Tithe Twisting: Is the Tithe for the Christian?
The tithe is probably one of the most abused elements of Scripture in the church. The abuse may be intentional (as it is with TV evangelists), or it may be paved with good intention by leaders in the church with a gross misunderstanding of the tithe’s relationship to the New Testament church.
Some quibble over whether the 10% should be based on your gross or net income. Others chide parishioners who do not give enough. A few will go so far as to declare damnation or God’s curse on those who do not tithe according to their standards. All of this creates a burden on believers that has no place on their shoulders.
The Tithe is an Old Testament Institution
Technically, the tithe is an Old Testament regulation that served primarily as a religious tax on Israel. The Israelites were to give 10% of their money or crops to the temple/tabernacle. (Numbers 18:26) The tithe is never mandated in the New Testament. There were many opportunities for Peter or Paul to tell the church their tithing responsibilities. Yet, their pens lose no ink on that matter.
The New Testament does, however, give plenty of instruction on how the attitudes and hearts of believers should be positioned on the matter of generosity and giving. Paul tells the Corinthian church that in matters of giving, it should be willingly, not under compulsion. (2 Corinthians 9:7) He goes on to remind them that, “God loves a cheerful giver.”
So, here are the principles Christians should follow:
The tithe is not compulsory. Church leaders have no right or authority to demand a tithe from the church.
If 10% works for you, that is great. But, you cannot force your giving on others, nor look down on others based on their giving.
Christians “should give what he has decided in his heart to give”, and should give willingly and cheerfully, knowing that God loves a cheerful giver. For some, a set amount each month/week, for others it can change.
Christians should give out of love. Frankly, they should be known as the most giving people on the planet if they have a true understanding of the Gospel.
The Danger of Unbiblical Burdens
It gets under my skin when I hear the call to give your “tithes” during the church service. Why use an Old Testament temple tax reference to the New Testament church? Leaders who insist on a strict 10% tithe (or any tithe for that matter) are putting unbiblical burdens on the shoulders of believers.
It’s also inevitable that during the giving season of a church (often called a stewardship season), some leader will quote Malachi as a call to test God in your giving of the tithe. (Malachi 3:9-10) This is grossly taking a verse out of its context to apply a principle that has absolutely no place in the New Testament church. Malachi is speaking to the Israelites who refused to give offerings to the temple. It has absolute nothing to do with the church today!
If churches simply preach the gospel and have a primarily regenerate membership, they shouldn’t have to beg or twist Scripture for giving to come in. The regenerated heart should long to give. But, that giving must be in accordance to the principles of the New Testament teachings on such matters.
The Scriptures are the guide and rule to the Christian life. Simple as that. So, throw aside burdens from your shoulders that the Bible doesn’t require of you and “give what [you have] decided in [your] heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7