Why Most of Your Church Don't Believe in Tithing

[gb93433]

A recent article points to a historiclowintithing among Americans, which should come as no surprise to anyone who plays a role in trying to balance church budgets these days.

Programs are being cut, mission offerings sliced, and staff positions pared away because the money that used to fund them just isn't there anymore.

The recession plays a role, but by no means the only one.
The once-common practice of tithing is fading away, and sometimes with the encouragement of church leaders who fear that an emphasis on giving will chase away present or prospective members.

A survey of "evangelical leaders" by the National Association of Evangelicals recently found that 58 percent of the respondents don't believe the Bible requires tithing, though 95 percent of them claimed to do so, and virtually all of them believe that God calls Christians to be generous.

It's widely known and often reported that Mormons tithe at a much higher rate than either conservative or mainline Christian groups: the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life reported in January that 79 percent of Mormons tithe (yes, including Mitt Romney, which means millions every year).

But, there's a very good reason for that: Mormons are required to tithe in order to participate in temple rituals and remain in the good graces of the institution.

For the most part, neither Protestants nor Catholics believe tithing is a requirement of faith.

Protestants in particular put a lot of trust in the New Testament teaching that salvation comes through the grace of God, not by human works – though it's also believed that those who are saved by grace should show evidence of their faith through good works, including generosity.

The notion of tithing comes from the Hebrew Bible, which describes a fairly complex system of tithes and offerings to be given in support of the temple and the poor.

The rest of the story is at http://www.ethicsdaily.com/why-most-of-your-church-dont-believe-in-tithing-cms-19279

A very well written document is at http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1016&context=fac_dis


Out of that came the book You Mean I Don't Have to Tithe? by David A. Croteau

 

[beameup]

The notion of tithing comes from the Hebrew Bible, which describes a fairly complex system of tithes and offerings to be given in support of the temple and the poor.

Tithing does apply to (genetic) Israel.

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Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. - Gal 5:1,4,9

 

[Alive in Christ]

Tithing was an old covenant thing. Its that simple.

Under the new covenant, the scriptures teach free will giving.

 

[DaChaser1]

Tithing was an old covenant thing. Its that simple.

Under the new covenant, the scriptures teach free will giving.

You would be surprised...

Many, including in Baptist churches, still uphold the principle of the tithe!

Think main answer to OP is that we as Christians find it easy to oby god in attending church, reading Bible, praying...

Being obedient in allowing God to govern the finanes that He blessed us with?

Not so much!

 

[gb93433]

You would be surprised...Many, including in Baptist churches, still uphold the principle of the tithe!
!

What I find interesting is that the religious organization and government were the same group in the OT. The tithe included both their religion and government. So I think we should be asking the pastor who teaches tithing if the total of our taxes and giving should be 23.333%.

 

[DaChaser1]

What I find interesting is that the religious organization and government were the same group in the OT. The tithe included both their religion and government. So I think we should be asking the pastor who teaches tithing if the total of our taxes and giving should be 23.333%.

Was God wrong requiring it though?

 

[AresMan]

I believe my book should answer the OP fully.

 

[DaChaser1]

I believe my book should answer the OP fully.

Regardless IF oneholds to the tithe for today or not, answer to OP would be we give little because we have yet to allow jesus to be Lord over our financial affairs, especially giving!

 

[gb93433]

Was God wrong requiring it though?

I do not have trouble the teaching on the tithe in the OT when the religious institution and government were the same. When Jesus said to give to Caesar what is Caesar and to God what is God'swould there not have been the Roman government, Christians, Judaism, and a host of other religious groups and governments. Bring that over into today. We have many religious groups and governments in America. So if I give two tithes each year and another every third year I have given 23.33%. That would have included both the government and religious group which were the same. Seems like it is much the same today in America as in Paul's day. So if I bring that forward to today and pay the tithe according to the OT, then the church would get zero. So that is part of the reason Jesus said what he did.

If a pastor pays a tithe then he would at most only need to give about 8% because the self employment tax he pays is over 15%.

 

[AresMan]

Regardless IF oneholds to the tithe for today or not, answer to OP would be we give little because we have yet to allow jesus to be Lord over our financial affairs, especially giving!

Sure. However, I believe one deterrent to people giving is the false teaching of the modern monetary income tithe. Many people who believe the Scriptures require income tithing to the church do not practice it themselves. It becomes a barrier to free, Spirit-led giving and can actually reduce the amount given. I believe when people are freed from the modern monetary income tithing, they will often give more than when they were under bondage.

 

[gb93433]

Regardless IF oneholds to the tithe for today or not, answer to OP would be we give little because we have yet to allow jesus to be Lord over our financial affairs, especially giving!

In that article I also saw the fear the leaders have of the people and so they do not teach it.Where is their trust in God and teaching all of scripture? Do we teach all except _____? It seemed to me that they were the same people who claimed to believe the Bible. Or is their faith only a creedal faith?

Years ago I met with a church planting pastor each week and he pointed out how rich the church was that I was pastoring and how poor they were. So we took a look at the financial records of his church and estimated what the giving should be. He commented on how poor they were. I asked him he had ever taught on giving. He told me that he had not. So I suggested that he was not teaching them to be responsible with their money and in thinking beyond themselves. Afew weeks later when we net he was smiling. He told me that they started giving. We were both surprised. The church is doing well today.

 

[HeDied4U]

In that article I also saw the fear the leaders have of the people and so they do not teach it.Where is their trust in God and teaching all of scripture? Do we teach all except _____? It seemed to me that they were the same people who claimed to believe the Bible. Or is their faith only a creedal faith?

Years ago I met with a church planting pastor each week and he pointed out how rich the church was that I was pastoring and how poor they were. So we took a look at the financial records of his church and estimated what the giving should be. He commented on how poor they were. I asked him he had ever taught on giving. He told me that he had not. So I suggested that he was not teaching them to be responsible with their money and in thinking beyond themselves. A few weeks later when we met he was smiling. He told me that they started giving. We were both surprised. The church is doing well today.

Was his teaching concerning tithing or, as someone else called it, free will giving?

The pastor at the church my wife and I currently attend went through a five week series on financial stewardship this past fall. He challenged those who were regular givers to give more (sacrificially if need be) and those who haven't been giving to start. I think he mentioned tithing once or twice, but never saying we had to tithe, and at a certain percent. The main idea throughout the series was to let the Holy Spirit guide us as to how much we could/should give. A goal was set to raise X amount of dollars in two years so the church could expand its ministries and serve more of the Chicago Southland. Since that series, giving at the church is up about 20% over the same period a year ago. If that pace continues, the goal will have been well exceeded come fall of 2013.

 

[gb93433]

Was his teaching concerning tithing or, as someone else called it, free will giving?

He took the position of freewill giving. The major point with him was that he had never taught on giving and saw the people as poor compared to others. It was as though he felt sorry for them and wanted other churches to support them because they were "rich" in comparison. I also think he was afraid to teach on giving.

 

[HAMel]

When you get right down to it..., what's NOT TO BELIEVE about tithing?

Tithing is something every Christian should be concerned about and willing to give freely as the Lord leads. He does love a cheerful giver!

I don't personally agree with a strict rule of ten percent but if you are able to do so, why not?

 

[gb93433]

When you get right down to it..., what's NOT TO BELIEVE about tithing?

Tithing is something every Christian should be concerned about and willing to give freely as the Lord leads. He does love a cheerful giver!

I don't personally agree with a strict rule of ten percent but if you are able to do so, why not?

My understanding is that one was to give two tithes each year and one every third year. That would amount to 23.33%. Tat was also when the religious establishment and government were one. So if we were to give a total of 23.33 to the religious extablishment and government and the government demands more than 23.33% what would that leave the religious establishment?

If one makes $40 million in a year and takes the position that one is only to give 10% that would leave $36 million. Is that 36 million for spending on his pleasure or is it to help others? Does God give so that we can live selfishly or does God give so we can help others and lower our standard and effectively raise theirs?

 

[Amy.G]

My understanding is that one was to give two tithes each year and one every third year.

That is correct. (I just finished studying that a couple of weeks ago).

There is no tithe for the NT church.

We are to give as the Lord has prospered us, whether it be money, time, or gifts.

 

[HAMel]

As I see it, OT tithing was under the law. As stated, the NT does not set a specific figure. Most church leaders however will encourage the ten percent tithing as it places somewhat of a guilt trip on some and helps to ensure a steady income.

The problem with someone having an income of 40 million and tithing ten percent is that once four million has been recognized by the rest of the church membership..., the rest would quit tithing. What would be the point in tithing at all if the local church's check balance reflected a four million dollar balance? Then, here comes the envy, and the gossip, and the resentment. Having an income of millions would turn into a curse.

Those who then would NOT tithe because there's plenty of money in the bank would end up losing any and all blessings from the Lord from their tithing. When ones tithes above and beyond with a pure heart the Lord blesses above and beyond.

We would all like to have millions in the bank but just consider for a moment what it would do to our humbleness.

 

[jonathan.borland]

Sure. However, I believe one deterrent to people giving is the false teaching of the modern monetary income tithe. Many people who believe the Scriptures require income tithing to the church do not practice it themselves. It becomes a barrier to free, Spirit-led giving and can actually reduce the amount given. I believe when people are freed from the modern monetary income tithing, they will often give more than when they were under bondage.

The tithe is the beginning point. Then there are many other giving opportunities that we call special offerings. Such as the Building Fund, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for home missions, and then the weekly things that come up that need money and the offering plates go around.

I find that most (but not all) of the people who say they can't give 10 percent usually have things they don't want to give up, such as fast Internet, good cable channels, a good cell phone data plan, a nicer car or house than they really need, etc. Is that honoring God with the firstfruits of all he has given us?

We are not under the "law" of the tithe, but the principle of the "tithe," which was instituted even before the law, is of course still valid.

 

[HeDied4U]

As I see it, OT tithing was under the law. As stated, the NT does not set a specific figure. Most church leaders however will encourage the ten percent tithing as it places somewhat of a guilt trip on some and helps to ensure a steady income.

The problem with someone having an income of 40 million and tithing ten percent is that once four million has been recognized by the rest of the church membership..., the rest would quit tithing. What would be the point in tithing at all if the local church's check balance reflected a four million dollar balance? Then, here comes the envy, and the gossip, and the resentment. Having an income of millions would turn into a curse.

Those who then would NOT tithe because there's plenty of money in the bank would end up losing any and all blessings from the Lord from their tithing. When ones tithes above and beyond with a pure heart the Lord blesses above and beyond.

We would all like to have millions in the bank but just consider for a moment what it would do to our humbleness.

Yeah, that's the perfect way to get people to give; lay a guilt trip on them. Nothing says you're an inferior Christian better than not being able to give 10% like your neighbor. <sarcasm off>

I can understand the church's reasoning for trying that, but imho, it would have the opposite effect.

 

[Squidward]

I agree with jonathon borland. If one is doing very well why not give? I've been blessed with a great income and the junk we can get here on Earth can't go with us in the next life. I think it's great to save for retirement, kids' college, and a lofty emergency fund, but beyond that, why not give to the church and other worthy causes that help those that need help?

I am speaking to myself on this as this is something that's been convicting me fora little while now. Get rid of the junk I call collectibles and start giving more than 10%