There appears to be a degree of confusion or presumption amongst church goers when it comes to the topic of giving gifts and offerings. Unfortunately, there are some church leaders who, unknowingly, are perpetuating a misunderstanding of what comprises a biblical view and approach to giving. Thus, the need for clarity. Perhaps to the surprise of many, God’s way of giving for believers today is not the Tithe. Tithing is an Old Testament concept based on the Old Covenant system, which involved Levite priests who were required to receive tithes and offerings from the people in order to support the Temple’s activities which included making sacrifices for both the sins of individuals and, collectively, for the nation of Israel (Malachi 3:1-4, 8-11).
However, under the New Covenant, Jesus is our High Priest who gave himself as the final sacrifice for mankind’s sins (Hebrews 7:18-27). Now that Christ is our High Priest, there is no longer a need for the Aaronic Priesthood, animal sacrifices or the Temple. It is important to understand what the Book of Hebrews says regarding the old and new covenants. “But now Jesus, our high priest, has been given a ministry that is far superior to the old priesthood, for he is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises. If the first covenant had been faultless, there would be no need for a second covenant to replace it…When God speaks of a new covenant, it means that he has made the first one obsolete. It is now out of date and will soon disappear.” Hebrews 9:6–7, 13 NLT
As believers, we are no longer under the Old Covenant but rather are to be guided by the New Covenant which was instituted by Christ’s death and resurrection. According to the Apostle Paul, WE are the temple of God. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, Paul announced, “Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God lives in you? For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” We are also described as “God’s building” (verse 9). This means that the house of God is no longer a physical structure like the Temple, Tabernacle, synagogue or even a church building. As believers, it is we who make up the true church, the body of Christ. The Apostle Peter put it this way, “You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God‘s very own possession. As a result…Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people.” 1 Peter 2:9-10
It is important to have a clear and accurate understanding of what the Bible teaches about giving now that believers are under the New Covenant. Tithing is an Old Testament and Old Covenant concept, NOT a New Testament command. The few times that Jesus spoke about tithing was usually in a negative context. It often involved Jesus confronting the Pharisees and religious leaders of his day for their hypocrisy in giving tithes and offerings publicly in hopes of receiving praise and admiration from others. See Matthew 6:1-4.
In contrast, giving which is generous and sacrificial are the cornerstones of the New Testament’s teachings on giving God’s way. Even so, Luke 6:38 is a passage often used to support the notion that parishioners should tithe faithfully and fully to the church. It states, “Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you, fully pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38
In this passage, Jesus wasn’t making a promise to bless those who gave abundantly to support the Temple’s activities. Instead, he taught that individuals should give to help the poor and meet the needs of others, a sentiment also promoted by the Apostle Paul. See Philippians 2:2-5. No, God’s blessings are not dependent upon the amount of a person’s financial gift, as evidenced by Jesus’s positive comments about the widow’s mite. He praised her for giving sacrificially, even though, comparatively, she gave much less than others. See Luke 21:1-5. Rather than promising financial blessings, the context reveals Jesus exhorting his followers to meet the most important needs of people by giving them the gifts of love, kindness, forgiveness and compassion as opposed to judging and condemning them. See Luke 6:30-37
In Paul’s letters to the churches, instead of mentioning the tithe, he emphasized the principle of giving generously and sacrificially for the needs of the individuals who comprise the church. Paul also thanked the believers in Philippi and Thessalonica for their faithful giving to meet his own personal needs during his missionary journeys. See Philippians 4:10-18. He also described the amazing way in which the believers in Macedonia gave to others in need. Paul wrote, “In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us.” 2 Cor. 8:1-5 NIV
This type of gracious giving is eerily reminiscent of how the early church cared for those in need. See Acts 2:42-47.
Like the Macedonian believers, giving generously and sacrificially can be and should be our declaration that we trust God to meet our needs even as we focus on meeting the needs of others and seek to put the Kingdom of God first in our lives. See: Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:33
It is noteworthy that both Jesus and the Apostle Paul utilized personal pronouns with reference to giving. Our Lord said that we are to “give to someone in need….” This phrase is used two times for emphasis and without any mention of the Temple. See Matthew 6:1-4. Similarly, Paul wrote, “Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this same attitude in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” See Philippians 2:3-5 NASB. We need to remember that God’s word encourages us to give to individuals, such as missionaries and those in need, not just to local churches or large denominations. Even King Solomon shared these wise words about giving God’s way, “The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).
Therefore, let us follow the words of Christ, Paul and Solomon, rather than those who, although well-intentioned, mandate that one’s tithe is to be given only to the local church. Their supposed proof-text is Malachi 3:10 which states, “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple.” Implied is the false notion that the “storehouse and Temple” are now to be interpreted as the local church. While it is certainly admirable to give 10% to any Christ-honoring church, it is not theologically sound to presume that this passage commands believers today to give exclusively to the church. We should keep in mind, and take to heart, that there are many Christian-based ministries and para-church organizations, which are worthy of our prayerful and financial support.
The Apostle Paul encourages generous giving from us all. He wrote, “Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. So two good things will result from this ministry of giving – the needs of the believers will be met and they will joyfully express their thanks to God…For your generosity to them, and to all believers, will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ…Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!” 2 Corinthians 9:11–15
Regardless of one’s position or views on giving, 10% should be the starting point, not the ending point. Imagine how much more could be accomplished for God’s Kingdom work of reaching the lost and needy in this world if we all gave generously and sacrificially! Let’s remember how God has so richly blessed us. “So, we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us.” Ephesians 1: 6–8
Paul also reminds us that Christ is our greatest example of sacrificial giving. May his gracious sacrifice be the standard and motivation for us to give to God’s work joyfully and abundantly. Two questions still remain for us all. 1) “What does generous and sacrificial giving look like for ME?” And 2) “What will I DO differently with my giving so as to follow Christ’s example?”
May we have the courage and the confidence to give this way, which we have seen is also God’s way of giving.
Preserving Sound Doctrine 