Somebody said that I don't believe in tithing. They got that from a conversation we had that they did not really hear. Sometimes we hear what we want to hear or we anticipate what someone is going to say and decide that's what they said, even when they didn't.
Not believing in tithing is like not believing in lightening. They both exist, whether I believe in them or not. Turns out I believe in tithing in its proper context.
Let me make clear my position on giving for the Christian, just in case you care to know the truth.
Tithing was the Old Covenant requirement for giving to God. It predates the Law of Moses, and was first mentioned in Genesis 14:20. When God blessed him, Abram gave Him a tenth of everything. He declared his allegiance to God in front of the king and God immediately entered into covenant with Abram.
The Old Testament mentions the tithe (or a tenth) as a unit of giving over 60 times. It eventually became a part of the over-all Law of Moses. (Tithe comes from the Hebrew words: maases (a tenth part), issaron (a tenth part), asri (tenth), assar (to receive a tenth), and asor (a quantity of ten).
Under the Old Covenant, tithing was the requirement. But does the concept of giving a tenth carry over into the New Covenant? Let's take a look.
The New Testament mentions the tithe or a tenth (as a part of giving) 8 times.
In Matthew 23:23, Jesus is scolding the Pharisees for their using the tithe to show how good they are. He is clearly telling them that as Jewish leaders they should set the example by keeping all of the Law, not just the parts that make them look good.
Jesus said to the Pharisees in Luke 11:42, "Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds..." while neglecting justice and the love of God.
Luke 18:12 finds a Pharisee bragging about how he fasts and gives a tenth of all he gets. It's the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. Jesus said the tax collector was justified, the Pharisee was not.
In Hebrews 7:2-26 the writer, while discussing the New Covenant and Jesus' similarity to Melchizedek, reminds us of Abraham giving his tithe.The writer of Hebrews says that the Law requires a tenth but our new high priest is better than Melchizedek and is worthy of everything we are and have.
Consider Mark 12: 41-44 and Luke 21:2 & 3. Jesus watches a widow put two very small copper coins into the temple treasury. What was His response to her? Did He say, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put in more than all the others...she gave her 10% out of poverty?" No. He said "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury...out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on."
What about the rich young man who asked Jesus what he needed to do to inherit eternal life? He bragged to Jesus that he had done everything a good Jew had to do. Did Jesus answer, "One thing you lack. Go and sell 10% of all you have and follow me?" No. He said, "One thing you lack. Go and sell all that you have and follow me."
After Pentecost, the believers were in one heart and mind. They shared 10% of what they had. Actually, Acts 4:32 tells us they shared all of what they had. That's 100%, not 10%. That means everything I own, my house, my car, my furniture, my dogs AND my salary all belong to God. We are to give all to Him. If the church has a need, and if I have the wherewithal to provide it, I am to do so. "Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe..." The New Covenant concept of giving is to give all you are and all you have.
Romans 12:8 says to give generously. II Corinthians 9: 5 is Paul's admonition to give generously to ministry. II Corinthians 9:7 says each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give.
So, do I believe in tithing for the Christian living under the New Covenant? No. I believe in giving 100%, not 10% to the Lord.
Having said that, in accordance with 2 Corinthians 9:7, if God tells you to drop your giving from 100% to just 10%, that's between you and Him. And under the New Covenant, how much of your 100% you give to the church is between you and Him, too.
Just remember, under the New Covenant you are not required to give anything, not even 10%. You are admonished to give your all to Him. Everything. All of it. 100% of it.
I, for one, do not intend to cut my giving back to 10%. As Dr. Adrian Rogers used to say, "Any Christian under grace who would let a Jew under the Law give more than he does under grace is a disgrace to grace."
Do you know what I think? I think that if the church had the courage to teach New Covenant giving, the bank would not be able to hold the offerings.
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