Ten Questions about Tithing

 

The resources of time, talent and treasure are needed in abundance to successfully launch a new church. The future of every church plant rests in the Lord’s provision of these resources through the faithful stewardship of those who call that church home.

 

However, new church plants usually consist of hard working servants with little or no understanding of what God says about giving to the local church. It is not surprising, then, that church plants struggle to reach financial stability when the majority of its regular attendees have no idea how God expects the local church to be funded.

 

Every person who regularly partakes of the spiritual food offered through the local church needs to know about and respond in obedience to what God says about tithing. Following are ten questions most frequently asked about tithing in a church plant.

 

1. What is Tithing?

Tithing is an act of obedience to God’s commands. It is faithful stewardship of God’s resources. When we tithe, we give back to God a biblical portion of our increase so that God can accomplish his mission through the local church. Tithing is an outward witness of our inward trust that God owns everything and that He alone is sufficient to provide for our needs. (Proverbs 3:9-10)

 

2. Is Tithing for Today?

Yes. Tithing is taught and modeled throughout the Scriptures as an expectation for all of God’s people at every time:

• Even before the Law was written, Abraham gave Melchizedek one-tenth of his possessions and Jacob vowed to tithe to the Lord. (Genesis 14:20; 28:20-22)
• The Law records that one tenth of everything belonged to the Lord. (Leviticus 27:30)
• The tithe is seen in Wisdom Literature as a universal principle. (Proverbs 3:9-10)
• The tithe is seen in the Old Testament Prophets as a command for all of God’s people.  (Malachi 3:7-10)
• The tithe is affirmed by Jesus in the New Testament. (Matthew 23:23)
• The tithe may be considered the bare minimum starting point for giving to God since New Testament expectations often supersede Old Testament commands. (Matthew 5:21-22; 27-28)
• The tithe is superseded by New Testament practices where church members gave everything they had to the local church. (Acts 2:45)

 

3. Who Should Tithe?

Every follower of Jesus Christ is called to be devoted to his or her local church. Tithing is a large part of one’s devotion to a local fellowship. Tithing is not required of the periodic visitor, but is expected from every regular attendee. The church body should equally and collectively feel the responsibility of funding the ministries and meeting the needs of the local church. (Acts 2:44-45)

 

4. Where Should I Tithe?

People should tithe to their local church because the local church is God’s primary instrument for accomplishing his mission in this world. The local church is the equivalent of the Old Testament storehouse in Malachi 3:10. Rather than starve the local church by disbursing its rightful resources to various parachurch ministries, believers should support parachurch ministries over and above the tithe to their local church.

 

5. How Much Should I Tithe?

Throughout the Scriptures the word “tithe” means one-tenth. The believer should consider making ten percent of his annual gross income a starting place for his tithe. That amount may be broken into weekly or monthly gifts to the local church. Malachi 3:10 says to bring the “full tithe” into the storehouse. Even if this initially seems like an impossible amount, we cannot out-give God. (Proverbs 11:24)

 

6. How should I Tithe?

Tithe generously, willingly and expectantly. (2 Corinthians 9:6-8) When one gives generously, he reaps generously. God is more interested in our heart-attitude towards giving than the exact amount of the gift. When we act in obedience to God’s plan for our finances, we can expect God to sufficiently provide for our needs.

 

7. Will My Needs Be Met?

The command to tithe is the only place in the Scriptures where God instructs his people to test him. (Malachi 3:10) God promises that He will meet our needs when we tithe. When we place God first in our finances, we invite God’s power and provision to have their full effect in our lives. We may not live in extravagance, but our needs will be met. Go ahead and make your own conclusion after testing God in this!

 

8. Who is Hurt if I Refuse to Tithe?

The whole nation of Israel was cursed with a curse when a few did not tithe. (Malachi 3:9)  In the same way, the entire local church suffers when some refuse to tithe. Fruitful ministries cannot be expanded, necessary staff cannot be hired, and suffering families cannot have their needs met. In addition, the glory of God suffers when the unbelieving world witnesses a weak and struggling church rather than a strong and thriving church.

 

9. What are the Consequences for Refusing to Tithe?

Refusing to tithe is equivalent to robbing God. (Malachi 3:8) When we refuse to tithe, we reject God’s plan and provision for our lives. We then choose to live in disobedience when we keep for ourselves what really belongs to God. Rather than seeking God’s favor upon our lives we invite God’s active resistance against our lives. That’s not good!

 

10. Why do People Refuse to Tithe?

First, some people fail to tithe out of ignorance. They just never knew what God said about tithing. The good news is that now you know and can obey. Second, some people fail to tithe because of forgetfulness. They simply forgot to tithe one month while away on vacation. The good news is that you can make up for that forgetfulness by still giving to God what belongs to him. Third, some people fail to tithe because of rebellion.  They simply choose to do the opposite of what they know God commands. The bad news is that this is often a sign of even greater areas of depravity and faithlessness. The good news is that through the cross of Jesus Christ we can find grace and forgiveness. We can repent from robbing God and turn our lives and our finances over to God’s control.

 

The local church is on a mission to make disciples. Lives are being transformed as people grow in worshiping Christ, walking with Christ, working for Christ and witnessing for Christ. Won’t you fully embrace that vision by fully carrying your responsibility to fully fund your local church?