In the past I tithed begrudgingly and my heart wasn’t in the right place. Only when I started doing it regularly and with a heart of seeing my giving as an act of worship was I able to do it joyfully. Now the act of giving God back some of what he has given me is a lot of fun!

i really do think that when we give, it is only to our benefit – it’s for our own good! When we don’t – we miss out!

This lie is built on two false assumptions: (1) that everybody in the OT was required to begin their level of giving at 10% and (2) that everybody in the OT gave 10% of all increase as a tithe.

First, only those Israelites who earned a livelihood from farming and herding clean animals inside Israel were required to tithe under the Mosaic Law. All sixteen (16) of sixteen (16) Bible texts which describe the contents of tithes porve tihis point. The tithe increase only came from God’s miracle hand. Second, those whose increase came from their own crafts and skills were not required to tithe products and money. The poor and needy who did not tithe and received from the tithe gave freewill offerings. See my book, chapter one and my essay, point two.

First, in Ancient Israel, there was no separation of church and state as we understand it today, and the religious leaders were also political, legal and civic leaders. The tithe was a tax to support this institution. We have no modern equivalent to that institution, and since Jesus came we are called be a priesthood of believers. That’s an informal priesthood in which our effort is required in addition to our finances.

Second, the issue I have with a 10% rule is that not everyone can afford it. If I can’t afford 10%, but I can afford 5%, I may not give out of the misconception that my contribution is insufficient or unbiblical. That isn’t what Jesus said in regard to the women giving the widows mite. Also, where a wealthy person might have little trouble giving 10% (or 20 or 30) a poor person mignt be straining to offer 2 or 3%.
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Where does the Bible say Christians are required to tithe? And where in the Bible is your time included in the tithe that you say the Bible requires?

The New Covenant God created after Jesus’ death gave us much better giving guidelines that require constant prayer and discernment. Why don’t we stick with those rather than going back under the Law?
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This should be factored into the overall “giving” plan.

The second point is that for me, the biggest issue is deciding who to give to. Obviously, we can’t give to everyone. I try to limit myslef to my church and a few causes I firmly believe in, and politely turn down the rest. As long as I know that I’m meeting the standards set forth in the Bible, I think I’m doing alright.

Great post
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