Tithing.com

Books About Tithing

There are many books and resources written about the subject of tithing, stewardship, or giving. We have read the most read and popular book about tithing. In each article, you will find book reviews and discussions about each book. If you are curious about a book or an author, please reach out to us. We are always looking for new areas to explore.

Romantic Giving Book

by Leave a Comment

It’s been a long journey, but I’ve finally published a book based on my writings and research. You can purchase on preorder until it goes live on April 1. I started writing in 2006! Whoah! That was a while ago. Talk about dragging my feet. I’ve called my book “Romantic Giving”. It may be a peculiar title for some of us, but I had two objectives in the book – to document my critique on the matter of tithing and then demonstrate what true generosity should look like.

Many books and resources are available that refute and argue against the tithe, but very few of those books describe how it was replaced. That’s why I’ve broken the book up into two parts. The first part is the topical study of tithing, the obligation to give a minimum of 10%, while the second part talks about how we can give in ways through the Holy Spirit to demonstrate how we love one another.

It’s a very challenging book to write because the style of writing between the two parts caters to different reading styles and audiences. The first part is for those looking for answers to tithing, while the second part is more about application and spiritual life growth. It’s not enough to talk about what isn’t right. We need to find ways to pivot to doing what’s right.

It’s a bit of a shift of where and how tithing.com came about. This site has been dedicated to the information gathering and sharing of the topic of tithing, while the book is a more balanced approach that also addresses Spirit-led giving.

Let’s get more into why it’s called Romantic Giving. I’ve found that there are four ways that people demonstrate their love for one another. Actions don’t express your love unless they are tied to one of these four expressions. They are spontaneity, sacrifice, creativity, and intimacy. If your actions are rooted in one of these four expressions, then you will make an impact on those you love.

The Bible defines these expressions as well in the form of assets God has given us. Mark 12:30-31 says, “Love the Lord your God with All your heart, soul, mind, strength.” God has given us a heart to express intimacy, a soul to express spontaneity, a mind to express creativity, and strength to express sacrifice.

Every time you’ve heard anyone call someone or something “romantic”, it is because they’ve demonstrated one of these four expressions of love. Moments of spontaneity, sacrifice, creativity, or intimacy are demonstrations that we love someone or feel loved by someone.

Think about a romantic time, gift, word, or deed you gave or experienced. Every time you felt or demonstrated your love during those moments, it was a direct correlation to one of the expressions. Whether it’s sitting at an exclusive candlelight dinner, purchasing that valuable gift for your parent or child, planning a captivating experience, or setting your sudden shyness aside to show your freewill desire to be with someone, these romantic expressions are universal languages to express our love.

Intrigued yet? Again, the book does work for two different types of readers. If you like the more thought-provoking, cerebral style or you want to study tithing, then the first part is for you. If you like the practical life application and growth, then the second half will be more likeable. Regardless, both sides of the book teach new and exciting concepts that you’ve never heard before.

Order your book today

Tithing and the Church by Gary North

by Leave a Comment

I read a book called, Tithing and the Church by Gary North, Institute for Christian Economics, 1994 . You can read a PDF version here. Gary North just recently passed away in February 2022.

introduction

Gary North is the author/co-author of many books on Christian economics, history, and theology. You can read more about his profile on wikipedia. “Tithing and the Church” is a pro-tithing piece of literature. Here are the chapters listed below.

1. Sovereignty and the Tithe
2. Authority and the Tithe
3. Church Membership and the Tithe
4. When Royal Priests Beg
5. Tithes, Taxes, and the Kingdom
6. Primary Sovereignty: Church or Family?
7. Rushdoony’s Ecclesiology
8. The Legal Basis of the Tithe
9. Sacraments or Social Gospel?
10. The Chronology of Rushdoony’s Ecclesiology

By far this is the most detailed pro-tithing book I have ever read. Although this is the case, this is not necessarily an apology of tithing, but more or less how a dissection tithing positively affects the infrastructure of the Church. Gary North doesn’t go into much detail proving the tithe through a rational discussion on doctrine. More or less it’s a philosophical standpoint of the affect of tithing on the infrastructure of the Church.

Guest Post – David Croteau: Tithing After the Cross

by 1 Comment

About 1 1/2 years ago I was contacted by an old professor of mine, Dr. David Alan Black, and he requested that I write a book for the new publishing company he had become an editor for: Energion Publications. Specifically, he wanted me to write in the Areopagus Critical Christian Issues series on the topic of tithing. As some of you might be aware, I have published two scholarly articles on tithing (co-written with Dr. Andreas Kostenberger: part 1 andpart 2), a lengthy monograph called You Mean I Don’t Have to Tithe?, and a four views book called Perspectives on Tithing. So, why did I agree to write another book on this topic?

First, the monograph is very long, somewhat technical, though very documented. While there are over 1800 footnotes to support the research in You Mean I Don’t Have to Tithe?, some people have found the prose too technical, the length too overwhelming, and the price too high (it’s about $39 on amazon.com). It contains most of my thoughts on the subject, but it can be a little overwhelming.

Second, the chapter I wrote in Perspectives on Tithing is very limited. To go from over 300 pages to about 30 was a difficult task. I had to edit out so many thoughts that it made the argument less than convincing for some.

Third, while the monograph has almost all the content of this new book, Tithing After the Cross, the structure of this new book makes it an easy resource. See, the monograph is an inductive study on the issue, beginning with church history, then going through both the Old and New Testaments, and then theological systems. The new book is structured around the specific arguments for the continuation of tithing. So there are five categories of arguments: 1) Old Testament Arguments, 2) New Testament Arguments, 3) Theological Arguments, 4) Historical Arguments, and 5) Experiential Arguments. The arguments for tithing are discussed in order from weakest to strongest in each chapter. About 20 specific arguments for the continuation of tithing are explicitly addressed. The book ends with a summary of principles for giving in the New Covenant. So, if there is a particular argument for tithing that you want to research and/or understand, you can easily access it in this book. Also, having ruminated on the topic for over a decade, my thoughts are a little more precise and nuanced.

Fourth, this book was not written in scholar-ese. I attempted to make it understandable to lay people, not just pastors and scholars. It’s under 100 pages in total length.

Fifth, this book is the most affordable. Right now amazon has the paperback on sale for $8.99 and the Kindle version for only $2.99. Now people won’t have to take money away from their tithe in order to afford the book … I’m just joking!

What are my basic conclusions? The idea that Christians are required to give at least 10% of their income is completely and totally unfounded based upon the explicit teaching of Scripture, church history, and systematic theology. The Old Testament Law never required 10% of income; the New Testament never commands it either. The key lies in a correct definition of the tithe in the Old Testament Mosaic Law. However, I am not arguing that the Mosaic Law was bad; I am not arguing that just because it’s in the Old Testament it is irrelevant. I am arguing that the tithe has been fulfilled by Jesus Christ and therefore its application must, of necessity, change.

One of the problems with teaching against a 10% model is the danger of deconstructing a paradigm without replacing it with something. So in the final chapter of Tithing After the Cross I try to provide the exegetical data necessary to teach biblical principles of giving. This is by far my most direct attack on the tithing dogma. I have tried to stay irenic, but leave no one confused: the idea of a required 10% contribution for Christians is not taught in Scripture. However, generous and sacrificial giving is taught.

The Tithe That Binds – Rory O. Moore

by 3 Comments


I finished the book, “The Tithe That Binds” by Rory O. Moore recently (probably a few months back). I just haven’t gotten around to posting about it. I’ve actually posted a short testimony by Rory Moore some time ago so feel free to read it.

Here’s what’s on the back cover of the book

Every Sunday, in nearly all churches, after 30-45 minutes of beautiful music and singing, a short act is played out usually between 10:30 and 11:30 am. Someone steps up to the pulpit while others fan out through the auditorium with small envelopes. Most of those envelopes are inscribed with “God loves a cheerful giver.” There are blanks to write in name, address, date, and, of course, the amount of cash or check that will be inserted. Typically, almost all of those envelopes have a place indicating “Tithe”________, “Offering”________, “Children’s ministry”____, “Sunday School”________, “Other”_______.

The Faithful dutifully contribute their part in this play, passing the filled envelopes to the attendants who whisk them all away to a private office. Meanwhile, a speaker is usually expounding to the congregation why they should contribute, affirming the reasoning directly from the Bible. This is done sometimes with personal testimony and sometimes with an implied threat that if they do not cooperate, they are robbing God. Sometimes they will speak passionately of tithing to the church as an expression of thanks to God and act of worship.

Tithing is a long held tradition. Most Christians are too busy to question and search out religious practices for themselves. No one wants to spend the extra effort, time, and study, to pray and seek a higher truth. It is much easier to trust tradition or to merely study an issue, only as far as a denomination or pastor teaches. We have been carefully conditioned not to challenge convention.

Sometimes God Himself will challenge us to put aside what others say and teach to delve deeper into a subject in order to find the hidden manna of God’s Word. The Tithe That Binds is the fruit of one of those challenges.

If you have the courage to read this, you may never see tithing in the same way again.

From what I remember about this book, it does a good job refuting the tithe. I think Rory takes a few too many stabs at some of his other deeply passionate, but controversial beliefs. You can read about them on Prepare His Way. He doesn’t really get too off topic, so it’s not bad. It just was unexpected.

Normally, when I flip back through a book I’ve just read, I will see a couple of passages that i’ve underlined or notated. I didn’t make a single mark in this book, which probably means that Rory just reinforced all of the same points that i’ve already heard. It’s not a criticism of this writing, it’s just to point out that this book is intended to help convert those who still believe in tithing. I’m kind of a little beyond that point now.

Depending on how updated he can keep it. Rory has a blog dedicated to tithing that i may add in the blogroll in the future.

Because it has been a while since i’ve read the book and my memory is gone, there’s not much for me to contribute in recommendations or criticism of this book. But overall, i think i would give the book 7 stars out of 10.

Perspectives on Tithing: Four Views

by Leave a Comment

A new book edited by David A. Croteau is arriving shortly. It presents four perspectives on tithing. Here’s what Amazon says below:

Was the tithe just for Israel, or is it also applicable to Christians? Must a tithe go only to your local church, or can it be received by any Christian organization? Do we tithe on the net or the gross amount?

Perspectives on Tithing presents in point-counterpoint format the most common views about how Christians are to give of their financial resources, addressing the myriad of questions that surround the complex issue. Ken Hemphill (Empowering Kingdom Growth) and Bobby Ecklund (Ecklund Stewardship Ministries) contribute “The Foundations of Giving” while the book’s editor, David A. Croteau (Liberty University), writes “The Post-Tithing View: Giving in the New Covenant.” A chapter by Reggie Kidd (Reformed Theological Seminary) is called “Tithing in the New Covenant? ‘Yes’ as Principle, ‘No’ as Casuistry.” Finally, Gary North (Institute for Christian Economics) looks directly at “The Covenantal Tithe,” and Scott Preissler (Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) provides the epilogue.

The Perspectives on Tithing book seems pretty promising. I already reserved a copy. Clicking the book on the left should take you to Amazon to reserve your own copy.

Jack McConnell’s Generosity

by 4 Comments

My wife and I read a book together called, “Love as a Way of Life” by Gary Chapman. Here’s an excerpt in the chapter on “Generosity” that I’d like to share

Dr. Jack McConnell grew up in “the last house in the holow” in the coal mining community of Crumpler, West Virginia. His father never earned more than $150 a month and never owned a car, yet during the Depressin, McConnell’s parent’s often served lunch to forty or fifty people a day. Drifters riding the rails saw a mark on the McConnells’ front gate and knew that they could find food there. “We didn’t have much,” McConnell says, “but we had a big garden and they could pick corn and tomatoes and we would find a chicken somewhere and make a meal for  everyone.” McConnell remembers that one of his father’s favorite questions to his seven children at the dinner table was: “And what have you done for someone today?”

That spirit of giving made a lasting impression. Today the retired Dr. McConnell is known for starting a clinic on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, that provides free medical care to those who can’t afford it. He donates his time to helping thousands of “friends and neighbors who don’t feel well” and inspiring other local retired doctors and nurses to give their time too. The success of theVolunteers in Medicine has led to the formation of more than fifty similar clinics nationwide. When asked how he likes working for nothing. McConnell responded, “I make a million dollars every day. What i get from this clinic you can’t buy with money.”

  1. What have you done for someone today?
  2. Is government health care really our only answer?
  3. Are you happier with what you’ve kept or with what you’ve given?
  4. How are you showing your children what Generosity means?