Below I list the practical pros and cons of tithing vs spirit-led giving. I evaluate the punishments, rewards, effectiveness, cheerfulness and the new covenant commands for both and declare a winner.
Punishments
Tithing
Malachi 3:9
You are cursed with a curse
Spirit-led giving
Acts 5:1-10
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried [him] out, and buried [him].Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?”
WINNER: Spirit-Led Giving
Rewards
Tithing
Malachi 3:10
And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you [such] blessing That [there will] not [be room] enough [to receive it].
Spirit-led giving
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God [is] able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all [things], may have an abundance for every good work.
WINNER: TIE
Effectiveness
Tithing
Deuteronomy 14:29
And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who [are] within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.
Spirit-led giving
Acts 4:34
Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,
WINNER: Spirit Led Giving
Cheerfulness
Tithing
Matthew 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.
Spirit-Led Giving
2 Corinthians 9:7
[So let] each one [give] as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
WINNER: Spirit-Led Giving
New Covenant Commands
Tithing
There are no New Covenant Commands to tithe. Jesus did not command tithing to the Church. He was speaking to his disciples who were still under the Mosaic law – which he clearly indicated in Matthew 23.
Spirit Led Giving
Romans 12:6-8
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, [let us use them]: if prophecy, [let us] [prophesy] in proportion to our faith; or ministry, [let us use it] in [our] ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality;
WINNER: Spirit-Led Giving
If you want a biased review, please read more about why Spirit-led giving is better than tithing.
For me, this article continues to reveal two important principles, yet three: 1) God owns everything-once you get that principle down in my mind and heart-it becomes easier to give without reservations or concerns- because you then know this: IT’S NOT YOURS ANYWAY!!”
2.) God wants OBEDIENCE OVER SACRIFICE AND WORSHIP OVER RITUALS 3.)You just can’t BEAT GOD GIVING… NO MATTER HOW YOU TRY! GREAT ARTICLE!!!! :)
you right on the let the spirit led u in ur givings but u should always pay ur tithes..10 percent of ur earning anything else let the spirit lead u on ur giving.Tithes is a must in life but u have other offerings that the spirit lead u on such a for tthes,God told u what to do,so ur lead both ways
I am quite willing to tithe, but in my (rather extensive) experience, God has most assuredly NOT opened up the windows of heaven and blessed me for doing it. I hear stories of God miraculously bringing people out of debt when they tithe…well, not me. It puts me further into debt no matter what I do. If I tithe, I do not have enough for day to day expenses, so I end up going into credit to make ends meet. If I do not tithe, unexpected expenses come up…so the same thing happens. I am so frustrated I could scream!!!
I have come to some of the same conclusions, namely that strict legalistic tithing is not the road to wealth and riches. we were schooled that we would reap abundantly. I even taught it. as a minister I received tithes. but I observed then and now that many I knew never grew rich as promised by the prosperity preachers. it rarely did me good. BUT, when I gave freely as I was led of the spirit, I often did reap.the secret isn’t tithing but OBEDIENCE. WHETHER GIVING MONEY OR THINGS, OR REALLY LINING YOURSELF UP WITH THE WILL OF GOD this is what blessed me. we should seek the giver and not the gift. s giving lifestyle without covetousness is what god desirers. THE LORD is not sitting up in heaven wearing a green eye shade and giving a hundred dollar bill for every ten you give. the widow gave one hundred percent but not because a tv preacher made her feel guilty but because she loved God.Malachi said that a nation robbed God. who was this nation? O.T.ISRAEL.THERE IS NO COMMAND OR INJUNCTION IN THE CHURCH AGE TO TITHE.