I have been having some discussions recently with my friends about tithing at church. One of my friends who graduated from seminary said to me that teaching on tithing isn't found in the New Testament. I decided to do some checking myself and dusted off my book from Larry Burkett on the Bible and Money where he lays out all the verses in the bible that talk about money in a topical format. I was surprised that I think there was only one verse in the New Testament that mentioned tithing and it had no real teaching on that subject for a believer. Google provided me with a link to an interesting article which I would encourage you to read. It is mostly aimed at those who teach that if you don't tithe to the church then you are sinning. But it lays out a lot of scripture and argues that among other things, there isn't any evidence that Jesus tithed. The most interesting minor thing in the article is on how Jesus paid his Temple tax. Jesus states that he does not need to pay the temple tax, but will do so to avoid offending anyone. In the end, he doesn't even pay it out of his own money, but this is where the story of the coins in the fish's mouth comes in. I encourage you all to read this article even though it is long (44 pages when pasted into a Word document). Lest you think he argues not to give any money to church, he doesn't say that at all. He just says that what you decide to give to the church is an offering, not a tithe. You shouldn't feel obligated by scripture to give any certain percentage.
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8 comments:
It's true that 'tithing' is not mentioned in the NT in reference to being a specific requirement, but generous giving is stated as an expectation of Christians.
I tend to think that most people who get in arguments about this really don't want to give to the church and as such are rationalizing their own feelings with scripture. Not tithing is not a sin, but it is their heart feelings about giving that is the real sin.
We, as Christians, are called to give generously and joyfully. If you are capable of giving, but unwilling to or simply do it out of obligation then you are sinning. It's not how much you give, but the heart with which you give - as Jesus pointed out in the story of the widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4) as well as in the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5).
My pastor has said the same thing (which is weird... the guy who most needs people to give to the church saying you aren't obligated!).
I think tithing isn't required, but giving, whether to the church or to missionaries, is encouraged. It is an offering from the joy and plenty that God has given and a way of interacting and tangibly helping those in need (which we are commanded to do).
So good point Sean too:)
Tithing is a sacrificial offering given out of love for the Lord. People who argue that tithing isn't Biblically based are apparently not very familiar with the Hebrew Testament. The idea of giving offering to the Lord is firmly planted in issues of authority and control, and is even more important today than ever before. We've changed the name, but the principle is the same.
It is one of those Jewish expectations/laws that Jesus never sought to end, and so it is theologically still signifigant. Also, He said in relation to money, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's."
Well said, Sean.
I would like to point out that we should be generously supporting our local church, with ministries outside the church being additional giving. We need to support God's work as He leads each of us.
Ward, you are correct that tithing was never excluded by Jesus and as such the sacrificial giving to God has never been abolished as an expectation. I do think that, as with many things that Jesus never abolished, he actually upped the expectation by taking the specific value off of the tithe. So, instead of tithing being a strict 10%, it's now give as God has given to you. That may come out to 10% of a person's income, but it may also be 1% or 34% depending on the person.
Giving has always been an expectation of the people of God. Jesus simply made it more of a spiritual act then it was in the Law. In the same way adultery became looking at a woman lustfully rather than the simple act of sleeping with her and murder became holding anger in your heart rather than the physical act of murder. Are you giving out of love for God and the people of God or out of obligation is the question the NT poses for us rather than simply how much do you give.
Ward- The writer of the article would argue that Tithing in the Old Testiment had nothing to do with sacrifice. He sited the story of Abrham meeting Melkizadeck (sorry for the spelling). Abraham did not give 10% of all he had, but 10% of the plunder he had won in the recent battle. Also, the author argues that the Tithe in Old Testament time came out of your plenty, not your need.
Let me say, I'm not saying I agree 100% with the author. I just think he brings up some good points.
Which are you saying that Tithing is? Is it God's or Caesar's in this example. If it is God's, then most Christians would argue that everything is God's. So using that argument, you could say that we should give everything past our needs to God/ The Church.
I disagree with the author ;-)
But yes, to elaborate...I believe the link between the two in undeniable, and as Sean mentioned, even strengthed to a further extent by Christ. The offering of the Hebrew Testament was to be your absolute best. That meant that it was necessarily removing something good from yourself for the sake of God. There are many Biblical examples of people being honored for giving even when it seemed, to the world's eyes, that they couldn't.
As for the God/Ceasar, I bring that up to illustrate that Christ clearly said that we are still to give to the Lord. But I would argue that idealy, yes we should give everything to God short of what we need.
I agree that the author makes interesting points worth considering. I just disagree with the conclusions that can be inferred from his points.
Do you guys think that what you consider your "Tithe" should go to the local church? As opposed to your offering going where ever you want it to go? (ie., local church, missions, a person you know in need...)
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