The topic of tithing to the church can be a difficult question. Tithing is a concept introduced in the Old Testament law and refers to 10% of gains in crops and herds given to the use of God (Numbers 18:24-28, Leviticus 27:30-32 and restated in Deuteronomy 12:6-12, 14:22-28). One prior mention of tithing stretches back to Genesis 14 in Abraham’s tithe to King Melchizedek after his victory over the Mesopotamians.
Tithing is not mentioned in the New Testament epistles for the church. Importantly, Christ said He is the end of the Old Testament law (Romans 10:4). Therefore, the law is discontinued and does not govern the church; Christians do not have to follow it (Hebrews 7:12-22).
The New Testament does state in 2 Corinthians 9:7, however, that each individual should choose to give to God’s work, without sorrow, because God loves those who give joyfully! The Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:8 provides us an example when he states that he counts all things loss for Christ. Further, Our whole lives are aa living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1). Importantly, everything we do as Christians is done by faith, including the extent and manner of giving (Romans 14:23).
Many who adhere to Reformed Theology believe the church was mysteriously present in the Old Testament and so we must obey the law, including tithing. However, no one obeys all the law, so this application is selective and inconsistent. If the church was present in the Old Testament, it is not mentioned specifically and is there spiritually, and not as a structure that requires money.
In summary, tithing is based in the Old Testament law which New Testament believers are not required to obey because they follow Christ. In contrast, we have the opportunity to serve Christ with all our mental and physical possessions, in faith, as guided by the New Testament and prayer (1 Timothy 4:4-5).
Teleios Research – Tithing attitudes among adolescents and millennials
To investigate young believers’ beliefs’ over tithing we recently surveyed visitors to the Instagram account, DailyBibleVerses. In total, 548 persons completed the survey of whom 80% were female, 82% evangelical, and 85% were <40 years of age and 40% <18. How the participants tithed is described in Table 1 (top 3 responses).
Further, 82% said that missions or parachurch organizations could receive part of their tithe while 60% indicated material possessions donated or time spent serving could be part of their tithe. Table 2 addresses the participant’s biblical basis of their tithing (top 3 responses).
Further answers are in Tables 3-5 (top 3 responses).
Again, modern tithing (which literally means 10 percent) represents a good example of the application of Christian tradition over biblical truth. Tithing is often used to promote giving to a local church. We do know that in Baptist Churches the average percent income given to the church is 2.5% (1). Consequently, parishioners might feel guilty over their failed response to the 10% level.
In contrast, living biblically and being a joyful giver produces purpose, commitment and probably a higher level of giving, than does guilt. Faith and the Holy Spirit produce a hundred percent of our lives, and not just 10%.
