the Law of sin and death, called the Mosaic Law. However, many are quick to
bring out that tithing was instituted way before the Law was given and that it was
already practiced by Abraham. However In the light of what the New Testament
teaches on giving, is this a valuable argument to keep teaching to tithe ? I
do not think so !
The second argument, tithing teachers bring up is that Jesus and
the disciples were most likely tithing and that Jesus was teaching to do so.
The first part is probably correct, but to imply that Jesus is teaching us to
tithe is spurious. When Jesus was rebuking the Pharisee in Matthew 23-23 and
Luke 11-42, He added that they "ought " to do that because the Mosaic Law was
still in force. They were still under the old Law. He had not shed his blood yet
to seal the New Covenant. In Luke 18-12 He rebukes the selfrighteousness of
the praying Pharisee for claiming to tithe. Therefore the gospels can not be
used for defending tithing teaching.
Ever since the Reformation, evangelicals have been teaching to
tithe, but it is very obvious that the blessing of the Lord does not rest upon
this teaching. Throughout history and now after almost 500 years of this
teaching, the average giving of the believer is less then 2 %. The Lord is closing
the ears of his children and the teachers words are as "falling to the ground"
It is high time that we wake up to this fact !
The Lord is giving us very clear instructions in the New
Testament. First: He expect us to give our all. Willingly, cheerfully and as a
reasonable service. Realizing that everything we have belongs to him. Romans11-36
states: "For of Him and through Him and to Him are ALL THINGS". And Romans 12:
1-3 is beseeching us to give our entire selves as a living sacrifice. He also
expect to get interest from the talents he has given us as stewards.
Second: 2 Cor. 9:7 gives us the basic principle as how to give.
"So let EACH ONE GIVE AS HE PURPOSES IN HIS HEART, not grudgingly or of
necessity. for God loves a cheerful giver " Verse 6 explains that we need to give
bountifully in order to have the beautiful promise of verse 8 "And God is able to
make ALL grace abound towards you, that you ALWAYS having ALL sufficiency in
ALL THINGS, may have an abundance for every good work " The whole of 2 Cor.
chapter 9 are the instructions on giving. While chapter 8 tells us that He
expects us to give out of what we have and not from what we do not have. ( not even
presumptuous "faith promises")
Third: Then in first Cor.16:1-3 we are instructed to give regularly and
proportionately. "The first day of the week" and ''as he may prosper" Now
proportionality does not mean a set percentage for every one. It means in proportion to
the burden it puts on you. This principle is even practiced by the not so
kindhearted IRS. They have a lower rate for poor people than the richer ones. A
set rate for everyone would be actually out of proportion. Fourth: Malachi 3-10
mentions "God's storehouse". The original Hebrew word used is " owtsar ",
which is translated as depository or treasury. Of course He is speaking
allecorical. Malachi is the only place where this Hebrew word is used. The question
arises, what is the storehouse of God ? The best biblical answer is; the place
from which our Father pours out his blessings upon his children. Where does He
live ? In His temple! Who are his temple? The bodies of his children, the
believers, who make up the Church the Body of Christ. To claim that our group or
organization is the only or best store house really shows a great lack of
understanding what the real church actually is. It is the worldwide
of Christ and His Body. The local church or organization should be apart of
this, but sadly enough that is not always the case. Fifth: Since everything we
are and have came from God and belongs to Him and is going to Him, we have to
make sure that we Love him with all our hearts, soul and mind. And as such
live our lives for Him and in obedience to him. (Rom.11:-6) Hereby returning His
talent with interest. That way we can and must look upon the needed
expenditures for our selves and our family, which He entrusted to us, as expenditures
for the
Most scriptures quoted here are related to practical money giving, but are
also including the principle of 100% giving. Having pointed out all this, I must
say that it is possible that the Lord directs your heart to give 10 % in the
church offering. Make sure you obey. But most likely he will ask you for much
more since He always seems to use finances as a test of our faith and
obedience .
In His service, Johannes G. Weiss
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