What About Christian Tithing?
| Tithes | Alms | Offerings | Apostolic Giving | Stewardship |
Question:
"What does the Bible say about Christian tithing? Should a Christian tithe?"
Answer:
Many Christians struggle with the issue of tithing. In some churches giving is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the biblical exhortations about making offerings to the Lord. Tithing/giving is intended to be a joy and a blessing. Sadly, that is sometimes not the case in the church today.
There Is More To Finances And Giving...
God Is The Source of Everything.
In Psalm 24:1 we read, “The Earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world,
and all who live in it.”
This scripture clearly reminds us that ownership of everything is Gods and that all we have has been given to us.
Similarly, 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 tells us that wealth and honor come from God. This means that we never have ownership of anything and that we are stewards of all that God puts into our hands to use.
Our attitude to everything we have must be that we surrender ownership to God and allow Him to direct us in our use of all His possessions
– God owns much more than the tithe!
As stewards we will be held accountable (Matthew 25:14-30).
We are called to focus our attention on the Kingdom of God and His purpose for us rather than allow ourselves to become caught up in the world’s system of ownership and materialism (See Matthew 6:19-34).
Money Is Not Evil
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” (1 Timothy 6:10)
It is the love of money and greed that is evil and not money itself.
Money is neutral and can be used for both good and evil.
We need wealthy, Kingdom-minded Christians who seek first God’s kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).
Being wealthy is not evil, but a blessing.
What is important to God is what you do with your money and how you make it.
Clive Pick put it this way:
“God is more interested in our financial maturity than our financial comfort”.
In the Old Testament, wealth was a blessing for obedience while poverty was a curse for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28).
1 Timothy 6:17-19 gives instructions to the wealthy.
Wealth is relative and we are commanded to be responsible with our riches.
We cannot serve both God and money (Luke 16:13).
There are two ways to get enough: one is to accumulate more and the other is to desire less. Money has no eternal value and does not guarantee success in life.
It is more important to lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
We are not to focus on gaining earthly comforts but to have a lifestyle of contentment.
“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
“The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it.”
(Proverbs 10:22)
See also Proverbs 8:17-21.
God Is Not In Need
“I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” (Psalm 50:9-10)
“ ‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
(Haggai 2:8)
God does not need our money.
The gold is His, the silver is His, the cattle on a thousand hills are His, and, as it so happens, God says that even the thousand hills are His. When we give, we give to the Lord, not to men (2 Corinthians 8:5), not because the Lord needs it, but to remind ourselves that it belongs to Him (Deuteronomy 8:18, Deuteronomy 15:15, Deuteronomy 24:17). We work because God created us to work, not because God is unable to provide or because God is desperate for our finances.
Even if you feel that God desires you to be in the business world at this time, you do not need to compromise your spiritual involvement in the church so that you can “earn more to tithe more”, as if God needed your money more than your heart. God does not need rich people to advance His kingdom, He needs available people.
A God Of Blessing And Prosperity
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” (3 John 2. KJV)
In this text the word “prosper” (in Greek, “evodoo”) literally means “to help on the road” or “succeed in reaching.” It clearly implies that divine prosperity is not a passing phenomenon but an ongoing state of success and well-being.
bishopjohnjackson3.wordpress.com Defines it:
In Greek (evodoo) means to be successful, to grow, to increase financially, to be made whole and complete with nothing missing and nothing broken. Dec 16, 2013
It is intended for every area of our lives: the spiritual, the physical, the emotional and the material. However, God does not want one to unduly emphasis any one area, one must maintain a balance.
- Spiritual Prosperity – See Luke 4:18 and Luke 6:27-38.
- Mental Prosperity – See Philippians 4:6
[Something God Has blessed me (Otto) with] - Physical Prosperity
- Health: see 1 Peter 2:24, Mark 16:15-20 and James 5:16.
- Wealth: see 2 Corinthians 9:8, Luke 6:38 and Ephesians 6:8.
Giving
We serve a wonderfully generous God.
We need to reflect this in living a lifestyle of generosity.
There are numerous passages in Scripture exhorting us to live generously.
“It is more blessed to give than receive.” (Acts 20:35)
The early believers in Acts 2:45 shared all their possessions and no one had any need.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38).
Remember that whoever sows generously will also reap generously
(2 Corinthians 9:6).
There are various expressions of giving in Scripture.
Tithes
This is when a proportion (usually a tenth) of your income is given to your church. The principle of proportionate giving predates Mosaic Law
(see Genesis 14:20: Abraham gives to Melchizadek, the king.
In Genesis 28:20-22
Jacob makes a vow to God that he will give one tenth of what God gave him.)
The Old Testament law enforcing tithing is found in Leviticus 27:30-33. Tithing, however, is part of ethical law and not part of ceremonial law and thus still applies today. Jesus approved of tithing as can be seen in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 18:12.
Failure to tithe is seen as robbing God and places us at risk of loss.
(See Malachi 3:7-12.) This is an important scripture.
There is a universal law of reciprocity: when you plant a seed the ground yields a harvest, when you put money in the bank the bank returns interest. How can you expect God to honor your desire when you have not honored His command to give, according to Malachi 3.
One can see from the above that tithing is not a law issue, that it predated mosaic law, was enforced by the law and was approved by Jesus.
It is a Biblical requirement and pattern that people who are involved in full time ministry be financially supported by those who receive the ministry. In the Old Testament God commanded that the Levites should receive the tithe because they were special servants of the Lord (Numbers 18:21-24). They were not given a special inheritance such as land or animals, nor were they given wages.
Jesus was supported by grateful people such as women in Luke 8:2-3 and Matthew 27:55. He did not provide for His and His disciples needs by supernatural means. Judas was His treasurer and looked after gifts given to Jesus and His ministry. Jesus said that the worker is worth his keep
(Matthew 10:9-10). In Acts 4:35 we see that money was laid at the apostles’ feet for distribution. We are exhorted to share all good things with our instructors (Galatians 6:6).
Paul was disappointed that the Philippians were the only church that supported him in the early days of his ministry (Philippians 4:15).
Paul makes it clear that the Lord’s money should be shared with those who are teaching and preaching the Word of God (1 Timothy 5:18). He argues that it is his right to reap a material harvest from those he serves spiritually. The Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel (See 1 Corinthians 9:1-15).
We must tithe to the place where we receive our spiritual blessing.
The New Testament’s teaching is that in normal circumstances each church should be self supporting. The tithe was given on an annual basis in the Old Testament while on a weekly basis in the New Testament. It depends on when you are paid and should be the first-fruits (that is, the first deduction you make). See, for example, Exodus 23:19, Numbers 18:12 and Nehemiah 10:35-38.
In summary, by definition, the tithe is a tenth part of one’s gross (pre-tax) income consecrated to God. A tithe is not given, it is paid.
To say we “give” a tithe suggests that tithing is optional whereas Scripture indicates the exact opposite is true. This money is used for people in the service of God’s work. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 says, “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,’ and ‘The worker deserves his wages.’ ”
The tithe should thus be brought only to your local church (the storehouse), not to other ministries or other churches.
Offerings
This money is to be used for “things.” As an example, let’s look at Exodus 25:2 and Exodus 25:8, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give.” “Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them. Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.”
See also:
1 Chronicles 29:3-9, Malachi 3:8, 2 Corinthians 8 and 2 Corinthians 9.
So giving an offering is free-will giving, and it is given over and above tithing.
The Bible teaches that God demands our tithes whereas He deserves our offerings. Offerings are not demanded in Scripture.
In summary, we use offerings for “things” while tithing is used for “people.”
An example of where offerings are used is the purchase of sound equipment and the maintenance of our church’s building.
Alms-giving
Alms-giving is giving specifically to the poor.
“All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” (Galatians 2:10)
“For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem.” (Romans 15:26).
There are numerous other scriptures supporting this category of giving:
- Matthew 6:1-4
Giving to the needy. - Matthew 19:21
Selling your possessions and giving to the poor. - Luke 3:11
Those with much sharing with those who have none. - Acts 11:27-30
Giving gifts to the elders to administrate. - Romans 12:8
Contributing to the needs of others. - Ephesians 4:28
Working to have something to share with those who have none. - James 2:14-17
Giving as an expression of good deeds accompanying our faith. - 1 John 3:17
Having pity on those who are in need.
We believe our family (1 Timothy 5:8) and the needy in our church have priority in receiving alms. It is wiser to give food, clothing and shelter rather than money.
Apostolic Giving
This is giving our money towards the extension of God’s kingdom into the nations. We should contribute generously to His purpose of world evangelism.
We are co-workers with God (1 Corinthians 3:9).
We are to be helping Him carry out His plan of redeeming the world. We should see our giving going out all over the world, carrying the truth to the nations. Paul, the apostle, received gifts from various churches (Philippians 4:14-18).
Paul did not use his right of financial support as he thought it would hinder the reception of the gospel in Corinth (1 Corinthians 9:16-18).
In fact we see in quite a few scriptures;
- Acts 18:3,
- Acts 20:34,
- 1 Corinthians 4:12,
- 1 Thessalonians 2:9,
- 2 Thessalonians 3:8)
That Paul was not ashamed of doing any sort of work that would help to further the gospel. He did not want to be unduly dependent on others and be a burden to them.
My Church (Otto), Cornerstone, as a church, gives to New Covenant Ministries International (NCMI) and other translocal ministries, and each member is encouraged to do the same, including blessing those who plant churches.
Practical Hints
- Tithe 10% of your gross salary (taxable income) to your local church.
- The tithe must be first-fruits. Tithe when you receive your salary, wages or other income.
- Mark your contribution clearly with one of these four categories, using a note or envelope: tithe, offering, alms or apostolic. (For example, you may mark an envelope put into the offering bowl to indicate that half the amount in the envelope is offering whilst the other half is for alms.)
- Never give out of manipulation, but rather out of conviction.
- God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-8). Don’t give reluctantly.
- Think before giving a pledge as this should always be honored.
Summary
The spirit of the New Testament is to be generous givers on all occasions
(a mindset and lifestyle of giving).
“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. “They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed. (Psalm 37:25-26)
“Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice.” (Psalm 112:5)
“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” (Proverbs 11:25)
“A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9)
See also 2 Corinthians 9 and 1 Timothy 6:18.
Finances And Faithfulness
What we do with our money is one of the measures God uses to test if we are faithful: to determine who is qualified to handle spiritual riches:
“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?” (Luke 16:10-12).
If we are faithful with the little we can be trusted with more—read the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30.
Our faithfulness in finances finds practical expression through the way we budget and use the resources God has given.
Budgeting
A budget is nothing more than a plan that outlines how you anticipate your income and your spending. We should all budget as part of our stewardship to God in respect of how we manage our money.
Why Budget?
Budgeting helps us prioritize our expenses. We must determine which of our expenses need to be paid first and the nature of these expenses – whether they are fixed (regular every month) or variable (dependent on consumption of a variable i.e. Kw/h of electricity)
Budgeting helps us monitor expenses and manage the flow of money effectively by giving us a big picture of our anticipated financial position. It helps us plan for the future.
The reasons we do not budget are either apathy, laziness, lack of knowledge, fear or a combination of these. A budget should be used as a guideline. Every day financial discipline and decision making should be within the guideline of a budget.
This process is to ensure that you live within your means. The general rule of thumb is that we spend and make financial decisions only on the basis of the cash earned /received. If we do not live according to this rule we are spending cash that we do not have and are then in debt.
Debt
Debt puts under the control of others and we lose our ability to respond freely to what God may direct us to do. Debt causes us to look to man and the world’s system for our provision rather than to God. The Bible has much to say about debt.
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law” Romans 13:8.
“You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men” 1 Corinthians 7:23
“The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender”
Proverbs 22:7
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24
When already in financial difficulty this disobedience often leads to further debt.
( Deuteronomy 15:5-6, Deuteronomy 28:1-2,12 )
Putting Our House In Order
“In those days Hezekiah became ill and was at the point of death. The prophet Isaiah, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, ‘This is what the LORD says: “Set your house in order, for you shall die, you will not recover”.’
2 Kings 20:1
Putting our finances in order is a matter of priority. When we begin to do what God requires in this area we show obedience and open the door for God’s blessing. We need to make provision for emergencies and death.
If we don’t think and plan ahead we put a burden on those who have to sort out our house for us. Preparation of a Will is an important and necessary act of stewardship.
It is also wise to make copies of all legal and important documents, e.g. ID documents, passports, marriage certificates, etc. and store them in a safe place. Make sure that family members will have access to such documents in the case of emergencies.
Rewards For Obedience
God honors obedience before sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22).
Whoever gives according to God’s instructions will receive untold blessing and reward.
Remember Malachi 3:10: God promises abundant blessing, both materially and spiritually. He will also protect our possessions (Malachi 3:11, Deuteronomy 11:13-15, Deuteronomy 28:12) from our foes, pests, elements, powers and principalities.
According to Malachi 3:12, surrounding nations will see the fruit that comes from giving to a generous God. As individuals and families, people will be able to see the spiritual richness and blessing we receive. God’s purpose for the Church is that we should be as a delightful land: a paradise of fruitfulness.
God’s promise that He will pour out His blessing is conditional on us being obedient to His Word and giving accordingly. This is the only situation in which Scripture tells us that we are able to test God (Malachi 3:10).
See also Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 25:22, Ezekiel 44:30, Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:35, Luke 12:33, Luke 14:12-14, Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2, 1 Peter 3:9 and 3 John 8.
Jim Elliot, a missionary to the Auca tribe in the Amazon, said the following just before he was martyred at the age of 29, “He is no fool who gives away what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.”
Credits
Extracted from Laying FoundationsCopyright © 2002 by Cornerstone ChurchPrint Date: March 2003This manual may be duplicated whole, or in part in anyform (written, visual, electronic or audio)without express written permission of the publisher,providing it is not used for commercial purposes.Published by Cornerstone Church+27 11 616 4073info@cornerstonechurch.co.zaDownloaded from NCMI Website
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