Local Church Giving from Bret Capranica on Vimeo.

Unfortunately, as soon as I bring up the topic of money, as a pastor, some will associate the subject with the Benny Hinn”™s and Robert Tilton”™s of the world.  Forget these charlatans.  Let”™s simply be honest about what the Bible does say about Christians and giving.

The Bible Says Much About Money

I won”™t take the time to mention all or even most of the passages, but Jesus and the Apostles often used one”™s positions and wealth as a firm illustration of where one”™s heart is (i.e., Matt 6:24; 1 Tim 6:6-10, 17-19; Luke 12:13-21).

Our Spending Says Much About Us

Any examination of my checkbook will expose a wealth of information about what is important to my family and me.  In this country, there is a tremendous amount of financial freedom in contrast to the rest of the world.  We spend money on what we want.  And what we want reveals much about our heart”™s desires.

Tithing or Free Will?

Inevitably, when Christians discuss the subject of giving, the issue of tithing will come up.  No small debate exists among modern American Christians about whether the Bible, particularly the New Testament calls us to give ten percent (a tithe) of all we bring in, or if giving levels are merely left open to the Christian”™s conscience.  Before I speak about my position, let me review a few biblical points

Tithing Was a Principle Before It Became a Law

Before Moses commanded it,  the patriarchs practiced it (Gen 14:17-20; Gen 28:20-22).  In fact other religions before and during the patriarchal era practiced tithing.  It was reflective of a heart that acknowledged that God (or for pagans, a god) was responsible for all that a person possessed and any increase in one”™s wealth (the pagans thought they could actually buy off their gods).  The Mosaic Law did not call for Israelites to give a tenth ““ it required multiple tithes (i.e., Mal 3:10) and various offerings.  The OT law gave place to both required tithes and free will offerings.  Tithing in Israel supported the temple and the poor.  Offerings were made out of expressions of humility and worship to God.  While tithing was obligated of Israelites, it was also a giving principle before it ever became a giving law.

Christians Are Not Obligated to OT Law

This is another issue in and of itself, but I think is helpful in this discussion.  The New Testament is clear that the church is not obligated to keep the details of the Mosaic Law (i.e., Rom 7:1-6).  The New Covenant era that has been inaugurated is one in which the promised Spirit now indwells the believer and actually accomplishes all that the law ever intended (Rom 8:4).  Christians are not under the law as a system, but actually fulfill the law as they live in Christ through the Spirit (which is not contrary to the law”™s intention ““ i.e., Rom 3:31).

All of that to say, the New Testament nowhere commands Christians to Tithe.  It actually says little about it.  The only time Jesus mentioned it is in Matt 23:23 where he castigates Israel”™s religious leaders for abandoning the heart matters of the law while hypocritically keeping the external requirements.  Jesus indicates that both should have been accomplished.  In this, I don”™t take it that Jesus is commanding New Testament believers to tithe, but nor does he suggest it is invalid to do so.

NT Offerings

Commonly, some Bible teachers appeal to 1 Cor 16:1-3 and 2 Cor 8-9 as the New Testament”™s description of regular Christian giving.  However, these passages do not refer to principles regarding regular giving, but special offerings taken above and beyond ongoing giving in local churches.  Paul was calling for a special offering to assist believers outside the Gentile local churches.  Obviously, the heart principles discussed in these passages are valid for all giving, but they should not be set up as structural commands for any and all New Testament giving.

For example, to suggest that 1 Cor 16:1-3 is a passage that describes how believers are to bring their offering every week to church, and to give only what one”™s conscience dictates, is applying this passage beyond its original intention.  The passage calls for Christians in Corinth to set aside on the Lord”™s day ““ perhaps in their homes (nothing is said about bringing an offering to church weekly) an amount they determined to be used for a special collection Paul was taking for Christians in Jerusalem.  This scenario would better fit our annual offerings for missions, or to help the poor ““ not a law for regular gifts for the support of the local church.

My Position

Scripture calls for regular giving.

The New Testament does call for Christians to support, in an ongoing way, at least two things ““ both are groups of people:  1) those who preach the gospel (pastors and missionaries ““ i.e., 1 Cor 9; 1 Tim 5:17-18) and 2) those with physical needs in the local church (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37; 1 Tim 5:3-16).  These are biblical non-negotiables and should find the church”™s regular and gracious support.

Beyond these two issues, we modern Christians have obligated ourselves to a number of other issues that are not demanded by the New Testament, but do require regular giving.  We erect buildings on land we purchase, which requires those who assemble to responsibly pay for what they have obligated themselves to.  We hire secretaries, and other staff to support ongoing ministry.  Various ministry priorities call for money to be spent if they are to be carried out well.  While none of these things are required (and we should seriously consider their effects on our biblical priorities), we can obligate ourselves to them and thus need to faithfully give.

Tithing is a valid principle but not a binding law.

I don”™t discount the validity of tithing as a giving principle.  I do think it reflects a biblical beginning.  I would not suggest that tithing is a required minimum or a Scriptural maximum.  Our giving should be done freely from the heart, with an aim of demonstrating our conviction that God owns everything, and a passion to demonstrate his priority in our finances.  I find it interesting to talk to Christians about why they choose not to begin with a tithe; the answers often reveal much about their priorities and heart affections.  I also find it fascinating to see Christians content with a tithe.  They will give nothing above or beyond it.  They assume it is all that God requires or needs ““ the rest is theirs.  They will short change one ministry and give to another, just to make sure they don”™t go over 10%.  Revealing isn”™t it?

The local church should be the Christian”™s focus.

I believe the priority of the New Testament is the character of Christ displayed through the life of the local church.  The church is the priority.  The local assembly is that for which Jesus gave his life (Eph 5:25ff).  The church is where pastors and missionaries are to find their primary ministry support (1 Cor 9; 1 Timothy 5:17ff).  The church is the entity that is to support those within its midst who have legitimate physical needs (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-37; 1 Tim 5:3-16).  If a Christian gives to a para-church ministry, it should not be to the detriment of the priority of the local church”™s needs.

In short, I believe tithing is a good biblical principle by which Christians should consider for their ongoing and regular support of the ministry of the local church in which they serve.  We should be generous people who love to support the needs of the saints and seek to give sacrificially and joyfully for the spread of the gospel.