Discussing
tithes is like tiptoeing through a minefield.
It’s so touchy that many pastors won’t even discuss the subject. Should Christians tithe? If so, is it based on our gross or net
income? What if we are in debt? Does outside income (like gifts and
scholarships) count towards my tithe?
The questions go on and on.
First, let’s
clarify exactly what we mean when we use the word “tithe.” Some folks use “tithe” to mean any gift
towards God’s work (usually through a church), so if by tithe you mean giving
generously, then yes, Christians should tithe. That is the model provided by the early
church (2Cor 8, Acts 4) and is in accordance with the teaching of Jesusand the apostles.
However, the
word tithe comes from an Old English
word meaning tenth. When we hear exhortations from preachers to
tithe, they typically mean that we should give 10% of our income to the
church. When used this way, the biblical
basis for tithing becomes murky. Nowhere
does the Bible describe the early church as requiring believers to contribute
10% (or any percentage) of their income.
Therefore, we have to look at Mosaic law (or elsewhere) for the 10%
requirement.
Yes, there
is a requirement to give 10% in the Mosaic law of the Old Testament. One tenth of all that the land produced was
required to be gathered annually (Deut14:22-27). But that 10% is not as
clear-cut as it may seem. First of all,
it applied only to grain, wine, oil, and animal husbandry, not
all income. Carpenters, blacksmiths, weavers,
fishermen, field hands, merchants and so forth weren’t required to contribute
to this offering (called the second tithe, or ma'aser sheni).
But that 10% gift was not all that was
required under the Mosaic law. Not even
close. There is the first tithe, or ma'aser
rishon (Num18:21-26). And there was the poor
tithe, or ma'sar ani, collected every 3 years (Deut14:28-29). Again, these tithes were
agricultural only, so did not apply to many (most?) people in Israel. However, these tithes didn’t cover everything
the people were required to give. There
were also the many offerings—some required, some voluntary—that the Mosaic law
defined. These included the sin offering, guilt offering, burnt offering, peace offering, grain offering, and drink offering.
Again, while not technically a tithe, they were offerings provided by
the people and need to be included when considering what Israelites gave. When we add all this up, tithes and other
giving would easily surpass 20%.
Then is the standard for Christians to be
20% or more, rather than 10%? No. First of all, the whole system for tithing
under the Mosaic law has been removed.
The temple, the formal priesthood, and the system that supported it was
destroyed by God. In the book of
Hebrews, chapters 8 and 9 make clear that the formalities of the Mosaic
structure have passed away. This
includes the tithes and offerings the law required.
So, what are we as Christians required to
give? Well, we are “required” to give
nothing. Our salvation was paid for by
Christ in his atoning death and resurrection.
There is no requirement to tithe any certain amount. What should flow from our hearts as
Christians is an overwhelming generousness to those in need. How much should that be? A good guideline is what Paul told the
Corinthian church: The point is this:
whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully
will also reap bountifully. Each one
must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:6-7). If
that isn’t clear enough answer for you, then you are asking a hard
question. Ask a hard question and you
may get a hard answer: as Jesus told the rich young ruler who persisted in
wanting to know what he could do to inherit eternal life, If you want to be
perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me (Matt 19:16-22).
Give as God leads you to give and as those
around you have a need.
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