Why Should I Tithe To A Church With A Jumbotron?

Posted on 02.13.07 in Faith and there are 26 comments.

In my last post about American excess, Brant mentioned in passing that in lieu of tithing to his local chuch, he and his family support 6 children through Compassion. His reasoning was that his church didn’t seem to need it.

I can relate. The church we went to when we lived in The Woodlands, Texas, we very wealthy. Although my husband and I tithed, we struggled with it because it didn’t seem like the church needed it.

I’ve heard this complaint a lot from various sources and I have to wonder what the cause is. I think it comes down to one of two factors:

1. The church isn’t communicating the way that the tithe is impacting the community or ministries around the world.

2. The church isn’t impacting the community or ministries around the world.

What do you think? Do you have any issues with tithing to your church? If you don’t tithe to your church, where do you tithe?

The Comments:

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I can see what you mean.  It would bother me to see my pastor driving a BMW.  Our church is run by volunteer work by the members but we do pay a tithing.  It goes to support the church’s work throughout the world which they report pretty faithfully to us.  I’m glad we’re jumbotron-free.

Kat,

A clear exposition of the tithe is given in Mal. 3: 8-18, in which it is shown that blessings from the payment of tithing are both temporal and spiritual, and failure to pay an honest tithe is a form of robbery.

The first recorded instances is the payment made by Abraham to Melchizedek (Gen 14
: 20; cf. Heb 7: 4-10) See also Jacob’s vow (Gen 28:22).

What I think from those scriptures and examples in the Bible is tithing always has been part of God’s laws and He rewards us in ways we will never know fully by paying it. It is such a faith principle and showing where are devotation and love is at and to who.

I have no issues in tithing to my church as I have seen the blessings, happiness and joy when I am a full-tithe payer and when I am not. If you have an issue you need to go to your knees in prayer as a individual, family and talk to you church and if you trully don’t feel tithing should be paid for the church your attending then you need to find one that will.

Tithe is not an option of who you can pay the 10 percent to. It needs to go to the church. I believe Compassion and others are great to give to but those are offerings that are given above and beyond the tithe but do not replace the tithe given to the church (the gospel of Jesus Christ).

Sorry if I shared to much it helped my testimony by sharing,
KIM

Kat,
I share your frustrations.  It seems that many say they need that ministry tool - the jumbotron - and the dozen X-boxes in the teen center are outreach tools, as well.  The church we were at while in College Station set into a new building project a short time before we moved to Houston.  The extravagance and detail put into this custom-designed and built building was funded in part by the church leadership asking members to take out loans and give the loan to the church (we could then pay it off ourselves).  The building has cost so much, in fact, that I understand they cut funding of all of the missionaries they once supported.  When I heard that, I truly cried.

Kim, I respect your convictions on tithing.  We should be giving from a cheerful heart, not begrudging the return of what God has blessed us with.  However, tithing as practiced and preached today bears little resemblance to the Mosaical commandments on tithing.  For example, you were to bring in a tenth of your produce every year - the produce itself - and money was only allowed to be given as a substitute when you lived too far away to bring in the produce (Deut. 14:24-25).  Also, every third year they were to give an additional tithe (Deut. 14:28).  That makes the issue in Malachi both one of robbing God (hard hearts) and starving the priests, because the were not getting the food the way God had commanded.

Very hot topic Kat!  I’ve been thinking hard about this very thing as our church is considering a ‘merger’ with a big church that runs satellite campuses.  One thing is that their covenant membership states that you agree with and will practice a biblical tithe. 

I don’t agree with most churches and Kim above that the local church is to receive the tithe and outsides ministries only get offerings beyond the tithe.  There are several reasons I feel this is misinterpreted:

1.  Jesus seemed pretty clear in implying that the church at the time was misusing their funds (among other things) and that he considers the ‘church’ to be all of God’s people, not just the elect who make up the temple.  And he was clear in his instruction of giving sacrificially (woman who gave so little but it was sacrificially a lot for her) and not under compulsion. 

2.  There are many articles that challenge the modern churches view of a biblical tithe being applicable to the New Testament.  A few highlights from one very well written article at:

- The true biblical OT tithe was not 10%, that only one of several tithes the Israelites had to make.  Adding them all, you would have to give 33% and not 10% to remain in the law.

- The OT tithe was one of many laws that were obsoleted by the death and resurrection of Christ.  “After Christ died on the cross for our sins, rose from death on the third day, ascended into heaven to rule all things, and sent his Spirit on all flesh, the situation changed for the New Testament church, because the Old Testament had been fulfilled. The ceremonial laws which pointed to Christ had served their purpose. From Pentecost onward the rite of circumcision, the temple sacrifices, worship on the seventh day, and other observances lost their importance, and along with them, the practice of tithing seems to have fallen by the wayside in the early church. The Jewish historian Josephus states that all three tithes listed above were firmly in place in first century A.D. Judaism, but nevertheless tithing is never mentioned in the New Testament’s description of the first century church.

All three tithes became obsolete. The tithe for the Levites became unnecessary when the Levites were replaced by the apostolic ministry. Concerning the material support of ministers of the Gospel, all the New Testament says is that they should eat what is set before them (Matt. 10:10) and that the church should take care of them (Gal 6:6). Secondly, the tithe for the support of the temple services outlived its usefulness: the sacrifices of the temple, soon to be leveled in AD. 70, gave place to the one Sacrifice for all sin. Thirdly, the “social ministry” tithe was no longer needed because Christian brothers and sisters helped one another by way of special collections, as was the case with the famine-stricken Christians in Jerusalem (1 Cor 16). While giving for the Lord’s work obviously continued in the church, no amounts or percentages are prescribed in the New Testament. All that is said is that early Christians had everything in common (Acts 2:44 - a “tithe” of 100%!), that they gave sacrificially (2 Cor 8:1-3), and that they gave as God had prospered them (1 Cor 16:2). “

- In James 1:27 it says this:
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Does that sound like a traditional church to you?  Unfortunately none of the churches I’ve been to or seen spend their money in this manner.  They may send a portion, but I feel convicted strongly that a 10% tithe to the local church is ignoring the second 2/3rds of the great commission and focusing only on the first 1/3. 

This all being said, I support my local church as well as other organizations that are doing work throughout the world to care for orphans, widows, and demonstrating a religion that is pure.  To me that, collectively, is my church family. 

And I’m trying to sell my house to downsize to something that requires no mortgage so that I can give well beyond the 10%.  We’ve also been cutting back all our daily expenses as much as we can.  I don’t disagree with the idea of giving more than 10%, I just don’t think God wants us to just follow a rule like that- he wants our hearts in it!

Just to clarify:  We actually don’t just opt not to put money in the ol’ plate.  Our church doesn’t have any overhead.  There is no weekly offering.

It frees us all up to give elsewhere.  Besides Compassion, we have some other missions projects, plus, we can give as needs arise in our community.

One additional problem with the 10% rule of tithing is that Christians can cover themselves, so to speak, by giving only 10% when they could be giving more.  The legalistic approach allows us to follow the letter of the law and not deal with its spirit.

In an ideal world, we give virtually all we have.

Great post Dave.

Wow, very valid and well represented. Points that are not done without thought and prayer. Im impressed. Shows there are differing views but what is most important is we give to bring forth the gospel of Jesus Christ further in our churches, communties and throughout the world and do it as a cheerful giver!

All have to read them more fully later but wanted to note a few tithing scriptures that are found in the new testament for those interested:

Matthew 23: 23

23 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.

Luke 18:12

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Hebrews 7:4-10

4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

These scriptures do not neccesarily back up or share anything in particualar in specific as to what is being said but show that tithing was very important in the new testament church also.

KIM

Michelle - my current church isn’t volunteer based, so there is overhead, but it is a church committed to doing all things debt free. Frankly, it’s an absolutely amazing place with incredible stories of God’s provision (I’ll have to write a post about it sometime) so, like you, my husband and I have no qualms about tithing to it.

Brant, thanks for clarifying.

Kim, Euphrony and Dave - thanks for chiming in. I love hearing all sides of a topic and with y’all’s (’m from Texas, remember?) input, we’ve certainly covered the bases. I’ve learned a lot from you all.

Why do all you smart people read this blog anyway?

I think all of you have touched on the important factor - that we give not just out of obedience, but out of love for others and with “happy hearts” (as I’d say to my kids).

I think that when we don’t see the benefit of our gifts, like when the pastor drives a bmw or the church has it’s own starbucks, it’s harder to make the personal sacrifice without fully understanding what the churches mission is for those apparent extravagances.

I imagine there are a lot of churches out there that need to do a better job of communicating to their members the impact that they are making on the community and the world with their tithe.

Oh, the tithe.  I do support my local church.  I know I am helping to pay the salary of our one paid pastor and we also rent a room for our celebration service once a month. We also have many outreach projects, and I know of specific instances when they money has been used to assist those in the church who are not as well off financially. There are expenses for the church, but they are pretty low, because we don’t own a building and most of our meetings take place in homes.  That is something I feel comfortable with.  I also sponsor children through Compassion and give to a few other organizations.

I read this great book by a persecuted Chinese pastor called The Heavenly Man.  One part that really stood out to me was when asked by American pastors what the Western church could do experience revival, he told them, I know for sure that you don’t need more church buildings!  I have never really thought of church buildings themselves as being materialistic, but of course they are.  There is nothing about a building that is essential to the Christian life.  Yet we often claim that in order for a church to grow we need a bigger more modern building.  But then we become enslaved to the building, needing to pay if off and keep it maintained.

A church I used to attend and still receive emails from recently asked for a weekly offering of 100,000 dollars in order to pay off the debt of the building in good time. It would be about an increase of 25,000 dollars from what they are currently receiving. That is a sum I cannot even imagine.  The staff haven’t even received raises for the past few years.  It seems to me that this church is constantly fundraising.  I can see them taking the path mentioned above and cutting corners on their missions and outreach money if they do not receive it.  Very sad indeed.

I don’t have any issues with tithing to my church, though if it operated as I’ve seen others, I probably would.

We have open books at our church and we are constantly updated and informed on where the money is going. Our pastor isn’t really paid a salary (he has his own business as a master carpenter, hehe, and he’s Jewish) and the tithe goes to church up-keep, and then out. We’re a small church (50+), but we support ministries in Africa, Mexico, Bulgaria, and Russia, just to name a few. I was born and raised in this church, and for that I’m really thankful.

Last summer I went on tour with the dance company I’m a part of, and honestly, I was amazed at some of the churches we went to. Some huge, some small, but the remarkable thing was that the offerings we received (we weren’t paid to minister, just asked for a love offering) from the smaller churches matched, or were often greater, than the ones we received from the churches with 1000+ people.

I don’t know where I stand on this totally.  I have enjoyed reading the other opinions. 
I feel on one hand a bigger church with more money can do more for the community and world.  A mega church that I have attended opens it’s doors to other churches to worship there on sunday evenings, has homeless people sleeping in it every monday night, and is still sending teams out to Lousianna and other places in need. They built a house for a woman this Christmas, and give very large quantities to different organizations around Nashville area, So they do a lot, yet I feel like it’s not enough, because they are out of touch with it’s members and their needs, it lacks community.
Also, they are talking about renovating an already up to date and beautiful church, which seems unnecessary in my opinion.
As far as the comment about choosing to give to compassion or other organizations as opposed to your church, (which isn’t what Brant is doing, just using this for disscussion) in my opinion is still giving back to God for his work, and the people of his church.  For a period of time my husband and I choose to give to those around us in need whenever that arose, instead of giving our tithe to the church.  We were choosing to do things for the people that in my opinion the churches should be doing with a large portion of their money.  For example, if we saw a need, we’d annonymysly leave a grocery gift card for someone, or we bought a mattress for a couple who didn’t have a bed, and she was 7 months pregnant.  Unfortunately a lot of churches have plenty, while a lot of it’s members can’t pay some of their bills, or have needs that the church should be a help to, and a safe haven for people.  We were inspired to do this, after some friends of ours gave us a car.  Flat out, no money exchanged, they gave us a car.  It was such a huge blessing for us, in that period of our lives, I can’t even describe it in words.  So we decided to give what we could, and it felt like we were working hand and hand with God to provide for and help his people. 
Then again, when you tithe, it’s in Gods hands, and not our worry. 
See, I told you my opinion was a little mixed up, it’s a confusing topic!

Amy~ I totally agree with your comment.  That is a great point that America doesn’t need any more church buildings!

It’s so nice to see such an intelligent discussion going on regarding this.  It’s so often that something like this turns ugly fast!  And this proves that even though we’re all faceless internet names, we can still be civil and cordial to one another

Kim, you mentioned 3 NT bible verses about tithing.  Two of those were from the gospels- you have to remember that even Jesus followed the Mosaic law at that time, as did the rich young ruler in Luke 18- everyone did.  It was only after the resurrection that the old mosaic law was abolished as the need for it was no longer there since Jesus was the permanent sacrificial lamb of God. 

Now the third quote you had (from Hebrews) is a very interesting one, I believe it’s speaking of how when the Levite priests were the head of the church, everyone did follow the tithe and other laws.  But if you read a little further down it says this:

Heb 7:11:
If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the law was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come—one in the order of Melchizedek, not in the order of Aaron? For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law

That is part of the overall theme of Hebrews- the law has changed, the old is no longer valid or required as it all has been fulfilled through Christ’s death and resurrection.

Interesting that is about all the NT has to say about tithing. 

I think that it is easy for people to read into this that I’m advocating they shouldn’t give to their church or give 10% of their money.  On the contrary, Jesus and the early church talked about giving sacrificially beyond what some law would say.  But they didn’t say to give it all to the local church- that is the area I think that has been misrepresented by most local churches. 

I think it would be great if like Paul (or the pastor of Bekah’s church!), the church leaders worked to provide for themselves so that they could never be a burden to anyone and there could never be any question of where the money went.  But I understand that the ‘workman is worthy of his hire’ and we should support the pastors as well.  So I’m a bit conflicted too as you can see!

I actually think that the idea often preached, using the Malachi verse, that all the tithe should go to your local congregation is a bit divisive.  Think of it: we are all God’s church, the whole of us as a body under the head of Christ.  The idea that you can only give to the local part of that body seems to say that that part of the body is actually the whole of the body.  By giving to another who works in God’s name, you are simply giving to another part of the same body, not stealing from God.  To say that it is equates to saying that you are not part of the same body.  Divisive, and patently false.

And if this is the true stance of a congregation, then what do they say about money they give out to missionaries or benevolence organizations?  Are they claiming special privilege as “heads of the church” to do what they tell us not to do, or that they know better than we all the needs to which the money can be used?  I am by no means saying that they don’t know more than I as to where money could be used: church offices are teaming with people who have dire needs.  But to tell me that my giving to a need that I recognize but they have not is not giving to God’s work seems tantamount to placing added burdens on the church.  This is one big area that Jesus constantly criticized the Pharisees on, the erroneous burdening of the Jews with laws that were not of Jehovah but of man.

Dave, I wouldn’t phrase it that the Mosaical law was abolished; rather fulfilled and perfected.  The Levitical priesthood is gone, and the tithe was largely to support the priesthood that had no other way of obtaining food.  Paul’s example and words to the Thessalonians tells us that it is not wrong to pay for church leadership (ministers, staff, etc.) but that it is not a commandment that we pay for them.  However, just because we are not commanded to tithe does not absolve us of the responsibility to care for others, especially those who take care of us.  This is kind of where I fall on the giving issue.  I support my local congregation, because I value what they do for me and my spiritual growth, but I do not give to them exclusively.  Nor do I worry about the 10% - I just give whatever I can and try not to hold back just to provide for selfish and needles comforts.

I am grateful for tithing and one of its main functions is to build churches thourghout the world and in America. While I lived in Michigan one of the churches I went to did not have a building and rented out to a community type center.

It was very hard not to have our own rooms to have sunday school and a real office for the pastor and true chapel to call our own. It was very hard on the members and to bring visitors overall versus having a special dedicated building to use.

I personally through that experience and knowing people firsthand here in America what it meant to get their own church building after years of renting one or having it expand and the sacrifice and accomplishment it means that we here in America do not have enough churches.

When you have a dedicated, conscreated building I really feel it makes a considerable difference and tihting helps pay for that.

When Kat and I graduated from college I had $35,000 in college debt.  So, prior to graduating, we decided that we would be as frugal as we could, with the goal of being out of debt after the first year. We prayed for wisdom on steps to take to help us get there, and prior to interviewing I asked God for a job that would pay at least that amount the first year.  As it turns out, my salary that first year was $33,000, with a $2,000 moving bonus, so $35,000 in all.  The idea was that we would put all of my income towards getting out of debt and we would live off of whatever Kat made (ok...whatever the ‘Kat’ brought in).  However, we also wanted to tithe at least 10% to whatever church we joined in our new city, which was The Woodlands, TX. 

Like Kat mentioned, that part of Houston is quite well to do, and the little 10% sum that we gave each month made very little difference to the church budget, though it made quite an impact on our own personal budget.  To make a long post shorter, a series of unexpected and unasked for financial gifts from family members, as well as an unexpected tax refund allowed us to get rid of all of the debt within that first year.  To this day, I attribute this to God responding to our willingness to give to our local church, even out of our need.  Perhaps the same would have happened had we given it all to a para-church group or to individuals, I don’t really know.

Ideally, when most people move to a city they can find a church whose mission and values and attitude towards giving reflect their own.  In that case, giving there is not much of a problem, since you have a good idea that the portion you contribute is used in a way similar to what you would do yourself (aside from paying for overhead).

But if for some reason you are tied to a church that handles money much differently than you would like, then I agree that would be tough to give and would be taking a close look at whether my money should be going tehre or not.

I would say even if the church does have a jumbo-tron, if you know the heart behind it is right on, and they are just following God as best they know how, then I can give there.

Since, to me, the New Testament does not clearly spell out what to do about the tithe, getting it exactly right is probably not the biggest deal in the world.  I am just a big believer in the local church if we can ever get it right.

To me, giving means first to my local church and then above that to things like Compassion, or to individuals.  Again, this is coming from someone who loves his local church and their commitment the poor and needy, to missionaries etc.  Maybe my tune would be different if it were not that way for me, and there was not something like it around me that I could be a part of.

Kat, what have done to me?....I just sat here for an hour and typed this and am not entirely sure I said what I wanted to say in the first place.  Isn’t there a game on I should be watching...get me back to my comfort zone for a while....

I think Jimmy makes a good point there. Ideally, you’ll attend a church that you feel comfortable tithing to - whether they have a jumbotron or not.

Can I just mention how crazy frugal we were that first year? I worked in Humble (about a 45 minute commute from The Woodlands) and that summer (remember this is Houston) the air conditioning went out in our car and every day when I’d get home I’d be drenched in sweat. Gross. We also lived in an apartment where I had to put the lid on food I was cooking on the stove so that our resident roaches wouldn’t fall in. Gross.

That was definitely something we couldn’t have done very easily if we had kids.

Tithing in that season of our lives was definitely a sacrifice and I think it really set a solid financial perspective and foundation for us to really view our money as God’s and not ours and to be faithful out of obedience and not just excess.

You and your hubby make a great point out of stepping out in faith and obedience and giving.  Don’t think any of us would dispute that!  And I’m glad your husband took some time to type up that post, he exuded the attitude of a joyful giver probably better than all the rest of us put together!

I think much about the tithe and how it is used is skewed. We don’t practice it how it was practiced in the old testament, but somehow we think that the change of our culture from agricultural to industrial has fulfilled the requirement of food in the tithe. I don’t understand how our culture “fulfilled” what should be given, but somehow 10% still sticks around and is not fulfilled. The Holy Spirit is not relevant enough to change how we give, but our culture is relevant enough to change it. Kind of strange, don’t you think? http://churchtithesandofferings.com

As a pastor’s son, I don’t tithe to my local church because I don’t see the point in paying my dad’s salary.  The exception is if I specify the tithe (i.e. the youth fund).  I like to tithe to my church camp.  I attend some services at a small, indipendant church and occationaly, as the Lord leads, I’ll direct my tithe to them.  I think it’s important to specify a tithe too.  If there is a need, fill it.  If there’s not a need, find one, then fill it.

Good points Aaron. I like your idea about filling a particular need. Thanks for commenting!

you’re welcome.  Tithing has been an issue for me too as of late.  it can get confusing.  When it comes down to it all though, give where the Lord leads you to.

I agree that the church needs money to survive to help the pastor( who I believe should have a profession sometimes, but not necessary)...we can call the money we want to give as tithing, offering but it shouldn’t be compulsory as to create guilt in the heart of people.
I remember when I was a student, away from my parents, I was paying for my own living expenses,school fee;By pride I wasn’t going around the church asking for money.Amazingly I had alwyas enough to meet my need and then I could go for the rest of the month without anything in my pocket.Some very close friends who knew me very well were helping me without even me asking.I was sharing a house with a Muslim who decided to pay for my rent...God was providing!
The church in the meantime were more preoccupied to move to a bigger building;I was looking aroung to see that people individually were leaving up to the church expectations or the pastor’s vision and neglecting their own private life.
I was giving as much I could my ten percent of everything!gifts, salary from the part time I was doing after college.and then one day, I got stucked.Couldn’t pay for my tuition fee to have my diploma.I recieved my paid and it was just enough to pay for my fees.I couldn’t even pay my tithe out of it.Struggling I asked one of the deacons in church what I was supposed to do.If I give my tithe I have nothing left for my tuition.That person seriously said to me that I should give my tithe even if I don’t have the money for my fee,that it was very dangerous not to do so and left me pondering.I did hear the pastor say the same thing over and over again but I couldn’t have imagined that it was so irreallistic…
It didn’t take me long to understand that it was cruel...I fell so disappointed on the fact that the church actually didn’t care a bit about my life.Well I didn’t pay my tithe that month and was giving only occasionnally when i had surplus since then.I was more happy giving to some of my student friends who I knew were really struggling or some others people from my family.
I don’t feel compel to give to the church as a structure anymore bcz their priorities are wrong nowadays.Big builing and all this are distraction from the Devil I think! The people are being used instead of being cared for.
I have never felt cursed of disadvantage one bit instead it has giving freedom from this cynical preaching.
I still give what I want to give but never allowed the church to rule my decision of giving!!!

Since there has been so many wonderful thoughts and dicussion I thought I would post what the president of my religious affliation said to the young women (12-18) last saturday night.

Here it is:

The next item is the payment of tithing. Glorious is the promise of the Lord concerning those who pay their tithes. He says in modern revelation that they “shall not be burned” (see D&C;64:23).

His great promise is found in the words of Malachi. Said He: “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. . . .

“Bring 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).

And then He goes on to say something very interesting. Listen to this:

“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

“And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land” (Malachi 3:11–12).

While tithing is paid with money, more importantly it is paid with faith. I have never met an individual who paid an honest tithe who complained about it. Rather, he put his trust in the Lord, and the Lord never failed him.

When I was a small boy, each December my father would take us all across the street to the home of Bishop Duncan for tithing settlement. The bishop did not have an office in the ward building, and so he had to conduct business in his home. We would all sit in his living room and, one by one, he would invite us into the dining room. Our tithing might be 25 cents, or maybe 50 cents, but it was a full tithing. He wrote out a receipt and recorded the amount in the ward record. The amount may have been so small that it cost more to record it than it was worth. But it established a habit which continued through all of these years. With the payment of tithing have come innumerable blessings as the Lord has promised.

I was married during the Depression, when money was scarce, but we paid our tithing, and somehow we never went hungry or lacked anything we needed.

There you go!

I love that people are reading their bible’s, it makes me feel good as it relates to tithing.  My view is this, we are no longer under the mosiac law.  And christ has fulfilled all of that leagalistic and rituallistic practices.  I Am more aligned with the corinthians scriptures. not giving out of necessity, but giving what God has purposed in your heart.  Being a cheerful giver not giving out of a mandate.

I have found a writing by Elizabeth O’Connor from “Letters to Scattered Pilgrims” to be very helpful in considering matters like this.  She says that when her local congregation, Church of the Saviour in Washington DC, was being formed they followed advice from Reinhold Niebuhr who suggested, “That you commit yourselves not to tithing but to proportional giving, with tithing as an economic floor beneath which you will not go unless there are compelling reasons.”

She adds, “None of us has to be an accountant to know what 10 percent of a gross income is, but each of us has to be a person on his knees before God if we are to understand our commitment to proportionate giving.  Proportionate to what?  Proportionate to the accumulated wealth of one’s family? Proportionate to one’s income and the demands upon it, which vary from family to family?  Proportionate to one’s sense of security and the degree of anxiety with which one lives?  Proportionate to the keenness of our awareness of those who suffer?  Proportionate to our sense of justice and of God’s ownership of all wealth?  Proportionate to our sense of stewardship for those who follow after us?  And so on, and so forth.  The answer, of course, is in proportion to all these things.”

Personally I take more of a portfolio of giving approach with three categories: my local church, missionaries, and relief and development.  I am able to give over 10% in total, but less than 10% goes directly to my church.  (I should perhaps add that my church has a substantial missions budget as well.)

Of course, on average Christians only give about 3% to all charities, so whether 10% should just go to the church or if other charities can be included in that 10% is sadly somewhat of a moot point.

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