My wife and I received our annual tithing statement from our church the other day. The amount was admittedly much less than it should be, and we were convicted of our need to give more. Accompanying the report was also a generic form letter that challenged us to give more, parts of the letter didn’t sit well with us. I want to share a couple of paragraphs from the letter and some thoughts on the parts that bothered us. ( I wonder if they send out 2 letters- One to those who give 10% and another one to those who don’t??)
Along with my thanks and encouragement I would also like to challenge you. As Christian we are commanded to bring our tithe into the storehouse. The Church you attend is a your storehouse and you tithe is 10% of your first fruits or income. Many times I will hear people say “I’m just not sure what God wants or expects from me” In the principle of tithing God makes it very clear, your tithe is 10% and he wants it given tp the place where you worship.
At the bottom of your tithing statement you will see a total amount. This represents all the monies you have given towards General giving, building funds, missions, etc. When you receive your W-2 you will also see a box that says total wages. If your total is not 10% of the amount then your giving is not at the level the Lord commands. If this is the case then I ask that you make it a matter of prayer and fulfill what the lord mandates in His Word.
What happened to being under grace and not under the law?
Malachi 3 is often given as the proof that God commands us to give 10% to our church. There are a couple of problems with that. Malachi was written to those who were under the law, and if I am reading the passage in it’s proper context the passage seems to be speaking directly to the Jewish priests.
Malachi 3:10 also says “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.”
It seems that the purpose of the tithe in question was to distribute food to the needy. Some of my growing frustration with the institutional church may be coming out here but if I were to give 10% of my income to the church. How much would go directly to providing for the needy in our community? or to bringing the Gospel directly to those on the outside? And how much would go to pay mortgage on the building, utility bills, maintenance of the building and grounds, internal programs, and supplies, etc?
I want to say clearly that I see nothing wrong with giving 10% directly to the church if that is how the Lord leads you. However I do believe to say that if someone isn’t giving 10% directly to their church they are not giving as the Lord Commands is legalism at its worst.
I don’t think that God is as concerned with the exact percentage of our income that we give as much as He is as the condition of heart as we give. I do believe that he wants us to give generously, not out of fear of being cursed, or because we are supposed to. God wants us to give out of love for him and love for those around us.
I also believe that God doesn’t just want 10% of our income. He wants us to give 100% of ourselves to Him and to those around us.
What do you think?
Does God command us to give 10%
Should a persons tithe be given only to the church?
9 responses so far ↓
Barb // January 14, 2008 at 1:08 pm |
My Husband and I studied the whole tithing debate when we left our group here in May. He – a Southern Baptist Seminary taught boy and I a true legalist had ALWAYS tithed. We found a small book that you can download for free at Tithingdebate.com. It is the 3rd or 4th link down on the main page. It is entitled “Eating Sacred Cows – A Closer Look at Tithing.
It blew us away. Please read it.
After we figured the tithe was no longer demanded of us I had to struggle through feeling like God was not going to be pleased with us if we didn’t tithe and would actually let us come to harm if we didn’t. I have one blog entitled, “The good fruit of not tithing,” on my webblog along with others as we walked out of that.
That said, I cannot believe the letter that came in the mail to you. God help us.
Brianmpei // January 22, 2008 at 2:01 pm |
I like 10% because it’s a great equalizer. Whether you earn $100 a week or $1000 a week you are both giving the same thing. But the local church being the ’storehouse’ is pretty weak. It’s a long held myth but it’s just a myth as far as I’m concerned.
Aaron G // January 23, 2008 at 12:20 am |
I think 10% is a good number as well, but to say if you are not giving 10% of your gross income or not giving it directly to your local church you are not giving as the Lord commands is legalism.
brianmpei // January 23, 2008 at 1:17 am |
Legalism is a nice word for what that is. But sadly people come by that approach because they’ve been told it’s so by others and some people are happily giving without even thinking.
jen // January 24, 2008 at 9:41 am |
when you have tithing on one hand and feeding your children on the other hand which one wins?I know the church needs to provide for its staff and maintnence, But honestly I’d rather give to people that are out of options .like my mom , she dosent have heat right now..single moms that are evicted from their apartment because of their stupid boyfriends,and their are some people that are just in need! I’d feel lousey if i gave my 10% to the church and watched my neighbors and friends suffer needlesley.
Pressing On // January 26, 2008 at 4:22 am |
Dear Friend,
As a former Baptist pastor, I’ve preached many a sermon on tithing. I have since repented of that false teaching. Tithing is nowhere taught in the New Testament. It is Old Testament Law, not New Testament Alms-giving Grace. Modern institutional churches have to teach tithing because without it, they wouldn’t survive. Fact is, if we’re going to start teaching and practicing ANY Old Testament law, including tithing, then we have to start teaching and practicing ALL Old Testament Laws, including circumcision. There are many of us today who have questioned such false teachings, and who have left the organized moder institutional church in favor of smaller fellowship groups. We meet in restaurants, homes, and where ever else the Holy Spirit leads us at the time. I applaud your asking those questions. Keep asking them. Don’t believe everything you hear from the pulpit. For more on these and other thoughts on similar topics, see my blog,
http://new-church-reformation.blogspot.com.
See also http://www.paganchristianity.com.
Bless you,
A Fellow Pilgrim
Andrew Wallace, Newcastle Australia // November 6, 2008 at 9:36 am |
Hi Everyone,
I strongly recommend Grame Carleys book “Eating Sacred cows a new look at tithing” I have produced an article based on the book and another persons writings. At the bottom of my article a friend has put a link to his article where he talks about NT giving
http://www.rea.slightlyjazz.com/andrew/index.html
I trust it’s a blessing
Andrew
Random T. // April 24, 2009 at 11:22 am |
This topic is quite trendy in the net at the moment. What do you pay the most attention to when choosing what to write ?
Jim Chen // May 6, 2009 at 11:50 am |
@barb – I’ll check out “Eating Sacred Cows”. Thanks.
Re: tithing. I just use a percentage as measure of my giving. But I always check with the LORD if that’s how he’d like me to give.