In any church one of the important areas where leadership and members need agreement is giving and financial management. My wife and I have recently started attending a new church, and in conversing on this subject with one of the pastors, I thought it might be nice to summarize my own views on giving (if just for my own personal organisation).
First of all, I do not believe in a tithe requirement for Christians. There is really no correlation between Old Testament (even pre-law) tithing and modern Christians giving 10% of their gross income to a local church establishment. Even without getting into the more complicated arguments for and against, it should be blatantly obvious that there really is not a cut and dried comparison here.
What I would argue, is that Christians are to give in the exact and literal way that the bible ordains:
- without compulsion at all - either form a rule, expectation or judgement
- from an open-heart - that is by free-will (2 Cor 9:5)
- based on cost, not value (2 Cor 8:2)
- without causing financial burden or incurring debt (2 Cor 8:12)
- So as not to become a burden to others (Gal 6:5)
Two Examples of Methods
The church we are now attending passes a basket around. The church we formerly attending kept a box at the side of the church. I can see advantages and disadvantages in both methods.
In passing a basket around, giving is encouraged as a corporate act of worship unto God. It provides an opportunity for teaching the assembly about giving and then providing an opportunity to practice this essential element of Christianity. However, it could also be considered a more “compulsory” method, as the giving is done a little more publicly. I also think there is a temptation for both sinful pride and recognition by those who give and sinful judgement and pride towards those who do not give in this manner.
With the box off to the side, then the giving is removed from the public eye. The feelings of compulsion are removed and temptations of judgement and pride are reduced. However, the worship element is also minimized - and giving can become like just another bill. Moreover, there is also the possibly that such a minimal attitude towards giving forsakes discipling the members towards a healthy attitude of giving.
Who Should Know?
Christians should realize that there is no gift that is anonymous from God. But who in the church should know the giving? Again, I am quite torn on this issue.
On the one hand, there is a strong message in Matthew 6 that giving should be done in anonymity towards men. At the same time, giving is an area where pastors should be able to disciple the flock.Thirdly, modern tax codes and exemptions for both churches and individuals greatly incentivise keeping records of who gave what and for what purpose. I believe that I favour the anonymity approach, but I can see how it might be a pragmatic compromise to keep records.
Colin
Thanks for stating the truth about tithing versus NT giving principles. My PHD was on that subject and it caused me to become a tblack sheep in many churches.
Colin said, “based on cost, not value (2 Cor 8:2)”
Could you elaborate a bit more here? I interpret the word value to mean something like overall value and meaning in context and cost to mean an absolute dollar amount. Is that what you meant? Or did you mean the opposite?
This is a topic that I am interested in, but in a general way, not just in the specific idea of giving money to a local church. I’ve always thought that giving was one of my spiritual gifts (which is somewhat ironic since my money comes from others’ giving, not via an earned corporate paycheck).
I also have the point of view of a church treasurer. I’m not trained in business at all, but I was drafted into being our church’s treasurer for several years. From that point of view, keeping records is essential to encourage honesty and transparency and following the laws about designated giving. Of course, I’m speaking from the church’s point of view, not the giver’s, but as a treasurer, it is a lot smarter to deal with checks than cash because it forces a certain accountability and more easily prevents anyone from just helping themselves from the offering plate.
I have wondered whether this issue would ever come up. I too have struggled with this in the past. I do believe in tithing, but maybe not for some of the other reasons others do. I do not believe in teaching tithing from a compulsory point-of-view, since that violates the New Testament principles of giving. In others word, “If you don’t tithe the devourer is gonna get you!”
I tithe to honor God and to finance the work of the Gospel. When I tithe, I do so with the understanding that all I have is God’s anyway. When I started tithing a few years ago, I did so because I just thought Christians were supposed to. And I was told that if I did I would get the money multiplied back to me. And if I didn’t I would be broke. I didn’t really have a handle on doing it from a grateful heart. I do believe the benefits and the principles of giving set forth in the Bible - New Testament and Old - are applicable to Christian’s today, but I do not think it is right to give with receiving being the sole motivation.
Concerning Matthew 6, that has to do with giving to the poor and doing so as to appear generous. In other words, making a spectacle about your generosity. Further on in the chapter he mentions people praying in the same manor. So it isn’t wrong to give in the presence of people. It’s wrong to do so to receive praise from someone.
Thanks Colin. I can understand your concern about whether giving should be anonymous or not. Matthew 6 cautions us not to do good deeds in order to be seen and praised by men. Giving could fall into that category if we give publicly in hopes of being respected and admired by others. I don’t interpret the passage as advocating total secrecy, though. That’s not the point Jesus was trying to make. But if anonymity is the only way that you can give without being influenced by the praises of men, then by all means give anonymously. I’ve done so on occasion.
Russell Earl Kelly, thanks for dropping by. I believe I read your website a while back when I was researching tithing. Good stuff. A lot of people have no idea what the Bible teaching about tithing. When Christians today talk about tithing, they aren’t referring to the OT concept of giving a percentage of their annual increase to the Levites. Most people don’t even know what an OT tithe really is–they just think tithe means giving 10% of their monetary income. And hey, 10% is a good rule of thumb, but it’s by no means biblical. Five percent is just as biblical as 10% or 50% or 90%. It’s not about how much a person gives.
Sidenote: Colin, I am really enjoying your British spelling and unique words like incentivise, which I checked on for you - it does appear to be a word.
So what do you (all) think of Faith Promise-type giving? Committing “by faith” to give a certain amount at a future time or during a future period. To me, this seems like a fine thing to do as an individual, especially at the Holy Spirit’s leading (no that’s not a biblical command, and please nobody jump on me about how the leading should “feel” or look), but not something a church should be encouraging its members to do. Latter seems too much like compulsion.
Thainamu, what I mean by “value” is how much the gift is worth to someone besides the giver. For example, a gift of $1,000 has a lot of value. But if it comes from a millionaire, it may not cost him much. Giving is about the act - the faith, heart and motivations of the giver in worship to God - it is not about pragmatic motivations such as value, benefits or results.
Sharon, I’m glad you are liking my new language! He he…
Regarding “faith promise” - I read an excellent critique of the practice in what is fast becoming a foundational book for me, Decision Making and the Will of God. Jasen touched very, very briefly on why this practice may not be biblical here.
I don’t thinks it’s heresy or anything, but I do think the “grace giving” model or “proportional giving” is better.
I’ve written my own essay on tithing, taking every reference to tithing that appears in the Bible and correlating it to the Christian life. Basically, I come up with the conclusion that someone who is tithing to fulfill their spiritual obligation (language I have actually pulled pastors aside for using), they are doing wrong. The Bible clearly teaches that EVERYTHING belongs to the Lord, and that NOTHING is for our own usage. Further, OT tithing was specific to the maintenance of the Levites and the Temple, neither of which are currently in existence. Finally, the calling for a believer is significantly higher, to give generously to those in need as the Lord leads. The only appearances of tithing in the New Testament are to chastise the Pharisees for giving token amounts to look good while neglecting the needs of others whom they had an obligation toward (poor, elderly, etc).
That said, there is nothing wrong with using 1/10 as a generic budgeting figure or giving that amount if that is what God has laid on your heart to give. Our obligation is always to give cheerfully as God lays on our heart, and if you believe God want’s you to give 10% it would be sinful for you not do to so. Violating your conscience and doing what you believe is wrong is NEVER pleasing to God.
The church that I go to now takes up the offering by having everyone come forward and put theirs in a basket in the front of the room. At first, I didn’t like the idea too much, but it seems to work just fine. Most families send their children up with the gift. Anyway, just thought I’d share that one because I don’t think I’ve seen that method used anywhere else.
That seems a bit too public.
“The church that I go to now takes up the offering by having everyone come forward and put theirs in a basket in the front of the room. At first, I didn’t like the idea too much, but it seems to work just fine. Most families send their children up with the gift. Anyway, just thought I’d share that one because I don’t think I’ve seen that method used anywhere else.”
That’s how our church does it too. I’m comfortable with it, but I’ve been at churches that pass the bucket and one that had a slot in the foyer that you could privately put money in. It was weeks before I figured that out. I kept wondering, “When are they going to take up the offering?” It’s all good to me.
TANK, I have to tell you that I would really be uncomfortable with your church’s method of giving, myself.
Giving mechanisms are not inherently right or wrong, though I highly prefer the box in the back. The only people who really need to know where it is are the church’s members, and they can have it pointed out to them as part of the membership interview.
When I visited this church with the box in the back I wanted to give. It certainly is biblical to give to anyone from whom you receive the ministry of the word, whether you are a member or not. I mean, what is church membership in a biblical sense? We are members in particular of the body of Christ. And if someone comes in as a visitor and wants to give, I think he should be given the opportunity to do so. He is just as much a member of the body of Christ as you are, and he may want to make a contribution. After all, it’s better to give than is to receive.
From my point of view the box in the back can make giving sorta taboo. Its kind of like the church saying, “We are good people. We’re not just out to take your money. We really do love you - honest!” I don’t look at it that way. I want to give. If people are uneasy during the offering it is because they either have had bad past experiences (compulsion or whatever) or they just don’t understand the blessing of giving. God is a giver and his people should be givers. And I don’t know why you would want to put an obstacle in the way of anyone who wants to honor God. If God loves cheerful givers, I think giving cheerfully should be encouraged. And it’s difficult to do that when it is something hush-hush. That’s my opinion for what its worth.
I agree with Atanamis that there are no right or wrong giving mechanisms. To me, problems arise from the abuse or misuse of the existing mechanisms. For instance, if you have to come forward to give, some mean Pharisee is giving you the evil eye because you never got up from your seat. Or they pass you the offering plate and you pass it on without dropping so much as a chicken bone in it, and they roll their eyes at you. Then they piously look up to heaven and say, “God, I thank thee that I’m not like this guy over here who didn’t give anything. Have mercy on his soul.” Or (Alright I’m taking it too far now) you go to some flaky church who wants to cast that “tightwad spirit” out of you. Stuff like that really does happen. Even the box in the back can work; I just think people should be told where it is.