Tithing - A balanced perspective
(Update 2021-05-25)
Added references and commentary to Abraham’s Tithe Section.
Added commentary on the use of the tithe.
Preface:
I want to begin by saying that I believe that every Christian should desire to support God's Ministry in this earth. To be fair and equitable I believe that the voluntary giving of a tenth of one's income is a good place to start. Whether you believe in basing that on the net or gross income is a matter of perspective which we will discuss shortly.
There is a great deal of teaching about tithing. Some good. some bad, some liberating, some legalistic and binding.
Much preaching about tithing seems to be from a perspective of 'The Law of God'. Using mostly Old Covenant scripture and making tithing a legally binding institution for the New Covenant Believer. Usually from Malachi 3:8-12. Consider that in the cross of Jesus the curse is done away with, but the blessings remain.
There are those that advocate that the tithe is illegal for the believer. That is, that a believer should give whatever is in his heart to give. No more and no less.
Who is right? I suspect that the whole truth is somewhere in the middle of these two extremes.
So, let's begin a search for the whole truth, without bias one way or the other. I think you'll be surprised.
First, though, I want to make it clear that I believe all Christians should give to their church. The one they regularly attend. The one they can call in an emergency and get help. But, of course, if the majority isn’t giving liberally, then when you call, they won’t be able to help you!
Point One.
The tithe cannot be a legally binding requirement under grace because James clearly teaches that if we are under any single point of the Law for our justification we are under the whole law and no longer under grace. James 2:10. Paul thoroughly develops this same theme in both Romans and Galatians.
Point Two.
Tithing predates the law. So tithing is not automatically an Old Testament Law issue. It is possible to tithe without doing so as a legal obligation or putting oneself under Law. (Though this is very difficult to do with the way most preachers present tithing.)
Point Three.
Tithing must be equitable for the whole church. Paul wrote in 2 Cor. 8:13-14 that he was not interested in putting them in a bind but that there would be equality in the church. So that no one would be relieved while someone else went without.
Point Four.
Tithing was not one of the essentials passed down to the gentile church by the 'Jerusalem Counsel'. But, giving liberally was.
Abraham's Tithe:
Genesis 14:11-24
The first instance where a tithe is mentioned is in Genesis 14. Lot was captured and taken away with all the possessions, children, and wealth. Abram pursues, defeats the enemy and reclaims Lot and all that pertains to Lot. He insists on paying off his debt to those that assisted him in his rescue of Lot. He then meets with Melchizedek who blesses Abram. Abram then gives a tenth (tithe) of all the spoil. John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible says this: “and not out of his own substance, but out of the spoils of the enemy,” In other words, Abram not only reclaimed all that he, The King of Sodom and Lot owned but, also spoiled the enemies that had plundered them! Genesis 14:20
I want you to notice that Abram tithed a tenth of what he had with him. As there is no record of him returning home taking an inventory and returning with the tithe. Also notice that Abram gave after he had the victory. He did not tithe to get! And, last there is no record of Abram ever tithing before or after this instance.
The Life Application Study Bible, The Pulpit Commentary and JOHN TRAPP’s also have verse commentary of interest and support.
Malachi 3:8-11
This passage has to be the most abused scripture in the whole Bible. Why? Because it is almost always taken out of context, and always used to bring Christians under condemnation.
Now, that I've got your attention, let me explain. First, this particular tithe is what is generally known as 'The Welfare Tithe'. Once every three years the tithes were to be distributed to not just to the Levites, but also to the alien, the fatherless, and the widow. Duet. 26:12. I know of no church that gives 33% of its tithe income to charity, to meet needs in the community, or even in the home congregation. So, how can we preach from this text as if the wrath of God is going to fall on the Believer when the Church Hierarchy is so clearly in violation itself?
I know that the threat is almost always followed by the promise in verse 11. But when the tithe never gets where it's supposed to go is there any doubt why so few get only condemnation and not blessing?
The use of the tithe
What was the tithe used for? First understand that there wasn't just one person receiving the tithe in Israel. God's Plan was for the entire tribe of Levi to Minister to the Nation of Israel. They had no inheritance except the tithe. The tithe was theirs except for a tenth of it which went to the Aaronic Priesthood. So, the 'Five-Fold Ministry' actually only got 1%! The staff got the rest!
The Levites provided all the support ministries for the Tabernacle and the Temple. (Which incidentally were built entirely by Free-Will Offerings!). The Tabernacle/Temple was the center of Government. All Legal, Judicial, Medical and Spiritual cares were addressed by way of either the Levites or the Aaronic Priesthood who received the tithe.
In a sense you could say our taxes, legal fees and medical bills are a part of today’s tithe. 😊
The tithe was calculated from the First Fruits.
This occurred at harvest. Note that only those items which 'survived' to the 'accounting' were tithed on. For livestock this meant they had to be able to pass under the herdsman’s' staff and crops have to be harvestable. Theft by raiders was not tithed on. And, I will submit that theft by government is also not a First Fruit.
Tithe on the Net:
Immediately I hear, 'No Way... It's got to be on the Gross... The Gross is the First Fruits!' Well, yes and no. Remember that statement about equity in the body of Christ? Consider this some employers add-in an exorbitant figure in pre-tax income to 'show-off' what 'they' consider their contribution to the employee’s benefits. Others don't or add-in a very small amount more in keeping with reality. What this means is that a believer making thousands less per year can actually pay more in tithes than another believer while having significantly less net spendable income. For one individual this can mean more than $100.00 a month (or more) difference between tithing net and tithing gross. The difference in the last weeks meals on a monthly income.
Next, I hear, 'But they can deduct all kinds of things out to lower their net incomes.' Well, true. And while I would question the spirituality of any believer who had his check drafted to pay his mortgage or car payment without considering that an 'immediate' increase. The majority of pre net deductions are for retirement programs.
Now before you complain about a person investing God's money for the future, let me ask, why is it alright for the church to expect instant gratification from a man's tithe, expect him to have faith in God for the future, when 'you' don't believe he, you, or the church will be around to collect a tithe on both the principal and interest?
Oh, and, don't forget FSA's and MSA's. First, If I am a tither then I will tithe when I receive that FSA or MSA check. A person has to be honest with himself and His Lord.
Why I want cash:
Well, if someone were to give me a car. Not only would I not be able to pay the property taxes on it, I wouldn't have any cash to pay a tithe on it either! But if it was given by God's grace then God's grace should at least apply to any tithe that may be demanded of me?
Voluntary Tithing on the Net
It is my deep feeling that all believers should give to their local church, voluntarily. All pastors should encourage (not brow beat) their congregations to give. We have an example in scripture that Abram tithed out of the joy and abundant deliverance of God. It is therefore a reasonable expectation and easily self-measurable goal for God's people to give 10% of their net income. Not to get. But, from a full heart.
The inability to tithe may come from many sources. Materialistic Self-Indulgence through Credit Card Debt, theft, fire, accident, low income or just plain bad fortune in this life. Faith is a very hard commodity to value or measure. And, whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Of these Materialistic Self-Indulgence and Credit Card Debt is perhaps the most pernicious cause of a lack of funding in our churches. It is the premier 'Cares of this Life' or, should we say, 'Weeds of this Life'.
We have a responsibility to rebuke sharply any lifestyle that would cause a believer to get into a position that would encroach upon their willingness to freely give unto God.
We also have a responsibility to minister to those who are not making enough, no matter how tight the belt is, to care for the needs of those of their own households. Note: Nowhere does it say a man is an infidel for not tithing. But, for not meeting the needs of his own family! 1 Timothy 5:8
Using Examples:
This is perhaps the most under used scriptural method for encouraging giving. Paul contrasted the Corinthians and Macedonians, as well as others. Barnabas humbly and freely gave, and was recorded in scripture for it. Act 4:32-37 But there are always those that give for the wrong reason, dying spiritually at the least, like Sapphira and Ananias. Acts 5:1-11
If you are in Debt (added 2021-05-23)
Been there, done that, and never want to voluntarily go there again. I cannot tell you how liberating it was to pay that high interest credit card off and then pay it in full every month. You may say you’re in too deep now and see no way out.
I will ask you to consider what it is worth to you and your family Spiritually and Emotionally. Where can you cut back? Do so. Do you really need 1 Gigabit/Sec unlimited data and four or five streaming services? Do you really need three active credit cards? Do you really need to maintain both cars 100%? Or, can you let one go down for a while?
Ask for help! This is no time to let pride stand between you and your freedom from debt. Once I was convinced that I wanted, and thus needed to tithe, I started praying. I had a good payment history (Very important) and my credit score had started climbing, but the interest rates were killing me. The interest was actually close to what my tithe would have been! So, I started working on paying off the credit card debt.
Do *NOT* do this if you do not reasonably believe you can pay off the transfer balance before the grace period ends or you will pay interest through your nose, while hanging upside down by your toenails!
I had paid off bank A’s credit card and it was sitting unused with a pretty good credit limit and this bank sent me a 0% transfer balance offer with an extended grace period. But it wasn’t enough to cover the one card I really wanted to get rid of. So, I called the bank and asked if it would be possible to lower the credit limit on the on the existing account and transfer it to the new account, after a long open and honest discussion his manager agreed. (NOTE: They do transfer balances because almost all people fail to pay the full balance off before the grace period expires, that’s how they make their money.) If you do this, do *NOT* use the card for anything, just pay it off! I paid my deal off early.
As always comments are welcome…