2.27.2010

Should Christians Tithe? Answering Some Objections

tithes Question One:

Is it based on the pre-Mosaic method? I see Abraham tithe once, of the spoils of war, and then give the other 90% back to the king of Sodom. Where did Jacob give his tithes? How do we relate that to the church?

Tithing does precede the Mosaic Law. Starting with the first book of the Bible—Genesis--we can see an indication of what God has in mind for His people about tithing long before the giving of the Law upon Mt. Sinai.

Similarly to the actions of Cain and Abel the tithe of Jacob would have been offered up as some sort of sacrifice. There is no place in Scripture where we can point to explicit commands of tithing pre-Law. That said, as we read Genesis we cannot account for what is there, unless, we are willing to presuppose a previous revelation by God.

This relates to the church rather easily. It is being willing and able to not only be obedient to God but to be faithful as well. Teaching or affirming spontaneous giving has never been God’s primary means of giving, at least in any offering given to Him. In fact, Cain is an excellent example of God’s dealing with man in a way involving some sacrifice.

Question Two:

The tithe law that we first see in Leviticus is difficult for me too. Resources I've looked at show that they actually tithed up to 23% between three different tithes. That tithe seemed to go to the Levites, who then gave a tithe to the priests (so priest received 1% of the total tithe).

Much of the system that exhausted the other tithes related to a system of sacrifices and something prescriptively given in the Mosaic Law. The tithe in any either case is a tenth. Its distribution remains myriad to this day, at least in some part. How many pastors use tithing money to pay for some need or want in the church itself? Some pastor’s use their own tithes to finance other staff in the church.

Question Three:

Are Pastor's the New Testament equivalent to the Old Testament priests? In the Old Testament only the Priest could do the ministry - how does that come into play with the New Testament concept of the priesthood of all believers? Can a Pastor claim 10% or 1% of tithes as his?

No. Symbolism does not equate to sameness. I would say 10% is the only proportioned giving in the text of Scripture.

Question Four:

Is it Biblical for Pastor's to be the wealthiest member in the church - receiving tithes? Is it Biblical for ministry to tell parishioners that it's God's money, and they have no say once they pay it - even when ministry spends much on overhead, and little on the poor which was so important to God in both Testaments? I am a Pastor by the way - just asking some tough questions : )

I do not think the Scriptures actually discussed the issue that specifically. I do think humans can abuse any system or structure. The children of Israel demonstrated this and yet God loved them. Thankfully He still loves us. I do think that certain levels or degrees of accountability are always applicable. Some churches give financial reports monthly. There are also certain advisory boards or collection of elders we can use to help guide most expenses of the church.

Question Five:

Jesus mentions that the tithe shouldn't have gone undone in the New Testament verses, but who were they tithing to? It was still Old Testament tithes to the temple.

I don’t think New Testament believers are accountable to the rigid nature of the Law, but are accountable to a greater Law, indeed written on the tables of our heart.

Question Six:

I definitely see where the New Testament makes provision for preachers to receive compensation (though Paul didn't seem to take more than his basic needs on occasion and still worked), but still looking for more information I guess.

1 Corinthians 9:13-14: Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple eat food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar receive a part of the offerings? (14) In the same way the Lord commanded those who proclaim the gospel to receive their living by the gospel. NET

I think this is where Paul clarifies some system of giving for New Testament believers. The beginning of vs. 14 starts with a form of καί that lets us know that the prior principle—those who serve at the altar receive a part of the offerings—is still applicable in some sense. Since the Mosaic Law was fulfilled the reference here could be to the transcovenantal principle of giving a tenth, the first of our fruits—regardless if it be money or commodity—to their local pastor.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Acts 13:39
through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith

Galatians 3:25 But after faith is come we are no longer under a School master.

Acts 15:19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.

Acts 15:24 we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions

15:28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements

Acts 15:29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

2nd Corinthians 9:7 "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Galatians 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified"

Galatians 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Galatians 3:2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Galatians 3:11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3:13 "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE

Galatians 3:14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith

Galatians 5:4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace".

Ephesians 2:15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace

Colossians 2 :14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2:15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed
over them through Him.

Hebrews 8:6 " But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Hebrews 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.

Hebrews 8:13 In that he said, A new covenant, he has made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away

Matt. 23:23 Jesus placed mercy over tithing he condone tithing but this was before the Cross.
Give not pay God!

Anonymous said...

Acts 13:39
through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.

Galatians 3:24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ that we might be justified by faith

Galatians 3:25 But after faith is come we are no longer under a School master.

Acts 15:19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.

Acts 15:24 we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions

15:28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements

Acts 15:29 that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

2nd Corinthians 9:7 "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Galatians 2:16 yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified"

Galatians 2:21 I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.

Galatians 3:2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?

Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?

Galatians 3:11 Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3:13 "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE

Galatians 3:14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith

Galatians 5:4 You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace".

Ephesians 2:15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace

Colossians 2 :14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2:15 When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed
over them through Him.

Hebrews 8:6 " But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.

Hebrews 8:7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.

Hebrews 8:13 In that he said, A new covenant, he has made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away

Matt. 23:23 Jesus placed mercy over tithing he condone tithing but this was before the Cross.
Give not pay God!

Rose said...

Sir
I came across your blog on the tithe this morning. I note that on several occasions you avoid answering the question - in particular question 3 about the the priesthood of all believers. We are all part of the Lord's priesthood now. We are no longer under the law but under grace
and are not subject to the law on tithing.

The tithe (Lev 27, Deut 12 and 14, Numbers 18 and 31, and even Malachi) was always food from the promised land, never money. I recommend a link to Russ Kelly's substantial work on tithing called Should the Church Teach Tithing. I would also encourage people to do their own study from the actual scriptures rather than rely on second hand stuff, particularly if anyone receiving their income from tithes are teaching on tithes. There is too much opportunity for them to use proof texts and not use the scriptures rightly. With every blessing Rose

Adversus Trinitas

"...unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins." (John 8:24 ESV)