“...Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings... 9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.....” – Malachi 3:8-10 KJV
Prior to the development of this study, I experienced a death in my family – the death of my fraternal aunt, and as is custom, our family sought to celebrate her home-going with her home congregation. Upon speaking with the Pastor of the Church, he told us with as straight and serious a face as one could have, (quote) “…we will not be able to have the funeral at our church because she [my aunt] wasn’t a consistent tithe payer to the church….” He went on to say that we could “…rent the use of the church, pay the cost to have your re-pass dinner and pay all other costs to have the funeral….”
What shocked me the most in the boldness of his speech was that he acknowledged my aunt as being a life-long member of the church and was very sick for a long period of time. In other words, his care was more about the money (tithe) that was given to his church than for the life of my aunt/family.
As a result of this experience, I decided to share what I believe is the TRUTH about Biblical Giving and Tithing as we have been taught over the years. I FULLY ACKNOWLEDGE that what you will read in this study is controversial and debate-stirring material to say the least. Many churches and church groups strongly support the tithing doctrine and have practiced this tradition for manay many years (even generations). Also, I FULLY UNDERSTAND that some may strongly disagree and others may even frown upon my audacity to present an opposing view to the traditional teaching of tithing, and frankly, I'm ok with what may come as a result of reading this view.
With that said, I believe it is my DUTY to not only share the TRUTH, but to also help others to obtain the kind of FREEDOM in giving that I believe the New Testament really teaches. Therefore, I hope this will bless you and AT LEAST challenge your thinking about the teaching of “REQUIREMENT GIVING” in tithing!
Ok, here is my personal view....
If you ask any Pastor/Preacher/Teacher if we are under the Law or Grace, I believe 99.9% of them will tell you with reasonable certainty that we are under Grace. However, many of these these same men will eventually preach on the subject of tithing with STRONG Biblical conviction – a Biblical issue with ABOSOLUTELY NO REFERENCE in the New Testament AFTER the crucifixion (except for its reference to an Old Testament matter). Jesus spoke in a negative context to the Pharisees of His day about their attitude for giving. PLEASE NOTE: Jesus’ entire earthly ministry was under the Old Testament economic system until the New Covenant was established in His crucifixion.
Other than this reference by Jesus, tithing is only mentioned in the book of Hebrews, and that NOT to explain nor command the Old Testament REQUIREMENT. Despite this fact, every preacher I’ve ever heard preach on the subject reverts from Grace to the Law.
From the Bible, direction concerning the Law versus Grace:
“…For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ….” John 1:17
“…The law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more….” Romans 5:20
“…For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace….” Romans 6:14
“…I do not set aside the grace of God; for IF righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain….” Galatians 2:21
“…You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be JUSTIFIED BY LAW; you have fallen from grace….” Galatians 5:4
Just as it should be, we are to preach salvation by the grace of our Lord and His mercy through faith, not deeds of the law. This is what brings us salvation! And yet when it comes to money, GRACE is thrown to the wind and the law invariably gets reintroduced.
How many of us are drilled with the Biblical scare tactic: “...Will a man rob God?...” (Malachi 3:8). How many are told you’re stealing from God if you don’t give ten percent just as the Bible says? How many are taught that you will be “...cursed with a curse....” (Malachi 3:8) if you fail to tithe – EVEN if you’re down to your last dollar and about to be evicted from your home! Many preachers will tell you (REGARDLESS of your financial crisis) that GOD COMES FIRST! If you adhere to this teaching, you might become fearful that God will somehow “punish” you for “robbing Him” of His tithe? You might even give your last bit of money to the church, and later find that your utilities are being cut off or even that an eviction notice has been sent to your home!
But what does the Bible really say about this issue? Let us look at a few passages in the Old Testament first.
“...But when you cross over the Jordan and dwell in the land which the LORD your God is giving you to inherit, and He gives you rest from all your enemies round about, so that you dwell in safety, then there will be the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice offerings which you vow to the LORD. And you shall rejoice before the LORD your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, since he has no portion nor inheritance with you....” Deuteronomy 12:10-12
“...Only the holy things which you have, and your vowed offerings, you shall take and go to the place which the LORD chooses. And you shall offer your burnt offerings, the meat and the blood, on the altar of the LORD your God; and the blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out on the altar of the LORD your God, and you shall eat the meat....” Deuteronomy 12:26-27
“...You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year. And you shall eat before the LORD your God, in the place where He chooses to make His name abide, the tithe of your grain and your new wine and your oil, of the firstborn of your herds and your flocks, that you may learn to fear the LORD your God always. But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where the LORD your God chooses to put His name is too far from you, when the LORD your God has blessed you, then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which the LORD your God chooses. And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before the LORD your God, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you....
At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. And the Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do....” Deuteronomy 14:22-29
“...When you have finished laying aside all the tithe of your increase in the third year—the year of tithing—and have given it to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, so that they may eat within your gates and be filled, then you shall say before the LORD your God: ‘I have removed the holy tithe from my house, and also have given them to the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, according to all Your commandments which You have commanded me; I have not transgressed Your commandments, nor have I forgotten them....” Deuteronomy 26:12-13
“...Come to Bethel, and transgress; at Gilgal multiply transgression; and bring your sacrifices every morning, and your tithes after three years....” Amos 4:4
In Deuteronomy, and for the rest of the Old Testament, tithing is mandatory, but for the first two years it was to be spent by the one tithing and his family in the presence of the LORD – for food, for drink, for rejoicing. Only in the third year is the tithe to be entirely given away. The only additional requirement besides spending the entire tithe on a party in the presence of the LORD for the first two years is the sentence,
“...You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you....”
I’ve always said that if God repeats Himself in the Bible, it’s for the reason of clarity. In this case, it mentions the “third year tithe” not once, not twice, but THREE times.
I’ve read that because of the variation between Deuteronomy and the earlier tithing requirements (such as in Leviticus). What is written in Deuteronomy concerning tithing is the standard and FURTHER DEFINES tithing where it is previously mentioned. Here’s another example of an expounded definition in Deuteronomy from the Ten Commandments:
The 10th Commandment in Deuteronomy differs from its initial reception at Sinai:
“...You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife nor his male servant nor his female servant nor his ox nor his donkey nor anything that is your neighbor’s....” Exodus 20:17
“...You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s....” Deuteronomy 5:21
Here a “field” is added into the commandment in Deuteronomy. During the wilderness wanderings, there was no ownership of property, but at the renewal of the covenant in Deuteronomy the change is made in anticipation of this occurrence. Likewise, regulations concerning tithing in Deuteronomy were the standard for Israel.
Some Pastor’s teach that the “third year” is a special/extra year of tithing in addition to the regular annual 10%, never mind the fact that it NEVER says such a thing in the Bible. The passages above clearly indicate that the third year tithe alone was given away in its entirety and the other two years’ tithes were enjoyed by the giver IN THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD.
None of this really matters though because ALL of this comes from the law – the Old Testament. and, as cited in verses above, we are not under the law. The closest we can come to a general rule of thumb for giving in the New Testament is this:
“...Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come....” 1st Corinthians 16:1-2
I do suppose that if pastors spent more time preaching the glories of the Cross, and how Christ gave His all for us, people would appreciate more where their money was going and be willing to give out of a grateful heart and NOT out of a sense of obligation – which is exactly what the law demanded. Personally, I’d say 10% is a good starting point, but that we should give NOT based on a REQUIREMENT to do so, but how we are reflecting our appreciation to God and for HIS immeasurable gift in the person of Jesus Christ to us. This attitude is clearly proclaimed in Scripture:
“...But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver....” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Giving the New Testament Christian MUST be a matter of the heart or there is no appreciation of grace. This is where the rubber meets the road. If a pastor or teacher reads these passages in the Bible, understands them, and continues to instruct incorrectly, they have put their personal desire for financial gain above what the Bible instructs. Error in doctrine is sin – how much worse if it is intentional!
In Deuteronomy 14:22-29 (above), tithing is clearly spelled out. The tithe (ten percent of crops and animals) was to be eaten by the tither in the place of God’s choosing (Jerusalem) and with a Levite to share in the revelry. In the third year, the tithe was to be placed in the (local) town storehouse and distributed to the alien, the widow, the orphan, and the Levite. I can not see how these God given Mosaic Law tithes reasonably translate into giving ten percent of every earning to the local church. The bulk of these tithes (as described in Deuteronomy) didn’t even go to the direct support of the local temple (church). It is also apparent that the tithe was to be from the fruit of the land (crops and animals). Nowhere in the bible is it said that the proceeds of manufactured items were to be tithed. Admittedly, they were primarily an agricultural society, but other vocations or ways to supplement a living did exist. With these “trades people” the Lord did not require tithes of an annual wage or a year’s worth of fishing, pottery, garments, or carpentry. These vocations took place back in those times and God did not ask for them to be tithed, nor did he ask for their monetary earnings to be exchanged as He did in Deuteronomy 14:25-26 (above). In fact, it could be argued that the wealthier people were more likely to tithe and NOT the poor. Those blessed (gifted) with croplands and herds tithed. It is clear God did not ask everyone to tithe on every earning, only those with crops and herds.
Tithing was under the Mosaic Law and it is the only place in the bible where it is commanded by God. As commanded, the people tithed in order to receive the promises/blessings as stated in Deuteronomy and more importantly they tithed to remember (Deuteronomy 14:23) that it was God who gave them such blessings. Some current teachers also use Malachi 3:8-10 to show that God blesses the tithe. The blessings and curses in Malachi are under the Mosaic Law. In order to receive the blessings you must follow the whole Law, not just part...
Tithing was under the Mosaic Law and it is the only place in the bible where it is commanded by God. As commanded, the people tithed in order to receive the promises/blessings as stated in Deuteronomy and more importantly they tithed to remember (Deuteronomy 14:23) that it was God who gave them such blessings. Some current teachers also use Malachi 3:8-10 to show that God blesses the tithe. The blessings and curses in Malachi are under the Mosaic Law. In order to receive the blessings you must follow the whole Law, not just part...
“...Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?...” Galatians 5:1-7.
The teaching that Christ sanctioned tithing beyond the covenant of the Law is contrary to the overwhelming bulk of New Testament teaching on grace. Jesus’ comments to the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23 on tithing are easily understood, and are in context, as to their position under Mosaic Law. The hypocritical way the Pharisees followed the Law was the entire context of this passage. The tithing Jesus mentioned to the Pharisees was the recognition that they were following the Law (when they were tithing) as they “should be.” Obeying the Mosaic Law was God’s command to the Jewish believers and remained so until Jesus’ sacrificial death. Following the Mosaic Law is not a religious imperative to Christian believers and is a hindrance to faith (Romans 8:3-4).
“...Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone....” Matthew 23:23
“...There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh....” Romans 8:1-4
If we were to follow the “should be” to its logical conclusion, then we “should be” practicing tithing as written in the Mosaic Law. That was the true tithing that Jesus recognized and that God required under the Law. Otherwise, it is clear we stand under a new and different covenant (Hebrews 8:7-13).
“...For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second. For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away....” Hebrews 8:7-13
Our covenant rests in belief in the Lord Jesus and obeying his voice through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14).
“...For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God....” Romans 8:14
The submission of the believer’s heart (by faith) to the Spirit of Christ will yield the only fruit that is acceptable to the Lord (Hebrews 11:6).
“...But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him....” Hebrews 11:6
The new covenant teaching in Hebrews (and Romans) should make it obvious that we are not REQUIRED to follow previous Old Covenant requirements. Nevertheless, some teachers insist that we are required to tithe in order to follow what Abraham did in faith. I would like to address a few things about Abraham and his tithe (Gen 14:17-20).
1. Abraham received his blessing before he gave ten percent (tithed) to Melchizedek. There is no record that God REQUIRED him to do so, and some historians suggest the tithe might have been a traditional (cultural) gift to a king. The ten percent Abraham gave was clearly a freewill offering and a response to the blessing (grace) he received (Genesis 14:18-20).
“...And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all....” Genesis 14:18-20
2. Abraham gave ten percent of the spoils of war (Hebrews 7:4). He was still on his way back home from the war when the meeting occurred (Genesis 14:17, Hebrews 7:1) and would not have had his entire fortune with Him. There is no record that Abraham made it a habit to regularly tithe from his normal income.
“...Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils....” Hebrews 7:4
“...And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale....” Genesis 14:17
“...For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him....” Hebrews 7:1
3. Some teachers say we should follow Abraham in faith and therefore tithe. If being like Abraham means more than walking in faith (James 2:22-23), then maybe we should be REQUIRING the circumcising of all males. God commanded Abraham to circumcise all the men as an everlasting covenant (Genesis 17:7-10). In fact, there is a better argument for circumcision than tithing if one was to use Abraham as a focal point to follow rather than to follow as an example of faith (Romans 4:13). Except, that Paul was adamantly against required circumcision because we were free of the whole of Mosaic Law (Galatians 5:1-7).
“…Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God....” James 2:22-23
“...And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised....” Genesis 17:7-10
“...For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith....” Romans 4:13
“...Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?...” Galatians 5:1-7
So, by what reasoning does a church enforce a custom (tithing) that God did not require of Abraham, in light of the fact that God’s previously required act of circumcision is now clearly defunct? The convenient choosing and/or disregarding of the context of Abraham’s life is not a good, consistent nor interpretive practice. It is clear that there is no record of God commanding the tithe until the Mosaic Law. Any inference that Abraham’s tithe has any bearing on the New Testament church’s REQUIREMENT to tithe is at best very poor.
It is ALSO quite clear throughout the New Testament (Acts, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews, James) that the Mosaic Law was put aside because a new covenant (of grace) that came into effect after Christ’s death on the cross. The Apostle Paul was a champion of grace. Don’t you think that he would have mentioned his endorsement of tithing if this part of the Mosaic Law was carried over into the New Covenant of Grace? Paul had plenty of opportunity to carve out an exception to his standing on grace in his writings. His silence on the subject of tithing, in light of his teachings on grace, should be a deafening roar to the Church that Tithing is NOT REQUIRED; His grace is sufficient!
Since grace is unmerited favor, its truest and highest nature is shown when it is given in THE LIBERTY OF CHOICE. If grace is given with ANY condition to earn it, it is NOT grace. Regardless of our spiritual condition, the grace gifts show that God gives freely, generously, and miraculously. Giving is one of those “Grace gifts.” This (unconditional) grace which is now freely given TO US must be freely given BY US or it is NOT a true expression of God’s Grace - the very expression of Christ’s grace. The moment we place a ten percent REQUIREMENT on giving, the gift is no longer GRACE but LAW (under conditions).
It is ALSO quite clear throughout the New Testament (Acts, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews, James) that the Mosaic Law was put aside because a new covenant (of grace) that came into effect after Christ’s death on the cross. The Apostle Paul was a champion of grace. Don’t you think that he would have mentioned his endorsement of tithing if this part of the Mosaic Law was carried over into the New Covenant of Grace? Paul had plenty of opportunity to carve out an exception to his standing on grace in his writings. His silence on the subject of tithing, in light of his teachings on grace, should be a deafening roar to the Church that Tithing is NOT REQUIRED; His grace is sufficient!
Since grace is unmerited favor, its truest and highest nature is shown when it is given in THE LIBERTY OF CHOICE. If grace is given with ANY condition to earn it, it is NOT grace. Regardless of our spiritual condition, the grace gifts show that God gives freely, generously, and miraculously. Giving is one of those “Grace gifts.” This (unconditional) grace which is now freely given TO US must be freely given BY US or it is NOT a true expression of God’s Grace - the very expression of Christ’s grace. The moment we place a ten percent REQUIREMENT on giving, the gift is no longer GRACE but LAW (under conditions).
The Apostle Paul stated that by following one law you come under the authority of the whole law (Galatians 5:3). We cannot conveniently carve out an exception to the law (tithing) without being trapped by the whole of it. Our NEW LAW in Christ is Liberty, not to license, but freedom to obey Christ (Galatians 5:1) and therefore to be like Him. We are either free in Christ to give freely and express our liberty (to give) before God as a reflection/expression of His grace, or we are under bondage (of law or sin). “...Freely we have received and freely [in freedom] we are to give....” Without liberty, Grace and the love it conveys is meaningless, because it is NOT an expression of a willing heart of love but one under the compulsion of LAW.
Many churches REQUIRE their members to be tithe payers. I am sure many of them do this because they feel strongly about tithing and have had some positive experiences through its results. I feel strongly about Spirit-led Grace giving. I personally EXPECT to hear the Holy Spirit talk to me about giving. I ask Him to counsel me because I am a steward of my Father’s possessions, gifts and even my own life. As a steward, these possessions are mine to invest in THROUGH HIM and in His name. I will be held fully responsible and accountable for all that He has given me and I’ll be rewarded according to my faithfulness to Him and what He has given me. If I give one percent or one-hundred percent, God will not judge by the flesh (law) but by the heart of the giver (Luke 12:34).
Many churches REQUIRE their members to be tithe payers. I am sure many of them do this because they feel strongly about tithing and have had some positive experiences through its results. I feel strongly about Spirit-led Grace giving. I personally EXPECT to hear the Holy Spirit talk to me about giving. I ask Him to counsel me because I am a steward of my Father’s possessions, gifts and even my own life. As a steward, these possessions are mine to invest in THROUGH HIM and in His name. I will be held fully responsible and accountable for all that He has given me and I’ll be rewarded according to my faithfulness to Him and what He has given me. If I give one percent or one-hundred percent, God will not judge by the flesh (law) but by the heart of the giver (Luke 12:34).
“...For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also....”
Under the New Covenant not all of us are gifted the same (Romans 12:4-6). Paul likens the church to a body. He says each of us has a measure of spiritual gifts to contribute in order to make the body work as a whole. REQUIRED giving ignores the fact that our gifting is disparate. Each person is gifted differently!
“...For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith....” Romans 12:4-6
We leave out the poor (or those less gifted to give) to the peril and health of the church when we REQUIRE ten percent to be a member of a church or even to be a “faithful Christian.” For everyone to give ten percent annually in order to join a church wasn’t even required by God in the Old Testament. Such a standard in a church gives preference and the seat of honor to the financially blessed, and leaves poorer people to a second-class citizenship in the house of God (James 2:1-5). Verse 5 states that the poor are often rich in faith. Personally, I would first rather be in a house rich in faith, along with having the GIFTING to take that rich faith to the nations.
“...My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him....” James 2:1-5
There is a grace war and it is still going on. This war began at the very beginning of the New Testament Church (Acts 15:1-29) and two thousand years later we are still at it. Our heritage of Grace is being challenged. It’s a real shame that there are Christians out there who still think that following Old Testament Law will lead us to righteousness and promote a greater blessing from God.
The Apostle Peter challenges us to grow in grace (2Peter 3:18). As we need air, water, food, and a temperate environment, so does the Spirit of Truth need an environment of Grace in order to mature within us. Grace provides the optimal growing environment for God’s truth, and without grace there is very little (if any) opportunity or provision for change or a changed life.
“...But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ....” 2Peter 3:18
In contrast to grace, following the Law stunts our growth by placing us in a position to teeter between self-righteousness and condemnation. One moment we are proud we can fulfill the REQUIREMENT and the next moment we condemn ourselves or are condemned by Church Leaders for our inability to meet it. Once condemned, we then try harder to do better (or we give up), only to fail because there is ABOSOLUTELY NO POWER in the Law to save. We wind up vacillating between two positions of powerlessness both rooted in ourselves. A primary cause of this teeter-totter effect is unbelief in our reliance on Grace and this unbelief stunts our growth. If our hearts are compelled to rely on the law or our own adequacy then our faith is compromised at the root. We are relying on powerless sources, the Law or ourselves (Romans 8:3). When we try to rely on both law and grace we are being double-minded and the faith behind our prayers becomes ineffectual.
“...For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh....” Romans 8:3
Continually living the Spirit-led life is the only way to combat this effect. In every arena of life the Spirit must lead and this includes the way we give. Otherwise, we succumb to unbelief in the power and availability of His grace. Do we think that the Grace Gifts can be effectually ministered under any other spirit other than the Spirit of Grace? With these gifts we confront the world with the unmerited Grace of Jesus Christ.
This finally leads to what I think about giving. Here is the very short version:
I am not my own. I have been bought by Christ for a price. Since I am not my own, everything I am and own is His. Since everything is His, I am then a steward of my Father’s possessions. Many of Jesus’ teachings revolved around being stewards and stewardship. I will be held responsible for how I invest His gifts and will be rewarded accordingly. Unbelief in this area will be severely judged by Christ (Matthew 25:25-30). To give freely is the nature of Christ. Since the Spirit of Christ indwells me, I therefore expect to hear from Him on how and how much to give. Personally, this has been one of the primary ways the Spirit has trained my ear to hear His voice.
“...And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth....” Matthew 25:25-30
One last point about the “curse” that many Pastors teach as the “punishment” for NOT tithing: The Apostle Paul stated in Galatians 3:13...
“...Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree....”
It is clear from this passage that Jesus’ crucifixion nullified the curse of the Law and my inability to fulfill it. Period! Enough said! Thank God for Jesus!
In conclusion, I just don’t understand how a New Testament church can biblically argue that God REQUIRES that everybody should give a ten percent (tithe) when the Bible shows differently. I will agree that some people are called (by the Spirit) to give ten percent, but the required tithe many teachers and churches support DOES NOT realistically reflect any biblical command. Maybe required tithing is a noble intention, but it is a REQUIRED manmade nonetheless. I think it is misleading and at a root level fosters unbelief in Grace. Giving is a pillar to living Christ-like, but its foundation must rest SOLELY as a freewill unmerited Gift of Grace as given to us through Jesus Christ our Lord!
“...Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver....” 2nd Corinthians 9:7
Grace & Peace,
Roc
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