Tag Archive for 'obligation'

Here is a fascinating thing: almost every church I have ever been to, whether as a member or just visiting, did not agree that tithing was mandatory. Yet, I cannot think of one that did not use the terminology “tithing” in relation to giving. This is a problem. Why is it that churches which claim to be against tithing still retain the language of a concept that is not applicable to Christians?

A Lack of Faith?
Why is the legacy of tithing, via language, still present in churches which claim to have nothing to do with the practice? I have no easy answer, nor do I want to take what some might consider an obvious answer of nefarious motives. At the same time, I have to wonder if there is a lack of faith at the heart of the problem.

There is no question that church staff and churches in general, are some of the most underfunded operations in existence. For the work that these people do, they have to bear a lot of struggle and risk because their beneficiaries will not pay for the service that they provide. I have tremendous respect for any pastor who leaves a stable vocation for the sake of the gospel to go into what is a known financial mine-field. Because this is the case, I have no doubt that it is difficult to teach proper application of what God’s Word says about giving – perhaps the financial difficulties are so great that church leaders are willing to take money given in an erroneous understanding of giving, and be silent about it, as a consequentiallist action. In other words, it is ultimately correct that the believer give – therefore, why he gives (even if he feels under compulsion from an unbiblical tithing rule), is not as important.

Imagine if a person came up to a pastor on a Sunday morning and said – “I am ready to commit my life to Jesus,” but then followed with, “because I heard that Jesus can fix my marriage, get me a new car and help me pay my mortgage.” The man is coming to Jesus, but his motives are wrong. Is it correct that the pastor just run with this, even though this man has no idea why he actually needs Jesus? No. If the pastor goes through the sinner’s prayer with this guy, it’s not going to mean anything to him- a waste of words and time. But if the pastor explains why he actually needs Jesus, he risks losing this man’s enthusiasm. But any good pastor would risk it, because he knows that it is correct and because motives matter, not the form of results. By the same token, giving is important, but not gifts which are given with unbiblical motives such as obligations, tithes and leader’s approval.

God himself rejects those sacrifices and offerings which are given to him out of incorrect motives.

Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you’ (Jeremiah 7:21-23).

Biblical Principles Encourage Pure Motives in Giving and Receiving
Stress about paying the bills is something everyone deals with – but this does not justify circumventing our responsibilities to both give and receive biblically. I believe, by the way, that the bible teaches a proportional giving model – giving as one is able, regardless of such pharisaisms as percentages, gross versus net and so on. Giving is another way to worship God and articulate faith. It’s also a way to live out biblical principles of supporting the work of the gospel and those who minister. It’s an essential and indispensable part of the Christian lifestyle, and in the same way it is given, so should it be received.

Clearly there is a mutual struggle with giving among both those who give and those who receive. For those who give, to do so freely and without compulsion takes maturity, wisdom and a willingness to articulate faith with money. However, it is clearly not a walk in the park for those who receive, who must be willing to correct, rebuke even reject money which is given with an unbiblical attitude.