There are different positions on this held by wonderful men of God. Personally, I do not see a NT mandate to tithe. However, this isn't to say that I don't believe in financially supporting the work of God, or even giving sacrificially to support the work.
I found it rather eye opening when I discovered that the Jews don't even tithe today. Since there isn't a temple system in operation, nor is there a Levitical priesthood to give the tithes to, they view tithing as a sin. In addition, most rabbinical scholars have pointed out that the tithe was strictly connected to the Holy Land. And so one living outside of the Holy Land wouldn't be required to tithe at all.
Regardless of one's eschatological beliefs, most can agree that Christ came in judgment against the entire OT system in AD 70. This not only destroyed the temple, but decimated the Levitical priesthood. And so, I believe that tithing ceased at that time.
I imagine that perhaps Christians tithed to the temple when Christianity was largely just a sect of Judaism. However, upon separating from the Levitical system and the destruction of the temple, I don't see it continuing. Partly because churches didn't have a massive storehouse. Such aggregation of wealth would have been difficult to maintain for the fledgling church that was gathering in homes, catacombs, and barns while facing persecution. However, I do see saints sharing their lives, resources, and belongings within the body. I also see the saints supporting the spreading and teaching of the Gospel. It would appear that this was done through voluntary financial offerings that were given as needs presented themselves.
History also helps us here. We see several failed efforts by the Roman Catholic Church to codify tithing and each of these efforts were rejected, illustrating that tithing wasn't viewed positively by the Christian churches. It wasn't until the 6th century that we see the first successful written edicts requiring tithing, and these carried civil penalties. From this point forward the intermingling with church and state helped fuel the requirement to tithe, and the civil enforcement of the practice. Here are two of many references that might prove valuable when looking at the historicity of the practice:
The Encyclopedia Americana says, “It [tithing] was not practiced in the early Christian church, but gradually became common by the 6th century.”
The Catholic Encyclopedia (1912 edition only) says, “In the beginning [provision] was supplied by the spontaneous support of the faithful. In the course of time, however, as the Church expanded and various institutions arose, it became necessary to make laws which would insure the proper and permanent support of the clergy. The payment of tithes was adopted from the Old Law, and early writers speak of it as a divine ordinance and an obligation of the conscience. The earliest positive legislation on the subject seems to be contained in the letter of the bishops assembled at Tours in 567 and the Canons of the Council of Macon in 585.”
Tithing can be a heavy burden on many American families. Many don't attend church because they simply don't have it in the budget to tithe 10% of their gross income. As the cost of living rises and wages remain stagnate, families find that the dollar just doesn't go as far as it used to. In today's society the average middle class American family is living paycheck to paycheck and carries significant debt. As a result, when churches require tithing, they really limit themselves to how much of the community they can reach. It also unintentionally sets the bar on who can attend a church and be a member in good standing based on their income.
I believe in what is called "Grace Giving". It is composed of free will offerings and vows (pledges).
This is where I believe "grace giving" becomes superior to tithing (not to mention it is far more biblical and grounded in the NT). In "grace giving", not only do individuals give voluntary offerings as led when the needs of the church are brought before the body, but individuals can prayerfully "vow" (or pledge) to give so much per check, a percentage of their check, or even a certain amount over a period of time (for example pledging to give $3000 over a year's time). This way the church can make financial forecasts, etc. In this way a responsibility to give is established, but what to give is decided in the heart of the individual. Paul wrote that hose who give bountifully will reap a bountiful reward. Those who give sparingly will receive sparingly.
2 Corinthians 9:6-10 English Standard Version (ESV)
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness.
Most multi-million dollar charities and non-profit organizations function this way. Also, most television and radio ministries function this way. And most are more successful (statistically speaking) in maintaining their operations than the average church start-up.
So, I am an advocate for "grace giving".
Threaded Mode
