What is recorded in the gospels concerning paying tithes? Luke records a rebuke from Jesus about a pious Pharisee who flaunted his tithing, but had no compassion or love. Tithing was just another part of the system of law, of which Jesus was also obedient. His life stood in the shadow of the Mosaic covenant, but ended with his death and resurrection, when he fulfilled within himself the requirements of the law. The old was swallowed up in the new. The LAW of tithing was history.
How many times did Peter or John, or Paul remind believers to “pay their tithes”? Can't find mention of it. The only other New Testament reference that I see on the subject of tithes is in Hebrews, chapter 7, which speaks of Abraham paying tithes to Melchisedek. The latter was a high priest who had a direct spiritual lineage to Jesus. The subject matter of Hebrews 7 is not tithing, but Christ’s new place as High Priest. Abraham was Old Testament. So is tithing. Please let me expound on that.
Like circumcision and other ceremonial “outward” duties, so was tithing. If you didn’t tithe, you were guilty of not fulfilling the law, and were cursed. (Malachi 3:9) But Christ redeemed us from that curse. (Galatians 3:13) We're not servants to those legalistic requirements any more! But He did establish his two commandments (Math 22:37-40), and they were about love--for God and people.
Tithing was done to the priesthood, the Levites. Tithing was not about money, but goods or the fruit of a man’s livelihood: his oil, his sheep, etc. The priesthood was responsible for caring for widows and orphans with those tithes, along with themselves. The New Covenant overtook the neediness of the old, spiritually establishing the new priesthood, Jesus Christ being the final priest. (see Hebrews) The veil in the temple was ripped down the middle, meaning God would no longer be contained in a specific spot. We are the new temples and our worship is as unique as we are. But we do still give and offer.
Since Jesus is a spiritual priest, what can I offer him? Wouldn’t it be about more than just money? Wouldn’t it be my love, my attention to him, my obedience, my submission to his will? (1 Sam 15:22) And this offering isn't about percentages, for God wants all of us--if Jesus is truly our Lord. Anything less is religion. The Holy Spirit (our free gift) opens the access to God, and His spiritual laws--burned into our hearts--become our new motivation, leading us in all of our doing and giving. All that I give is between Him and I. No mortal stands in the middle any longer!
Supposed men of God would try to convince us that we owe financial allegiance to them, as they "represent" Christ. This is a fleshly or carnal advocation. While they have the same needs for food and shelter, how should they really be getting their needs met? The administrations of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor (shepherd) and teacher are gifts to the Body of Christ, and are NOT paid offices. Truthfully, if we need anything, we should ask God and get our fixation off being supported by people.
Didn’t Jesus admonish his disciples not to require anything from anyone? Didn’t he overthrow the money-changers tables in anger because of the price that had been put on approaching God? Didn’t Paul support himself as a tent-maker? The apostles were, of course, aided by the brethren in love offerings, but that is another subject entirely. An open heart is different than a “have to” law of opening your wallet.
Concerning the influx of finances of any given congregation, where is the money going to? Isn’t it, for one thing, an income for the pastor? This is an un-scriptural concept, because true shepherds have a passion for "watching" the flock. They are standing in a spiritual appointment which doesn't touch the money-changers' tables. A spiritual calling has no monetary wage attached. If we are laboring for God, He is able to meet our needs. And He doesn't need our help with fund raising.
Don't tithes and offerings also get used for maintaining the current building, and maybe building a new one? True worship is inward and spontaneous, therefore not dependent on going anywhere. But if we want to gather with brethren (2 or 200), it doesn't have to happen in a specific building at a specific time. And if we were to ignore the established places and times, the clergy (today's religious hierarchy) would have to trust God for their sustenance, just like the rest of us. Christianity has that worldly business stigma (clergy=employee) hovering over its head, and is a real turn-off to those observing it from within and without!
I understand the feeling of safekeeping and the habit of meeting together in a building. But there shouldn’t be concerns for money among God’s people when they gather, except in prayers for each other. There shouldn’t be the financial cares of a business looming over their lives. And think of the freedom and beauty involved in not having to cover a minister's salary or a building expense. We can better use our time and money to help the needy in so many wonderful ways. Being independently led by the Holy Spirit in all things is a wiser choice!
Did you ever confide in a “minister” about your financial problems to have him offer the question “are you tithing”? Is that a scriptural pre-requisite for blessings? And what a sad statement about where his heart was! God doesn’t need our money, but his religious hucksters do.(2 Cor 2:17) Those are the preachers who bang the gavel the loudest on tithing. If God will supply all our need (Phil 4:19), we don't have to fleece people. Hold the statements such as "you can't out-give God". Those sayings are just another form of manipulation, for they are spoken out of want.
So, here's the reality of the tithing platform: Advocates stand for the priesthood of old--the tribe of Levi. They have taken us back to the law and sacrifices, with the name of Christ on it. This is our fundamentalist church mentality: Judeo-Christianity, which is a dysfunctional mixture, or Babylon (confusion, from Genesis 11. Also referred to in Revelation as the seat of religion where the true spirit of God does not dwell). Since we’ve been taken back to the law of Moses, please take down the crucifix. Then, sew that rent veil back together because the only thing that is truly born again is the old covenant. Actually, that is exactly what the Roman Catholic Church has been doing since 300 A.D. thanks to Constantine. He turned the true Christian movement into a religion/business complete with government ordained priests.
Somewhere in the whole take-over, tithes evolved into currency. There has been a blurring of purpose from the original format of usage. Goods (or services) would have been a true tithe, like mowing someone's lawn, or offering 10% of our tomatoes or chickens. Receivers of the tithes--scripturally, must then share with the widows and orphans. Get the picture? The worst thing about this scenario is that Jesus would have to die again, because we went back in time and canceled out His sacrifice.
I know many ministries who put no charge on what they offer, and their ministries succeed. God's love is their motivation, with no "cares of the world" attached. They know God will supply for them, because He has ordained what they are doing. He will provide. How? He moves on the hearts of those he chooses to take care of these things. The timing of giving and the extent is between God and the believer. Giving is always good; lovers of God give because they are compelled inwardly. It's not about external law anymore!
