Giving to the "Lord's Work" is good and right.
Teaching giving to the "Lord's Work" is good and right, if done biblically.
Have I made the above clear? The Lord, and I, love a cheerful giver. Giving is a wonderful thing. And therefore, teaching giving is a wonderful thing. Giving 10% or 90% of one's income is fine, if done biblically.
But teaching tithing is evil.
It's not "neutral", it's not "O.K.". It is evil. But say that to some church leaders who teach tithing, and they will show you how evil they can act.
If you've been around the church for long, you've heard the nonsense many many times. It goes something like this:
"God expects you to give 10% of your money to the local church (the "storehouse"). This is your moral obligation. To not tithe is a sin. Only what is above 10% is your "offering". The 10% is minimum, and it must go to the local church. If you don't . . . according to Malachi, you are robbing God!"
Those who are consistent in their wrongly using Old Covenant Malachi will go so far as to say that those who don't tithe are under a curse from God!
You know the routine. This sad "Clubbing of the Sheep" is done weekly in many churches. Some do it monthly or quarterly, or whenever the budget calls for it. Then they will preface their remarks with something like, "Now you know we don't often talk about money, here at Blankety Blank Church. But today we are going to fulfill our biblical responsibility and Club you Sheep!"
Here is why it is positively evil to teach tithing:
1. It Is Utterly Unbiblical Under the New Covenant.
Tithing was a requirement for physical Israel under the Mosaic or "Old" Covenant Law. Even then it was not related to money, but produce and animals. Jesus spoke of tithing briefly, because He lived under the Old Covenant Himself. But otherwise, it is never taught to the Church.
Cheerful giving is taught and encouraged, but always as a response to the good news of Christ, with no compulsion or set percentages.
When today's teachers of tithing are given the above simple truth about the New Covenant, they often parrot the old mantra they've learned from other teachers of tithing, "If under the Law, one was expected to give 10%, then how much more even under Grace." I'm compelled to give them the benefit of the doubt in not judging their hearts regarding the love of money. So the kindest explanation I can give for that is pure open-eyed biblical ignorance. But that level of ignorance in a teacher of the Word of God is a sad shame.
2. It Puts The Sheep Under False Condemnation.
It's a well-know statistic that over 90% of born-again church members do not tithe. That means that potentially 90% of born-again saints are repeatedly put under condemnation by their shepherds. And for an unbiblical legalistic teaching! This is such a tragedy, because it's wrong and unbiblical in itself. But beyond that, it hinders the spiritual growth of the the saints, because when they are put under false condemnation, the Holy Spirit is quenched in their lives.
Even those who do tithe under such compulsion are often hurt in their spiritual walk for at least three possible reasons:
a. they still feel they aren't "offering" enough above their tithe.
b. they are easily subject to pride for "doing their duty" before God, "not like that Publican over there".
c. they are led away from a biblical distinction between the Old and New Covenants, causing their whole biblical understanding to be askew.
In conclusion, teaching tithing in the church is legalism of the worst sort.
Picture a giant glimmering diamond the size of a basketball, perched on black velour, with a bright spotlight shining on it. It shines with brilliance, and a thousand facets of beautiful light. Its blinding beauty puts a smile on all who see it. Then picture a vandal smashing the spotlight with a hammer, and spraying the diamond all over with black paint, obscuring it's beauty.
The beautiful diamond is "Giving". The vandal is the Teacher of Tithing, who masks the beautiful diamond in darkness.
Who is robbing God?
Listen to "Grace For Life" Radio Program.
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39 comments:
I appreciate your thoughts and agree with you about "clubbing the sheep." I do run into a problem though when I read Acts through chapter 2 and find the disciples didn't tithe, but instead gave everything they had to the church and then each one took what they needed and everyone's needs were met.
While teaching on tithing is not Biblical in your estimation, it does take money to reach people for Christ. And unfortunately, it really does cost more money here in the States than it does anywhere else in the world because of how isolated people are from society, community, etc.
One more thought...each person Jesus called to follow Him had to do so with no money, no possessions, and no promise of the same. I do tithe. But I also know that everything I own is God's. He really can do with it what He wants.
Thanks for your blog.
Terry,
I agree with you brother. The church today has too many commands and not enough Gospel.
Thanks, Tony & Jeremy, for your comments.
Mike, "Tithing" literally means "tenthing", or giving 10% of something.
To say that "tithing is a biblical command" requires answering at least two questions:
1. Tithe WHAT? (The answer is never money in the Bible.)
2. WHO is commanded to tithe? (The answer is physical Israel, under the Old Covenant, not the church under the New Covenant.)
In Hebrews Ch. 8 we read that God has instituted the New Covenant, and that it makes the Old Covenant "obsolete". That includes tithing, which is never taught under the New Covenant.
If I didn't make it abundantly clear in my original post, I fully believe in "giving". The New Covenant scriptures clearly teach that we should be givers, generous givers, cheerful givers. And that is how the local church and other ministries fund their ministry.
But to unbiblically make a "Law" for the church requiring 10% (or any specific figure) is not only the error of Legalism, it is actually counterproductive to the spiritual life of the sheep, and therefore the local church itself.
The new believer should be taught the whole counsel of God, including the principles of biblical giving under the New Covenant.
But not the "letter that kills" from the Old Covenant. (2 Cor. 3:6, "...who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.")
Thanks for your comments, Mike.
David,
Appreciate the encouraging words.
Blessings,
Terry
You are right, how refreshing. This is what my husband and I have always thought, but we see the clubbing at our church ... which is one the few things we don't go along with there. I think I will print out your post and put it in the leadership mailbox. (maybe not ...) :~)
Thanks for the post.
(I followed your link from Brian Hedrick's blog.)
Well put. What is MORE EVIL is that the perveyors of this twisted teaching are robbing from the church offering plate to feed their family.
I believe we're suppose to tithe our lives to God at least thats what St.Francis of Assisi and many others did anyway.Ye shall know them by their fruits not there SUITS!Luke 12:15 Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."1ST Timothy 6:4-11(4)he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions(5)and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
(6)But godliness with contentment is great gain.(7)For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.(8)But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.(9)People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.(10)For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
(11)But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
I cannot become a member of my church because I do not tithe. They said, if you want to be a member you must tithe. I'm glad God didn't make this a condition of membership to His church. Although if He did I would gladly do it :)
Two points of clarification, if I may:
1. Although the teaching of tithing is evil, that doesn't mean those who teach it are therefore evil. Some otherwise sweet and godly men are in this snare. Most teach it because they in turn were taught it.
However...
2. If someone teaches tithing, they immediately show themselves as unable to "rightly divide" or "cut straight" the Word of God, particularly in distinguishing between the Old Covenant (the letter which kills), and the glorious New Covenant (of the Spirit Who gives life).
Whoa. I was blog surfing for Tennessee blogs, and came across this site. Amazing entry. I have never heard anyone come out and say this. My husband and I have discussed it, but... Anyway, it's definitely food for thought.
Keep up the good work.
Arnold,
Thanks for writing.
If Abraham's tithing to Melchizedek was our model, it would eliminate the teaching of tithing today.
1. Abraham was not commanded to tithe, he did it voluntarily.
2. He tithed the spoils of his warfare, not his income. He was already rich in livestock and goods, but was never commanded to tithe, and never did tithe, as far as the scriptures say.
3. He tithed those spoils of war only one time.
I applaud you appealing to scripture, but Abraham's tithing, although before the Law, has no bearing whatever on today's sheep-hammering compulsion.
The only other scripture you allude to that actually deals with tithing is Malachi. Malachi taught the Mosaic Law which Hebrews Chapter 8 makes clear was made obsolete when the New Covenant was instituted.
I would really recommend studying the differences between the Old (Mosaid) Covenant and the New Covenant. It not only clarifies the tithing issue, but opens up the scriptures and the Lord Jesus Himself in a way that will radically change your life.
I am in complete agreement with you that God owns us and all we have, but that misses the question of whether He commands us to give a required percentage of our income to the Lord's work. He does not.
Many, by the way, who know the truth of what I'm asserting here give far more than 10% of their income to the Lord's work. As I made clear, giving is a wonderful thing if done biblically (that is, in accord with the New Covenenant).
I have elaborated on some of these themes in my Gracewalk Radio message this week, also entitled "Teaching Tithing Is Evil", which can be accessed at:
www.graceforlife.com/2006_0124.mp3
Blessings,
Terry
What about the command in Deut. 12 that says not to add to what He says nor to take away from what He commands. It is impossible for the law of the tithe to be kept by a Christian. It is not a law that is broken when you don't put ten percent in the plate, it is a command of men that is broken. Hurray to the 90% that don't tithe.
Terry, I do believe that in our culture today you will be mostly agreed with on this topic. A lot of people are caught up with materialism and will look at anything to rationalize their expensive homes, vacations, etc. at the expense of giving. (Mind you, I'm not saying these things are wrong in and of themselves).
I am concerned that you labeled "evil" anyone who is teaching the "tithe". I am failing to see your biblical support for the "evil" distinction.
Secondly, I do agree with you that the "tithe" should not be a legalistic rule to use for bludgeoning any "sheep" who does not give their 10%. New testament giving is both our lives and our money. However, I have been taught that the old testament, while we are not under the law, was written for examples for New Testament believers to live by - a picture book, if you will. Are you throwing out this aspect of the bible (1 Cor 10:11, Romans 15:4)in your statements about tithing?
Janna,
I agree with you that materialism is common in our culture, which affects giving, and that's a shame. But that is irrelevant to the fact that giving is to be from the heart, without compulsion, and the "tithe vs. robbing God" teaching is still harmful legalism.
You're incorrect, sister, in saying that I labeled those who teach tithing evil. I only called the actual teaching evil. I can't judge the hearts of the teachers, and if you re-read my comment of Jan. 24, you'll see that I said:
"Although the teaching of tithing is evil, that doesn't mean those who teach it are therefore evil. Some otherwise sweet and godly men are in this snare. Most teach it because they in turn were taught it."
You said, "New testament giving is both our lives and our money." I couldn't agree more. Good point.
As far as the Old Testament having examples for us, that is very true. But the Mosaic Covenant is still made obsolete by the New Covenant, and just as we no longer are commanded to slaughter livestock on the altar, we are not commanded to tithe even our crops and livestock, let alone our money.
To say otherwise is to put Christians under false condemnation, which is destructive.
Thanks for the comments.
Terry
Hi to you all,
The Lord loves a cheerful giver so if you don't feel cheerful about giving then don't give because He doesn't want your offering.
It's as simple as that, but then that is "The simplicity that is in Christ"
And don't let any blaspheming tithing legalist tell you otherwise.
y2t
Yes Tithing is a wicked practice. The reason is all to do with Melchisedec.
I just did a post on the exact reasons why tithing is wrong
Hi John,
Thanks for commenting.
You're sure right about praying. We need to keep the unity of the faith until we attain to the unity of all truth in glory.
Blessings,
Terry
Hi TJC,
I would never say that the Old Testament is "the letter that kills". We need to differentiate between the Old *Testament* and the Old *Covenant*.
The Old *Testament* is the term we give to the first part of the Bible, covering thousands of years, and written over hundreds of years.
The Old *Covenant*, however, is the specific Mosaic Law handed down at Sinai for the nation Israel, made up of the Ten Commandments and about 600 other laws.
When David spoke of "Thy Law", he was referring basically to the Word of God, just as we would loosely say, "The Bible" or "The Word". And just as David rejoiced in, and loved, and was in awe of "His Law" (His Word), so we should be.
But in the New Covenant, believers are not *under* law, but under grace. Our judgement was taken by Christ and we have been justified, or declared righteous. We have also died to the Law, Rom. 7:6 and Gal. 2:19.
So it's not the Old Testament that "kills", it's the law in general, or the principle of living by external rules, instead of by the Spirit. When we get off of the ground of grace onto the ground of law, we "fall from grace", as Paul put it in Galatians. This doesn't mean we lose our salvation, of course. The Galatians were born-again believers. It means that we quench the Holy Spirit and inflame sin in our flesh, and so it "kills" or stifles our life in Christ.
Blessings,
Terry
Hi Gabe,
Glad to hear the wonderful journey you've been on with the Lord.
Thanks for the kind comments.
Blessings,
Terry
A couple of thoughts about tithing... It is unconciable for ministry to demand that their flock give that 10% above all else....Paul admonished Timothy that a man who didnt care for his own household was worse than an infidel! There are many who can give 10% percent or more and do so willingly. Praise God there are such folks who do this, but if there is a choice between paying tithes and feeding and clothing a family....we all know what must come first! Unless specifically directed by the Holy Spirit to do something else, common sense has to guide us in such matters.
It is also interesting to note that tithing NEVER involved money and there was MORE than one tithe. The people paid their tithe to the local priest and in other years a tithe was take from what was left (total 19%) for the purpose of the FAMILY eating it in celebration before the Lord. The next year that 2nd tithe was given to assist the poor of the land. The only time money was ever mentioned was if the pilgrim was too far away to bring his tithe, he was to convert it to money for ease of transportation. Later on this practice was perverted and gave rise to the moneychangers of the temple. That service was necessary but was corrupted by greedy men who sold inferior quality animals for inflated prices. This graft and corruption was what caused Jesus to purge the temple. I think I might see a pattern here....Greedy entrepenuers overflowing with the love of money providing inferior services at overinflated costs....happens in our temples today! LOL If you read Malachi 3, one must ascertain who the prophet is addressing.....that would be THE PRIESTS who were robbing God in THEIR mandatory tithe to the high priest and the house of God!!!
Beloved.. its the heart that God is after. Shall we tithe after the flesh?? or shall we BECOME the tithe....HOLY UNTO THE LORD by presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice that will be a sweet smelling sacrifce as its consumed by the fiery passion of His great love towards us!! The choice is ours. I certainly believe we should support Gods people according to our ability. Maybe we should start investing in the things that please Him.....our fellow brethern and the poor. Temples made of brick and stone pale in comparison to that.
Anonymous,
"It's the heart that God is after."
You are sure right. Thanks for stopping by.
Terry
I was told by a pastor that a ministry could not survive without the tithe. A few years later I was introduced to a ministry that did not teach tithing (vehemently teaching against it) and was informed that the ministry is able to function through the gifts of the believers who give from a hilarious heart! Praise the Lord for His wisdom!!!
Terry,
I'm Catholic -- or was. And I've been looking for another church for me and my family. What protestant churches don't teach tithing? I find tithing to be a form of legalism -- and an extreme one at that. And coming from the vast web of legalisms that is the Catholic Church, I don't fancy exchanging one guilt trip for another. Currently we are not going to church -- but I miss it.
Darren,
He was so right. Thanks for your input.
Steve,
I've emailed you with some information. Thanks for stopping by.
Blessings,
Terry
Hi I attend Calvary Chapel South Bay GARDENA CALIFORNIA. PASTOR STEVE MAYS TEACHES IF YOU DON'T TITHE YOU ARE SINNING AGAINST GOD
AND GOD WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE DIFFICULT IF YOU DON'T TITHE. HE SAYS YOU CAN'T BE RIGHT WITH GOD IF YOU DON'T TITHE. I FEEL CONFUSED
AND IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS TEACHING FALSE TEACHING.
Hi Anonymous from Gardena,
Simple logic would easily disprove that dear Pastor's theory, since many people who *do* tithe still have great difficulties in their lives, and many people who *don't* tithe seem to have lives of ease.
But that is *not* the way to determine if tithing is a legal requirement under the New Covenant. Only the Scriptures, rightly divided, can tell you that. And the New Covenant Scriptures simply do not teach tithing (they *do*, of course, teach cheerful giving from our abundance, but with no percentage requirements, and always voluntarily).
Thanks for writing,
Terry
Its simple, in malachai chapters one and two it is directed to Leviticus priests who were not acting properly. It has nothing to do with us today.
Dennis
Hi Dennis,
Your point is a good one. It really isn't complicated, is it? Thanks.
Terry
it is just so hard for people to let go of tithing. Every time i speak with people about this subject, they seem lost because we can't extract a percentage from God's people. They can't imagine that God would allow his children this opportunity to just freely give. It really blows their mind away. They think that we must and have to have something to gauge our giving by. We need some physical evidence that barna can gather stats from. This is Gideon's fleece were dealing with here. What shall we ever do if we are to give freely.
When men teach/preach, it is incumbent on them to have the facts about the issue before misleading the flock. Though there may be some that teach in error, for most it is a convenient error. I recently confronted my old church teachers after leaving the church about this false teaching and the frequency at which it was spoken of. I gave the facts to which they could not refute. They have been preaching and in the church since before I was born but did not believe the father had given me the truth in this matter. How could I (an old heathen that had been in the world) know more about tithing than they did since they were born in the Church. God uses the foolish to confound the self professed wise though. Problem is, they still teach it knowing that they could not stand in my rebuke. What I heard is "Well how are we to pay our bills if we dont tithe" Which shows a TOTAL lack of faith from the leaders. Commanding 10% takes no faith. I dont think I need to give the definition of faith in this blog so you know where I am coming from. With out faith, it is impossible to please YHWH. So that church is not a church but one of Satans deceptions. Still milling out the fleecing so they dont have to do a 9 to 5 like all else. And most of the advocates of tithing either live by the tithe or give to get back like they are buying their way to the Kingdom. My salvation is a free gift from the master and I accept it. I give but not to a command but by the grace given me. Please people, read your word! not just about this but all matters. This one just goes to show you that many teach that YHWH did not ordain and anoint with his truth. Seminary means they were taught what the seminary teaches. A parrot teaching a parrot. Not good. Your Bible is your weapon against false teachings. Show your selves approved. Read it and read it GOOd!
Great Post I agree with everything stated. I just so happened got pulled aside from a (leader) about that same issue. I don't have a regular income so its hard.
Terry,
Don't know if this site is still active - but thanks! In addition - I think modern 'tithing' actually causes the believer to shoot him/herself in the foot right after stepping outside the sanctuary and hearing about the Grace of God, or receiving the Sacraments for example - thus rendering themselves powerless. The story of the Pharisee and Publican tax-collector is the best illustration of being justified by faith rather that what we "do".
Thank you Terry Rayburn for speaking the TRUTH! I was "let go" from my full time administration position at the church for simply studying the tithe. It's about time these modern day Manipulating THIEVES are EXPOSED.
Anonymous,
You're welcome. Sorry to hear of your case. The Lord will work in it.
Blessings,
Terry
One Bible verse can shut these liar up about the Malachi 3:9 curse for not tithing.
Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law...
(There is no way they should try to declare of curse over those Jesus bought with a price (with His own blood). Only Bible illiterates and Legalist Pharisees keep being blinded by this tithe lie.
The irony in this whole Tithe debacle is that Bible declares those trying to go backward under the Old Covenant law for justification and favor with God are the ones under a curse because they do not trust in the payment Jesus made as being sufficient and think they need to add to the grace of God with the law which only someone sinless could fulfill The deception is that the tithe Police neglect the other laws in Leviticus (The Book of the Law). The terms and conditions under the Old Covenant was all of them had to be kept. If not endless sacrifices were needed as an atonement and in other cases breaking laws like the Saturday Sabbath rest and failure to get ones male child circumcised resulted in death by stoning.
Galatians 3:10
But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God's Book of the Law."
One Bible verse can shut these liars up about the Malachi 3:9 curse for not tithing.
Galatians 3:13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law...
(There is NO Noooo way these Tithe Police should declare any Malachi 3:9 curse over those Jesus bought with a price (with His own blood). Only Bible illiterates and Tithe Legalist (Pharisees) keep being blinded by this tithe lie.
The irony in this whole Tithe debacle is that the Bible declares those trying to go backward under the Old Covenant law for justification and favor with God are the ones under a curse because they do not trust in the payment Jesus made as being sufficient.
Religious Legalist think they need to add to the grace of God with the law which only someone sinless could fulfill. The deception is these Tithe Police neglect the other laws in Leviticus (The Book of the Law). The terms and conditions under the Old Covenant was all of them had to be kept. If not endless sacrifices were needed as an atonement and in other cases breaking laws like the Saturday Sabbath rest and failure to get ones male child circumcised resulted in death by stoning.
Galatians 3:10
But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, "Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God's Book of the Law."
Romans 10:4
Christ is the End of the Law for Righteousness for every believer.
Hebrews 7:12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law.
Romans 3:20
For by works of the law no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law, through the law we become conscious of sin.
Acts 13:39
through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses.
Galatians 2:16
yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified in sight."
Galatians 2:21
"I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Galatians 3:13
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us-- for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE "--
Galatians 5:4
"You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace
Hebrews 8:6
But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
Hebrews 8:7 "For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second".
Hebrews 8:13
"In that he said, A new covenant, he has made the first old. Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away".
Galatians 4:24
These two women serve as an illustration of God's two covenants. The first woman, Hagar, represents Mount Sinai where people received the law that enslaved them.
Galatians 4:30
30 Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.
Galatians 3:31
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
2 Corinthians 3:6
He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.
(The letter Killeth = the Old Covenant letter of the Law, it required death of spotless lambs The letter of the law pointed out our guilt and sin debt and that sin debt required death ( do you folks get that?)
The Spirit gives life = New Covenant & Holy Spirit which within every born again believer. Something they did NOT permanently have with the Old Covenant.
These folks robbing the Lord's sheep of their peace to collect tithe percent pay check tell us that Abraham gave tithes before the tithe law was given to justify New Covenant tithing.
Abraham also had a wife and a slave woman who he had sex with to that produced an illegitimate son. Do you grace robbers want to do that too cause Abraham did it before the law was given?
Wake the Heck up! We that are blood bought by Christ can cheerfully give as we decide according to 2nd Corinthians 9:7.
FYI, Devout Jews don't even teach tithing in their Synagogues any longer. They give free will offerings since their is no longer a Tribe of Levi to collect the Tithes. Only the Tribe of Levites were authorized to collect the tithes for their Temple in Jerusalem which was destroyed around 70 AD.
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