What does the Bible say about Christian tithing?
Answer: Many Christians struggle with the issue of tithing. In some churches giving is over-emphasized. At the same time, many Christians refuse to submit to the biblical exhortations about making offerings to the Lord. Tithing/giving is intended to be a joy and a blessing. Sadly, that is sometimes not the case in the church today.
Tithing is an Old Testament concept. The tithe was a requirement of the Law in which the Israelites were to give 10 percent of the crops they grew and the livestock they raised to the tabernacle/temple (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). In fact, the Old Testament Law required multiple tithes—one for the Levites, one for the use of the temple and the feasts, and one for the poor of the land—which would have pushed the total to around 23.3 percent. Some understand the Old Testament tithe as a method of taxation to provide for the needs of the priests and Levites in the sacrificial system.
After the death of Jesus Christ fulfilled the Law, the New Testament nowhere commands, or even recommends, that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. The New Testament nowhere designates a percentage of income a person should set aside, but only says gifts should be “in keeping with income” (1 Corinthians 16:2). Some in the Christian church have taken the 10 percent figure from the Old Testament tithe and applied it as a “recommended minimum” for Christians in their giving.
The New Testament talks about the importance and benefits of giving. We are to give as we are able. Sometimes that means giving more than 10 percent; sometimes that may mean giving less. It all depends on the ability of the Christian and the needs of the body of Christ. Every Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom in the matter of participating in tithing and/or how much to give (James 1:5). Above all, all tithes and offerings should be given with pure motives and an attitude of worship to God and service to the body of Christ. “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 Corinthians 9:7).
Recommended Resource: Perspectives on Tithing: 4 Views by David A. Croteau
SOURCE: https://www.gotquestions.org/tithing-Christian.html
2.DOES A CHRISTIAN HAVE TO TITHE- ANSWERS ACCORDING TO BILLY GRAHAM
Answers
Q:
Does a Christian have to tithe?
A:
Christians who want to please the Lord often have questions about tithing. The dictionary defines the word “tithe” as “a tenth part of something paid as a voluntary contribution or as a tax especially for the support of a religious establishment.” It was a common practice in the Old Testament and was required of members of the nation of Israel.
Many Christians believe that this principle of giving one-tenth should be carried over to the New Testament in giving to the church and other Christian organizations. Billy Graham would fit into this category. He has said, “We have found in our own home, as have thousands of others, that God’s blessing upon the nine-tenths, when we tithe, helps it to go farther than ten-tenths without His blessing.” However, even then the question as to whether to tithe from one’s net or gross income is not answered in Scripture, nor is the question of whether to give it all to the local church or to include other ministries. We feel that such decisions should be based on personal conviction.
Other Christians who tithe do so simply because they respect the Old Testament principle and find it a helpful place to begin in their giving. They do not believe, however, that tithing is a New Testament obligation. It is not mentioned in the New Testament except where it is describing Old Testament practices or in the Gospels where Jesus is addressing people who were under the Old Testament law. Note Jesus’ comments to the Pharisees in Luke 11:42.
A New Testament teaching on giving which may be helpful to you is found in 1 Corinthians 16:2: “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income.” This passage brings out four points: we should give individually, regularly, methodically and proportionately.
The matter of your giving is between you and God, and He always takes into account our circumstances. He knows when they are beyond our power to direct and control. The important thing is that we see giving as a privilege and not a burden. It should not be out of a sense of duty, but rather out of love for the Lord and a desire to see His kingdom advanced.
Second Corinthians 9:6-7 says: “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
The deeper question, you see, is this: What has priority in our lives? Is Christ really first—or do we put ourselves and our own desires first? Make sure Christ is first in your life, and then ask Him to guide you.
3.
What does the Bible say about tithing?
What does the Bible say about tithing? And what is the difference between tithing and offerings?
Collection in church
Tithing today refers to money or goods believers give away in service of God. The most common expression today of tithing is the collection in church. People give money and the church uses it to pay for the pastor, the cost for the building and for charity and mission.
Roots in the law of the Old Testament
Tithing has its roots in the law of the Old Testament.
The holy feast
There was also the tithe that was to be taken to the temple once a year to be enjoyed at the holy feast (Deuteronomy 12:17-19 and 14:22-27). The people were to take a tenth of their produce, fruit, grain, wine and the livestock, and they could bring their whole families, including their servants and Levites living in their towns, and basically throw a party. This feast had to take place ‘before the Lord’, in the place where the tabernacle or the temple was. Feasting on the abundance of what God had given the people was seen as a way to honour God. This was a tithe to be enjoyed.
Three-yearly tithe
The other tithe mentioned in the Old Testament law was the three-yearly tithe, which was stored in the city where people lived. This was used as a source of food for the Levites, the orphans, the widows and the foreigners, all those who did not have a secure form of income. You can read about this in Deuteronomy 14:28,29. This tithe ensured nobody had to go hungry.
Freewill offering
We never give money or goods in exchange for forgiveness.
Not directly required
In the New Testament, Christians are not directly required to tithe. The tithing in the Old Testament law was for that specific situation, and it is hard to compare that to the way most Christians live. I have no sheep to bring and I don’t grow grain or grapes. But there is a lot in the New Testament about giving and the principles are the same.
- Christians should try to make sure that those among them who have been set aside to serve God full-time (pastors, missionaries and other church workers) have what they need. Sometimes a church cannot afford to pay a pastor a salary because all the members are so poor. But if God has blessed a church with abundance, they should take this responsibility.
- The believers should celebrate the good things God gives them and enjoy them with thankful hearts, while sharing with those around them.
- The believers should set aside a portion of their income for the poor and vulnerable.
Use these principles to decide
In the New Testament we are not given a set percentage. So, when you give, use these principles to decide how much you give.
- All we have is God’s grace, also the strength and health we have to work. It comes from Him, and we give back from what we have been given.
- Giving shows that you trust God to continue to look after you. Also, when you give you set your priority, God first, money second.
- There is great blessing in giving to others, and your generosity is noted in heaven and brings joy.
- God knows how much or how little you have. Give according to your ability. $10 is a big sacrifice for some and almost nothing for another. God accepts your giving on the basis of your love, not on the basis of the amount.
Happy giving!
How does this Bible teaching speak to you? Please share your thoughts below!
4.
Christian tithing - What does the Bible say?
Christians tend to struggle to understand this issue. In many churches, tithing is misused and over-emphasized as a technique for bringing money into the church. On the other hand, many Christians do not offer anything to help the church, ignoring the biblical encouragement to give to the Lord. Giving is meant to be a blessing to the giver, but sadly many people think of it as a price God exacts in return for health, wealth and prosperity.First and foremost, it is important to understand that tithing is an Old Testament concept. The word "tithe" means "tenth" and was a requirement of the Hebrew law that mandated the Israelites to give ten percent of all they produced or earned to the Temple / Tabernacle (Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:26; Deuteronomy 14:24; 2 Chronicles 31:5). In addition, there were other laws which, when combined with the original tithe, made the total amount of required offerings closer to 23 percent, not the ten percent which is assumed in the modern church.
The Old Testament system of tithing can be understood as a taxation system that provided for the needs of those working for the Temple in the sacrificial system – the priests and Levites. Nowhere in the New Testament is it suggested that Christians are to adhere to a law-based system of tithing. Paul makes it clear in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 that believers should set aside something to support the church. But giving is to be done willingly and according to the giver's decision in regards to amount.
There is no mandate in the New Testament that a percent of income should be exacted from each Christian to support the church, but only that a person's charity should be "in keeping with income" (1 Corinthians 16:2 NIV). As a guideline, some churches tell their members that ten percent is a "recommended minimum" for giving. But it should never be enforced upon a church's members in an official way or said to be a necessary element of a member's salvation.
The Bible tells us that giving is important and is a great benefit to the spiritual health of believers. We should give what we are able to give, and generosity is always a good thing. But the New Testament focuses on motive rather than strict percentages or tithes. Giving is meant to encourage faith, as we pray and ask for wisdom from the Lord as to how much we should give, and in what manner (James 1:5). Our giving should be done cheerfully to glorify and worship God by serving His people - our brothers and sisters. "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).
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