[see the follow-up article that explains the biblical reasons for tithing]
Three recent events prompted me to preach a sermon on tithing this semester:
- an MHBC intern asked me if tithing was a New Testament requirement,
- a friend told me Francis Chan (author of the excellent book, Crazy Love) recently began teaching that tithing is not a New Testament requirement, and
- our pastor and finance committee have invited the Morrison Heights family to participate in 14 days of prayer and Bible reading in anticipation of a special offering on May 2.
In a sentence, Chan’s main point is, God’s love for me should motivate me to give radically to his cause, and tithing turns my giving into guilt-driven legalism.
John Piper, on the other hand finds seven reasons that a New Testament Christian should tithe. His sermon “Toward the Tithe and Beyond: How God Funds His Work” explains why he hopes his sons will continue to tithe now that they are on their own. He says,
The way I would like to handle this is to give seven summary reasons—which I will try to show from Scripture—for why I pray my sons will all give the first 10% of their income to the work of Christ, and then grow beyond that as God prospers them.
Piper’s seven reasons include:
- Honoring an Old Testament principle
- Honoring the creator as owner of all
- Governing ever-expanding spending
While I chatted with my friend about Francis Chan’s philosophy, we walked through Scott Duvall’s and Daniel Hays’ five steps for applying Old Testament law today:
- Grasp the text in their town. What did the text mean to the biblical audience?
- Measure the width of the river to cross. What are the differences between the biblical audience and us?
- Cross the principlizing bridge. What is the theological principle in this text?
- Cross into the New Testament. Does the New Testament teaching modify or qualify this principle, and if so, how?
- Grasp the text in our town. How should individual Christians today apply this modified theological principle in their lives?
Wednesday night we will apply the Duvall-Hays method to Numbers 18:20-30. We’ll also see why Piper says Jesus “endorses tithing.”
Do you tithe? Why or why not? Email me your thoughts and questions ahead of time. Have a good tithing story to tell? We want to hear it!
Tim Peabody’s tithing sermon on Kaleo.
Francis Chan’s tithing sermon on YouTube.
John Piper’s tithing sermon on Desring God.
2 Cor. 8:7 But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
We should strive in all things towards excellence. I believe to excel in giving we must exceed ten-percent however I disagree with the notion that the scriptures require that ten-percent- to insert a requirement, expectation, standard, whatever, eliminates the grace we have been given and recieved. We give not out of duty or obligation but rather in worship and praise for the many blessings we have recieved.
Pastors and other church leaders are afraid of abandoning the tithe as a teaching tool for fear that their budgets would tank. I think the opposite is true- that if we teach our people to experience the joy of giving which begins by first recieving, that our generosity will far exceed any standard we can come up.
Jason, thanks for the input.
If not on the basis of Scripture, on what basis do you believe “we must exceed ten-percent?” I make a scriptural case for it here.
I disagree that a requirement “eliminates the grace we have been given.” If that were the case, the New Testament would contain no requirements.
If you are correct that “if we teach our people to experience the joy of giving which begins by first receiving, that our generosity will far exceed any standard we can come up,” then church leaders who are “afraid” will actually “abandon the tithe” rather than hold to the biblical principle.
Thanks, brother!
Scripture provides the case I refer to in 2 Cor. 8:7… “see that you also excel in the grace of giving.” Excellence is a subjective term and ten-percent has long been our “suggested donation” rather than allowing our generous God to flow abundantly through the hands of His people. We try so hard to convince people that they should give 10% (legalism) and then when they do, eventually, we miss out on the other 90%. I hate to go economics professor on you but floors and ceilings are never the good for an economy- most especially the Kingdom economy. Encourage people to give- just give. Then encourage them to excel, in all things. Leave the specifics to God. Moving on to chapter. 9, v. 7, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
As to fearful pastors, they will always abandon those topics that they are afraid of discussing. This is by no means limited to money and possessions.
Keep it going!
Jason, 2 Corinthians 8-9 is addressing a separate issue (offerings, not tithes). The offering he’s referring to is a gift to support Christians elsewhere. But when Paul is writing to the Corinthians about supporting their own ministers and the work of their own church (1 Cor. 9), he alludes to tithing passages in the Old Testament. I make my full case here if you haven’t seen it yet.
I agree with you that abandoning tithing would probably result in more contributions to the church. If nothing else, a church would just be more popular if people didn’t feel pressure to tithe. But pragmatism isn’t the way to make a Godly decision. If the Bible teaches it, so should we.
As to legalism, that is a danger with every command of the Bible. Abandoning the command is not the solution. Grace is the solution.
Great discussion.
My experience has been on both ends of the spectrum. For many years my wife and I gave a certain amount of money that we believed was generous and from the Spirit. Looking back over many years it was probably between 5-7%. A few years back our church was going through an expansion of our auditorium. We were challenged to read Randy Alcorns book on giving “Treasure Principle”. God used it to change our hearts about giving. After some prayer and discussion we decided to tithe from then on. Also, we committed ourselves to giving to the church’s need for an expansion above the 10%. It was giving beyond what we have ever done before. To keep this short the end result was that we both became cheerful givers,(His grace abounded more than ever). We took a step of faith(with some fear) and trusted that our God would supply all our needs. We discovered that tithing “freed” us to give more than we could have imagined and changed our hearts about giving For Christ’s glory.
After reading a teaching on tithing a few years ago and checking it out with the Scriptures, my husband and I no longer tithe, but give as the Holy Spirit leads. We gave a tithe for years, in addition to giving to those working in parts of the world where less than 1% of the Western church budget goes–and where most of the unreached live.
We were working with refugees in Europe. When poor people had needs our church had no budget to help them. So we helped them. In fact, the church sent people to us who needed help. If we had not tithed we would have had much more money to give to those with much greater needs than our church.
Tithing is a convenient tradition for churches. But if tithing is going to be taught as a requirement, then why not the rest of the law a well? I think it is because it has to do with that thing that is the root of all evil. It is really an ungodly teaching and now with the internet, most church leaders know this, but keep up the practice. Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!
Terry – It’s too bad that you feel your tithe to your church was wasted: “If we had not tithed we would have had much more money to give to those with much greater needs than our church.”
Also, why could you not give to your church AND elsewhere? As if since 10% was given to your church there is nothing left to give.
We are in agreement that tithing is a convenient tradition, however to classify it as solely so is a gross reduction of the power of a Biblical principle. Tithing (literally “tenthing”) is a great guideline for how to get started giving. Christians who don’t know how much to give can use this as a great starting place. However, in the OT, tithing ended up being more like 30% after everything was said and done. In the NT we learn that we should give, give, give. That seems to push us well beyond 10%. 10% is hardly a strain on one’s budget, as this is even (at least) half of what we give (as a gift) to servers at a restaurant!
In the GC we are told to “go”, however the first place we are told to “go” is “Jerusalem;” where we are. We should be giving to our church to help disciple believers, feed the poor, clothe the hungry, etc in our local area. By the sounds of it, it seems your church is not doing these? Is that why you mentioned that your church is not in need as much as others? The primary focus of the chrch should be on discipling believers to be more useful/sent out for the kingdom. Then, after local giving has happened, we should be giving further away (organizations, missionaries, etc.) We mustn’t neglect our neighborhood.
I am not saying that the missionaries in China and the starving children in Africa who are dying daily do not have more of an urgent need, however the priority should be properly placed on discipling believers to be sent out first.
Lastly, money is not the root of all evil. Christ said that “the LOVE of money is the root of all evil.” If we are making an idol out of money then we have a problem. I agree that many churches wrongly push that we are commanded to give 10% as in the OT, however to say it is an ungodly teaching is leeching the value right out of the guideline for giving. Much of the OT is filled with guiding principles for how to live a Godly, holy life. God had the Israelites live a certain way for a reason: to show light to the Gentiles. We should take those truths and apply them to how we live our life. It goes without saying to do so in context obviously, we are not to kill our children if they disobey.
Letting a teaching teach us is different from letting it rule us. Let’s let the tithe teach us where to start in our giving, but not let it limit us in our graciousness.
As always I hope to be loving and kind in my comments.
If we are asking ourselves if we should be giving 10% or not then we are missing the entire point. Many people want to do just what is required of them and only that. I wish people would realize that everything is the Lord’s and we are mere managers of what he has placed in our hands.
Scripture tells us to take care of those who teach us (the church).
Scripture tells us that true religion is caring for orphans and widows.
Scripture tells us to take care of the poor and the needy.
Scripture tells us not to store up for ourselves because God could call us home at any moment.
Scripture tells us to give of our firstfruits and not of our leftovers.
Should we give 10%? I believe 10% is a jumping off point to joyful, reckless giving that builds into God’s kingdom not ours. You want to know where your heart is? Look at your checkbook. I believe that your where your treasure is, your heart will follow.
The New Testament teaches generous, sacrificial giving, from the heart, according to our means. For some, $1 might be a sacrifice, while for others, even giving 50% of their income might not induce a sacrifice. In the Old Testament, ONLY the farmers tithed, and it was equal percentage (a tenth). The New Testament teaches the principle of equal sacrifice instead of equal percentage. Equal sacrifice is much harder to achieve, if not impossible, than giving ten percent.
OLD TESTAMENT – THE FIRST OF THE FRUITS SHOULD GO TO GOD
Proverbs 3:9 (KJV) “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:”
NEW TESTAMENT – THE WORKER SHOULD BE FIRST TO RECEIVE A SHARE OF THE FRUIT
2 Timothy 2:6 (KJV) “The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”
When was the last time you heard a pastor say that you should spend the FIRST part of your income on yourself and your family?
1 Timothy 5:8 (KJV) “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.”
The New Testament makes it clear that we are to use the FIRST of our income to take care of ourselves and our family. We are talking about needs, here, not just anything we want. Then we should give generously from what is left.
Early on in my walk I trusted God in Tithing and saw incredible miracles happen. He actually gave me a dream that I would get money from a woman named Yvonne. It happened just as He indicated. Many other things happened like that. We gave significantly more over the years. Then we went through a very dry season with God. For over a year I prayed on and off about help from God to get out of debt. We have a son who was going to college and needed help with his car. We would dump 1700.00 into it to get it running, then he slid on an icy road and wrecked it. Many things like this happened. It seemed like God was silent. I started justifying myself with God by the law. Lord, we give so much, what’s going on? No help. Then one day I was praying and I said “Lord, we can’t get out of debt if we keep Tithing.” And I felt this strong impression that God was saying “Who told you you had to Tithe?” I was dumdfouned. What? I thought you did. Nothing after this which to me was God saying “get your Bible and do a bible study.” I did a search online using the phrase “Tithing required or not.” Then I went through many of the Bible studies that came up with my own Bible in hand and did a study. From scripture I was convinced that Tithing was not required in the New Testament. But what about the miracles that God did when I started Tithing? How do I reconcile that with what I’m now finding out? I layed on my bed and asked the Holy Spirit about that. I believe He was saying to me “the law is a tutor to bring you to Christ.” It is a teacher. We have made you into a giver you are free to give as the Spirit moves you. You have developed an attitude under the law that somehow We owe you something. You are very wrong. We want to corrrect your attitude. I asked if I had permission to get out of debt, I felt I had His permission but that did not mean I was free to give nothing, I understood that. Then, I wanted to invite an opposing opinion. I contacted an old pastor who I have the utmost respect for. After our many discussions online, He said He was very afraid for me and my family. Now, I’m terrorized. I firmly believe I heard from God, yet I have a great respect for this man. I go to God trembling and I asked “God, am I still in your favor or not?” My wife comes racing into the bedroom and hands me an envelope from FEDEX. She said she was cleaning out my youngest daughters closet and found this envelope and there was a check in it. She was afraid to look. I found a check for 1670.00 that we were not expecting. Apparently FEDEX slipped it under the front door. We come in through the garage. My daughter apparently went in first found that pretty envelope and thought she would keep it. It had been in her closet for a couple of weeks based on the check date. This is how God speaks to me when I consult Him and the Scripture. I have to say that even though this all happened, I still waver back and forth because of what men have taught me. Many times I feel guilty for not giving a full ten percent. It’s hard in this world to figure it all out. I do often wonder though if God wanted the church to have her multi million dollar buildings with the coffee shops and bookstores. These are things I don’t have the answers to. Or what about pastors with the heart of Paul who did not want to be a burden to the people but was a tentmaker. Should they get paid? Absolutely. How much, I don’t know. More than me? Yes, of course. I’m still on this journey to understanding and this is by no means an encouragement to stop Tithing. This is merely what the Holy Spirit is doing in me right now. Pray for me that I will get complete clarity. My wife and I are ready to Tithe again if the Lord tells us to.
Edward,
I am so sorry to hear what battles you are having. Realize though that you will never be able to figure the issue out completely because there might be good arguments for both sides… and guess what… they will both claim to have the holy spirit guide them to this interpretation of scripture. Frustrating huh? Welcome to Christianity! You won’t find a definitive answer anywhere and we really need to be careful about what we read as signs as figuring out the answer. A tithing pastor will tell you all the stories he has seen that back up his case and a spirit led giving pastor will tell you all the stories he has seen that back up his case. What is to make of all this craziness? I am not positive but here are just a few thoughts:
People who are spirit led givers feel no guilt in not giving 10% to their church. And I see many of these people loving the Lord and serving him just as much as people who do tithe 10% to their church. So you might be mistaking the Holy Spirit with man made guilt. I will give some to my church and some to other ministries I believe in. Please do not buy into the lie that even if God wants us to give 10%, that it would need to go to your church fully. It can go anywhere where you feel God is working. It can go even to helping someone in need. I’d rather my FULL money go to that person in need than give my money to a church, where it gets filtered down, and only a little gets to the person in need. (Funny how much of it ends up in their advertising or church building fund.) I can even give you an amazing story of my own that was DEFINITELY God, so please be careful of judging a doctrine based on “miracles” because you’ll see miracles on both sides. Maybe he just wants our hearts.
At our church, my pastor does not teach on the issue… he leaves it up to us… (those that believe in 10% give 10% and those that don’t give what they feel the spirit wants) and guess what? Our church has more than enough money! People LOVE to give. Those that can’t give are not made to feel like they are breaking God’s law. In fact, those that can’t give, we try to help out, since they are probably struggling! That’s what they did in the NT.
It also specifically says in 1 Timothy 5:8 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” I don’t see anything where it says “If you do not give 10% to your local church (who pastors say is equivalent of giving to God), you are worse than an unbeliever. In fact I see nothing like that at all in any way in the NT.
It seems like you may be living a life in bondage to many man made laws. It comes from a sincere heart, just wanting so badly to please God and have him happy with you. And that is great! But it becomes bondage. I used to live out my faith like that. Never knowing if anything I did pleased God ENOUGH. Never knowing if I was in or out today with God because of something I did wrong. It was such religion… and I didn’t even know it. Honestly, what changed everything for me was realizing my sins had ALL been forgiven at the cross. Not just my past ones. ALL of them. That because of that, I didn’t have to worry about being in and out fellowship with God if I messed up. I was now under grace. I was now under no condemnation. His blood is what constantly purifies us from all sin (1 john 1:7)… not ANYTHING we do. When I realized the grace he had given me… it changed my life and my faith forever. I pray you explore that issue, so you can grow closer to Christ. You will never do that through self effort of trying to please God with your works. If you realize you are already as loved and righteous as you will ever be, THAT will motivate you to do the things God wants. THAT will enable you to overcome. Fear never will. “11For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12It (grace) teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13while we wait for the blessed hope.” Titus 2:11-12″
When I read lines like “The New Testament teaches generous, sacrificial giving, from the heart, according to our means”, I wonder why those making such arguments never realise that all those principles were first taught in the OLD TESTAMNET! Generous giving was well known LONG BEFORE the NT was written – as well all the other principles! These are not matters that are unique to the New Testament, unless we just conveniently choose to ignore them.
Everyone has a reason for whatever position they take on tithing. Chan, for whom it seems that tithing turns his giving into guilt-driven legalism – that’s just him and others who think like him. The surprising thing is that God never expected His people to be legalistic in matters of faith, whether in the OT or NT. Chan is alright in referring to God’s love as his motivation, but excuse me… the first of all the commandments handed to the saints of the OT is to LOVE God with all the heart, soul and mind (Deut. 6:5 – compare Matt. 22:36-40). I don’t see how that should be such a huge surprise to anyone.
John Piper both surprises and delights me! If we can see the timeless truth in honouring an “OT Principle”, the rest is easy! The foundation of of Jesus teaching is indeed the OT; and Paul (the same apostle who declares that Christians are not under the Law) is the very same apostle who quoted the Law of Moses to teach Christian giving in 1 Corinthians 9:8-10 & 13-14!! I believe Piper and Paul speak timeless, sensible truth to our times, even though I respect Chan’s personal sensitivity to the subject.
A few months back I altogether dropped the arguments against tithes and started tithing. I’ve been much blessed in seeing the coherence of the principles left us in both the OT and NT – yet, I would not dare to make this a binding law on anyone else.
I sent the following letter to our pastor a few years ago. He didn’t like it one bit.
1. As you suggested in Sunday’s sermon, I have been studying what the Bible has to say on the subject of tithing. I’ve given 10% my whole life (ever since allowance money), but I’ve never really studied it before. What I found shocked me. Here is a free book on the subject: http://www.freetogive.net/. The man who wrote it studied the Word in depth in writing it and it points out many flaws in the modern Christian doctrine of tithing. That doctrine which says, “God says that Christians should give at least 10% of their income to the local church.”
With the evidence presented in this book (which simply points to the Bible), I’m convinced that modern Christians have been seriously misled in this issue. Please take some time to re-read what Scripture says about it, please pray and have an open heart and mind to the issue. At best, the doctrine is debatable, at worst it’s a twisting of scriptural truth.
In the few weeks at , I’ve heard you speak very strongly on the issue, saying things like, “Find a church that teaches tithing…others aren’t worth their weight.” I was offended when you talked about people that ask you to pray for blessing. Because they don’t give 10% to the local church, you tell them that they have no foundation for blessing! What ever happened to the FREE blessing in Christ Jesus?!
“Well sorry, ma’am, since you don’t tithe, you’ve robbed God of the opportunity to bless you…” Would I be correct to say that you believe that those who tithe are acting godly and that those who don’t tithe are acting ungodly (at the point which they choose not to give 10% to the local church)? Would I also be correct to say that you believe that tithers will be blessed and non-tithers won’t be, since they’ve “robbed God of the opportunity” to bless them? 1Tim 6:5 says “…who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”… I think the converse would also be true: “…who think that lack of godliness is a means to financial stagnancy.”
2. How are tithes given to spent? Are there detailed reports available to the congregation? If so, how can I obtain one?
I believe that God wants us to give generously. I believe that God commanded the Israelites to tithe (fill the storehouse with food) specifically to make sure EVERYONE (Levites, aliens, widows, and fatherless) was fed. I believe that Christians, although not bound by the Old Covenant and its implications, should stay true to that intention, giving cheerfully and freely and not under compulsion as the Israelites did. I intend to do my best to be faithful and “shrewd as a snake” with all of the money God has entrusted to me.
Francis Chan will soon become the most hated pastor by other pastors in America pretty soon. Lets look at it this way Creflo Dollar has a couple of Rolls Royce’s (2-3 I believe), consider the many others like him that have private jets etc… and have become accustomed to a certain comfortable lifestyle. Once francis keeps preaching these Truths people will start disliking him. Let’s examine scripture, the people that hated Jesus the most was was the poor and needy… Oh! wait a minute it was wealthy publicans and pharisees (rich) religious elite.
Tithing presents for many upscale pastors a sense of security an ‘insurance policy’ that they’ll be able to maintain a certain standard of living by having mega churches giving them 10% every month or however often, which means a nice hefty salary.
Man, I’ll be honest when someone is teaching you to get rich, make money, buy luxury cars, buy mansions, fly in private jets… you can have all this by paying tithes; who wouldn’t give tithes?.. I mean rappers might give tithes cause that’s what they want too (and some shiny rims). To top it off you’re given a guilt trip if you didn’t give tithes to the ‘CHURCH’ with a message like ‘losers don’t tithe’.
Friends let’s put things in proper perspective God wants us to give but give from the heart cheerfully it could be 2% or 99% but give, and not only to the church (because my pastor needs gold plated toilet seats) but to the poor, the less fortunate, the homeless, to the kids sold into slavery, orphanages etc… read the book of james (the elites don’t preach james all that much) read luke 18 (they don’t touch the story of the young rich man), read what Zacchaeus did with his money in Luke 19. Don’t get me wrong I love Creflo Dollar, I prayer for the man and his family but the get rich/tithe theology is flawed. I encourage us all to Prayer for francis Chan that he’ll continue to preach the NEW COVENANT of our Lord Jesus Christ or we can just sacrifice lamb and bullocks and keep sabbath and build altars etc… as in the old testament.
I don’t agree with the thithing beging taught in the churches. The scriptues are being twisted. Many pastors will not search and study the scriptures in this area because they are fearful there will not be enough money to pay the bills. If however, they would teach a close relationship with Jesus Christ and if people were grateful for their salvation they will open up their hearts to giving. The rest is up to God. My church teaches tithing. I am wondering if I should be a member of a church that teachs false doctrine, which I believe it is. However, my church is a good church. We have a recovery program for alcoholics, drug addicts etc. Called Celbrate Recovery. My pastor is a very loving and kind person. I just wonder if I should keep what I believe the word teaches to myself and just let it go, and do what God shows me to do. I am one of the poor people in the church. I don’t have much. I give but not always 10%. I am retired and on social security. I can’t help how many older people in the church are being burdened by this teaching.
I read the quotes and they are almost saying the same thing. Chan is saying that 10% is really too little ” Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 cor 9:6b and Piper is saying he hopes his sons go beyond 10%. I don’t think they disagree at all and I listen to both their sermons frequently.
Only the levites can collect the tithes, Jesus is of judah, Paul of benjamin, and none of the twelve disciples are levites. That’s why Jesus doesn’t take any tithe. When Jesus endorse the tithing by saying “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s” and on the other time said “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”, He asked the Jews to stick to their covenant with God under Mosaic law (old testament / covenant) but He himself (Jesus) and his disciples never request for tithes. I have been doing tithing since 1986, now i think (for myself), i have to give not because of tithing law but because of love and thanksgiving.
in addition, do the Jews tithe now? who give the church the right to ask for tithes?
did jesus and the desciples tithe?
i doubt it very much…because under the law they weren t required to. they were niether herdsman nor farmers.
Studying the scriptures in Deuteronomy 14 & 26, the tithe was giving to be used for two things: one was to remember the Levitical priests who had no means of income; another was for a celebration in the temple that was to include foreigners, widows, etc. In fact, the scripture IMPLICITLY says to use the tithe
‘for anything your soul desires, including strong drink” if the temple is too far to go to. How this translates modern day into a mandatory (or recommended) mandate is beyond me. Jesus warns about putting yokes on individuals that are not God’s. Rather that trying to impose “guidelines” that aren’t commanded by God, we should be teaching one another to stay in step with the Spirit and hear what to give. If it’s 5% praise God, if it’s 60%, praise God. If the Spirit tells you to give at least 10%, then be faithful and do it. But speak where the bible speaks, and be silent where the bible is silent. Your giving to the Church (BIG “C”) is your business between you and God and you will be held accountable by how your stewardship of all of your possessions.
This is worth reading…It’s a Q&A by John MacArthur
http://www.ondoctrine.com/2mac0050.htm