The Barna Group just released some new statistics on tithing and donations for 2007. – here. Interestingly enough George Barna takes a stand against tithing as a legitimate practice in the New Testament Church. This is all kind of exciting to me, because I’m in the middle of reading the book, “Pagan Christianity” by Frank Viola and George Barna. I am about two-thirds of the way through and I can’t seem to put the book down. I will write a post about that when i’m finished it, but I just mentioned it because I had just finished up the chapter on “tithing”. Ironic. . . i guess.
I just want to highlight some things that were said:
“Whether they believe in the principle of tithing or not, few Americans give away that much money.”
I would like to point out that greed is not biased to non-tithers. I’ve heard many times that Tithing is an antidote for greed. The reason why tithing does not overcome greed is that tithing is not the master of greed. A pure heart, that is undefiled and led by the Spirit of God is the master of greed. Tithing has no power over sin, but the Spirit does. This is confirmed because although Israel had tithing completely spelled out for them, they still had to overcome their greedy hearts. Also regardless of whether our giving is plainly spelled out for us through tithing or is an unpredictable factor through spirit-led giving, we still have to listen and obey. In other words, just because how much we should give is written in black and white compared to Spirit-led giving, which is not; we still have to put down our selfishness and obey one or the other.
“Strangely, tithing is a Jewish practice, not a Christian principle espoused in the New Testament. The idea of a tithe – which literally means one-tenth or the tenth part – originated as the tax that Israelites paid from the produce of the land to support the priestly tribe (the Levites), to fund Jewish religious festivals, and to help the poor. The ministry of Jesus Christ, however, brought an end to adherence to many of the ceremonial codes that were fundamental to the Jewish faith. Tithing was such a casualty. Since the first-century, Christians have believed in generous giving, but have not been under any obligation to contribute a specific percentage of their income.”
Many people are blinded to the point where they view tithing as a “principle” not a “practice”. George Barna said it right, “tithing is a Jewish practice, not a Christian principle”. There are 2 practices that come to mind when thinking about the Church. One, Baptism, and Two, the Lord’s Supper. Tithing is not one of them, nor is it a principle. I’ve said this so many times- tithing is a standard, not a principle. In the old testament, we see Abraham as the first person recorded to tithe. But we are not commanded to follow Abraham’s actions, we are commanded to follow his faith.
Barna also mentions the 3 functions of the tithe. Support the Levites, fund Jewish religious festivals, and to help the poor. At this point I see the Church doing a good job of fulfilling one out of three of those tasks. That’s if you want to equate support of the levites with support of those who are ministering. If we were busy trying to build God’s kingdom instead of our own kingdom, I think we would be doing a much better job with fulfilling the other functions of the tithe (not that I want the tithe and all its purposes incorporated into the Church). Just hypothetically speaking.
During the first five years of the decade, an average of 84 cents out of every dollar donated by born again adults went to churches. In the past three years, though, the proportion has declined to just 76 cents out of every donated dollar.
I find this statistic very, very interesting indeed. This is saying that for the first five years since 2000 that of all the donations given, 84% of them were given to Church organizations, but since the past three years, only 76% of the total donations had been given to Church organizations. So people have been giving 8% less to their churches and giving it to some other organization. I don’t know, to me, that is a big jump. Think about it this way, imagine if 8 out of 100 people stopped giving the money to their church and instead gave it to the Red Cross. Hmmm, very interesting. Maybe a little wake up call for our greedy Church budgets. You can read more about my thoughts on the house church movement and its effect on Church budgets
“If this transition in the perceptions and giving behavior of born again adults continues to accelerate, the service functions of conventional churches will be redefined within the next eight to ten years, and conventional churches will have to adopt new ways of assisting people in need.”
That was a part of Barna’s interpretation of what the statistics are telling him. And I agree.
What are your thoughts on the new tithing statistics and trends? Do you think Barna is on target with his analysis? Do you think this blog is on target?
Alpha says
My Brother in Christ I certainly agree with you regarding giving however when it comes to false teaching and deception we need to alert each other? I am all for giving for the purpose of giving however Tithing is different and missused by these greedy selfish vermon who call themselves Christians..Give and support the Gatherings of the Bretheren and also Missions but to fill the pockets of these liars I am against, these people actually turn people away from giving eventually because people do wake up..It seems to me that people become too complacent and trusting and these wolves prey on them..Everyone needs to return to the Scriptures..Especially the New Testament Scriptures and see that when these self-confessed clever people preach a sermon which sounds very convincing and hyped up..However they are in error and should not continue. These days I don’t know about you but it’s actually more consistant to the point of almost making me want to vomit all over them, false religious liars who try to convince people that all the riches are here on Earth where in fact they are wrong..The bible clearly says that ” what you bought in this world you will also take out of this world”, I agree with you but not them, yes give by all means but without the the motive these preachers insist on. Support the real Followers and beware of the money handlers, Race be with you and please don’t take it the wrong way as nothing is impossible for God our Father, The Bible tells us everthing from the start to the finish and money is not the main drive here if you know what i mean..Soon we will be moving over to a new monetary system and these guys will fade out anyhow??The Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt and supported them for forty years etc.. I don’t get it when say at the end that the Evangelism is going to stop when we stop giving??Do you doubt the Power of the Cross and the Word of God???God comes first my brother and all money is something man made which is also corruptable and has caused more bad than good??It’s you that God want to give more so, cause you are commisioned to do so, Spread the Good news whereever you go and forget these Hypocrites who dress up on Sunday and stand up on stage with their Gold watches and Swade Shoes blah blah blah thinking they are a success when they are puffed to the eyeballs, God Bless!
anonymous says
I’m very saddened by all of this vicious talk. It breaks my heart. To think that a conversation about giving could stir up so much hatred, and that those who hate think they are justified in their hatred. Check your hearts guys.
Jesus says
If u want God to give u life, give your life. If u want God to give u money, give him money.
When u done unto the least of these my brethren.
Let the WORD of God be true and every man be a lie. Believe the BIBLE.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
God says if u give,
he will give to you.
JESUS says
Luke 6:38
Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
God says if u give, he will give to you.
NEW TESTAMENT
Alpha says
The bible is correct about giving however don’t try to use this scripture to justify Tithing cause that would mean that you’re being crafty and deceptive??Maybe you’re not and i hope you are not cause in general giving is everything but does not associate itself with Tithing or anything legalistic, Remember God Loves a Cheerful Giver, not someone who has to give 10 % each week religiously..May God Bless you for re-enforcing Giving and doing away with Tithing.
J. Burton says
I believe that tithing should still be a part of the Christian lifestyle. Give 10% or more to God. Church tithing is suppose to be furthering the kingdom of God. It is on their concience now but I would still want to know how much the church took up and where it is going. Tithing is suppose to be in obedience to God saying “thanks for blessing me” or “even in the tough times I will obey you.” It is one of the ways to show obedience to God, keep his house in repair (so people will come), and expand his kingdom.
Stephen Tillotson says
…So, it’s true: We have been set free from tithing and sacrifices under The Law…
I cannot imagine facing God and trying to argue – having been set free from the law of sin and death, living with the glory of His presence in the temple of our bodies, our bodies the bride of Christ – that we ought to be giving LESS of our resources, including our money. After all, Jesus talked a lot about money – and He has asked us for ALL of what we are and possess.
We no longer need to support the priesthood as part of a governing theocracy, but it makes sense that we would support the work of full time preachers, teachers, evangelists and missionaries. Convert past practices of almsgiving into donations for the care of widows and orphans and our target giving would be well over 10%.
In my younger years, before I mastered the ability to make money, we lived frugally but as a young family we spent more than I could make and our giving was sporadic. This was during the recession of the late 1970’s and 1980’s. Our giving might have been a measley 2%.
As I learned the art of making money, and my children grew up and out of the house, I had the ability and made the commitment to give more – at least 10%.
As I am learning how to generate wealth, and as God chooses to bless me, I am committed to giving even a greater portion – as my witness and testimony to God’s provenence – rather than caving to consumerism. And yet I have plenty to spend on extras, just not as much as I would otherwise.
One day, if my earning power continues to grow, and as I grow in my understanding of living a contented life, I hope my giving exceeds 20% and more. And I know that many men and women are giving more.
Do I think everyone should do so? This is what I think: Everyone should give as they have been blessed, with a generous and thankful heart… they will receive a blessing for it. You could probably quote Jesus saying something similar.
Alpha says
J. Burton if you desire to stay under the Law then by all means it’s your choice. Giving is totally different from Tithing? We are under no LAW so please rise above it and God doesn’t need your 10% each week, give to those who cannot repay you said the Bible, so why would I give religiously or under a legalistic expectation to God the Almighty and expect to be paid back?? We already have been bless,We have been set free, and of course although we are Christians it does not mean we will live this life of Luxury, never get sick or go without?you’re deceived friend?Read the bible cause when I read it (with a clear mind) I read that many people went thru hard times eg trials and tribulations,be real how are non-believers going to turn to God when all we hear is about the “Bless Me Club”.Tell me J.Burton what happens to those who do not Tithe???Do they get locked out side or does it not rain on them??you tell me, I pray for you to have freedom in his precious name Christ amen.
Richard Cevallos says
Tithing in OT was a principle. In the NT the practical principal was revealed when God loved so much the world that he GAVE something (his son). That’s why the early church was against percentages as Jesus taught. The early church would sell their properties and give it for the gospel. Paul would preach GIVE with a good heart and happily, and what you afford. This is why when Ananias gave Peter a PERCENTAGE….He was seduced by Satan to lie to the Holy Spirit and he perished.
EZEQUIEL 16:23 ” ‘Woe! Woe to you, declares the Sovereign LORD. In addition to all your other wickedness, 24 you built a mound for yourself and made a lofty shrine in every public square. 25 At the head of every street you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty, offering your body with increasing promiscuity to anyone who passed by.
I personally give because Jesus gave me everything… but I don’t look at percentages (sometimes I have given more sometimes less), and I like to give not always to the church but to people that need..specially in my family…. Take care guys
Francis P. Martin says
After perusing the vehement remarks about the tithe I am reduced to only one thought that I can offer, namely: simply read my book which will be published by Tate this year. In it I discuss the tithe, offerings and alms. These three things abide by different rules and serve different purposes. Another scholarly book is written by Gary North on the subject. Check it out. I appreciate Barna and all of the others that continue to bring sanity to the fold. He may not agree with my treatees, but that’s OK. We just need to keep it clean. Blessings.
There’s no spell check here so please overlook. Thanks.
Francis P. Martin says
I notice that everyone wants to relegate tithing to the OT Law. If anyone is referring to the law as the 10 commandments, the tithe is not mentioned in the law. There are indeed instructions in the OT ordinances and precepts about tithing as obedience to God and supply of the ministry or temple priest. But their referance and instructions begin in Genesis with Abram and Melchisedec (the preincarnate Christ). The tithe is of promise, covenant and faith, not of the law as Gal.3:17 states that the law which came 430 years later cannot annul any part of the covenant or promise based on faith. I would suggest that tithing is still of FAITH and Not of the law as it never was.
Paul in Rom. 11:16 trying to make another point, refers to the tithe (the firsfruits) if holy as it surely was…..in fact makes the whole holy, just as good roots makes a good tree.
This is not complicated. But it is complicated to the wise men after the flesh, the mighty, the noble, the wise and the prudent. God has chosen the foolish, weak, and despised to confound the wisdom of this world. I Cor 1:19-29.
Don’t wake me. I would rather stay simple and believe than wise and doubt. Call me the dummy, but a happy and blessed tithing dummy. Regretfully, today the windows of heaven are still closed for some folks.
Jared Brian says
Francis,
Thanks for your comments. I know what you are trying to say but the basis on which you say tithing is of faith is the same you could use for circumcision. Both circumcision and tithing came before the Mosaic law, both were done by the father of faith, both were made of promise, and neither are necessarily evil to continue to practice personally. The only difference is that the NT directly states that circumcision is not required. So really your only basis of an argument can only be made on the absence of a New Covenant repeal of tithing.
You greatly disrespect the analogy of first fruits if you wish to correlate tithing with it. Jesus was the first fruit- he was the first and the best. Our Savior was not a tithe or a tenth of God’s possessions. The tithe was not the first, nor the best Leviticus 27:33.
if giving a tenth of our increase is a transverse concept, then you would see this pattern to be consistent throughout any of the testaments. I’m not looking for a consistent pattern on who the tithe went to, who gave the tithe, when they gave the tithe. I just want you to tell me if even giving 10% is consistent?
1. Only Israelite farmers & herdsmen tithed off their increase, while others such as doctors, lawyers, bankers, and carpenters did NOT tithe at all from their occupational increase. (Leviticus 27)
2. Israel’s tithe was given only from their animals or agriculture (Leviticus 27), while Abraham’s tithe was NOT taken from his personal wealth but only from the spoils of war. (Hebrews 7:4)
3. There were times when giving from increase was less than 1% (Num. 31:9, 27-29), and other times it was 10% (Genesis 14:20, Hebrews 7:4)
4. At one point tithing was voluntary (Genesis 28:22), and then at another time it is mandatory (Leviticus 27).
To summarize the four points: (1)-Doctors and lawyers gave 0% towards the tithe from their occupational income. (2)-Abraham gave 0% of his own possessions. (3)-Israel gave less than 1% of their increase from the spoils. (4)-tithing is not even necessary.
We can see that giving to God’s work is a transverse concept. We can see that taking care of the ministers is a transverse concept. We can see that ‘giving’ is a transverse concept. We can even see that justice, mercy, and faith is a transverse concept. But with those examples above, can you lie to me and say that giving 10% from our increase is a universal concept?
My goal is not to stop anyone from giving, or to stop anyone from creating personal standards. I feel that we are to give sacrificially, and cheerfully as we feel the Holy Spirit is leading us to give.
rabbi says
I can tell you that this is not something you see discussed on a jewish social networking site too often.
James Solomon says
Most people become confused regarding tithing. It did not start with Moses and codified in the Law. It started with Abraham, an act of faith, and an act of worship. It is the same today, if properly taught, tithing is not paying 10% or even giving 10%. Tithing is an act of worship, patterned after the example of Abraham as an act of faith. If faith and worship is not the primary motivation for tithing, then religious compliance is. Faith and worship will give life to your giving, religious compliance will create bondage.
John says
My little brother is dead because
people in the church didn’t tithe
(our extreme poverty drove him
to death).
(Our dad is a pastor – still is, but
before you judge him, please read
on.)
We’ve been in churches with 250
people, and still couldn’t pay our
bills, and a few of the members
were even multi-millionaires.
For years church boards, greedy
members, and selfish people from
every background had their way
with our family. (My parents are
working themselves to an early
grave right now, but they believe
in doing the Lord’s work even if it
kills them.)
I guess that’s why they call it the
church of Laodicea – even George
Barna has his head on backwards.
Luckily my little brother is in Heaven
now, or I’d be pretty angry (and I
am a bit)…
But remember this …
– Most People DON’T Tithe
– The few that do, don’t tithe much
– I don’t know the figure, but probably
about 0.01 percent of the population
actually gives 10% or more
– About 10% give on rare occasions –
this is not tithing (the word ‘tithe’ means
10% all the time)
– About 3% give regularly, but very little
– And, as mentioned above, only about
0.001 actually give 10% or more – this
is an old figure – it’s even lower now
A message for the wicked who do not
tithe, and teach others to do the same…
Think of all the dead people, like my
little brother, you have hurt with your
message from the Devil …
Imagine the multitudes of souls in Hell
crying out your name, because you
decided to have another case of beer,
buy another house, car, you name it
– instead of using your money to save
souls, and teach people God’s ways.
Look, I understand if you’re broke. Yes,
we’re under Grace. But even 1% would
be better than nothing at all.
My message is really for those making
$100,000/year+ – You can afford to tithe,
why don’t you?
Jared Brian says
I am in one of those un-sympathetic moods at the moment, so you’ll have to pardon my frankness. I could never imagine losing a brother, or any sibling. . . but that doesn’t disqualify me from saying what i’m about to say.
I know you are aware there is evil out there, but that evil is never to blame for our circumstances. Greedy people are not to blame for the death of your brother. As a father, i can say that if a ministry was not capable of providing for my child, i would either quit, and get a job; or go back to school to get a career to get a job that pays well enough to take care of my child, or i would get a second job on top of the ministry. You need to take a good lesson from this, when you become/are a parent, you need to realize that NO ministry is more important than providing for my child.
– jared
Chris Mo says
I think the problem that everyone seems to have here is this fundamental belief that Christ’s arrival on the scene and his work was an effort to eliminate the Law or practices of the OT. There is a lot of debate in this blog, but not a lot of scripture. Let me share a couple of verses. I know there are a few, but bear with me.
Matt. 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Matt. 8:3-4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Matt. 23:23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
Gal. 4:4-5 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons.
Mark 12:17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.
Heb. 4:4-10 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, their brothers—even though their brothers are descended from Abraham. This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. And without doubt the lesser person is blessed by the greater. In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor.
There are a few things that are at debate here. The first is whether or not tithing is an OT law or faith practice. I will share that my biased is that the act of tithing is in fact an OT command. My belief on that comes from the Matt 22 passage (above) where Christ address the Pharisees neglect the laws of justice mercy and faith and then lumps the act of giving, which the Pharisees did not neglect as part of the law. He proceeds to scold them saying that NONE of these should have been neglected.
In fact, when Christ heals the leper in Matt 8 (above), he gives instructions that COINCIDE with the law, not instructions contrary.
Jesus did not come to abolish the law of the OT as stated in Matt 5. His work was to fulfill the law by bringing redemption. We failed, and miserably so, at maintaining the law which God established which was not intended to separate us but rather allow us to have relationship with a perfect God. Our sin which was our disobedience, caused that separation symbolized by the veil which was torn at Christ’s crucifixion.
In addition, Jesus also says in Mark 12, that we are to give that which is Caesar’s to Caesar and that which is God’s to God. The story of the widow and mite is a perfect example of the woman rendering that, which is God’s to God. She gives all that she has, her last mite that not only represents her finances, but her life as an act of full surrender. The NT church understood this. In Acts 4:34 they sell all that they had and surrendered everything at the apostles feet and the apostles then redistributed to anyone as they had need.
If anything, we need to look at tithing in a different way: a minimum standard. If we refer back to the Mark 12 passage, as well as look at the Heb 4 is not sufficient. The Heb. passage suggests to us the changing of a guard so to speak when it comes to the priesthood, both in the OT and the NT with Christ becoming the new priest. And under this change, we are asked to do more. Christ and The Sermon of the Mount steps everything up a notch. Rather than just committing the act, the thought alone is the cause of the sin. Grace does not become an excuse for disobedience, but rather a motivation to do right.
With that being said, this is my belief. 10% is the minimum for giving. Christ has called us to much more. I agree with Stephen that we should give as much as possible. At the same time, if the church is not meeting its responsibilities of taking care of the poor and widows, then you should not support the ministry financially, but rather find one that does.
My concern here is that this blog sounds much like the Pharisees of the OT, trying to find loopholes in the law so they can practice disobedience. “Who is my neighbor?”
Jared Brian says
Chris Mo,
I just wrote a new blog post in response to a portion of your comment. Click on the link below.
Calvin says
Well, regarding tithing and giving, its not wrong and its not right! let me explain!!!
Before the old testament, people boasted that they could be right with God by doing good works, so he brought the law to show them that it was impossible for them to be right with him by works alone, they failed miserably.every dictate that time was to be done whether u liked it or not, how u felt about what u were doing did not matter, that is why this fellow who touched the Ark of the covenenant as it tilted to fall (being brought from Phillistine) was killed on the spot. his intention was good, but they were not living under the law of intentions. it dint matter what your heart was about the issue, the law was the law.
Now TITHING like any other command was to be carried out whether u loved it or not, it was ther benchmark for God’s release of his blessings. yout heart in the matter did not matter at all.
Right now, we under a new law, a new arrangement, a law of intentions, a law of heart, a law of LOVE. your heart in the matter matters a LOT. you have to love the church, then you will be induced properly to give, you will not hold internal debates about how much to give, because love will tell ypu how much to give.
the problem nowdays is that people follow the right law about giving but with the weong heart they give not because they love the chruch, but because thery see is as some kind of investment, there is compeletely little or no heart in it. now that would have worked in the O.T but this is a new arrangement. that is why God loves a cheerful giver in the N.T and things like give as your heart moves you.. God is just so into hearts not amounts.
Get into ther word of God,gain love for God and the chuch, the others will just fall into place.
Steve says
Basically I agree with your bits from Barna.
It’s poor though to say it was a Jewish thing: it was an Israelite things, of which the Jews – later so-named – were but a part.
It’s arguably an insult to God (like being as a matter of course physically circumcised thus denying the spirit of grace) since the Sinaitic Covenant ended. Those in the Yeshuic Covenant are stewards of all they have & are, sowing finance according to principles such as love, faith, wisdom, generosity. And they should rejoice in the grace of giving.
Even the hybrid system of tithe as foundational, then ‘giving’, confuses the covenant relationship.
Whether one channels money for good causes via their church or not, such money should be invested where really needed. Local churches & networks ought not to be parochial with finance but act, as should individuals, as stewards under God.
Billy says
The word of God is very clear about the giving of our finances (first-fruits) to the Lord. I hear many comments concerning giving as under the law but Biblical giving was first introduced by father Abraham in Genesis 14, centuries before the law was established and again by Jacob in Genesis 28. We are either going to give to God or we are not, period. My hopes are that in the process of our personal choices which ultimately stem from a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, that we do not hinder or stifle others from doing what is right in the sight of God. We will all stand before God someday whether in the great white throne Judgment or before the judgment seat of Christ, with that in mind we should be very careful about slinging our opinions. Instead let us demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit Galatians (5:22,23) even in what we say!!! IN CHRIST
Freewillgiver says
Billy giving money to Jesus is the issue. Jesus taught us to love and to give. Billy I have many Questions in this long post please anwser some if you have time. Most preachers expecting a tithe have not explained thier system to believers who are all priest. I believe tithing in the Church of Jesus is a tradition which is complicated. I think traditions have made things more complicated than simple loving and giving where the spirit leads. Our traditions make some entitled preacher Christian Priest collectors of money and other burdened Priest the payers of 10 percent of their money. Did the New Testament argue for such a system?
Please explain where in the New Testament how those with Athority collect and those with less Athority are to give. In the New Testament the last are first and the first are last. The leaders should give the most and expect the least. I believe the Body of Christ is free to love and spend their money everywhere the Spirit of Jesus leads them. This cheerful giving is free giving by Christian Priest. I do not believe that Jesus tells us to give a percentage of our money to any certain place like most evangelical professional preachers in the US. Christians should give to Christians and non Christians who are in need. I think Jesus simply told us all to give where the Spirit leads. Billy and money tithe believing friends, do you have a more strict opinion of giving? Paul explained Let everyone set in their hearts what they should give for God loves a cheerful giver.
Billy what do you mean when you say giving to the Lord. Every Christians has a lot of responsibilities that Jesus has given them. Christians must pay their Bills, witness to their neighbors, support Christian friends, take care of their elderly parents, and give Christian education to themselves and their families. Can Christians get Christian Counseling and call it Christian giving in your opinion Billy and all who believe in Christian money tithing? So where can Christian 10% money tithe go and where can’t a Christian money tithe go in your opinion? Are only some ministries worthy of Christian tithes. If you answer friend please use scriptures. Now think in the scriptures about the simple message of giving to those in need. Are Christians wrong to simply give where the Spirit of Jesus leads.
If I give to a missionary am I giving to Jesus? If I buy a bible, Christian book, music or film is I giving to Jesus. Do you believe only some people have the Athority to decide how Christian money is spent? Please Explain Christian money tithing when all Christians are preist? Is Church tithing a complicated tradition? Loving and giving to everyone is what the Bible teaches so why argue for a complicated system from the Old testement? Who can collect tithes now and who must pay or can everyone collect and pay?
Jesus taught Believers to give to the poor and the Disciples never wrote in the New Testament that we should money tithe 10% of our cash as most Protestant preachers in America Teach. I think even if one were to accept that ten percent of Christian cash should go somewhere where should it go? The Church is people not a location. Friend Billy If money tithing is commandments for Christians Where should the money go? Most American evangelical preachers answer that the money should be controlled by the professional leaders of the local Church. What do you think?
Billy do you believe that all Christians are Priest? Priest under the Law of Moses collected food tithes from the Levites. Who can pay tithes today and who can collect tithes today? Is giving money to missionaries a proper use of Christian money which can be a tithe? What about sending ones kids to Christian School or colleges? Please answer friends who can explain how a system of Christian 10% money tithing also helps Christian priest to set in their hearts what to give. Priest should direct 100% of their money and efforts to things that Jesus wants. Why let traditions complicate loving and giving?
Christ in US makes us all Priest with a ministry to everyone!
Billy says
Tithing was introduced before the law. All the explaining away wont change the facts that our great patriarchs of the faith demonstrated.Matthew 23:23 Woe to you, teachers of the Law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! YOU GIVE A TENTH of your spices — mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law — justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, WITHOUT NEGLECTING THE FORMER. it is clear that Jesus wasn’t doing away with anything here, he was reinforcing it.
Why try to explain why you want to give your way? With Gods help I will continue to give as the Lord leads (his way) Witch is usually more than a tenth. Grace through faith requires action in all areas of our life, Not to be saved but because we are saved :)