Is Tithing Biblical?
Now I know, that instantly this ruffles feathers, because even as I right this it ruffles mine a little, going against everything that I have been taught. We must remember that it is not was has become traditional to us that determines what is instituted, it is what the bible says is true. So I am going to take a stab at this, because everything that I have read in the New Testament about tithing talks about the heart, loving and willful giving, not an instituted and formalistic style given where we have preset rates.
Paul speaks in 1 Cor. ix. 14, (ESV)“In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.”
A preacher should receive his living from the church so that he can apply himself solely to the study of God’s word, for the instruction of the sheep that they should not be led astray by strange doctrines.
Eph. 4:11-14 (ESV)“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”
We know that the Lord has given us pastors to guide us into truth and that they are to live off of the church, so that they can apply themselves unto bible and prayer. So what about how the church is to be funded, are we to give because we are required (tithe) or does God look at our motives in giving? Scripture shows over and over that God is not interested in what we can give him as if we are offering him something, but rather our motives are in question when we are giving to God. Now our motives should line up with our ability to give also, it would be foolish to try and give ten million dollars because we want to help out when we only have a hundred dollars. So we must use wisdom even when our motives are right.
Psalms 50:7-15 (ESV)"Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
Heb 11:6 (ESV)“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Our Christian lives must move past the mediocrity of reluctant heart, and into the realm of faith, love, and a giving heart. Paul sums it up nicely in II Cor. chapters 8 and 9 about how we are to give and what should be our drive to give.
2Co 8:3-5 (ESV)“For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints - and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”
2 Cor. 9:7 (ESV)“Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2Co 9:12 (ESV)“For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”
Paul makes a point about being a cheerful giver, and he gives examples about hew these people gave not because they had to, but because they chose to. This is the whole point of obedience of the Christian faith is not that we do things because we have to begrudgingly, but rather because of our overflowing abundance of love to God. Ever trusting in his faithfulness to give and to provide for our needs, not always our wants. Though when we give ourselves completely to God our wants will change. When our all is given to God then is all of our praise also shown to God and evident to others around and they to praise God because they know that all things proceed from God.
2Co 8:15 (ESV)“As it is written, "Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack."
2Co 9:12-15 “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
I will finish off with a quote from “The General Assembly off 2004 Steward Ship and Budget and Finance Christian Giving”:
“Putting emphasis on tithing might well constitute a trap if the impression were given the Christian can do whatever he or she desires with the other ninety per cent. (This is at least part of the reason for the criticism of the tithing practice in Matthew 23:23 – the minute concern for the giving of ten percent can overshadow the large and limitless commitment which we owe to God.)”
Paul speaks in 1 Cor. ix. 14, (ESV)“In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.”
A preacher should receive his living from the church so that he can apply himself solely to the study of God’s word, for the instruction of the sheep that they should not be led astray by strange doctrines.
Eph. 4:11-14 (ESV)“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”
We know that the Lord has given us pastors to guide us into truth and that they are to live off of the church, so that they can apply themselves unto bible and prayer. So what about how the church is to be funded, are we to give because we are required (tithe) or does God look at our motives in giving? Scripture shows over and over that God is not interested in what we can give him as if we are offering him something, but rather our motives are in question when we are giving to God. Now our motives should line up with our ability to give also, it would be foolish to try and give ten million dollars because we want to help out when we only have a hundred dollars. So we must use wisdom even when our motives are right.
Psalms 50:7-15 (ESV)"Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you; your burnt offerings are continually before me. I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine. "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
Heb 11:6 (ESV)“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
Our Christian lives must move past the mediocrity of reluctant heart, and into the realm of faith, love, and a giving heart. Paul sums it up nicely in II Cor. chapters 8 and 9 about how we are to give and what should be our drive to give.
2Co 8:3-5 (ESV)“For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own free will, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints - and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”
2 Cor. 9:7 (ESV)“Each one must give as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
2Co 9:12 (ESV)“For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”
Paul makes a point about being a cheerful giver, and he gives examples about hew these people gave not because they had to, but because they chose to. This is the whole point of obedience of the Christian faith is not that we do things because we have to begrudgingly, but rather because of our overflowing abundance of love to God. Ever trusting in his faithfulness to give and to provide for our needs, not always our wants. Though when we give ourselves completely to God our wants will change. When our all is given to God then is all of our praise also shown to God and evident to others around and they to praise God because they know that all things proceed from God.
2Co 8:15 (ESV)“As it is written, "Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack."
2Co 9:12-15 “For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!”
I will finish off with a quote from “The General Assembly off 2004 Steward Ship and Budget and Finance Christian Giving”:
“Putting emphasis on tithing might well constitute a trap if the impression were given the Christian can do whatever he or she desires with the other ninety per cent. (This is at least part of the reason for the criticism of the tithing practice in Matthew 23:23 – the minute concern for the giving of ten percent can overshadow the large and limitless commitment which we owe to God.)”
posted by James | 12:54 PM
2 Comments:
This is something I posted on another blog about tithing...
Jesus Christ was the most generous man to walk this earth. His example has inspired many to act generously. “Practice giving,” he said, “and people will give to you. They will pour into your laps a fine measure, pressed down, shaken together and overflowing. For with the measure that you are measuring out, they will measure out to you in return.” (Luke 6:38) Are there restrictions here? No. Christians are encouraged to give generously, which may even be more than a tenth if they can afford it.—Luke 18:22; Acts 20:35.
On the other hand, a Christian might suddenly be faced with some urgent expense, perhaps due to an accident or sickness. To give a tenth of his salary under such circumstances might deprive members of his family of the necessities of life. That would be unchristian.—Matthew 15:5-9; 1 Timothy 5:8.
Christian giving is voluntary. It takes into account that each individual has different circumstances in life. “If the readiness is there first,” the Bible says, “it is especially acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what a person does not have.”—2 Corinthians 8:12.
How much, then, should you give? That is a question that you must resolve for yourself. The depth of your own heart appreciation for God—not some predetermined tithing formula—will determine what you give. As the Bible urges: “Let each one do just as he has resolved in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Tithing was a provision of the Mosaic Law covenant to support Israel’s temple and priesthood. For Christians today, it is neither commanded nor necessary.
Well done James!
I am a pastor in rural east Texas (just down the road from Spurgeon), and since beginning my pastorate there 14 months ago, I have not preached on 'tithing', or giving at all. Very rarely do I ever do anything topical ( I preach verse by verse exposition), and yet, as this church has come to an understanding of the 'doctrines of grace', the giving has gone way up. this giving is from hearts moved by the fact that GOD chose them, and graced them with salvation, and they are.....as I am...
grateful for grace
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