Christians can give any amount of money to the local church. The point is to give cheerfully and what you can reasonably afford. While pro-tithe advocates insist on at least 10% of your income, the New Testament doesn’t specify any set amount at, above, or below the man-made tithe. However, the Bible does provide practical guidelines on how church members can support their churches.
Table of Contents
- Watch the Video
- A Matter of the Heart
- Held Captive By Legalism
- The Lawbreakers
- A Flawed Law
- A New Teacher Emerges
- Take Care of Home
- Time for a New Spirit
- The Choice Is Yours
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Recap
Watch the Video
A Matter of the Heart
The New Testament emphasizes voluntary giving. This type of giving can be boiled down to two questions: Is it in your heart to give? What are you able to give?
The New Testament is never legalistic regarding ministerial support. It doesn’t threaten believers with punishment if they don’t give money to a church. It doesn’t claim the devil will wreak havoc in your life if you don’t donate to a ministry. What it does emphasize is giving from your heart.
God wants you to give, not because you think you must do it. Instead, He wants you to give because it’s what you want to do. And this is a far cry from the Old Covenant tithe command.
Held Captive By Legalism
In the Old Testament, tithing was a legalistic act. It was an ordinance or statute the Lord put in place for the ancient nation of Israel to follow. Whenever you see the words ordinance or statutes in the Bible, it deals with legal matters. The children of Israel didn’t tithe because they wanted to necessarily. They did it out of legal obligation. They had no other choice but to tithe.
Numbers 18:8
And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.
The Lawbreakers
Ancient Israel kept breaking the Mosaic Law. One reason for this is that the Law prevented the children of Israel from developing a heart for God. Individual Israelites didn’t have an intimate relationship with the Lord. No amount of tithing brought them closer to the Lord. Ultimately, the nation faced repercussions for breaking the tithe command and other Old Covenant commandments.
Deuteronomy 28:15
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
A Flawed Law
The Bible makes it clear that the Old Covenant had its limitations. Moses, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel acknowledge the Mosaic Law, including tithing, was flawed. It could not bring ancient Israel into a state of holiness the Lord envisioned. These prophets understood the Mosaic Law was a temporary solution. In other words, they foreshadowed a New Covenant would replace the Old Covenant.
Deuteronomy 29:4
4 Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.
Jeremiah 31:31
31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Jeremiah 31:33
33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
A New Teacher Emerges
New Testament church giving represents a major shift away from Old Testament tithing. Remember, individual members of ancient Israel had no personal relationship with the Lord. They were led by the Law, not by the Holy Spirit. As a New Testament Christian, the Holy Spirit has replaced the Law and serves as your teacher.
John 14:26
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
The Holy Spirit will always lead you in the right direction when financially supporting church services, a ministry, or anything else.
Take Care of Home
Spirit-led giving in the New Testament respects the fact you have other obligations. The Apostle Paul discourages saints from supporting a ministry while neglecting their households. The Bible has strong words for people who neglect their household responsibilities.
1 Timothy 5:8
But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
The New Testament doesn’t support the modern-day mandate of giving a church 10% of your income. The Apostle Paul encouraged believers to give from their abundance. This abundance means you have more than enough money to cover your household expenses and to give to a ministry.
What’s the key takeaway here? Take care of your household necessities first. For example, don’t give $100 to a ministry when you know that’s money you need to keep your lights on.
2 Corinthians 8:11-14
11 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have.
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.
13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened:
14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:
Time for a New Spirit
The New Testament emphasizes changing your inner man. The role of the Holy Spirit is to help you become Christ-like in all areas of your life. When this happens, you will naturally want to give. Your generosity will come from a Spirit-centered, loving place. You will become the “cheerful giver” the Apostle Paul writes about. As a New Testament Christian, what’s most important to God is not how much you give. What matters most is charitable giving with the right spirit.
2 Corinthians 9:7
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
The Choice Is Yours
The New Testament offers guidance on how to give. It doesn’t command believers to give. The Apostle Paul makes this clear in 2 Corinthians. He often writes about ministerial support, and Christians can follow his suggestions.
2 Corinthians 8:8
8 I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
This is in keeping with the New Covenant principle of Spirit-led giving. It’s not God’s intent for anyone to feel pressured, forced, or manipulated into giving a church offering. The Apostle Paul’s views on this issue are an excellent reference for determining how much money to give to a church.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Church Free?
Religious institutions usually don’t charge for regular worship services. Donations or tithes from attendees fund their operations, but it’s voluntary. Paid services are optional, and regular attendance doesn’t require payment. Donating is a personal decision based on beliefs.
Can You Define Tithe in the Bible?
The Bible defines the tithe as a tenth of agricultural produce and livestock given to the Levites (Numbers 18:21-24) and used to support the priesthood and the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29).
The tithe consisted of crops such as grain, fruit, and oil and animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats (Leviticus 27:30-32). The tithe was meant to be a way for the people of Israel to support the Levites, who had no inheritance in the land and were responsible for maintaining the Tabernacle and later the Temple (Numbers 18:20-24).
However, it’s important to note that the tithe was a part of the Old Testament Law, which was fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:17). Christians are not obligated to follow the Old Testament Law, including tithing. Instead, we are called to give generously and cheerfully from our hearts (2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
Why Do Churches Ask for Money?
Churches ask for money for several reasons. First, financial resources are necessary to support the church’s day-to-day operations, such as paying staff salaries, maintaining the building, and covering utility bills.
Additionally, church donations help fund various ministries and outreach programs that serve the community and support those in need. Finally, churches often emphasize the biblical principle of tithing, where believers are encouraged to contribute a portion of their income to support the church’s work and further the spread of the Gospel.
What Is Online Giving for Churches?
Online giving for churches is a method of donating money to a church or religious institution through the internet. It allows individuals to make donations from their computer or mobile device, usually through a secure online platform.
Online giving can take many forms, including one-time, recurring, or special event donations. It may also allow donors to choose the specific ministry or cause they want their donation to support. Online giving has become increasingly popular among churches and religious organizations as a convenient and secure way for people to support their faith community.
Recap
What’s the right amount of money to give to a church? It’s up to you. The New Testament doesn’t have rules for you to follow. The Apostle Paul’s writings on the topic are helpful. He stresses a healthy balance between supporting a ministry and caring for your necessities.
God wants you to be a cheerful giver. However, He doesn’t want you to neglect your household duties and responsibilities. Remember, what’s in your heart matters most to God, not how much you put in the collection plate.
Outsmart the False Teachers
If you want to discover more tithe facts, I encourage you to get a copy of The Tithing Hoax. This book provides in-depth information on how to give the RIGHT way. It also offers helpful tips based on Scripture.
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