Giving, Not Tithing is the Spirit of Christ

The spirit of the New Testament in giving is that our lives are not our own, and that God owns us and all that we have. We are called stewards of His resources. Jesus said to his apostles to freely give since they freely received (Mt. 10:8). He also said to give and it will be given unto you pressed down, shaken together into your bosom (Luke 6:38). Paul said that if we sow sparingly we will reap sparingly, but if we give abundantly we will reap abundantly (2 Co. 9.6). We are to be generous to all. A tenth of our income to be given to spirit led needs is merely a guideline not an end. We are to give without any kind of ceiling. We need to be givers because that is an act of faith on our part in God’s willingness and ability to take care of us regardless of how much we give. God uses giving as a training tool for our trust in Him, but more importantly, the purpose of our remaining in this life is to be the channel of Christ to others.

Tithing to the local church is a sacred cow. Para-church ministries are always careful to say that your giving to them needs to be after your tithe to the local church. Frankly, however, there is nothing in the Bible that gives such a direction. We are not told in the New Testament to give a tithe nor is any direction given to do so to the local church. We should support the local church and care for the ministers who are Christ-like (Heb. 13:7-8) that labor on behalf of the Gospel, but the demand for the tithe, then offerings above the tithe is legalistic and condemning. Furthermore, God is more concerned with our heart attitude than the amount that is given. We are called to be cheerful givers (2 Cor. 9:7) not reluctant givers. If the Protestant church is going to be reformed, then this is an area that needs change.

As stewards of the life and resources of Christ, we are to be wise in how we manage the those resources. If the ministers are not leading by the Spirit of Christ and have misplaced their priorities, we should not support those ministers. We also have the responsibility to hold those ministers accountable for the funds given to them to be used according to the Lord’s intention. The Great Commission (Mark 16:15-18, Matt. 28:19-20) is to preach the Gospel and make disciples. If the ministry is not doing these things, then no support should be given to them.

The concept of the tithe going to the local church is detrimental to the faith of the local church ministers. Instead of living by faith, trusting God to meet all their needs, they want a concrete guideline to work a budget upon. Calculating 10% of average income multiplied by the number of the congregation gives them a probability of income to expect. And if they want to be realistic, they can make that figure 2% (according to a Barna poll) since that is the National average of actual church giving. The congregation is starving for church leadership that models and actually lives the life of faith as Christ enjoins us to do so, and not by worldly means.

Arguments for Tithing

There are many standard arguments given by the church organization that tithing to the local church is required by God:

Let us consider these arguments.

Tithing precedes the Mosaic Covenant therefore applies to the New Testament Era

The standard argument that Tithing is not just an Old Testament principle comes from the pre-Mosaic covenant stories. The first example cited is Abraham. The justification that tithing applies today is argued that Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizadek (Gen 14:20), which precedes the Mosaic Covenant.

It is true that Abraham did so, but these points should also be remembered:

Another pre-Mosaic example given is that of Jacob promising to give a tithe to God (Gen. 28:22). This was an ongoing tithe, not just a one time deal.

In this story the qualifying factors to consider is this:

The truth of the matter is, not once is the New Testament believer ever told to tithe. The only time tithing is mentioned is in the rebuke of Jesus to the Pharisees for tithing mint and anise (Matt. 23:23 and Luke 11:42), who were under the Old Testament Covenant, but forgot the weightier matters of the law regarding judgment, mercy and faith. Otherwise, no other mention of tithing is made in the New Testament.

And now for the next argument:

We are robbing God when not Tithing

For many Christians this passage in Malachi is the only thing that is known of the book. A close reading of the book reveals some unmentioned points.

And the next argument:

The Local Church is the Storehouse

This concept continues from the Malachi passage (3:10). Israel was a national theocracy, where the Temple in Jerusalem was the center of worship. The Vatican, through the course of developing the papacy to international power, seized this concept as the Christian Theocracy on Earth, determining who would be the kings of the nations, and in claiming the sole authority of Christ in having the “keys of Peter” which supposedly enabled them to declare who would be forgiven of sins and go to heaven. This enabled the Vatican to become enormously wealthy.

Their were many who recoiled at this institutionalization of wealth, and became mendicant monks. St. Francis of Assisi is one example of an individual who greatly impacted medieval society by his pauper’s lifestyle. But his followers soon made begging a business and became wealthy societies, so the caricature of the fat monk eating and drinking became the result.

The Vatican’s greed for wealth became so great that the Sales of Indulgences to generate more income began with Pope Julius the II (Julian Rovere 1503-1513) who was a warrior who needed money to re-establish the papal states. This collection of funds was expanded by Pope Leo X (Giovanni de Medici 1513-21 of the European banking families) who wanted to rebuild St. Peter’s Basilica. This was when the Catholic monk Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the Wittenberg Chapel door protesting these Sales of Indulgences.

After much bloodshed the early Protestant church aligned themselves with the different nations they came from and pursued the partial theocracy concept with the State. State churches became the norm and also took the tithe as a means of financial support. This occurred because the early Protestants needed structure for church discipline and authority. John Calvin was the primary agent for establishing the State Churches. With the wealth and power of the state behind them, they, too, persecuted those who disagreed with their teachings. Because of this the Pilgrims and the Puritans fled to the New World.

The American colonists wished to avoid a single national church that could persecute those who disagreed with their beliefs (although the early states of America had state churches, too), so the First Amendment was added stating, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;...” Even though large denominations flourished (who also claimed the right of taking the tithe for income), local churches sprouted everywhere. With the precedent so well established, the tithe was demanded as an obligation to God, of whom they represented.

The history of Christianity taking the tithe has undermined genuine relationship of church leaders with Christ, not trusting Him for their provision, but trusting the system instead. It has been a destructive element time and time again as wealth and power flow to the church leaders. The track record in church history stands as an indictment against tithing to the church. It is no wonder there is no mention of tithing in the New Testament. God wants us to nourish the organism of Christ, not the organization of the Church.

Examination of the Old Testament Practice of Tithing

Let us assume that it is God’s will that we tithe to the local church as the Israelis did in the Old Testament to the Temple. The practice today is nothing like that which was asked of the Jews. Let us see what the Bible actually says.

For Whom the Tithe Belongs

The first mention of the tithe from Israel is given in Leviticus 27.

Lev 27:30-33

30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD. 31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. 32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD. 33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed. (KJV)

The tithe of the land (seed, fruit or tree) is considered holy unto the Lord (v. 30). If a man was to use the tithe, he had to add a fifth part on top of the tithe to redeem it (v. 31). When the animals of the flock was slaughtered (passes under the rod, v. 32) 1/10 of the meat went to the Lord, and of that tenth one was not to switch the meat (v. 33). Clearly, a tithe was required of the Old Testament Jews.

Even the Levites who received the tithe had to tithe the tithe (Num 18:26).

To Whom the Tithe was Given

Now let us consider how the people were to pass on their tithes.

Deut 12:17-19

17 Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand: 18 But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto. 19 Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth. (KJV)

The tithe was indeed to be brought to the Temple (v. 18), but notice it is the bearer of the tithe who was to consume the tithe (thou must eat them before the LORD). That is not at all what occurs today. The tithe today is given to the church, whereas in the Old Testament, the tithe was consumed by the people who had it so they would rejoice before the Lord. The tithe was used for a party. If we used our tithe to celebrate, more people would bring it to the church! God’s desire has never changed. When the writer of Hebrews said: “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. “(Heb 13:15 KJV) this was no new commandment. It is what God has always desired.

The Priests and the Levites were given the free will offerings and the other offerings. They did not get the tithe. In today’s church we are told that the Pastors and leaders of the church get the tithe, and that we are to give sacrificially above the tithe. Today’s church wants the tithe that belong to the congregation and the offerings. The Priests and Levites had to live by faith, trusting that God would have met their needs. Today’s minister live by a budget. This is why God had to remind the Israelis (v. 19) not to forget the Levites.

The scriptures further say,

Deut 12:21

21 If the place which the LORD thy God hath chosen to put his name there be too far from thee, then thou shalt kill of thy herd and of thy flock, which the LORD hath given thee, as I have commanded thee, and thou shalt eat in thy gates whatsoever thy soul lusteth after. (KJV)

God was considerate of the distance some may have to travel, so they could even eat their tithe at home, and it could be whatever their “soul lusteth after”. God wants us to rejoice before Him and to celebrate His goodness. And if you want to make the journey, but carrying the goods was too difficult, then He also said:

Deut 14:25-27

25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: 26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, 27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee. (KJV)

So, the tithe could become money, but it was still used by the believer to celebrate in his own consumption. Of course, the spirit of giving has always been the Lord’s will, so the food was shared with his household (v. 26) and they are encouraged to remember the Levite since they had “no part nor inheritance with thee” (v. 27). They did not work, nor have any land for inheritance. The ministers of Christ were and are to live by faith.

How Often to Bring the Tithe

Unlike the expectation of the local church, the tithe was not brought in weekly, nor monthly, nor even annually. Instead, it was brought every third year.

Deut 14:28-29

28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: 29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest. (KJV)

The tithe was brought in during the pilgrimage feasts, of which there were three: Passover (Pesah), Pentecost (Shavuot), and Tabernacles (Sukkot). They could come to any and all of the pilgrimages. They were reminded to remember the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow that were within their gates (v. 29) so they too could celebrate before the Lord.

James said,

Any one who truly knows the Lord will not have a problem giving to the church, or to any one within one’s sphere of influence. But our responsibility is to take care of those who need our help that the Lord has brought in our path. We should support those who labor in the ministry (1 Cor 9:6-15) as Paul declares they have the right to be supported. But it is noteworthy that Paul did not make that demand (1 Cor 9:18-19) because he did not want to “abuse the power of the gospel” (v. 18) so he could “gain the more” (v. 19) to the kingdom of God. Too many today abuse this power and rely on the institution of tithing instead of trusting Christ for their provision.

Conclusion

Therefore, the ministers of Christ are called to live by faith, not by an institution. We are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together so we may provoke one another unto love and good works, and to exhort one another (Heb. 10:23-25). But we are not called to support institutions and organizations by legalism. Rather we are to support people and organizations if they are fulfilling the ministry. A good conscience will give to all who minister to you whether as an individual or as an organization, but will do so cheerfully out of gratitude, not condemnation. A grateful heart unto the Lord will also meet needs of those who need the help that are part of one’s sphere of influence. Not begrudgingly, but willingly, knowing that Christ met our needs and will flow through us with His supernatural provision.

Those ministers who truly trust Christ will not lean on the institution of tithing, for they know that God will meet their needs, even abundantly (Luke 6:38), if they are giving first and are truly serving the Lord. There are many radio ministers, for example, that rarely ask for money because they know they are serving Christ. And those ministries have abundant support. If you are a minister who begs and demands tithes, I suggest you examine yourself to see if you are truly serving the Lord, or your imagination of the Lord.