Tithe Charts, like the nifty one I found here are so insulting . . . maybe it’s just demeaning to my intelligence. Seriously, who can’t do the math in their head? If you have $100, all you have to do is move the decimals over 1 spot to the left. So, $100 now becomes $10. If you can’t figure out how to count 10%, I’d like to know if you were intelligent enough to complete a job application; because I can’t imagine you are earning a paycheck to tithe from in the first place.
A tithe chart is something I’d hand to an 8-year-old. People already call tithing the ‘training wheels of giving’, but strangely, we need a tithing chart to teach them how to use the training wheels. Kinda stupid if you ask me. I don’t think it’s that preachers think we’re stupid; I think it’s because they are desperate to influence how much you bring in.
Nobody wants you to pray or think about your giving. They just want you to do it. I’m not saying that we should make it difficult for people to give; but my goodness, training a group of people to be free thinkers in the Church is few-and-far-between. We seem desperate to have God’s children to be Spirit-led, and yet, we map out their giving with a tithe chart!
One of the most frequent quotes in tithing sermons is “the last thing to be baptized is the wallet”. Depending on your perception, you might think a baptized man kept his wallet out of the water, but I believe it’s because the pastor took it out of the man’s pocket.
Right before most people are baptized you will hear, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, Son, & Holy Spirit”. But, because of the fear and uncertainty of Spirit-led giving, the pastor snatches the wallet prior to dunking. For as long as the Holy Spirit stays away from your wallet, tithing maintains control over what you give.
Who do you think is most reluctant to baptize the wallet – the pastor or the giver?
There are some serious mail failures out there (that even try to budget their own finances and fail at it regularly every month), but the chart idea is a bit overdone and I don’t see it in my church. I’m sure it comes up though.
I think the giver is more reluctant to baptize their wallet. Don’t we (all) tend to try to ignore or down-play the parts of Scripture that really hit home or convict us the most? Teenagers with the new boyfriend/girlfriend hate concepts of being holy and pure… the drunkard hates the verses on not living as one, and the greedy Christian that gives nothing really doesn’t want to hear about giving in any way — oh, he might control his tongue and a few other things well, but he needs that new boat and the truck to pull it.
I’m only suggesting that a spirit of giving is a tough thing to instill and build in the lives of most. The most mature of Christians may master it, and those with a spiritual gift of giving might get there faster. Even at my church which doesn’t hae charts, does have a transparent budget, and has heavy involvement by the lay-leaders at many levels — we don’t see amazing amounts of giving and it’s a spiritual thing. We have houses, pool tables, boats, Mercedes-Benz and the like, but our cable bill and the cell phone bill are ALWAYS paid before God gets anything at the church, the non-profit, or the homeless shelter.
The church staff recognizes they could help the cross-town church plant more effectively if they had more giving, but until God is seen ss more valuable than Verizon, it might be a while.
I don’t think the issue is that God is seen as less important as Verizon. If you make a bill with Verizon you should pay it. That is called integrity and honesty. I find fault in the way of thinking that says pay tithes to God and lack integrity with bill collectors and call it serving God and putting Him first. I think there is something wrong with telling the people of God to dodge your financial responsibilities so that you can give to the church. Monies collected in the church is supposed to be for the church (the people, the poor, widow, strangers, etc.).
I think we have misunderstood giving. The Lord gave us clear instructions on how to give and who to give if we truly believe that Christ is both Lord and God. Just pick up your Bible and start looking at His teaching regarding giving. Matthew 25:31-46 is one explicit example. The Lord presented us with more than one aspect of giving. Therefore, it is lack of understanding that we should concentrate on money and the church as the main recipient. In that respect alone, we have failed Him. Even the story of the Good Samaritan has passed unnoticed. If we take the Christ and Spirit endorsed giving seriously, then the tithe will be confined to the shadows of the past where it belongs. For more helps , please read The Tithing Dilemma and the triumphs of Love. It is essential that we look at who should be given, God has presented us with His representatives, they may not be appealing but they are Christ’s chosen representatives however we may choose to treat them. (Matt25:31-44) Luke 11; 12 and 14 are all full of such examples. Not the tithe or giving to the church, that is man’s idea.
I disagree with your assessment of tithing charts. Many of the people in the pew pay little attention to how much they give. Showing them a chart like this helps them understand where they are and what it would take to get to the next step or percent listed. I have found it very effective to offer people a plan to get from where they are to the tithe in steps rather than leaps.
Blessings!
“…training a group of people to be free thinkers in the Church is few-and-far-between.”
With all due respect to your position on tithing, it is not the duty or mission of the church to train people to be free thinkers. The mission of the church is the salvation of souls, and that involves proclaiming the Gospel.
Catherine,
I’m sorry if i misunderstand you but are you saying that the only type of message that can be preached are salvation messages?
Good point I think that the good news of the gospel should be preached just as much as if not even more than salvation messages. Like Ephesians 2:8 for by grace have you been saved through faith. Or how about mark 11:24 what a great scripture to stand on. We shouldn’t hve to scare people into salvation. They should just want it by our example.
Sure, if you can give 10% then the math is easy. But most people don’t though some of those people would like to. This is a tool so you can look at it, see how much you are giving currently and then create a plan as to how to increase your giving and eventually reach 10%.
i would just like to know which part of the bible states
that we should tithe 10% of our income?
There is none. The tithes used to come from the land produce and not money. Greed and human ingenuity has brought about the income tithe.
Shirley great question! Too many Evangelicals think questions about money are evil. Christians are the Body of Christ and we all lead and give from where we are. We give for and through Jeus. What Bible verses command Jews or Christians a 10% money income tithe?- None!
Shirley and all who support give or sin Church Money tithing, dont you think that if direct 10% proof verses existed they would be well known. What do you think? Would not just about every Evangelica Chrsistian or Catholic would have been told of such a verse. You can bet most preachers would not neglect to tell them.
Ye are a chosen generation a royal priesthood.. Let everyone set in their hearts what to give….
If all Christians are priest and we can set in our hearts what to give then how is any compulsary money tithe sysem logical? The Body of Christ must give by the spirit of Jesus.
OurEvangelical money tithe traditions distort the Oldtesement food tithes and compleetly overturn the idea of New testement grace New covenant giving. Simply Give as the Spirit leads and disregard unbibical forced money tithe traditions.
Please challenge Traditions and questionable doctrines. Ask and answer more Questions Body of Christ Why not?
Christ in US.
You’ve never pastored ordinary, new- or non-Christian people, have you?
To whom are you speaking?
– jared