Some church folk may not want to hear this. But here it goes. Believers don’t OWE God’s tithes and offerings. Why am I talking about this?
I read a letter sent to a newspaper editor from a Christian in Virginia. His name is J. Robert Edwards, and he is a member of the Sharon Christian church. He made some interesting points about the need for Christians to support small rural churches financially. And I agree with a few things he said. However, he made a bold statement about tithes and offerings that I disagree with.
So, let me first dive into where Mr. Edwards and I see eye to eye.
Table of Contents
- Churches Close Due to Lack of Tithes and Offerings
- The Truth About Malachi 3:8
- Israel Paid for Its Sins
- Jesus Makes the Ultimate Sacrifice
- Break Free From the Tithe Deception
Listen to Podcast
Please Note: The following post is an edited version of The Tithing Hoax podcast transcript.
Churches Close Due to Lack of Tithes and Offerings
Edward states small rural churches are closing down. Why? According to him, the main reason is church members’ lack of financial support.
He points out how members express love for their local church. But that love isn’t being reflected in their tithes and offerings. They’re not putting their money where they say their love is.
So, the church suffers. Plus, it makes it harder for the church to fulfill its mission of doing God’s work.
Here’s where I agree.
Members should have a heart for giving money to their churches. It doesn’t have to be a certain amount. Apostle Paul encourages believers to give according to their ability (2 Corinthians 8:12).
Let’s be honest. A church building has expenses. You can’t cover the overhead by quoting scriptures, speaking in tongues, and giving your neighbor a have five. When those utility bills come in, these companies want their money. Plus, there are other operating or administrative costs, such as salaries.
Then there’s the actual ministry. Often doing outreach outside the church involves some associated cost. Often, people expect churches to do many things in their communities, which is understandable. But these efforts require various resources, including finances.
Operating a church isn’t free. So, I understand Edwards’ concern.
However, he throws Malachi 3:8 into the mix, where we part ways.
Tithes and offerings aren’t money.
R. RENEE
The Truth About Malachi 3:8
Edwards quotes Malachi 3:8, which says, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings (KJV). He believes church members who don’t pay tithes and offerings rob God.
Now, if you’re a follower of The Tithing Hoax platform, you know the truth about Malachi 3:8. One, tithes and offerings aren’t money. Two, Malachi rebukes Israel’s religious leaders, the Levites, and Levitical priests. He’s not addressing the congregation. Finally, the religious leaders robbed God.
Edwards follows the Malachi 3:8 quote by saying, “Wake up, people. We all still OWE God.” He believes Christians owe God money. I beg to differ.
Let’s look at tithes and offerings from a biblical perspective.
Israel Paid for Its Sins
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Under the Mosaic Law Covenant, the tribe of Levi received tithes and offerings from the other 11 tribes. Go to Numbers 18:21.
It says:
“And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.”
NKJV
The Levites brought the tithes and offerings into the Tabernacle. Then the Levitical priests performed the sacrifices.
Now let’s take a closer look at offerings.
There’s a relationship between making offerings and owing God. There are five major types of offerings. Three of these deal with making atonement for sin. They include the following:
- Burnt offering
- Sin offering
- Guilt offering
Israel gave these offerings whenever they violated the Mosaic Law commandments. These violations often included offenses committed against fellow Israelites. So, ancient Israel paid the price (or penalty) for sin with sacrificial offerings.
Again, we’re not talking about money. The sacrificial offerings included animals, such as bulls, goats, and rams. Go to Leviticus 16. It covers the various offering types. Now, pay attention to verse 16.
It says:
“So he shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, for all their sins; and so he shall do for the tabernacle of meeting which remains among them in the midst of their uncleanness.”
NKJV
The verse illustrates Israel had sin debts (transgressions) that required payment. Stated another way, they owed the Lord an offering for their sin.
The Levitical priests killed the animals. Then they sprinkled the animals’ blood on the altar, and so forth. This is how Israel cleansed itself of sin.
What does this have to do with Christians?
Let’s see.
Jesus Makes the Ultimate Sacrifice
Christian believers don’t owe God tithes and offerings. Why? Because the New Testament teaches us that Yahshua (Jesus) paid the price. He was the last, ultimate sacrificial offering.
Go to Romans 5:9. It says:
“Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
NKJV
Check out verse 11. It says:
“And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.”
NKJV
Forget about the bulls, goats, and ram’s blood. Yahshuah’s blood paid the price for sin.
Read Ephesians 1:7. It says:
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”
NKJV
Again, Scripture affirms Yahshua paid the price. So you don’t OWE God tithes and offerings. Go over to 1 Peter 2:24. It says, “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose [a]stripes you were healed (NKJV).”
Okay, here’s one final verse.
1 Corinthians 6:20 “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
You’re bought with a price. Yahshua sacrificed his blood on the cross. He settled the debt, so you don’t owe a payment (tithes and offerings).
Questions to Consider
I agree with Edwards that members should financially support the church they love. However, their giving shouldn’t be based on Malachi 3:8 or that believers OWE God.
What do you think about church members who don’t financially support their church? Do you believe Christians owe God tithes and offerings? Do you think Yahushua’s sacrifice on the cross replaced tithes and sacrificial offerings?
Let me know.
Break Free From the Tithe Deception
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the tithe doctrines, don’t worry! You can start by reading The Tithing Hoax, where we break down everything you need to know about tithing. We explain why Christians don’t have to tithe and provide biblical verses to back it up. So don’t let anyone tell you you’re going to hell if you don’t tithe.
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