Biblical Giving
I recently wrote a post on tithing with a challenge to those who preach the tithe as a command for NT Christians. A guy named EnnisP decided to stop by and discuss. You can visit his blog for a defense of the tithe and to see further discussion on this issue. EnnisP seems like a nice and thoughtful guy. He’s just wrong on this issue.
He challenged me to offer up an alternative to tithing as a Biblical principle and it was almost as if he thought that the lack of an alternative left his position as the default. For those of you interested in argumentation, here are a couple pointers. First, if you are trying to establish something as truth or a command, you are offering up an affirmative (i.e. P: God commands NT believers to tithe). In this case, all an opposing position has to do is show that P is false (~P). The negative doesn’t have to prove Q in order to prove ~P. However, since offering up an alternative is a valid and effective form of argumentation, here it is.
Now, as I was going through some of my thinking and searching out a few of the passages I have referenced in my teaching on this topic, I ran across an article written by someone I don’t know, but who said exactly what I was thinking. Its almost like he stole my notes from when I taught this. So read the article and then if you have comments, questions, or snide remarks, come back and drop them here in the comments section. I’m doing it this way for a couple reasons. 1) I have a lot to do right now and this saves me some time. 2) EnnisP acted like he had never heard an alternative to tithing. I found this and several others quite easily with a simple Google search, so either a) EnnisP never actually looked for an alternative, or b) EnnisP doesn’t know how to use Google. Since he has Google Adsense incorporated on his website, I’m going to guess a.
Just to summarize a little bit, here are the major points the author advances:
1) God never in Scripture commands anyone besides certain Israelites to tithe. Notice the word “certain”. There are no commands on Israelites who were not ranchers or farmers to tithe. EnnisP assumes that they did, but that’s because it supports his position, not because the text actually says so.
2) The tithe was a form of taxation to support the theocratic system under which the levitical order effectively constituted the government as well as the religious system. Under a theocracy they were one and the same (And yes, EnnisP, I read your post on tithing not being taxation. If I have time, I’ll spend a little showing why you are misunderstanding a theocratic system).
3) God, throughout Scripture, has advocated two types of giving. 1) Giving to support the government (Egypt, Israel, Rome, etc.), which was mandatory and specific. 2) Giving to God through His religious system (Moses and the tabernacle, David and the temple, freewill offerings, every NT example of giving) which was non-compulsory and not a specified amount.
4) NT giving is to be uncompelled, proportionate, sacrificial, cheerful, and regular. Paul clearly addresses these principles and the article shows them from Scripture.
5) The purposes for giving are a) to meet the needs of other saints, b) to meet the needs of Christian workers, c) to meet the needs of the poor, d) I would also add that if you benefit from church facilities, you should support them financially, even though the Bible is silent in this regard.
6) The manner of giving should be a) anonymous, b) voluntary, c) expectant, d)cheerful, e) sacrificial.
7) The motivation for giving should be a) the example of Christ, b) the command of Christ, c) I would add, our love of God and our brother.
So there it is. A Biblical view that is an alternative to tithing. I’ve had some argue that it won’t work. That if you teach NT grace giving, then people won’t give and the church will go under. First, that’s not a Biblical argument but a materialistic argument. Second, I’ve spoken to several pastors who preach this way and are doing just fine. Third, its interesting to note that when the Israelites were commanded to give a certain amount (the tithe), they failed in it and fell under judgment for it, but when they were told to give as they purposed in their hearts without a set amount (Moses and the tabernacle and David with the temple) they gave so much that the leaders had to ask people to stop.
Tagged as giving, Tithing + Categorized as Theology
Our church practices “grace giving,” which is what the NT teaches. I almost never hear anything about finances mentioned in church. Once in a while someone will note, for those who are new, that there is an offering box in the back of the church. They might also mention that a financial statement is in the back of church. I have not seen or heard of anyone really interested in the financial statement though. More often will I hear teaching on the body and how God’s intent it that each person’s need be met by someone else’s surplus.
Too many churches are run like an organization rather than an organism (to use my elder’s terminology.) The church is not a business and does not need to be run like one. There certainly are bills (mainly utility) that need to be paid. God is fully capable of meeting those needs through the prompting of the Spirit. It seems as if many pastors and churchgoers fail to fully trust the Spirit’s working. They feel the Spirit needs their help through their constant mentioning of giving. God loves a cheerful giver.
Hi Gomez,
I did come across EnnisP’s blog on tithing and certainly did no agree with anything he said. I did however have to apologize to him because I became a bit rude forgetting that everybody is entitled to their own opinion.
That being said, it really cuts me deeply when I see the amount of deceit being perpetuated in today’s church under the guise of giving to God. I have actually realized that today’s church has preserved it ’s early roman catholic church roots. In place of the pope, we have the set man, executive pastor, GO, God’s general etc. We even go by the same titles they have and some of our “men of God” even dress like them! In place of the sale of indulgence, we now have the tithe. The sale of indulgence promised the people a lot of things, same fraud pro tithers try to promote with this doctrine.
I still cannot imagine how a bible believing Christian can honestly say that today’s church should tithe, it goes against the grain of the New Testament! When they cannot succeed in using Abraham to defend the doctrine they fall back on old Malachi, twisting and taking 3: 10 completely out of context. Some even say that Jesus taught tithing, that I cannot find in scripture. how can they honestly call Jesus rebuke to the pharisee a teaching on tithing?
What is even so funny is that there is simply no verse of scripture that tells us to give money to God. All we see are scriptures that tell us to give to our brethren and the poor. The book of proverbs says he that gives unto the poor lends unto God and God will pay him back in due season. Jesus goes further to say that those that fed others when they were hungry, clothed them when they were naked and visited them when they were in prison did all those things to Him. Tithes are just a surefooted way for most preachers to raise funds for their pipes dreams, dreams that do not have God in them.
@ Jeremy – its nice to see a church following Scripture and trusting God to provide. I totally agree about the organism vs. business approach. The concept of grace is an incredible concept that a lot of churches just haven’t seemed to grasp. Some traditions die hard.
@Tony – Thanks for stopping by. I stopped by your blog and skimmed a few posts. Looks like good stuff. I may have to add it to my Google Reader. One suggestion would be to add some info about yourself so we can get to know you a little bit. And, yeah, I’ve seen my fair amount of deceit when it comes to giving. Its funny that in some churches that denounce the health/wealth/prosperity gospel, they still tie financial blessing to how much you give. As if God will make you rich if you give a lot. I even had one pastor preach that maybe your kids aren’t healthy because you aren’t tithing. Yikes. There’s a lot of doctrinal problems there, not just tithing.
Using Malachi to guilt people into tithing always saddened me a bit. Its just a big misunderstanding of the differences of the covenants. God’s dealings with Israel were primarily national and physical. You physically give material to God, He will bless you materially. But the New Covenant is so much better in that it is personal and spiritual. God’s rewards are spiritual rewards. Which is why most people misunderstand them. I taught through the gospels this past year in school and one thing we pointed out over and over was how people constantly mistook the physical for the spiritual. Christ says beware of the leaven of the pharisees and the disciples start throwing out the bread thinking its poisoned. And over and over and over. Its the spiritual, not the physical. And we see people all around us making the same mistake.
Hey Mark,
Thanks for making the effort. I do understand busy and writing does take time and thought. In fact, writers on both sides of the issue are often more bluster than intelligence.
I can’t disagree with your remarks. They are biblical and sound but they don’t necessarily negate a ten percent approach to giving. Any person could decide to give ten percent of their income regularly to meet the ongoing needs of their church and any church could do all the things you mentioned better if the members were committed to giving in that fashion.
Also, grace giving is not always pleasant giving. The Corinthians were rebuked by Paul when they failed to follow through on a promise to give to the needs of the poor in Jerusalem. What they promised wasn’t a tithe but it was a set amount and he didn’t let their failure go unnoticed. I am sure they didn’t feel full of grace after he made his remarks. And the example he used to shame them into keeping their promise were poor people (churches of Macedonia).
Grace giving is also not blind or casual giving. I have a problem with the non-business approach to church. “Casual” is not a good way to do God’s work. Joseph was very business like in running the business of Egypt and God had a hand in that. It was not just a “human thing.”
George Mueller practiced a faith ministry but even he was very business like. He kept track of every cent and carried copies of his financial statements with him passing them out freely. He was very “out there” about what he was doing and how much it cost. He didn’t wait for people to ask and he never let them find the financial statements if they wanted to take a look.
Even though I don’t disagree with your remarks, I do think they are a bit thin. If I was just starting out I would still be in the dark about how much to give and when. Also, for me, unity is an issue. We can’t all do the same thing but we can all live by the same principle.
EnnisP, in all fairness, giving never commends us unto God. One’s giving is really of no consequence if one does no have a relationship with God. I think you believe that when people are introduced to grace giving, they may not give at all. Now if people are unwilling to give, why force them? All God requires are those that give cheerfully and willingly. Paul did say if anyone wants to give, it has to come from a willing mind and the giving should not be done grudgingly or out of necessity. If I am mandated to give a ten percent and I cannot really afford it, I will become unhappy giving it and thus disobey scripture. But if I can afford a 5% and I give it wholeheartedly, there is a blessing for that.
It is God that stirs the hearts of people to give and not man. And we will always keep having this problem with giving if we continue to put the cart before the horse. And by that I mean a relationship with God, which is the most important thing.
God never said we should give to Him, instead Jesus tells us that anything we do unto the brethren we do unto God. The book of proverbs also says that anyone who gives unto the poor lends unto God and God will pay back in due season. That was one of the reasons the tithe of old was instituted. Let us not forget that James says that we cannot claim to love God who we do not see when we do not love our fellow man whom we see and also if we have this world’s good and shut up our bowels of compassion, God’s love does not dwell in us.
Gomez, yeah I think I will add more on myself. yhanks
“They are biblical and sound but they don’t necessarily negate a ten percent approach to giving.”
I didn’t claim that they would negate the tithe. They are simply an alternative. All the arguments about God never actually commanding the tithe would negate it.
“. . .any church could do all the things you mentioned better if the members were committed to giving in that fashion.”
That’s your assumption. That is not in Scripture. When I researched this topic a while back I asked around to see if any pastors had a church that switched from tithing to grace giving. For those that did, they ended up seeing an increase in offerings and ended up with a budget surplus (sounds like Moses and David when they built God’s houses). Again, fiscal arguments are not Biblical arguments. You yourself would say that fiscal responsibility is not as important as Biblical responsibility since you would require people to tithe even if they can’t afford it. The Bible takes priority over my budget. That goes for churches too.
“The Corinthians were rebuked by Paul when they failed to follow through on a promise to give to the needs of the poor in Jerusalem. What they promised wasn’t a tithe but it was a set amount and he didn’t let their failure go unnoticed.”
Are you talking about 2 Cor. 8 here? If so, you need to go back and reread it because you got it totally wrong. The Corinthians made a promise to help the Jerusalem saints and Paul encouraged them to follow through, otherwise they might be embarrassed when Paul and the Macedonians came. He emphasized that each person give according to what he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly. This is one of the primary passages that argues for grace giving. I don’t see how you can take this passage to say that grace giving is not gracious.
“Grace giving is also not blind or casual giving.”
Blind? Casual? I think I said “uncompelled, proportionate, sacrificial, cheerful, and regular.” I know you think God has to spell everything out for us, down to the exact percentage, but that is not a Biblical proposition.
“Joseph was very business like in running the business of Egypt and God had a hand in that. It was not just a “human thing.” ”
Wait, I thought we were talking about the church. And, who said it was a human thing? We’ve repeatedly said its God who guides people in giving and people give as worship to God.
“George Mueller practiced a faith ministry but even he was very business like. He kept track of every cent and carried copies of his financial statements with him passing them out freely. He was very “out there” about what he was doing and how much it cost. He didn’t wait for people to ask and he never let them find the financial statements if they wanted to take a look.”
Again, try to focus on the argument. Mueller wasn’t a church. And we didn’t say that a church shouldn’t be fiscally responsible. They absolutely should keep proper records and have a spirit of transparency and honesty when it comes to finances. But they don’t need to be a business in the sense that they don’t have customers, per se, and they don’t need to try to get creative about raising money. Too many churches focus so much on the bottom line that they are afraid to teach Biblical giving and so they teach the tithe because they view it as safer. But they are sacrificing their commitment to Scripture to do so.
“If I was just starting out I would still be in the dark about how much to give and when. Also, for me, unity is an issue. We can’t all do the same thing but we can all live by the same principle.”
Why would you be in the dark? Why is it so hard to tell a person, give as much as you want to give in response to God’s grace in your life? You already have testimonies from me, Jeremy, and others that it works (even though that’s not an argument for it). And as far as unity goes, that’s not a Biblical argument since the Bible doesn’t link unity to the tithe. And we could make just as strong an argument for diversity in the church. God doesn’t want a cookie-cutter church. He wants everyone to personally interact with Him through the preaching of Scripture and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Jeremy has already said that in his church, unity is promoted by a proper view of Biblical giving. It seems like you’re really reaching at this point.
So, to sum up. We have no commands from God recorded in Scripture telling His people in general to tithe (it doesn’t count when you assume God told Abraham to). We have ample Scripture from both testaments to support freewill grace giving. I think I’m going to go with grace giving.
And when a person gives far more than they should through grace giving, what then?
I’m not sure what your argument is here. Are you saying, what if someone gives to the point of fiscal irresponsibility, i.e. that they will not be able to meet their other financial responsibilities (like feed their family, pay rent, pay bills, etc.)?
Well, then they’ve taken one principle in isolation of all others. There are principles about debt and providing for family and good stewardship, etc. So proper training in money will include those things as well. I think a lot of tithe proponents (not you, per se, since I’ve not heard you teach this) say that if you pay God, He’ll pay you back more than you put in. It seems like that teaching is more prone to abuse than grace giving.
And the fact that its possible to abuse the principles of grace giving don’t invalidate the principles. They just invalidate that person’s application of the principles.
And, the Bible does have examples of people seemingly giving far more than they should out of gratitude to God (the widow’s mite, the Macedonians). What would you say to them?
I really don’t see this as an argument in any way against my position. Perhaps you could clarify it a bit more. But, again, just because a principle can be abused doesn’t mean its a bad principle.