The Tithe is not really for the Christian Church. Before you declare me a heretic or grab the hot tar and feathers or pitch forks, please hear me out.
What? You ask. Is there a problem with the financial cornerstone of the church? Where do I begin.
1. The tithe is not in the New Testament as an obligation for believers.
2. In the old testament, it was a tax, actually three taxes that added up to not 10 percent but 23.3 percent.
3. The tithe as a method of supporting the church didn’t become popular until the third and fourth centuries.
4. The tithe eventually became the law in order to support the state churches in Europe.
5. The tithe, like any percentage tax is regressive. It is a much bigger burden on the poor than the rich. Ten percent of a poor man’s income may cut into his food budget, for the rich man it only cuts into his excess. It’s easier for the rich to tithe and, guess who, suddenly takes over the church.
6. The tithe encourages representative ministry. I often ask people to go into prison to minister. When they refuse, which they almost always do, I say “then write me a check and I’ll go for you.” The tithe has created the idea that you are doing your duty when you just write a check and let others do the work.
7. He who has the gold makes the rules. The current system lets those who give large amounts to the church acquire power. The “clergy” are afraid to offend the “generous” and don’t want their incomes affected.
8. The tithe encourages a mentality that if I don’t pay it God will punish me, if I do I will be financially rewarded. It becomes an investment in our personal financial well-being.
9. The tithe makes it possible for church leadership to do whatever it wants without having to answer to the body.
10. With its basis in the law, the tithe promotes legalism. Should I tithe off the gross or net? Should I tithe child support and alimony payments? What about bonuses or ill-gotten gains like gambling winnings or income from activities that my fellow Christians would frown upon?
11. Always asking for money, creates the slick TV preacher vision most of the world has of the church.
Are you convinced? If not are you at least uncomfortable with the current method of church financing? So if no tithe then what?
The early Christians were actually very generous and gave in excess of ten percent. They didn’t give out of obligation. They gave because they were convinced of the rightness of the cause. Let me give you an example. Not too long ago our youth director and worship leader did a missions trip to Africa. Thereafter he felt called to go to Africa full-time with his young family. He planned carefully. He developed a plan of ministry. He visited many churches, explained the plan, and got people on board enthusiastically. Today he is ministering fully supported. He keeps his supporters informed with frequent updates on what his family is doing and the impact they are having.
What church leaders need to do is seek God’s vision for their church’s mission and set the fire of enthusiasm in their members. Church members should WANT to write checks, but, more importantly they should WANT to be involved and to throw themselves into the ministry of their churches. They should want to serve and make church life, their life. They should be freed of a sense of burden which preaching the tithe provides.
Instead of telling members that God requires at least ten percent, leaders should explain what they believe God wants to do and what it will take to do that. This approach connects not just the money with the mission, but gets everyone involved in the mission. I believe, if done correctly, this program will increase giving, volunteering, involvement, connection, membership, satisfaction and blessing.
People want to be part of something that is doing good. They want more than being on a membership list that they vaguely understand is required of them. They want more than paying “dues” to be a part of that organization. They want more than paying someone to minister; they want to minister themselves.
If you are in a church in which you reluctantly write a check of the lowest amount that good conscience will allow, you need to find another church. You experience the joy of belonging to something you can’t wait to attend, be a part of and completely support.
Stop talking tithe and start spreading excitement.
If you still want to grab the tar and feathers, I’ll understand.
Be blessed.
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