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This is the final part of the article entitled,  “Is Tithing a Biblical Requirement Today?”  Although the subject of tithing may be controversial, the Bible tells us to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15).“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)

If a Christian runs into financial difficulties and is unable to feed their family or pay their mortgage, they are under no obligation to continue giving 10% or any amount to the church. The Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 5:8, “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” This is ones first ministry.  The problem  is that some pastors and clergy teach that if you don’t honor tithing, you will be “cursed with a cursed,” and I cannot find any scripture that supports this premise for New Testament Christians.

If a Christian has set aside money for family needs but do not use it for them and instead pay it to a church or a ministry as tithes, or as an offering of seed “to get out of debt,” I believe that Christian is not a good steward.  The Bible does not teach to give more than you can afford, nor give so God can give you more. There was no mention of the poor becoming rich in the gospel. “For there are many unruly, vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucere’s sake” (Titus 1:10-11). Their motivation is money. It has been said that, “He that serves God for money will serve the Devil for better wages” (Roger L’eStrange).

We have this example in the early church (Acts 4:37). It is to be the “love of Christ that constrains us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). For it is the heart of God to help those in need, in money if necessary. As a Christians, we should be looking for opportunities to give to those less fortunate around us not to those who already have it all.

Jesus did not teach to give to his ministry but to help the less fortunate “Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail” (Luke 12:33-34). Zacchaeus understood this and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham” (Luke 19:8-9). Do you want to be blessed, don’t give to get more, give from your heart to others that are needy because it is the right thing to do.

Christians should not be supporting false teachers and those who abuse the money and the gospel for gain. We should be looking to support those who are sincere and are in need of help in doing Gods work. Those who are involved in full-time ministry are to be supported by the people they serve (1 Corinthians 9:7-14, 1 Timothy 5:17-18).  Our contributions should not only support our local church and ministries, but also to meet the basic needs of our fellow Christians (Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37; 1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor. 8:1-13; 1 Tim. 6:17-19).

There is no example of the early Church on “tithing.” In Acts 4:32-37, there were many wealthy Christians who sold portions of their assets and put the money at the Apostles’ feet. Was it for the Apostles? No, but for those in need. The Apostles distributed it. The only time we find a judgment having to do with money is in Acts 5:1-11. Ananias and Sapphira were condemned for lying because they held back part of the proceeds from the sale of the land that they had promised along with everyone else. This had absolutely nothing to do with “tithing” as much as it had to do with keeping their word.

Our giving is to be voluntary, willing, and cheerful as an offering. As Christians we are to be generous by sharing our material possessions with the needy and support authentic Christian ministries. Of course, every Christian should give to the place they are fed and support the work that is taking place in their own community by the church they attend.  We should be giving to our church, missionaries or wherever we think the need is greater or where the Holy Spirit may put on our heart.  Tithing ten percent may very well be a good goal for some.  The only requirement in the New Testament is to give cheerfully and willingly (Romans 12:6, 8; 2 Corinthians 9:7). Tithing to get out of debt is not the answer for relieving anyone of any money problems; it’s not a Biblical practice but a myth started by the prosperity teachers of seed faith. We need to teach responsibility in handling our money.

The New Testament when it speaks about giving goes against “tithing” as a doctrine. 2 Cor. 9:7 says, “Every man according as he purposed in his heart, so let him give: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.”  We should be happy and joyful to give to expand God’s Kingdom.  If someone has convinced you or forced you to give by making you feel guilty or promised you a greater return, then you are no longer a cheerful giver.

Under the conditional covenant of the Old Testament tithing was a necessity and a requirement under the Laws of Moses. Based on the Biblical research I have conducted on the subject of tithing, it is my believe that tithing is not a Biblical requirement in the New Testament. We give out of love, from the heart because we are under a new unconditional covenant not the Old Testament law.

As previously noted, pastors and other clergy teach Christian tithing as though it were a divine, compulsory law.  There is no such thing as a “Christian tithing law” in the New Testament Scriptures.  Many pastors and other clergy warn Christians that failure to pay this 10% tithe will cause them to be “cursed with a curse!” I believe such teaching is heresy (e.g., belief or opinion contrary to Christian doctrine).

I do not oppose tithing, just the way it is taught.  One way that pastors and other clergy could justify tithing that would not conflict with scripture is by teaching that: “Tithing is an Old Testament Law but at our church, we have embraced the ten percent tithing concept as a model for giving.  We also recognize that giving should come from the heart because God loves a cheerful giver,” but that’s just my take.

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I decided to write about church people and why they leave their church body.  I’m not talking about leaving the Church Universal as recorded in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first…” The term “falling away” means to depart from revealed truth, to lead away, seduce, mislead; to defect, to blind the eyes of the people by manipulating the truth; to turn one from the truth by lying signs and wonders.  The purpose of this article is to talk about why people leave their church, the local congregation.  In addition to the typical “church hoppers,” people relocating to another area, and other personal reasons, I believe there are only two major reasons why people leave their local congregation.  They leave because of flawed doctrine, flawed leadership or a combination of both.

Regarding flawed doctrine, it is horrifying to look at the number of men and women being ordained and sent forth that are preaching and treaching erroneous, even demonic doctrines, prophesying falsely and overtly misleading multitudes of people, mostly for the sake of financial gain or media coverage.  A most recent example occurred when radio evangelist Harold Camping predicted that on May 21, 2011, the world would end.  Well, it didn’t. But Camping wasn’t publicly shamed, there’s always another option — Presidency. Camping was only following in the footsteps of earlier televangelist Pat Robertson, who was so unfazed about his failed prediction for the world to end in 1982 that he ran for President just six years later.  Camping is worth more than $120 million and with 66 stations throughout the country, the network’s broadcasts reach as far as Nigeria.  Both Camping and Robertson became very wealthy because of their flawed doctrine.

Flawed leadership is a major problem for the local church.  Pastors who have struggles in their ministries tend to fall into one of three categories.  The first is a group that is too self-assured, the second a group that suffers from social discomfort or aloofness, and the third a group that wrestles with lack of discipline and organization.  This discussion focuses on the third group of pastors who struggle with a lack of administrative and leadership skills.  These pastors are typically poor time, fiscal and financial managers, bound by tradition, inflated egos, truth embellishers, make decisions in a vacuum, and have a tendency to blame the congregation for their faults through their messages and teachings.  Most people deal with enough drama in work or social environments and after a time, move on.  As a result, finances decrease and ultimately, the church fails.

I would appreciate your feedback, comments, etc. on this post.

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This is Part IX of the article, entitled,  “Is Tithing a Biblical Requirement Today.” Because of the extensive Biblical research involved, it will be posted in 15 Parts.  Although this subject may be controversial, the Bible tells us to, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15).“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).

Many Christians look at worldliness in the Church today as appalling. Power, wealth, and notoriety seem to be lusted after and pursued with great vigor.  For pastors, it becomes “all about them.” Paul’s approach to ministry was entirely different from modern day clergy and tithing was not part of his ministry.

“For yourselves know how you ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you: Neither did we eat any man’s bread for naught; but wrought with labor and travail  night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any man. Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.” (II Thessalonians: 3:7-9).

“I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:33-31).

Cheerfully giving from the heart is a virtue. However, fraudulently fleecing the flock by exacting a ten percent of paychecks under fear of breaking an Old Testament law on tithing is a sinful.

Prosperity teachers who promote tithing like to point out that even Jesus commanded tithing. In the New Testament tithe and tithing are found eight times (Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42; 18:12; Hebrews 7:5-6, 8-9).  All of these passages refer to the Old Testament usage under the law.

Tithing was still practiced when Jesus was on earth; however, the only time Jesus mentioned tithing was to rebuke the religious leaders “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” In Matthew 23:23, Jesus explains they “have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done.”  Jesus makes it clear that living the life of faith toward God included love toward man and was more necessary than what you give to God; and this was under the law, not grace.

The Pharisees were unfair in their dealings with the people; they apparently ripped them off in their sacrifices brought to the temple. Mercy, they had none, everyone had to be as spiritual as they were.  They constantly looked down upon people.  Remember the story Jesus told of: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.” The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men– extortionist, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. ‘I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess. “And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Luke 18:10-14).

So we see giving is not enough to make one justified before God, yet many have been convinced to rely on their obedience in this area to have God’s blessings.

The Pharisees said they have faith but they were more interested in the money.  Jesus said: “Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.”  (Luke 16:14). Then Jesus scolded them saying “what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God,” (Luke 16:15), and He then summed it up by giving another parable–the rich man and Lazarus. The poor man entered where the faithful were, finding rest in Abraham’s bosom but the rich man entered torment. The rich man was punished, not because he was rich but because he lived for self, he had no compassion for poor Lazarus whom he walked by and ignored each day as he sat by his gate.

Notice that those promoting tithing always use the Old Testament law to justify their teaching this method of blessing.  Basically, prosperity teachers bring people out from grace and place them under the law. Under the New Testament covenant there is no specific amount required to be given; we determine the amount we can freely give. “Let each one do just as he has purposed in his heart; not grudgingly or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

As previously stated, nowhere does Paul or any other apostle mention tithing or a required amount to give. On the other hand, Israel was under the law, being a theocratic nation, tithing was an obligation.  As previously noted, however, tithing was not monetary.  Jesus kept the law before He was crucified, for this reason Jesus had Peter pay the temple tax (Matthew 17:24). After Jesus was crucified the New Covenant began and the Old was finished (Hebrews 8:7, 13). New Testament Christians were never under the Old covenant law!

One cannot conclude tithing is required under the New Covenant the same as the Lord’s Supper and Baptism. Not once does any epistle contain any admonitions or a rebuke for failing to tithe. The necessity of giving is mentioned but only with the right attitude, to help and support others. You do not have to tithe to have God’s blessing.  In fact, those who are well off are asked to give away their things when necessary. “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19).

Part X tomorrow.

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