STE:Tithing  by Tony Capoccia

   Tithing is an Old Testament command that was for the Jews and was in
reality their "taxation" system. The tithe consisted of the Temple tax,
the Land Sabbath Tax, and the Special Profit-Sharing Tax (leaving the
corners unharvested, for the poor). The required giving for the Jew was
approximately 25 percent per year. In addition to all of this there was
voluntary giving in the Old Testament which included firstfruit giving
and freewill offerings. The emphasis here was not on a percentage but
on the attitude of the giver and the quality of the gift. The point is
that "tithing" is an Old Testament practice that was equivalent to our
modern-day tax structure. Tithes were not gifts at all, but were
required giving.

   In the New Testament things really have not changed, for the
Christian is still required to pay his taxes to support the government.
This taxation is the New Testament equivalent of Tithing. But the Tithe
is no longer a part of the "religious system" of a Theocracy, rather
our "tithe" today is simply the taxation system of a Democracy. The
only references in the New Testament to tithing is to Jews and their
requirement to support their religious system of government.

   The New Testament does teach that a Christian should give to God but
only in the sense that it is freewill giving from the heart. While no
specific percentage is given, we are to give:

   1. In response to need - Acts 4:35, Acts 11:27-29

   2. In a systematic and purposeful manner - II Cor. 9:7, I Cor. 16:2

   3. In a sacrificial way that "costs" us - Mark 12:41-44, Lk 19:8

   4. In a secret and humble way - Matt 6:1-4

   5. In a cheerful manner - II Cor. 9:7

   Now some will get all excited if we say that the requirement to
tithe is not for the church. They will say that the church will go
"broke" in a week if the people are told that they don't have to tithe.
I would remind them that if the church is supported because Christians
are wrongly taught to tithe then we need to stop that practice. Many
churches today would have to "cease operations" if their tithe were
taken away. But the churches that God wants to exist would continue to
be supported by freewill offerings of the people. God said, "Seek my
Kingdom and my Righteousness and all these things will be given to
you." If a church will preach and teach God's truth and not man's
tradition then she will "never" lack for the money she needs.

   One writer put it this way, "God's work done God's way will never
lack God's provision." I believe some churches today exist because they
have convinced many to tithe, when in reality the church itself is not
teaching the truths of the Bible. For many pastors it is easier to
teach people to tithe than to teach them to be holy people of God who
would then give from their hearts because of their deep love of their
Savior.

   Tony Capoccia Bible Bulletin Board
