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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.

Tithing and the Church by Gary North

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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?

Beyond Tithes & Offerings

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I just finished the book, “Beyond Tithes & Offerings” by Mitchell T. & Michael L. Webb. Truthfully, i don’t know where to begin in my review of this book because i gained a lot from it. I guess i will point out the topics of tithing that i believe they explained well.

Tithing and usage of money

Beyond Tithes & Offerings did a good job defining the tithe and explaining the usage of money.

Tithes and offerings were never based on finances. The currency of the world changes, but animals will be animals, and crops will be crops. People become poorer or richer, but a ram is still a ram, and a dove is still a dove.

The so-called financial situation cannot change the genetic make-up of the herd and flock, the grain from the soil, or the fruit of a tree. The sacrificial items used for offerings, and the materials given for the tithes, remain the same throughout the Bible, whereas the standard for money and its value has changed.

For those of you who are wondering how this quote is pertinent; well it directly relates to the passage in Leviticus 27 that explains how the tithe consisted of food not money. Of course, in today’s society we’ve converted the tithe into currency. The importance of tithing consisting of food is that the substance, size, or type of food doesn’t change. When tithing animals or grains it is simple to just count each one and donate the tenth to God. But with money, it’s not easy to determine how much you should give. How do you factor in your losses, or social security, or gifts, or a slew of other factors that would cause you to re-calculate your tithe over and over and over again if it were money?

When was the last time money was ever referred to as being holy to the Lord (as in Lev. 27:30, 32)

If you remember in Leviticus God States that the increase of the land was holy to the Lord. Can you remember the last time money was referred to as holy to the Lord?

Numbers 18:29
‘You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you’ . . .

If the tithe did consist of money, then what is the ‘best part’ of money? Spending it? With true tithing, one can identify the best of the produce, but the best part cannot be identified when using money.

Um, oh yeah! Good Question. What is the best part of money?

Probably the number 1 quoted passage is malachi 3 when defending the tithe. Most people quote it, “bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be meat in my house”. Of course they interpret “storehouse” into “church” and “meat” as the “word of God” The authors of Beyond Tithes & Offerings take the interpretation and re-phrase Malachi 3:10 to read exactly how people interpret it.

Malachi 3:10
Bring 10 percent of your money into the church, that there may be the word of God in my house.

It sounds a little ridiculous to pay for the word of God that it may come to church. Does this mean the more that is paid, the more the ‘word of God’ will appear in the local church? Or, does the ‘word of God’ require charging by the hour? If a congregation has no money, do they receive no ‘word of God?’

It’s just plain ludicrous to think that money must be deposited in order to withdraw the word of God.

Giving in the New Testament

Beyond Tithes & Offerings does a good job of taking of not only refuting the tithe but also highlighting the way we should be giving in the New Testament. It does no good to destroy the tithe without emphasizing the true solution for the Church to follow.

The less fortunate must usually wait until some pre-determined day to receive help, such as a holiday. People, including Christians, come out in groves to participate in helping the needy and the homeless, all in the spirit of a particular holiday. Unfortunately, some Christians are programmed to wait until they are moved into action by the holiday spirit. Consequently, they are not moved into action by the Holy Spirit. Christians should allow the Spirit to lead them to give according to their means. Then they will perform the level of holiday giving every day of the year. The world would then finally get a glimpse of true Christian giving and the kingdom of God on earth.

The point is that we are programmed like robots to be generous only when it’s time to be. Why does our giving increase around the holiday season, well, that’s because that’s just when everyone else give more. When is it time to give to the church: when everyone else gives. How much should everyone give: a tenth- the same as everyone else.

This methodical type of giving is completely disgusting. Our way of giving to our God is no different than how the pagans give to their god. Yeah, that’s right! I said it! We give just like pagans give. We give as if our God were dead and could not speak to us. Sure, go ahead, give your offering above the tithe, but i betcha, I BETCHA! most of you are giving 11%, if you are daring, maybe 12%. How would i know? I would know, because that’s how i used to give.

I knew what it was like to calculate my tithe, and then figure 1% or 2% extra. Yeah, yeah, go ahead rant and rave about how at least it’s above and beyond. I look back at that, and can’t believe that i actually gave like that. It’s so pathetic because a two year old has more independant thinking than i did.

Anyways, i could write a lot more about the book. I have personal notes written to myself, but they would not make sense to a majority of you (if i re-read them, they probably won’t make sense to me either). I would definitely recommend Beyond Tithes & Offerings to anyone who is interested in understanding the truth about tithing.