound is a concept the Lord gave Gary that he feels provides a safety net as a minister. Basically a person makes a covenant/agreement with the Lord through prayer about how much they are allowed to have for their personal expenses (not squeezing dimes and pennies). The rest of the funds belong to the Lord. He feels that this will nip in the bud any tendencies towards the love of money.
I'm glad to see this topic discussed. I really am. Gary sent me a link to a Baptist fellow that I believe wrote his dissertation on this issue. I have the book downloaded.
http://www.tithing-russkelly.com/
I appreciate your heart and approach to issues relating to church life. The attempt to stick with the word while promoting a vibrant life in Christ is wonderful.
Hey Art, great post! I have just read the Tithe that Binds by Rory O Moore. Have you read it? I did a book review on my blog. Anyway, great stuff... itsthe truth which sets us free!
J
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