What Does The Bible Say?
Question- What does the Bible say on the subject of tithing? Do I really have to give a tenth of what I make to God? It seems like churches are always asking for money, and sometimes it seems they are more of a business than a church.
Answer- Your observation is noted, and your opinion is very common among people, and sometimes it is justified. What does the Bible say about God and our money?
1 Corinthians 16: 2 it says- “On the first day of the week let each of you lay something aside, storing up as you may prosper, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
In 2 Corinthians 9: 6,7 Paul says through inspiration- “ but this I say that the one who sows little will reap little and the one who sows much will reap bountifully. Every man according as he has purposed in his own heart, so let him give, not grudgingly or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Notice that in neither of these cases is there a specific amount stated. God does not bind 10% on us today. We are to give on the first day of the week when we come together to worship and giving is a part of our worship. The work of the local church is to be carried on ( by God’s design) by the freewill contributions of the members of the local congregation. It is not a time to solicit funds from those visiting as guests.
Your observation that it seems many churches are merely interested in money is accurate, sadly, in too many cases, and this causes many to be disillusioned with any type of religion.
The question arises in a discussion like this, regarding the origin of the term ‘ tithing’. It is an Old Testament word. It was bound on the Jewish people not only in their giving to the sustenance of the nation of Israel, but they were to give a tenth of all they had. When they had more, they gave more. Primarily in Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy the practice of tithing is commonly addressed. In Genesis 14: 20 we see that when Abraham met Melchizedek, he gave him a tenth of all he had. In Lev. 27: 30- 32 the Jews were to give a tenth of the production of their land to God. In Numbers 18: 21, 24, the Israelites were to support the Levites in their service in the tabernacle; they were to give a tithe ( or 10%). In Malachi 3: 8-12 it discusses the consequences of withholding tithes. It is called robbing God. When you combine all of the tithes the Jews were to give to God in every situation it is commanded, the amount of their yearly giving was closer to about 25% of their total gross income.
The New Testament does not specify an amount but leaves it up to the individual. Our giving is not motivated by the idea of doing what we “ have to do.” Our giving is to be voluntary and with joy ( not grudging or of necessity, but cheerfully). It is only to be done on the first day of the week. It is not a time to “fleece” everyone from the community who may have come with their neighbors. Jesus himself placed tithing as a matter of the law of Moses. Christians are not under the law of Moses ( Romans 6: 14l Gal. 5: 18).
Those who advocate “ tithing” on people today are doing so with the wrong authority. They are teaching the wrong percentage from the wrong covenant and for the wrong motivation. Not being subject to the old law does not exempt us from giving, but we are all free to give from the heart. I might make one more observation; We should not ever ask how much do I have to do in reference to any act of worship. We are blessed to be able to do the things God has authorized us to do in the way He has authorized. Jesus gave all for us ( even His life). I should not want to live for Him with minimum service in any way. This principal should guide us in all we do in service to Him.
Please address all questions and comments to us at What Does the Bible Say? c/o Maple Street Church of Christ, P. O. Box 3086, Liberty, TX 77575 and visit our website at maplestreetliberty.org.