- Image by janusz l via Flickr
From time to time I find myself in discussions around tithing and giving. Questions and comments come up such as “Why does the Church need my money?” or “The New Testament doesn’t tell us to tithe.”
My wife and I tithe – we do it as a couple because the Bible says that the “two shall become one flesh.” It is something that we discuss and work on together. We also give to the church, to charities, and to individuals above our tithe.
I’m not going to spend any time here arguing for or against the tithe. My purpose here is not to lay out any lofty arguments or to prove that I am (or am not) clever and intelligent. Rather, I’m just laying out why I (we – my wife and I) tithe.
- I see it in the Bible – I see it clearly in the Old Testament. And I see the principle at work in the New Testament. Further, I don’t see any mandate in the New Testament that negates the tithe.
- Everything belongs to God – Tithing is one way that I can acknowledge with my will and with my actions that everything I “have” is God’s and is under his control. It goes well beyond a tithe – but that’s where it starts for me.
- It’s my statement of faith and prosperity – Tithing says that my God has so blessed me that I don’t even need all that he has given me. He has given me so much that I can return 10% to him and I am still blessed beyond all measure.
The following are not some reasons I tithe.
- My tithing is not manipulation so that God will bless me – God can’t be manipulated
- My tithing is not to get forgiveness – I’ve already been forgiven because of what God has done for me through Jesus of Nazareth.
- My tithing is not because I’m afraid – I am not motivated by the fear that God will take something away if I don’t tithe.
- My tithing is not to “buy” God’s love – I can’t purchase what has been freely given
I have already been blessed beyond measure. How can I do any less than to honor God with at least 10% of my income?
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Hey Bryan! Been following your blog for a week or two but first time I'm commenting.
I totally agree with everything you mentioned above. Good for you for laying out your reasons and openly explaining it. While I agree that you can't manipulate God, Malachi 3 does explain that if you don't tithe you are under a curse and if you do tithe, you are under God's blessing. So it's not manipulating, it's very clear – if you obey God in this area, He WILL bless you. It's one of the few times in the Bible that God says “Test me.” Actually, He says “Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
Just wanted to add that point to your post. :)
Hey Martina,
Thank you for your comment. I very much appreciate it and I certainly agree with you. God will absolutely bless you – that's in the Book, too.
Thanks for posting your comment.
— Bryan
Hey Bryan! Been following your blog for a week or two but first time I'm commenting.
I totally agree with everything you mentioned above. Good for you for laying out your reasons and openly explaining it. While I agree that you can't manipulate God, Malachi 3 does explain that if you don't tithe you are under a curse and if you do tithe, you are under God's blessing. So it's not manipulating, it's very clear – if you obey God in this area, He WILL bless you. It's one of the few times in the Bible that God says “Test me.” Actually, He says “Test me in this and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
Just wanted to add that point to your post. :)
Hey Martina,
Thank you for your comment. I very much appreciate it and I certainly agree with you. God will absolutely bless you – that's in the Book too.
Thanks for posting your comment.
— Bryan