Should Christians Tithe?

Posted on October 1, 2008
Filed Under Biblical Principles | 1 Comment

No, NO, and NO. I have been wanting to write on article on why not, in fact it’s one of the things I have planned to do during my upcoming vacation. However, today at The Simple Dollar, a link was posted to a discussion on Get Rich Slowly about people losing their homes because of their tithing. This is just dumb, and the people losing their homes because their tithe prevents them from being able to pay their mortgage are being taken advantage of by thieves posing as ministers of God. Strong words maybe, but this is just dumb that this is happening, actually it’s way beyond dumb.

First of all, the Old Testament tithe wasn’t a part of God’s Moral Law (as embodied in the 10 Commandments), it was part of the Judicial Law, basically regulations given by God on how the Nation of Israel was to be governed. Moral law is still binding. Ceremonial and Judicial Law are NOT. For those who preach that tithing is still required, I have a question – do you still offer burnt sacrifices?

Second, even if tithing were still required, where should it be given and what should it be used for? Most churches teaching that the tithe is still required demand that it be paid to the church. How convenient (for them)!!! However, that is NOT how the tithe was paid in the Old Testament. How was it paid and what was it used for? Part of it was used to support the priests (Levites) in return for the work they did in the Temple. Part of it was used to provide for the poor. Part of it was to be consumed by the people tithing themselves. Read Deut. 14:22-29 for yourself if you don’t believe me:

22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always. 24 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away), 25 then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. 26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice. 27 And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.

28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.

Of course Christians should be charitable. I think the key concept though is that everything we have belongs to God (not just 10%), and we should use 100% of what He has entrusted us with to bring glory to Him. If you still think paying a tithe is your most important financial obligation, ask yourself a few questions:

  1. How is God glorified when a non-believer sees you renege on a legal debt because your tithe makes you unable to afford to pay your mortgage?
  2. How is God glorified when a non-believer sees you fail to provide for your family because your tithe causes you to lose your home?
  3. How is God glorified when a non-believer sees a minister who lives an extravagant lifestyle asking poor people to send in more money?

God doesn’t want your money. He wants your heart. He says “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” Give to support the work of the Church. Give to help the poor. But give because you want to give, not because you feel compelled to give or because someone is trying to coerce you into giving.

Cheers,

Ken

Comments

One Response to “Should Christians Tithe?”

  1. admin on November 2nd, 2008 11:46 pm

    Thanks for your comment. I’m not saying Christians shouldn’t give, just that tithing (10%) shouldn’t be a requirement. We are under grace now, not under the law. My church doesn’t require 10% and we manage to pay our bills. In fact, this year we are starting a 2nd congregation.

    Cheers,
    Ken

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