One side of the pulpit declares that tithing is still “the law” of today. The other said its not.

I have always come to the conclusion that if Jacob and Abraham tithe – way before any laws were established by Moses, than I too will tithe. Tithing was a good example and people needs to eat (plain and simple).

The argument however was not as strong when I saw I could have given more money to missionaries , to the widows since I knew that the needs of the church has been supplied more than enough.

There is always this voice coming from the pulpit ” tithe should always be given to the home church-period” eventhough we live under grace not under law. (ironic)

Your post was truly a breath of fresh air. It gives a balanced view point. It confirms my conviction.
As a woman with two sons, a wife, a bread winner, sometimes money comes short.

It makes me feel awful when I saw the needs of friends and family members around me that I could’ve helped financially but the tithe was suppose to be for the “church” when I knew that the church has had more than enough. This “wrong” message needs to be declared from the roof top.

There are estimated 1 billion Christians in the world today. If we would all give generously to one another I cannot see the reason why poverty cannot be override.

First time to visit your blog. I found it while searching for plugins on WordPress =)

This is a very interesting topic, indeed, and something I’ve been asked many times by non-Christians. I myself try to explain that tithing is necessary for the advancement of the church, and while there have been instances in the past of certain churches exploiting people for their money, it’s not a common occurrence. People that go to church give because they believe in the gospel, which also happens to be the most important in their lives. With that in mind, giving is easy =)

1) when a church deliberately curtails giving in order to ‘starve him out’ This is a wickedness that needs to be addressed. Particularly in my denomination where is is so ridiculously easy to turf a pastor out on his ear (congregational government). Fortunately thsi situation is rare, not as rare as it should be, but rare.

2) When an individual is not growing in their faith and this is working out through a lack of generosity. Just as I would challenge a person who sees no need to join in the ministry of the congregation, no need to attend regularly, no need to pray or study Scripture for themselves, I would say the Christian who sees no need to give is immaturre and needs to be challenged in that area both form the pulpit and in their loungeroom (with all love and gentleness)

NB: the leadership needs to be quite sure their goal is the edification of the member and not the enlargement of the coffers.

A good discussion, Mark. One we shy away from too often because of the excesses of those American and British TV evangelists (little joke form Australia there…)

God Bless,
Michael Hutton
Ariah Park, NSW
Australia