The Failure to Tithe
by Denise Morris on 11/20/2006 at 10:51 AM
Motte and Suzanne's recent posts about Christians being poor tippers is interesting in light of the following fact from the November/December issue of Relevant Magazine. Apparently we're not too great at tithing either:
If Christians had given the traditional 10 percent tithe of their income to their churches in 2004, instead of the 2.56 percent that they actually gave, there would have been an additional $164 billion available, according to a report released in October called "The State of Church Giving through 2004." If the churches chose to funnel just $70-$80 billion of that additional income to missions and humanitarian works, the basic needs of every person on the globe would be provided.
Tithing is mentioned numerous times in the Bible (Genesis 14:18-20, Numbers 18:24-28, Malachi 3:8-12) as a way to give back to the Lord as a way to praise and thank Him. In the Old Testament, the Levitical priests lived off of a portion of the offerings the people gave to the Lord. They had no inheritance of their own -- God expected the people to be generous and consistent in their offerings.
Personally, tithing has always been somewhat of a struggle for me. I've either forgotten to do it or, when I remembered, it seemed as though my funds were a little too tight to give to church that week. Poor me.
Now, I know that some people disagree about what tithing money should be used for, or where it should all go. But, either way, we should be giving. We've been given so much, and God only asks us to give a small amount back to Him. The stat from Relevant Magazine is shocking. We have the means to do so much good -- to glorify the Lord through our giving -- but, at least for me, trips to Banana Republic sometimes get in the way.
Ultimately, I think this is a matter of obedience to the Lord. Apparently, we Christians have a lot to learn when it comes to honoring the Lord through our giving.
1. john said the following at 11:59 AM on Nov 20
You've probably opened up a huge can of worms about whether tithing is mandatory for Christians under the New Covenant. (Malachi 3:10 is in the Old Testament.) Although I do not believe the tithe is binding on New Testament believers, I still give aproximately 10 percent on the gross, and I would encourage others to do so as well, simply out of gratitude for all that our Lord has done for us. A lot of good could be accomplished with the funds thus made available.
2. Becky said the following at 12:29 PM on Nov 20
I think that my dad did a wonderful job in training my siblings and I on the importance of tithing. Now that we're grown up, I can't speak for my sisters or brothers, but I regularly give money to church.
When we were little my dad gave us our allowance on Saturday evenings, and before he would even give us the money he would ask how much we wanted to put in our offering envelope. As I grew older and moved from allowance to a job I still "filled the offering envelope" before I used any other money from a paycheck. I guess it's just automatic for me, so it's hard to understand why people don't give 10%, but my tithe/offering check is the first thing I write after getting paid. For that, I thank my dad and am glad that God blessed my family with a generous and godly earthly father. I hope to pass on the need to tithe first to my children, especially since my husband will be a pastor and our primary income will come from church giving in the future...
3. Denise said the following at 1:23 PM on Nov 20
Hey John!
Yeah, some people do wonder if tithing is mandatory under the new covenant. I know Jesus mentions it in Matthew 23:23. He tells the Pharisees that they shouldn't neglect tithing or showing justice and mercy.
Also, I am reminded of the early church in Acts 2. It says that, "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need" (vv. 44-45).
This doesn't relate specifically to tithing, but it does have to do with a spirit of giving that I think is required of both Israel in the OT and us in the new covenant.
For me, tithing isn't about legalism, but, like you said, recognizing God's generosity to us.
4. Robert said the following at 2:23 PM on Nov 20
Well, when Jesus talked to the pahrisees about tithing, He was talking to Jews, meaning they were under the whole law. The Jerusalem council established the requirements for gentile Christians, and tithing wasn't on their list. So it is impossible to say that Christians are required to tithe.
However, the New Testament is permeated with the concept that Christians must be generous because of the weight of grace. Larry Burkett's Crown Financial Ministries points out that only a Christian of extremly poor character would give less than the law required.
So, I tithe 10% of every paycheck.
5. Blair said the following at 4:33 PM on Nov 20
I love the what Denise had to say. About a year ago I started at my new job. I was so excited, not only was it full time but it paid quite a bit more than my previous job. I remember thinking of all the financial freedom I was going to have with my increased pay check, and I fully expected to continue giving my 10 percent to the church. To be honest I have not been faithful this last year with tithing. When I made more money it was harder for me to tithe because I was giving a lot more. Strangly enough I have not had a lot of extra money this year. I have not reeped the blessings of tithing. I also think that when we tithe it is a powerful testimony to ourselves and Satan. Everytime I put that tithe in the offering plate I am letting go of a potential idol, it is one of the most freeing things I do all month.
6. Rebecca said the following at 4:57 PM on Nov 20
As a single believer with a limited income, I believe that it is important for my generation to get in the habit of giving. When I didn't have a church home, I gave my tithe to mission agencies. Now, as a church member, I consider it my privilege to tithe to my local church, showing them that I am fully committed to that body of believers. We are not good at commitment as an entire generation. 10 percent of our income is such a small commitment to make, but it shows so much love!
7. Ted Slater said the following at 6:52 PM on Nov 20
Our church has entered the 21st century and allows its members to have their tithe automatically deducted from their bank account.
Because it's convenient and keeps us accountable to contribute regularly (even when we don't always feel like it) my wife and I have chosen this way to pay our tithe.
Sometimes I wonder if we're missing out on something, since we don't deal with the weekly emotional aspect of tithing -- that struggle in your heart of whether or not to put to death the selfishness of holding onto just a bit more this week.
I wonder if it would serve our hearts better, and be a better witness to those around us when we pass the offering plate to them without having put anything in ourselve, were we to pay our tithe the old fashioned way....
8. Liz said the following at 7:34 PM on Nov 20
What we do with our money is spiritually significant because it shows what we treasure, what we prize, what we love and adore. Tithing is not about slavishly following the letter of the law, but joyfully, generously giving in faith out of a heart of gratitude for God's grace to us in Christ. Committing 10 percent or more of our finances to God demonstrates not only our utter dependence on God but also His supreme worthiness. It shows that we prize God more than all of the stuff of this world.
It also shows that we understand ourselves to be stewards of God's gifts. One of my favorite passages on giving is 1 Chronicles 29:10-14. The elderly King David issues a call for the supplies needed for Solomon to build the temple, and the people respond with tremendous generosity. Moved with joy, David prays:
Blessed are you, O LORD, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.
But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.
We are not our own. Our time is not our own. Our money is not our own. All that we are and have comes from our Father and is meant to be used in His joyful service, to the praise of His glory.
9. LA said the following at 6:29 AM on Nov 21
It is true that not all Christians beleive that tithing a literal 10 percent is required by New Testament. On the other hand, every time I have heard a pastor preach on tithing from that standpoint, they were emphasizing NT passages regarding generosity. The point was often "yeah, the NT doesn't require 10 percent, but as Christians we should be giving MORE."
Sadly, most of us listen to the "we're not under the Old Testament and tithing isn't required" which justifies our selfishness and close our ears to the rest of what is being said about generosity.
What if God had been this stingy towards us?
10. Clara M said the following at 7:49 AM on Nov 21
I recently heard a sermon preached on generosity which made a lot of sense. The OT always acts as "shadow and type" of the NT. Where they had to sacrfice animals all the time; we have the all sufficient sacrifice -- Jesus Christ. The law is now in the hearts of people. We now have one High Priest and Mediator in Jesus Christ. Things are always better in the NT so it would seem giving must be even better than the 10 percent prescribed in the OT. In 2 Cor. 8, Paul talks about the Macedonians who "urgently pleaded" for "the priviledge" to give even though they are in "extreme poverty". God has given us so much that our giving should be characterised by abundance and joy -- not because someone said so or because we can -- but because we cannot help ourselves. We want to give -- joyfully as we have freely received.
11. Marc said the following at 4:36 PM on Nov 21
I am a college student who is guilty of not tithing faithfully. It is not that I have malicious intent regarding my church or that I use the "I am a poor college student" excuse. It is just that I forget. And yet, I know that excuse isn't good enough.