EDIT: (11/1/07) These were my initial thoughts on the subject of tithing in the New Testament and I have written a new post clarifying these thoughts. Please read it as well. It really does clarify my jumbled thoughts!
Last night, I had quite an interesting conversation with my mom about tithes and how much our district officials get paid. Then I read this post by Travis Seitler. He has done research on tithing. His post shook me. I’ve grown up with the focus always being, “give your ten percent.” I knew, of course, that more is better, but still the focus is on that tithe. In his post, Travis tells that what he has found is that the tithe was Old Testament law and therefore not applicable to us today. Now before anyone cries, “heresy,” he is NOT saying that you should not give. He says we should give more and sometimes less than 10%. His post is very well thought out and backed by scripture. I tend to believe that he is correct. He also wrote that the tithe was in food, not money. Therefore, we should be giving food if we are going to follow the Old Testament law; we should be creating food banks to help feed the poor.
The last important point I found that he made, was that tithe, since it was always given as food, was not created to support the priests’ pockets (ministers in our day) or church buildings and bills. If this is so, I wondered how would these be supported? Well, basically he believes that we should cut down on these expenses and focus on the poor. The remaining should be paid for by offerings. That makes some sense to me. That post has shaken me in changing the beliefs that I have held for so long, but after talking it out with my hubby, it makes sense to me never to preach on tithing the same again. It makes sense to me to never use that word again. The New Testament requires much more of us than the Old Testament. Jesus tells the rich man to sell everything and follow me.
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22 NIV
That isn’t 10%, it is 100%. It is a much more radical way of living. My husband and I give away as much as we can. We are sad that we make so little and therefore cannot give away more. We are below poverty level, but still give away a larger percentage than many people. It’s not really about the money anyway. It’s about our commitment to God; our willingness to surrender all; our willingness to say, “you are Lord, I am yours, my possessions are yours.”
The conversation with my mom was preparation for reading Travis’ post. We were talking about the District Council Banquets that so frustrate me. Each year we are expected to shell out a minimum of $50 a couple for a (bad) meal, at least that’s what I have heard, to open District Council. We have never gone. We will probably never go. We can’t afford that and even if we could, would it be good stewardship to waste $50 on a meal just so that we can enjoy the service? It makes me sick, sad and angry inside sad that the district officials don’t think about those of us who are not making living wages (there are many of us in the Assemblies of God).* I have told as many district officials as I can that I feel this way, in case you wonder. My mom was taking it even farther, saying that when she last heard (many years ago) what the District Superintendent made, that it made her upset. The number she told me was not that high and I had to disagree with her there. We are not to seek riches and glory, but I don’t believe God wants us to continually suffer with poor wages, either. Travis’ post touched on this too. He seems to think every pastor should be a tentmaker in order to afford being a pastor. And that does seem to be what Paul did most of the time. And it is a fine ideal, but it makes it very hard to pastor a church. I have no idea how Paul managed it! I suppose with God’s help. If that is what Chris was being told by God to do, I have no doubt that he would be doing it. I do work one day a week, but it is rather useless for me to work more, which I believe Travis would agree with. I f I worked more, we would need daycare. So I would be working to pay for daycare and most likely not breaking even.
So, in all, I found his article very stimulating and thought provoking. I enjoyed it. If you read it, please take the time to read the comments as well. I do not agree with everything in Travis’ blog, but I found this post most excellent.
*After some conversation and thought, I realize that this statement was much too harsh for my real feelings. My apologies if I offended anyone. I love our district officials, but I am frustrated at my inability to attend an important function due to money constraints. And maybe they do think about us and are just as frustrated as I am. I don’t honestly know because the people I have talked to about it didn’t really seem to have anything to do with planning it. I will continue to tell those district officials that I talk with, how frustrating this is to me and I will also begin to pray now that God will miraculously provide the money for me to attend this event. When He provides, then this frustration will just disappear. Won’t that be great?!
17/08/2007 at 10:28 am Permalink
Ahhh….tithing! I look at it as more of a love relationship with God. My money belongs to Him.
17/08/2007 at 10:31 am Permalink
You and Travis are on the right track. New Covenant giving is not tithing but it can be much more than a tithe for those who are financially blessed. My book and essay essentially are the same as what you have said.
17/08/2007 at 11:01 am Permalink
Russell Earl Kelley,
I hope to look at your website, but I have not had the time yet.
17/08/2007 at 11:08 am Permalink
One I’m checking out right now is “A History of Tithes” by Henry William Clarke. It was published in 1894, so there’s no contemporary bias. =)
17/08/2007 at 3:37 pm Permalink
We did too go to the banquet once and it was decent, though we only went because we didn’t realize it was going to cost, let alone so much. The service was worth it, but then the price doubled for the next district council.
Right on AnneMarie, its all about love relationship.
17/08/2007 at 3:58 pm Permalink
Travis’ post touched on this too. He seems to think every pastor should be a tentmaker in order to afford being a pastor.
I just wanted to touch on this real quick: I wouldn’t say “every pastor should be” so much as “every pastor should strive to be” (or “expect to be”). It’s more a matter of orientation than location, if you catch my drift. I would also say that I lean toward the house/simple-church model, which obviously makes for an easier time being a pastor/tentmaker. =)
17/08/2007 at 4:09 pm Permalink
AnneMarie,
I totally agree. Very beautifully put!
Chris,
You are totally right. I forgot! That is when we learned our lesson wasn’t it?
Travis,
I do catch your drift. Thanks for clarifying. I am new to the idea of the simple church, but what I’ve read so far sounds very intriguing. I appreciate your view, too, but it is hard to reconcile with my present life. I’m sure that is understandable. But of course, I’ll try to stay open to the idea.
18/08/2007 at 2:16 am Permalink
Lovely young lady you are. This topic made me giggle because this is exactly what my mother and I discussed tonight. Trying to show her in scripture where the old testament only speaks of money once.
The Pharasees had another idea… but then they had many ideas/doctrines added onto what Moses spoke to them. It really floors me to see just how much Jesus has become a Marketing Tool, a Business Bohemoth, and a Billion Dollar Industry.
Many a man has become rich under this guise and yet they Bless the Name of our Lord and Curse themselves while doing it. I do so love as the desciples had done in Acts. They asked if the people would sell off their excesses and give to those who had a need. yet today we commit ourselves to and pledge ourselves to heirlings; as if we have this addiction to gambling.
I agree with you dear… we must give it all to God, for when we do and give unto these… the least of these… as we give… we give our best gifts to them without repentence… out of no obligation, no reward, no motive, no expectation of a return and a freedom to know God only used me as a vessel… He sent it my way, but too He sends a responsibility. What a Joy it is to let it go and see one who was refreshed with water, meat to eat, clothes to wear, and someplace to lay their head.
and too… the opportunity to fellowship Jesus with them.
Keep those redheaded thoughts turning. smile
21/08/2007 at 3:41 pm Permalink
Redheadrev, good thoughts.
If I may, I encourage you to check out my articles on tithing at financialfreedomthroughfaith.wordpress.com – I have gone through quite a bit of research as well as prayer on the subject and dscovered some spiritual insights that many people (myself included) have missed in the past. I also discuss the so-called controversy between those in the tithing camp and the free-will offering camp. I think you’ll find them of interest. God bless!
Paul.
15/09/2007 at 4:04 pm Permalink
good topic the truth of this issue in accordance with the Word of God will set many “cursed” people free
12/01/2009 at 5:36 pm Permalink
i totally agree with you i just started doing my research and found out the same thing the whole point of the tithes was TO BE MEAT IN THE STOREHOUSE God’s priest and people was not to go hungry and also guess what THEY HAD MONEY BACK THEN SILVER AND GOLD COINS AND SHEKELS. so why didn’t God tell them to give their money. The whole point was to look out for God’s people and even the poor, widows, fatherless, and strangers read deut.14:22 they ate the tithes before the lord (a celebration)
16/01/2009 at 3:14 am Permalink
is tithing a new testament requirements? i would say yes it is. tithing is like a tax as what mr. travis had explained in his article. so i may add that tithes represent the kingdom and so is tax to the civil gov’t. jesus built his church to preach the coming of the kingdom of God as one of his objective. it (tithe) was designed to finance the church in spreading that good news. just remember this thing if we tithe then we are subjected to his royal kingdom. because tithe is a royal tribute.
willis