I watched a video sermon on tithing from Life Church. It was titled “Tithing the Tithe”. One of the statements that the preacher made on the video was, “Why do so many people give and not see results, not see return, not see the covenant promises of God? It’s either the wrong motive or the wrong method. It’s not because the word of God is not true.”
If you are the one tithing, and not seeing the blessings, how many times have you heard a pastor say that you do not have the blessings because your heart must not be right? it’s so frustrating to hear that, as someone trying as best as he can to give with a good heart. I know. I’ve been there. What if I told you that you are not receiving a blessing from giving because you are under the curse for tithing?
5 Reasons Why Tithes are a Curse
- Obeying the law has a curse upon it (Galatians 3:10)
- You are fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4-6)
- God doesn’t say anything about loving a dedicated giver (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- Tithing makes you a slave (Galatians 5:1)
- Tithing makes you weak (Romans 8:3)
Ok. you get it, Israel was punished and cursed for disobeying the law, but doesn’t the bible say that we are free from the curse of the law? Yes, it does. Galatians 3:14 states, “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us”. Of course, this sounds like great news, and it is, but this actually comes with bad news for some out there.
If you read four verses earlier in Galatians 3:10 it states, “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.“
For those of you who are continuing to practice the works of the law, including tithing, you are actually placing yourself back under the curse. Ouch! So, you practice tithing to protect yourself from the curse, but in actuality, you actually are bringing it upon yourself.
5 Reasons Why No Tithes are a Blessing
- You are under grace (Romans 6:14)
- God said He would supply all our needs without mentioning the tithe (Philippians 4:19)
- Our gifts are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God (Philippians 4:18)
- God Loves a Cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- The Spirit gives life (Romans 8:5-10)
If you don’t practice tithing, you are free from the curse, free from the law, and free from tithing. So many feel led to give to someone outside their church but are terrified to do so because of the fear of the curse. It’s not that they don’t like their church or disagree, but in their heart, they have the desire to fill a more urgent need. When people pass up the opportunity to give from their hearts, they invite doubt or event guilt in their hearts, which robs them of their blessing
You can take away the punishment for not tithing and you can make it appear as graceful as possible; but underneath the sheep costume, tithing is still the Big. Bad. Law.
Let’s read a passage in Galatians 3:10
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”
Tithing is part of the Old law. So, if you are trying to obey tithing by giving 10% of your increase, then I would suggest that you either obey the whole law or do not follow the law of tithing. Before I go any further, I did not say “do not give sacrificially”. I said, do not follow the law of tithing.
Obeying the law of tithing puts a curse on your life. Could that be the reason why you are not receiving the blessing? I’m not into the prosperity gospel thing at all, but I do believe God blesses his people for obedience. Some of that blessing can be external in financial rewards, and some of that blessing can be internal peace and satisfaction. I like to say that people reap what they sow. If you reap generosity you’ll sow generosity. It doesn’t always mean that if you reap $100 bucks, you’ll sow $200.
It’s up to you to decide in your heart the truth about tithing. God did not intend for his church to be under the giving requirements of the law. He gave us his Spirit to tutor us and help us down the road of sacrificial giving. Don’t be fooled by those that say “tithing is under the grace age so now we should give it by grace instead of the compulsion of the law”. Run far away as you can from that line of thinking. As you can see, the early church is still not the only one that struggled with mingling the old law with the new. We are still trying to do it today and they are putting others and themselves under the curse.
Please watch my free 2 hour sermon with DSL and tell me which version is true. You are correct. The blessings and curses of tithing are the blessings and curses of theOT law and can not legitimately be treated separately. http://www.shouldthechurchteachtithing.com
If you talk to Christians who are tithers most will testify that God takes care of their needs. Tithing, you see is a spiritual principle rather than a compensatory law. Those who practice tithing are honoring God, acknowledging that He is their source of provision and are putting him first in their finances. It is a simple principle that produces powerful results in the lives of believers.
Why are you who profess to be so Biblical and ready to judge other people’s tithing faults, not seeing the log in your own eye? You all demonstrate the same presupposition that God owes you something in return for your tithe, or other giving. God owes you nothing–accept that, and enjoy a life of tithing and generous giving, expecting nothing in return. If God blesses you, declare, “blessed by the name of the Lord!” If God doesn’t bless you, declare, “blessed by the name of the Lord.” How about re-centering yourselves on just “Love the Lord your God with all your heart with all your mind, and will all your strength,” and “love your neighbor as yourself.”?.
God clearly stipulated what He wanted tithes to be collected on in Leviticus 27:30: ‘Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S; it is holy to the LORD. NOT ONE Scripture in either Old or New Testament commands tithing to be done on money, only on agricultural products! It is a sin to add commandments to the Word of God (Deut.4:2). Compulsory tithing was part of the Law, and it was given FROM MT. SINAI BY MOSES TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, not to the children of the Eskimos, the Japanese, Chinese, or Apache Indians. Only the children of Levi had a commandment from God to take tithes (Heb.7:5). No Gentile believer today is authorized by God to collect ten percent of another man’s paycheck to support his ministry. Far from being cursed for non-tithing, the danger lies in trying to keep the Old Law of Moses when Christ has set you free (Gal.5:1). If one law is binding, all the rest of them are, including animal sacrifices, pigeon offerings, kosher food laws, etc.(Gal.5:3). Galatians 3:10 warns us that going back to the Law of Moses carries a curse, not a blessing!
Wish my parents could hear you. I tried to break it, but it’s drilled in their heads. I am to be disowned by my earthly father if I don’t tithe. That’s just how it is….
I realize that I am late to the party. Just wanted to comment that this post was fantastic!
Glad it was a blessing to you, Tim, and praise Jesus for setting His people free from bad traditions of men.
Grace and Peace to you brothers and sisters in Christ from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Tithe is/and has been around before the Law was given. Abraham tithed to Melchezadek. Jesus is our High Priest in the order of Melchezadek. We don’t have to tithe, we get to tithe. Jesus literally owns everyone and everything. The Bible never says “pay” the tithe. It says “bring” the tithe. It already belongs to God. If I borrow your lawn mower and bring it back with a fiend’s help, I would be out of my mind to tell my friend I gave you the lawn mower…it’s yours to start with.
Did you know God, our Father tithed?
If the firstfruits are holy, the entire lump is holy. (Romans) Jesus is the firstfruit among many brothers…which is why we are holy…so God (our Daddy in Heaven tithed)…”be immitators of God as dearly loved children.”
The gospel is prosperity (it means good news) Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. All the promises of God are yes and amen in Christ. (not the curses)
Read about Solomon’s wealth… it’s over $200 billion in today’s dollars. He spent over $17,000 a day on food per day. Christ is made unto us wisdom and righteousness. God is not against His children having wealth, He’s against wealth having His children. Is Jesus wealthy today? Yes, He is seated at the Father’s right hand far above all power and authority rule and dominion. There is a street of gold in heaven (notice, not paved, it’s all gold). 1 John 4:17 “as He is, so are we in this world.” All of us in Christ are already very rich. He who has ears to hear let him hear.
God Bless you,
Bill
Good post Bill. I have tithed for 8 years now at 10%, whether I had the money or not, in obedience to God and trusting Him. Have not seen any returns, but I hope to give more in the future to help others. I may not currently be prospering here on earth, but I have to think I am laying treasures in Heaven. I’ll still give regardless to those in need etc, because I love people and love helping others.
Wow John, that was deep. Hope to see you back here soon to read more of your insightful comments.
Jared’s last blog post..There’s Something About Benjamin
Bad theology here, you are never under a curse when you give! tithing is also new testament!!
I can’t believe all this confusion about tithing. It is not that difficult to understand. Just read what the Bible has to say on the subject. There is the tithe and then there is the offering. Tithe supports the ministry and the offering supports the expenses of the church. If you want to talk about taking care of the poor, i.e. widows, orphans etc. then there is the idea of the second tithe. That would go into perhaps a “love fund” in some churches. Also remember, you can’t outgive God. You will receive blessings if you are an honest tither.
David,
For a guy that’s all about reading the bible on the subject, i’d like to know from the bible where you get the idea that a tithe supports the ministry and offerings support expenses of the Church; cause i can’t find what you’re saying anywhere in the bible.
– jared
Numbers 18:8 make it very plain that 10 percent of our income belongs to the bishop or priest. My bishop instructed me on the tithing law, and I have been doing it ever since. The fact that he drives a 6 figure Mercedes doesn’t matter to me. God has blessed him and I am happy for him. As far as I am concerned, I am following God’s law by tithing. Just read Numbers 18. It spells it all out. I just got thru writing out a check to the bishop for 10 percent of my earnings for the last month. If I were to get to a point were I couldn’t give 10 percent, I would get a part time job in order to continue to do so, because God has commanded it.
I was told by my pastor that I am cursed if I don’t tithe (give 10%). But, if Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, why am I considered cursed? Also, if it comes down to taking care of your home (paying your bills), versus paying 10% to the church, which takes priority?
Tammi,
Yep, you are exactly right. Christ has redeemed us from the curse. We are to be good stewards of our money. If we are able to give, then give sacrificially. If we can stay out of debt, by all means STAY OUT OF DEBT! God judges us based on our faith, sacrifice, and stewardship.
– jared
Blessings on you all. Please do not be swayed by the words you see here. Unless they are bible verses, these are the flawed words of liars, thieves, murderers, the sinful, just like me. Remember the Jewish rulers in Jesus day? Jesus said they were all clean on the outside but the inside needed work( to put it lightly) Well, The leaders of the current business that calls itself the “Church” are humans too, no different than the Jews were then. Giving is of course critical, but today’s pastors that preach the tithe are not in line with the Lords instructions. The OT tithe or “Tenth” was an amount ordered( remember ordered) to be given. It was to support the entire system of government. Contrast that with the Lords instructions to us in Corinthians where he speaks specifically against compulsion. So for this sinful human, I can make the conclusion that the Lord wants me to give cheerfully. He does not want me to be compelled. If 10% is right for you then fine. But do not be compelled. And pastors who do preach the tithe: Shame on you. You’re bringing judgment on yourself.
This compulsion thing disgusts me and grieves me it goes directly against “…God loves a cheerful giver” How can one give cheerfully if he/she is forced to do so.
All christians are priest. The priest got the tithes from the levites. All christians have ministries so there is no person who can claim the right to 10% of another Christians cash. The tithes of Moses were never money so why do many so called Christian leaders expect 10% of other Christians money?
It Sounds like Judas when a Christian says somone is in sin if they do not give to my ministry? If you are a Christian then you are a priest who must give to the poor the best way Jesus directs you to. You must spread the gospel as a priest. ST Nicholas gave his money away.
Most people who stipulate tithing are those who require it to keep their ministries afloat. They would rather deceive the people and put a curse on their entire congregation than to rightly divide God’s word. I am sitting here tonight, very grieved in my spirit, after hearing from my own pastor that my life is cursed because I have not tithed “enough” to the church. Well, I left the organized church a few years ago for this very reason and I am very close to leaving again.
Thank you for this post. It has helped me to feel like I’m still sane.
I wish I could fight the power but it’s hard to break a 10 year church tradition. I’ll be fighting the congregation itself. I also wish that they would stop with those curse threats and just say that we need help to fund the church(bills,etc.) not to mask it with bent bible verses.
to P.L I TOO WAS GREIVED IN MY SPIRIT / TITHEING ALSO TAKES ON THE FORM OF PAY TO PLAY BECAUSE MOST PASTORS WILL NOT LET ANYONE BE ON THE PLATFORM OR HOLD AN OFFICE UNLESS THEY TITHE . THE FALSE DOCTRINE OF TITHEING ALSO HAS A SPIRITUAL ABUSE SIDE TO IT . I NOTICED THAT PASTORS WHO COMMAND TITHE DO NOT PUT LIGHT ON THE FACT THAT YOU ARE BLESSED BECAUSE OF GRACE / YOU ARE ALREADY BLESSED WITH ALL SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS YOU HAVE ETERNAL LIFE /YOU ARE HEIRS / YOU ARE PREIST / AMBASSADORS / CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM , I AM NOT A MAN UNDER MOSAIC LAW , FREE BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB , IF YOU TITHE YOU ARE IN FACT TRYING TO BE JUSTIFIED BY WORKS AND DONT KNOW IT , THE LAW WAS JUSTIFICATION BY WORKS , NEW COVENANT IS A NEW AND BETTER WAY ,PLEASE DONT BE BLIND READ THE LETTER WRITTEN TO YOU BY THE DECIPLES AND ELDERS AT JERUSALEM , ACTS CH 15 IT IS THE EMANCIPATION DECLARATION TO THE CHURCH
Hi to all,
Just want to give some of my insight that ive learned.
Suppose you are eating in Mcdonalds or other fast food or restau are you going in eat then leave. Or maybe a concert of a superstar or bands can you enter then leave. What im saying is your paying for what your getting.
How much more for the God’s church your eating spiritual food which is the most important in our life and not giving anything? I know that Salvation is free but it was bought at a price!
No one is saying not to give, just lying about the tithe law as if it applies to Christians. NO it does not, no more than circumcision or Saturday Sabbath keeping. Tithe legalist are missing the point of his Grace, period!
I can say that I’m in Real-Estate. I made a deal about a year ago and I paid my tithes from that deal. A year has passed, I have not made a deal or any other income and people have mistreated me and I have run up allot of debt instead. Therefore, I can say that I have received no blessings from God in terms of Real-Estate sales since I’ve last paid any tithes since there is no Real-Estate sales on record since the last time I paid tithes.
It’s a simple test really. The Bible says, test the Lord and see if He will not open the windows of heaven and bless you with a blessing you can’t contain. Well, my math is simple. If I paid tithes, and have not made income within a whole year since my last tithe payment, then I don’t think I have seen a pouring out of blessings that I can’t contain.
In fact, I no longer have to pay tithes since nothing really happened. It’s got to a point, that the net loss is so bad, that any income can’t go in tithes because God owes me more than I owe Him if we were to look in terms of this 10% and net income and losses. I should get 10% for all the debts I have dealing with dead-beat buyers who didn’t close with me that I wasted all my time and gas with, but didn’t respect me and closed with another agent while I fronted all my time, energy and gas to work with them. If that isn’t a curse (i.e. a neighbour eating the fruit of your labour rather than yourself), then what is? This happens after I paid tithes.
But, I guess, if I make income (God willing), then I’ll subtract it against the net loss and eventually pay tithes again.
Therefore, since I’ve made no income since my last tithes, I no longer give any money. In fact, I’ve lost money in business to date. People judge me, tell me if I am an usher, then I’ll be blessed, if I go to Bible School, I’ll be blessed, and I can tell you no Real-Estate deals.
I have prayed to Jesus and talked to my Pastor about this, and all I get is people who use me despitefully and use my time and see nothing. But, you’ll probably read this and say something is wrong with me. Everyone does. Just like Job’s friends through something was wrong with him when he didn’t really do anything wrong.
Hi Giovanni, I feel for you and all those christians who tithe and are expecting God to bless you beacause you paid (money )tithes that someone or your pastor taught you. My dear Giovanni God does not owe us anything or owe you money in any way shape or form. That is putting the con on God. If your pastor told you that if you pay your tithe God owes you or will open the windows of Heaven for you is lying to you to get your money to pay his bills with .
God wrote it the bible, but if we are too lazy to read it then its not Gods fault. Giovanni if your giving or tithing can manipulate God to bless you then God is no longer God . I hope you understand this, NO ONE CAN MANIPULATE GOD OR MAKE HIM TO DO WHAT WE WANT, its plain stupid and very arogant on our part to think we can make him bless us or else we wont give him anymore money. I say your pastor is enjoying your money because that is why he is using Gods name to defraud christians to egt their money.
2 Corinthian 8:12-13 NLT Paul taught about New Covenant giving to the church in Corinth “TO GIVE WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD” but if you do not believe Apostle Paul but instead take what your pastor says then its not Gods fault its your disobedince and ignorance of scripture .
Do you know what 1 Timothy 6:5AMP says we are NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE A LIVING FROM THE GOSPEL ,it means we CAN NOT MAKE A PROFIT FROM PREACHING IT in any way shape or form. Go talk to your pastor and ask him to explain 1 Timothy 6:5-6AMP, I can guarantee you he will lie to you and misinterpret that whole verse because he covets your money.
Have faith in Gods grace towards you because its for free, your finances are included in his grace without charge .Its your faith in Christ that releases his promises nothing else.
Have a Restful day.